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      Fans stunned with one team ‘set to host a racecourse’ in sensational FA Cup round one draw blunder

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      FANS spotted a funny mistake after the draw for the first round of the FA Cup was made.Games will take place between November 1-4.The draw for the FA Cup first round has been madeCredit: GettyIt will feature some big teams like Birmingham, Huddersfield and Wrexham, as well as non-league minnows.A total of 44 names were pulled out of the hat for the first round – but one appeared as something else on the FA’s website.The fixtures showed a tie between Hartlepool/Brackley vs Aintree.A correction was later made so the correct team, Braintree Town, was put in place of Aintree.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut not before eagle-eyed fans spotted the mistake, with some joking the game would be held on a racecourse, referencing Aintree’s famous horseracing venue.One fan reacted saying: “Wonder how long it will take for the FA to realise that they’ve currently got the winner of the Hartlepool-Brackley replay hosting a racecourse…”Another added: “To be a fair, a team of players on horses is something I’d pay good money to see.”There is actually a football team called Aintree Villa FC – but it would have been some achievement for the Step 7 team who play in the West Cheshire League to reach this stage.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe FA listed Aintree instead of BraintreeAintree is of course famous for horseracing and hosting the Grand NationalCredit: GettyElsewhere there are some notable ties including AFC Wimbledon’s visit to MK Dons.The two are the bitterest of rivals following the relocation of the original Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes.Roy Keane reveals his pick for next England manager as Man Utd legend says ‘the FA better get busy’ AFC Wimbledon pretty much had to start again and now play in League Two.While League One leaders Birmingham face a trip to non-league side Sutton United.Huddersfield also take on non-league Tamworth.FA Cup first-round drawRotherham vs CheltenhamBarrow vs DoncasterWorthing vs MorecambeBoreham Wood vs Leyton OrientExeter vs BarnetCarlisle vs WiganTamworth vs HuddersfieldHartlepool/Brackley vs BraintreeCurzon Ashton vs MansfieldWycombe vs YorkBradford vs AldershotHednesford/Gateshead vs Gainsborough/BostonBurton vs ScarboroughTranmere vs OldhamRochdale vs BromleyWalsall vs BoltonGrimsby vs WealdstoneBristol Rovers vs Weston-super-MareMK Dons vs AFC WimbledonAltrincham/Solihull Moors vs MaidstoneStockport vs Forest GreenReading vs FleetwoodStevenage vs GuiseleyNorthampton vs KetteringRushall/Peterborough Sports vs AccringtonSwindon vs ColchesterSalford vs ShrewsburyCrewe vs Dagenham & RedbridgePort Vale vs BarnsleyChesham vs LincolnChesterfield vs HorshamSouthend vs CharltonNotts County vs AlfretonTaunton/Maidenhead vs CrawleyHarrogate vs WrexhamWoking vs CambridgeGillingham vs BlackpoolTonbridge Angels vs HarboroughSutton vs BirminghamNewport vs Peterborough More

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      Lee Carsley told he will NOT get the England job as Three Lions target Pep Guardiola to replace Gareth Southgate

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      LEE CARSLEY has been told he will NOT get the England job, SunSport can reveal.The FA are believed to have added Pep Guardiola to the shortlist to replace Gareth Southgate.Pep Guardiola is believed to be one of the front-runners to succeed Gareth SouthgateCredit: RexLee Carsley has been told he will not get the job full-timeCredit: GettyCarsley, 50, is understood to have accepted the FA’s decision without complaint.He agreed to act as caretaker boss for six England games this autumn, during which time he has been repeatedly questioned about his plans.SunSport’s revelation that Carsley had already been told the FA were looking elsewhere explains his seemingly bizarre comments after the Greece defeat that he would “hopefully be going back to the under 21’s.”Carsley has been criticised for failing to offer clarity but has earned the admiration of his FA bosses for attempting to give nothing away and keeping their recruitment plans secret.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe FA have been sounding out potential candidates, including Guardiola, since Southgate resigned in July but have yet to hold formal talks with anyone.Carsley’s willingness to take charge of England’s Nations League campaign this autumn has bought the FA some time.He hinted that he was in agreement with the FA’s plans after Sunday’s 3-1 win in Finland without giving much away.He said: “People are always going to try and put their chips on one side. I’m in the middle.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”My bosses have made it clear what they need from me. This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies and I am still on the path to that.”Guardiola, 53, has won 15 trophies in eight years at Manchester City but he is out of contract at the end of the season.England ratings: Angel Gomes is the runaway success of Lee Carsley era but Cole Palmer is anonymousThe FA are hoping they can tempt him to take the England job from the summer onwards.He was coy when asked about his future, saying: “Leaving City? It’s not true, I haven’t decided yet.“And it is not even true that I will be the next England coach. If I had decided I would say it… I don’t know either, anything can happen.”The FA insist they have a shortlist of candidates, but the recruitment process has been complicated by uncertainty over England’s fixture list.It is not even true that I will be the next England coach. If I had decided I would say it… I don’t know either, anything can happen.Pep GuardiolaFA chief executive Mark Bullingham wants a permanent manager in place for the start of England’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but they do not know if that will be next March or the following September.England will start their World Cup campaign in March if they win their Nations League group, but they are currently three points behind Greece with two games remaining.READ MORE SUN STORIESIf England finish second they will enter the Nations League play-offs and be placed in one of the four-team World Cup qualifiying groups, which does not begin until September.The FA declined to comment.DAVE KIDD: Unless we get Pep Guardiola, it’s back to bedlam after calm of Gareth SouthgateBy Dave KiddIT IS easy to forget, after eight serene years of Gareth Southgate, that the default mode for the England football team, and the FA, is one of utter chaos.After last week’s bewildering, headless-chicken home defeat by Greece and the endless, dizzying ramblings from Lee Carsley about whether or not he wants to be Southgate’s full-time successor, it seems like deja vu all over again.Because this was what following England used to feel like.Before Southgate took over — and the Three Lions became supremely competent and professional on and off the field — it really always was stark, raving bonkers.Under Southgate it could be a little boring, a little too cautious, at times. But England rarely lost football matches, always featured at the sharp end of tournaments and were always a serious, rational set-up.It was never the long-running, hopes-up, trousers-down, clown show we endured for decades until one decent, intelligent man in a waistcoat arrived and decided enough was enough.Southgate banked tens of millions as England boss and we can safely assume that he hasn’t custard-gunned it all on drink, drugs and loose women.He confirmed he wants a sabbatical of at least a year before he returns to coaching.And, therefore, he wouldn’t touch the Manchester United job with a bargepole, despite having significant allies on the Old Trafford board.Southgate is enjoying life away from the madhouse.He’s been seeing the family, walking the dogs, watching the cricket and plans to give a talk at Harvard University.Those sort of Gareth things. And good for him.Some of us knew England would miss Southgate dearly but perhaps we didn’t realise quite how soon, and quite how deeply, we would regret his exit.The FA relied on him to a greater extent than they ever realised.As a statesman, a figurehead, a beacon of good sense and decency, as well as a very useful football manager, who was extremely popular with his players.And whatever happens next — whether more interim Carsley, or Graham Potter, or perhaps the colourful loose-cannon Thomas Tuchel arrives from Germany — history tells us that we will probably go back to bedlam.Pep Guardiola? Now that might be a different, if unlikely, prospect.Because the England manager’s role wasn’t called ‘the impossible job’ without good reason.Remember Sam Allardyce resigning after one match, having been caught out acting exactly like Sam Allardyce, boasting over a pint of wine during a covert sting?Remember the Iceland debacle and, before that, the disastrous Brazil World Cup campaign under Roy Hodgson — which had been pretty much predicted by FA chief executive Greg Dyke performing a throat-slitting gesture when the draw was made?Remember the John Terry fiascos under Fabio Capello — when the Chelsea man was stripped of the captaincy for having allegedly diddled the former girlfriend of the reserve left-back, only to be reinstated as captain.And then to be accused of racially abusing the brother of his central defensive partner and for Capello to resign rather than sack Terry as captain again?That was Capello, who claimed he only needed to know 100 words of English and who agreed to take extra money for rating his own players out of 100 in something on the internet called ‘the Capello Index’ at the 2010 World Cup.Yes, kids, all this actually happened.And before that, Steve McClaren, under an umbrella, failing to qualify for the 2008 Euros.And before him, the late Sven-Goran Eriksson and the peak era of low farce — the fake Sheikh, the Beckham circus, the WAGs table-dancing in Baden-Baden, the Faria Alam scandal which ended with FA chief executive Mark Palios resigning after he and Eriksson had both diddled the same secretary.And that was after Kevin Keegan quit in the Wembley toilets, after Glenn Hoddle had resigned for making bizarre comments about disabled people and reincarnation, having employed faith healer Eileen Drewery to lay hands on his players.And dentist chairs and turnips and gambling cultures and missed drug tests and threatened players’ strikes and so on and so, so farcical.Thirty years of hurt have turned into 60 years because Southgate — despite reaching successive Euros finals and overseeing two very decent World Cup campaigns — couldn’t quite get his hands on a trophy.And now the impossible job feels impossible again.Because this is a nation obsessed with the game.Because this is a nation which — I think we’re still allowed to say — was the birthplace of organised, competitive football.Because this is a nation which is home to the richest and most popular league on the face of the Earth.And because this is a nation which still craves the ultimate glory of a first major international title since 1966.As Southgate (left) has frequently reminded us, the England manager’s job brings a uniquely sharp focus.There are 60 million armchair bosses and, when it’s an international break or a summer tournament, England is the only show in town.Expectations, which had dipped after all those years of nut-casery, are now limitless because Southgate came so close, so often.All of this is surely too big for Carsley. It feels too big for Potter, too.And for Tuchel, or most unsuspecting overseas candidates, all of this lunatic history feels too big to comprehend.So if Guardiola really wants a serious new challenge.And if he is really prepared to take a major pay cut, then he is one of the few men truly capable of being up to the job.If not, it will just be back to bedlam again.If not, we might be missing Southgate for a long time to come. More

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      When is FA Cup first-round draw? Date, time, ball numbers, TV channel and FREE live stream as 48 EFL sides enter the hat

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      THE draw for the FA Cup first-round proper will take place on Monday night.48 EFL clubs from League One and League Two begin their campaigns at this stage, alongside the 32 non-league teams who have progressed through qualifying.The FA Cup first-round proper gets underway in NovemberCredit: PAPremier League and Championship sides will join the iconic competition from the third round stage in the new year.But before that, teams from the lower end of the footballing pyramid will battle it out in the first-round proper.SunSport has all the information you need ahead of the huge draw.When is FA Cup first-round draw?The FA Cup first-round draw will take place on Monday, October 14.The draw will take place from 7pm BST.Bradford City’s Valley Parade will host proceedings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhat TV channel is the FA Cup first-round draw on and can it be live streamed FREE?The FA Cup first-round draw will be broadcast live on BBC Two.You can live stream the event for FREE on the BBC iPlayer website/app.Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog will provide full coverage of the draw.FA Cup first-round ball numbersThe ball numbers for the FA Cup first round are as follows:1. Accrington Stanley2. AFC Wimbledon3. Barnsley4. Barrow5. Birmingham City6. Blackpool7. Bolton Wanderers8. Bradford City9. Bristol Rovers10. Bromley11. Burton Albion12. Cambridge United13. Carlisle United14. Charlton Athletic15. Cheltenham Town16. Chesterfield17. Colchester United18. Crawley Town19. Crewe Alexandra20. Doncaster Rovers21. Exeter City22. Fleetwood Town23. Gillingham24. Grimsby Town25. Harrogate Town26. Huddersfield Town27. Leyton Orient28. Lincoln City29. Mansfield Town30. Milton Keynes Dons31. Morecambe32. Newport County33. Northampton Town34. Notts County35. Peterborough United36. Port Vale37. Reading38. Rotherham United39. Salford City40. Shrewsbury Town41. Stevenage42. Stockport County43. Swindon Town44. Tranmere Rovers45. Walsall46. Wigan Athletic47. Wrexham48. Wycombe Wanderers49. Rushall Olympic or Peterborough Sports50. Tamworth51. Oldham Athletic52. Hartlepool United or Brackley Town53. Kettering Town54. Altrincham or Solihull Moors55. Rochdale56. Scarborough Athletic57. York City58. Harborough Town59. Curzon Ashton60. Gainsborough Trinity or Boston United61. Hednesford Town or Gateshead62. Alfreton Town63. Guiseley64. Taunton Town or Maidenhead United65. Horsham66. Aldershot Town67. Southend United68. Sutton United69. Boreham Wood70. Weston Super Mare71. Wealdstone72. Dagenham & Redbridge73. Barnet74. Chesham United75. Tonbridge Angels76. Woking77. Forest Green Rovers78. Maidstone United79. Worthing80. Braintree TownWhen will FA Cup first-round ties take place?FA Cup first-round ties will take place between Friday, November 1 and Monday, November 4.Most read in FA Cup More

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      Jurgen Klopp’s new job shows why England fans should NOT expect a big name manager to replace Gareth Southgate

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      JURGEN KLOPP is banking around £9million as Red Bull’s ‘head of global soccer’.The German’s salary for his cushy new job is half of the £18m of what he was earning at Liverpool – yet it is still nearly double what Gareth Southgate received for managing England.Jurgen Klopp halved his Liverpool pay but it’s double what Southgate gotCredit: PADefeat against Greece undermined Lee Carsley’s chances of landing the permanent England job but it’s unclear if or how much he wants itCredit: AlamySaudi Arabia chief Roberto Mancini is the top earner on £21m a yearCredit: AFPAnd this tells you everything you need to know about the current economics of international football.Klopp’s past and current wages illustrate why it is a pointless exercise playing fantasy manager in terms of who the Football Association should be looking to appoint as the next boss of England.Lee Carsley, who has been earning about £300,000 a year as manager of the Under-21s, has not exactly enhanced his prospects as manager.Equally, although the 2-1 defeat to Greece on Thursday was an embarrassment, it would be unwise to take Carsley out of the equation.READ MORE TOP STORIESIf England are still able to win their next three games, including a comfortable win over Greece in Athens to top the group, then – potentially – the job could still be his.If he wanted it, naturally, and even that is up for debate.After this six-game Nations League programme is complete, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham will sit down with the organisation’s technical director, John McDermott, who is the man charged with recruiting the next head coach, to discuss the next appointment.Although the FA want the best man for the job, basic economics come into play.Most read in FootballPep Guardiola seems interested in the England role but maybe not yetCredit: AlamyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWhen the FA appointed Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, they were able to recruit who they felt were the best coaches in the world at that time.Yet club football has moved on in terms of cash. Southgate was the top earning coach at Euro 2024 on £5m, with Germany’s Julian Naglesmann close behind on £4m.Lee Carsley’s slip of the tongue after Greece nightmare hints he wants England U21s job back and not replace SouthgateEngland player ratings vs GreeceBy Tom BarclayLEE CARSLEY’S tactical experiment of playing no strikers backfired as Vangelis Pavlidis’ double secured an emotional shock win for Greece at Wembley.Interim England boss Carsley played all three of our nation’s gifted No10s – Phil Foden, Jue Bellingham and Cole Palmer – in varying positions.But it did not work and the Greeks took a deserved lead thanks to Pavlidis’ belting second-half finish.The visitors then held up a shirt in celebration bearing the name Baldock – in reference to their team-mate George Baldock, whose passing at the age of just 31 on Wednesday rocked the world of football.Bellingham looked to have ensured the points were shared with a thunderous strike with three minutes to go.But there was still time for Pavlidis to expose some woeful defending deep into injury time by firing past Jordan Pickford.Here are SunSport’s player ratings from a dire night for England under the arch.Jordan Pickford: 4Wandered into no-man’s-land territory outside his box early on and lost the ball, allowing Greek skipper Tasos Baksetas a free shot at goal – only to be saved by Levi Colwill’s last-gasp clearance. Did not instil confidence, despite his experience.Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6Some tasty passes – they are his speciality, after all – but not great at the back. He, John Stones and Cole Palmer were weak in their attempt to close down Vangelis Pavlidis before the Benfica man smashed home the opener.John Stones: 5Made captain for what was his 82nd cap, surpassing Rio Ferdinand’s haul. But it was a shaky display from his defence and Stones should have done better to stop Pavlidis.Levi Colwill: 7Greece would have been ahead far sooner were it not for Colwill’s athletic hack away to deny Bakasetas. Replays showed it would have crossed the line had the Chelsea man been a split second later with his incredible intervention.Rico Lewis: 6Tried to bomb up the left flank where he could but, just like Kieran Trippier at the Euros, was hamstrung by constantly having to cut back onto his favoured right foot.Declan Rice: 6Played as England’s only holding midfielder, as fans had been imploring Gareth Southgate to use him for years. It was not like he was overrun but his side did look vulnerable on the counter.Phil Foden: 4Spent most of the game pressing the Greek backline as a false nine without really getting on the ball and causing any damage. Ineffective. Cole Palmer: 6Deployed in a deeper, central-midfield role which at least meant he saw plenty of the ball, though he blazed England’s best chance of the first half over the bar. Remarkably, his first competitive England start, despite being named on Tuesday as Three Lions player of the 2023-24 season. Bukayo Saka: 5Struggled to get into the game and then was forced out of it, worryingly limping off early in the second half. The last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see.Jude Bellingham: 7 STAR MANPlayed in a false nine position and had a belting early shot well saved. The system did not work but Bellingham still so nearly emerged as the saviour by banging in his first goal of the season for club and country.Anthony Gordon: 5Caused Greece few problems and his touch looked off it. Had a decent chance from Alexander-Arnold’s peach of a delivery but headed over.SUBS: Noni Madueke (for Saka 52): Played out on the left, rather than his natural right, when coming on. Went down in the box deep into injury time but no penalty was given. 6Ollie Watkins (for Gordon 60): Almost scored with his first touch when played through by Palmer, but smashed just over. 7Dominic Solanke (for Foden 72): Grabbed an assist when laying the ball back to Bellingham who thumped in the leveller. 7Manager Lee Carsley: 4Seemed to gamble unnecessarily with this experimental system instead of playing it safe to add another win to boost his case to earn the job full-time. Carsley played without a natural centre-forward when winning the Under-21 Euros because he had to after Flo Balogun switched the USA and Rhian Brewster got injured, but here he did it by choice and it did not work. Bellingham looked to have saved his bacon – but then Pavlidis struck again.In contrast, even the inexperienced Kieran McKenna earns £5m a season at Ipswich after he signed a new deal due to interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.The best paid manager in the world is Roberto Mancini who is scooping up £21m a year in Saudi Arabia but the mega-rich state is on a different level to everyone else.Interestingly, the next 14 best-paid managers in the world are all with club teams.This includes Pep Guardiola who earns about £20m a year at Manchester City.The England job does appear to interest him although this is one for the future. Whether the Spaniard would take a monumental pay cut remains to be seen.The FA is a not-for-profit organisation and they plough all their spare money into the game. This includes a commitment to deliver 4,000 quality pitches and to increase FA Cup prize money for the men’s and women’s game.Even if the FA decide to back away from Carsley, financial considerations will dictate who they appoint.Eddie Howe would be a popular choice and he would be interested in the England job.While the FA could give him an increase from his £4m salary at Newcastle, the north-east club would demand a huge amount in compensation which the FA would be unwilling to pay.Thomas Tuchel would be keen on taking charge of the Three Lions – with reports in Germany claiming he is ready for talks.He last earned £8m at Bayern Munich and would take a pay cut but he remains an outsider.READ MORE SUN STORIESGraham Potter was on £10m at Chelsea but would clearly love to take charge of the national team and money would not be an issue.So, while some fans might still dream of seeing Guardiola or Klopp lead the team into the next World Cup, they have to get real. It will be either Carsley or Potter.Thomas Tuchel would like to boss the Three Lions but is an outsiderCredit: Rex More

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      Nottingham Forest slapped with staggering fine after shocking tweet following defeat to Everton

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST have been hit with a huge fine after their shocking tweet following last season’s defeat to Everton.Forest lost 2-0 at Goodison Park in April’s potential relegation clash.Nottingham Forest have been fined after their tweet following last season’s defeat at EvertonCredit: GettyBut chiefs were left fuming as they felt Forest were denied three clear penalties.The club then published a wild post on X claiming that the VAR ref on the day was “a Luton fan”, with the Hatters also battling for safety at the time.It read: “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.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”Forest were then hit with misconduct charges by the FA.And they have now been fined a massive £750,000.A statement read: “Nottingham Forest have been fined £750,000 and warned for misconduct in relation to comments posted on social media after their Premier League game against Everton on Sunday 21 April.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”The club denied that the comments posted on social media imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match officials and/or the video assistant referee and/or bring the game into disrepute.”An independent Regulatory Commission found the charge to be proven following a hearing and imposed the club’s sanctions.”Football icons’ strange hobbiesNottingham Forest have confirmed that they will appeal the decision.A club statement read: “Nottingham Forest Football Club is extremely disappointed with the decision of the Regulatory Commission to impose a £750,000 fine in relation to comments posted on social media following our Premier League fixture against Everton on Sunday 21 April.”We are particularly concerned that The FA, in its submissions, sought a sanction ‘in excess of £1,000,000’. “We believe that this request, along with the subsequent fine, is wholly disproportionate and the Club will be appealing the decision.”Following their initial tweet in April, Forest demanded the VAR audio from the game against Everton was released.Refs chief Howard Webb even went as far as to admit mistakes were made in the match.But that still didn’t save Forest from their FA charge.Thankfully for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, they ended up beating the drop last season.READ MORE SUN STORIESInstead it was Luton who dropped to the Championship.And Forest are now looking solid in 10th place this term. More

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      EFL boss reveals what sparked him squaring up to Shrewsbury player as he faces FA probe over moment of madness

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      BOLTON boss Ian Evatt has accused Shrewsbury captain Morgan Feeney of “grabbing” him during their post-match altercation but admits he “went too far”.The former Blackpool defender, 42, went over to the referee to protest the lack of stoppage time after the final whistle blew in his side’s 2-2 draw with the Shrews on Saturday.Ian Evatt is facing a ban for his altercation after Bolton’s draw with ShrewsburyCredit: GettyEvatt went on the pitch to talk to the referee but ended up in a row with Shrewsbury defender Morgan FeeneyA disciplinary hearing has begun regarding the incidentEvatt has given his side of the story and insists he will talk to the FAThe Wanderers gaffer began discussions with the official on the pitch but then became embroiled in a spat with centre-back Feeney, 25.He was subsequently sent off and a disciplinary hearing is now underway.Ahead of the decision, Evatt has given his side of the story, insisting he was provoked into a reaction.Speaking to The Bolton News, he said: “Obviously I am not going to say too much because I am part of a process with the FA but what I will say is that I am disappointed. I am not happy with the way things turned out.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”There wasn’t an issue with the referee at all, we were discussing the timing situation, and there was context to my actions.”Their player grabbed me, said some not very nice things, and I reacted in a way I shouldn’t have done.”Whether it was emotion, frustration, passion, whatever you want to call it, it probably went too far.”But as I say, there is context behind the way I reacted and I will be discussing that with the FA.”Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt is understood Bolton fear gaffer Evatt could face a more lengthy punishment than the regulation one-game ban.He is expected to miss their next game at home to Burton, but could also be absent for their following matches against Birmingham and Peterborough.Arsenal teenager Jacker Porter made his Gunners debut against Bolton and became a record breakerEvatt has been in charge of Bolton since July 2020, earning promotion to League One in his first season.He also led them to an EFL Trophy triumph in 2023.He has won 120 of 139 games as Bolton boss, but missed out on promotion to the Championship last season as his side were beaten 2-0 in the play-off final by Oxford.Bolton sit 13th in League One with 14 points from their opening nine matches. More

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      Kick It Out founder Herman Ouseley dies aged 79 after life spent campaigning against racism & discrimination in football

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      LORD Herman Ouseley, the founder of Kick It Out and anti-racism campaigner, has died at the age of 79.It is thought Lord Ouseley died on Wednesday, following a short illness.The anti-racism campaigner Lord Herman Ouseley, seen here in 2016, has diedCredit: Getty Images – GettyLord Ouseley outside the Palace of Westminster in 2018Credit: Tom Pilston – The Sunday TimesHe founded Kick It Out to tackle racism and discrimination in football and was its chairman for 25 years.Kick It Out paid tribute to Lord Ouseley this afternoon, calling him “a fearless advocate for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities and will be sorely missed”.The anti-discrimination charity announced Lord Ouseley’s death on its official X, formerly Twitter, account.”We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Lord Herman Ouseley after a short illness,” Kick It Out’s statement read.Read More on Football”Lord Ouseley was a titan in tackling discrimination in football over the 25 years he was chair of Kick It Out, having founded Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football in 1993.”He was also a fearless advocate for under-represented and disadvantaged communities and will be sorely missed.”Lord Ouseley’s vision to set up Kick It Out was the first true structural change in football to take on a problem that had blighted the game for decades.”Fans and participants are now more aware of discrimination and how to challenge it, which is a legacy of the tenacity and vigour he showed in ensuring football continued to change.Most read in Football”We owe him a huge debt of gratitude and vow to continue that legacy for the benefit of future generations.”Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”Birmingham star points out fan who racially abused him as police launch probe a week after crowd trouble hit FA Cup tieHe sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher from 2001 until his retirement in 2019.Lord Ouseley was also the chief executive for the Race Equality Commission after a long career in local government.Tributes have been pouring in with Troy Townsend MBE, a former footballer and fellow anti-racism activist, calling him “the greatest”.He wrote on X: “Back in 2020 I was so grateful to pay tribute to this legend of a man whilst he accepted a Special Recognition Award from Pride of Britain.”Lord Herman Ouseley, I owe you a debt of gratitude for everything you did for me, for football & society. May your pain be no more.”Mr Townsend added: “[He] stood up when others stayed silent. Took on an industry that allowed racism to flourish. “Looked people in the eye and demanded they change. Whether it was football or politics Herman took on all comers. I’m very proud to be part of his legacy.”The FA also wrote on the social media site: “We are extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Lord Herman Ouseley.”Lord Ouseley was a trailblazer in English football, having the original vision for @kickitout, and he played a hugely inspirational role in tackling discrimination across our game while advocating for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities.”Labour MP Diane Abbott also paid tribute to Lord Ouseley, calling him “a pioneer at the top levels of local government”.Herman George Ouseley was born in Guyana in 1946 and came to Britain when he was 12, attending William Penn Primary School and then Catford College. He started a successful career in local politics, going on to serve as chief executive of the London Borough of Lambeth.It was also the first black head of the former Inner London Education Authority, a body which oversaw more than 1,000 schools and colleges in in the capital.Lord Ouseley set up Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football in 1993 and served as the head of the Commission for Racial Equality from 1993 to 2000.He was then made a Life Peer in 2001, going on to pick up 13 honorary degrees.READ MORE SUN STORIESLet’s Kick Racism Out of Football altered its name to Kick It Out, with Lord Ousley heading the organisation until December 2018.The campaigner shared two children with his teacher wife, Margaret.Lord Ouseley with then England manager Roy Hodgson, right, in the stands during a match at Stamford Bridge in May 2015Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      FA Cup prize money dramatically increased as EFL and non-league clubs compensated for scrapping of replays

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      THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has significantly increased the FA Cup prize money after replays were controversially axed.EFL and non-league clubs were outraged back in April after a joint decision from the Premier League and the FA to scrap rematches in the legendary competition.The Football Association has significantly raised the FA Cup prize moneyCredit: GettyThe FA agreed to put an extra £2.34million into the prize pot for rounds one to threeCredit: PAOfficials announced they would seek compensation for their clubs and branded the initiative as “frustrating and disappointing”.They also claimed they had been sidelined and expressed fears that the new format would deny already cash-strapped sides lucrative fixtures with some of the country’s biggest clubs.The EFL believed the decision occurred as a result of the expansion of Uefa’s calendar with the controversial introduction of the repackaged Club World Cup, which led to furious reaction from players.According to The Mail, however, a compensation has now been agreed following a series of high-level talks.Read More on FootballThe FA agreed to put an extra £2.34million into the prize pot for rounds one to three.That means the total kitty could increase by 38 per cent compared to last season.Therefore, defeated clubs from Round One will make £15,000 compared to nothing from last year.Those who are defeated in the second round will receive a total of £65,000, which is up from £41,000.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd finally those who make it to Round Three before being knocked out will pocket £145,000.Replays had been a key part of the FA Cup tradition, which is why the new plans received such a furious reaction.My cousin is Man Utd FA Cup hero – now he’s helping me through my injury hell so I can shine for women’s teamWhy FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin LiptonTHE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.Read more on the FA Cup. More