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      Mystery as referee probed over claims he wore bodycam in kids’ footie match without permission

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      A REF is being probed over claims he wore a bodycam in a kids’ footie match without permission.The match official told the coaches it was part of an FA-backed VAR-style trial.
      A ref is being probed over claims he wore a bodycam in a kids’ footie match without permission (stock pic)Credit: Getty
      Durham FA chief John Topping said they do not know if he was actually wearing video equipmentCredit: Supplied
      But when they double-checked, they were told there was no trial.
      An investigation has been launched by Northumberland and Durham County FAs following the U13 game in the Russell Foster Youth League.
      Refs wore bodycams in four grassroots leagues last ­season to see if respect improved — but only in adult matches and not in that area.
      Durham FA chief John Topping said they do not know if he was actually wearing video equipment.
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      But he added: “He informed the coaches he was recording everything.
      “They couldn’t understand because the FA did do a pilot a few months ago with bodycams but not here.”
      Local football chiefs said they are investigating after a ref registered to Northumberland FA allegedly used a body-worn camera at a recent fixture.
      They added: “We must clarify that referees are not currently permitted to use body-worn cameras at any time.”
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      Major broadcasting change to FA Cup with BBC or ITV set to lose coverage as fans rage about deal with new channel

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      FOOTBALL fans are going to be able to watch more FA Cup games than ever.But it won’t be entirely free with the FA agreeing a new four-year deal with paid broadcaster TNT Sports.
      TNT Sports will be the new home of the FA CupCredit: Reuters
      The new deal will begin from the 2025/26 season and will see every game from the third round onwards, outside of the 3pm kick offs, televised.
      TNT Sports, who currently show Champions League and Premier League coverage, charge a subscription fee to watch their coverage.
      But the FA have confirmed in a statement that the FA Cup will still be shown on free-to-air channels alongside TNT Sports.
      However it is not known what channel that will be with the statement adding that it will be “confirmed in due course”.
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      ITV and BBC currently share the rights to show the historic competition.
      Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive, said: “This new partnership will see selected matches shown live on TNT Sports, as well as free-to-air, from the first round of the competition through to the Final at Wembley Stadium.

      “TNT Sports are an outstanding broadcaster with an impressive record of showing some of the biggest and best sporting events around the world,
      “So we are delighted to be working with them on our shared commitment and long-term vision that will ensure the Emirates FA Cup continues to thrive over the coming year.”
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      The deal will also see TNT televise the Community Shield, and the FA Youth Cup semi-finals and final.
      Some fans have been left fuming by the news with frustration over having to pay to watch the 153-year-old competition.
      Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers
      One wrote on social media: “Grim. FA Cup behind a paywall. Totally grim.”
      While another added: “This is wrong. The world’s oldest and most prestigious national cup competition should always be free-to-air.”
      A third wrote: “Taking the FA Cup off terrestrial TV is absolutely sickening.” More

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      Footie assistant manager charged with betting breaches by FA after ‘placing 251 bets on matches’

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      MORECAMBE’s assistant manager has been charged with allegedly violating FA betting rules.John McMahon has been charged with a whopping 251 alleged violations over a near four-year period.
      Morecambe assistant manager John McMahon could be in hot waterCredit: REX
      He’s been charged with 251 alleged breaches of betting rulesCredit: MORECAMBE FC
      An FA statement read: “Morecambe assistant manager, John McMahon, has been charged with misconduct in relation to betting.
      “It’s alleged that he has breached FA Rule E1 (b) by betting on football matches 251 times between 30 November 2019 and 14 October 2023.
      “John McMahon has until Thursday 8 February to respond.”
      A statement from League Two Morecambe on the allegation read: “Morecambe Football Club acknowledges the FA’s statement regarding the charge made against John McMahon.
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      “As this is an ongoing matter, we will be making no further comment at this time.”
      The allegations against McMahon came to light just hours after a Championship player received a lengthy ban for breaching rules – with one of the violations seeing him bet on his own team.
      Huddersfield Town’s Kian Harratt was slapped with a four-month ban after being found guilty of placing 484 bets on football over a three-year period.
      Harratt apologised for his actions, saying: “I am also cognisant of the fact that some of the bets that I have placed are more problematic than others, in particular those involving my own team.
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      “While the vast majority of the bets I have placed on football do not involve my own team, I recognise the issues that placing bets involving my own team can cause.”
      Huddersfield Town’s Kian Harratt was slapped with a four-month ban for 484 breaches of betting rulesCredit: GETTY
      He added: “Of the 44 bets of this nature that I placed, 36 involved Huddersfield.
      “I was not in the matchday squad for any of the fixtures involving Huddersfield that I bet on, as I was either on loan or training with the reserves at that time.
      “Nine of the 36 bets involving Huddersfield included selections for Huddersfield to lose. While, as explained above, I was not in the squad for these fixtures, I accept that these are perhaps the most serious of the bets on football that I have placed.
      “As is demonstrated by the spontaneous nature of the bets that I placed, I did not plan or give much thought to the teams that I included.
      “Looking back, I find it difficult to explain how or why I would have selected certain teams or fixtures to bet on.
      “In particular, I am unable to explain why I would have placed bets against my own team, when it is clear to me now that this is something that footballers should not do.”
      If found guilty, McMahon could face a serious touchline suspension.
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      The FA hit Brentford and England international Ivan Toney with an EIGHT-MONTH ban and a £50,000 suspension for 232 breaches of FA betting rules.
      Toney, 27, only returned to the fray on January 20 in the Bees’ clash with Nottingham Forest.
      Ivan Toney was slapped with an eight-month ban for 232 breaches of FA betting rulesCredit: PA More

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      FA Cup could introduce sin bins from NEXT SEASON and overhaul VAR in one of biggest ever rule changes

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      THE FA Cup could trial sin-bins next season – with VAR also set to change.International rule-makers are likely to approve FA plans for ten-minute banishments.
      Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea visit Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The world’s most famous domestic competition could see major changeCredit: Rex
      Next term is also expected to see referees announce video-replay decisions via microphones – like at the women’s World Cup last summer.
      And a third major initiative should also get the go-ahead – a rugby-style rule where only captains are allowed to approach the referee.
      That’s part of a powerful new push to improve players’ discipline.
      The Times say the proposals could all be cleared at the International FA Board’s annual meeting in Scotland in March.
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      The FA is then tipped to “seriously consider” trialling sin-bins for dissent or cynical fouls in the men’s and women’s FA Cup.
      It follows successful trials of the temporary sending-off in amateur and youth football across England and Wales, albeit just for dissent.
      The change is designed to curb unsporting fouls that rile fans as well as potentially changing the course of matches.
      For example, had the rule been in place three years ago, Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini might have been sin-binned for the infamous way he pulled Bukayo Saka back at a crucial time in the Euro 2020 final.
      Most read in FA CupWHEN WOULD PLAYERS BE SIN-BINNEDTHE sin-bin trials would focus on two areas of rule-breaking.

      The FA want to curb tactical fouls that infuriate supporters.
      These are the sort of clever or crafty actions that for so long were called “professional fouls”.
      At the moment, such fouls might not deny an obvious scoring chance but they could well halt a dangerous attack when a chance appears likely to be created.
      Similarly, these cynical interventions might break the momentum of a team pressing for a vital goal.
      Instead, fearing a possible 10 minutes on the sidelines, players would think twice about tugging an opponent back or cynically tripping a speeding player.
      The other use of temporary dismissals is part of a major push towards improving behaviour towards match officials.
      It would mean only captains could go up to referees to question decisions.
      The FA hope that rule will stop teams swarming around a ref – as well as limiting the flare-ups that can spread quickly when players rush in over a heated incident or controversial decision.

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      At 1-1 and with seconds left of normal time, the outpaced centre-back halted Saka the only way he could.
      Yet Chiellini was only booked and Italy went on to win 3-2 on penalties.
      Kim Kardashian admits ‘I’ll be the most embarrassing soccer mom in world’ as she makes major World Cup 2026 announcement_1
      The 39-year-old even laughed off the controversial moment, happily admitting: “I grabbed him good!”
      And in the 2018 Champions League final Sergio Ramos seriously injured Liverpool’s main man Mo Salah by hauling him down on the half-hour.
      Many believed it was a match-turning moment as Real Madrid turned a goalless first period into a 3-1 victory.
      The international board that will decide if sin-bin trials can go ahead is made up of Fifa, who have four votes, and the four British associations, who have one apiece. More

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      Rio Ferdinand tells FA to replace Southgate with new England boss who’d be ‘like going from ready salted to vindaloo’

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      RIO FERDINAND has revealed who he would want the FA to replace Gareth Southgate with to become the new England boss.But he thinks the difference in character would be too much for the FA to handle.
      Rio Ferdinand revealed who he wants to see replace Gareth Southgate as the new England bossCredit: YouTube @ Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE
      Southgate’s contract is set to expire in DecemberCredit: PA
      Ferdinand said Jose Mourinho would be the perfect successorCredit: AP
      The former Manchester United and Three Lions defender reckons Jose Mourinho should replace Southgate, whose contract is set to expire in December.
      Speaking on his podcast Vibe With Five, Ferdinand said: “I don’t think the FA would hire a Jose Mourinho. I would.
      “But I don’t think the FA… they’re not going from Gareth Southgate to Mourinho.
      “That’s too big of a difference in character and personality. It’s not happening.
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      “Yeah… that’s like going from ready salted to vindaloo, bruv. It’s not happening.”
      Mourinho was sacked from Roma last week, with the Italian giants currently eighth in Serie A.
      During his two and half years in the Italian capital “The Special One” won the Europa Conference League in 2022.
      It was the club’s first major European honour in 61 years.
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      He’s currently out of work but has been linked with several new jobs across the world and Ferdinand has said he would be good for the Newcastle job.
      Mourinho was last week linked with a role to lead Saudi Pro League Al Shabab – but the 60-year-old quickly denied any deal for a move to the Gulf State.
      The Portuguese boss is not desperate to get back in the dugout and will wait until the perfect opportunity arises.
      Meanwhile, Southgate’s exit from the Three Lions will not be immediately after Euro 2024 in the summer.
      FA technical director John McDermott and chief executive Mark Bullingham have agreed the boss will have a “cooling off” period after the Euros. More

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      The FA Cup doesn’t need changing and scrapping replays would be ridiculous, says Premier League vice-chairman

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      THE FA Cup is a sports institution that should be left alone to warm our winters — as it has for well over 150 years.This may appear an obvious statement, except that there are continuing whispers it should be trimmed further to make room for competitions without particular history or prestige.
      The FA Cup is an institution and should be left alone, says Karren BradyCredit: Getty
      It took a foreigner, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, to sum up the affection that most of us have for it.
      After beating third-tier Wigan, he said: “It is a massive competition and everyone wants to win the FA Cup. We take it seriously.”So we should. United have won the  Cup 12 times — bettered only by Arsenal’s 14.
      But the essence is that any club from tiers one  to eight has a chance to play in a Wembley final.
      Without replays, it would be stunted and, for the underprivileged, a loss of revenue.

      Maidstone United were the non-league tiddlers to survive the third round.
      Let George Elokobi, Maidstone’s boss, explain the true meaning of the Cup: “It is magic. This is what it does.
      “It just brings our  community and binds  us together. It makes us even stronger — inspiring the younger generation.”
      Perhaps it takes an aspiring boss from Cameroon, albeit with plenty of Premier League experience, to capture the dimension of our annual knockout wonder.
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      Yet the ex-Wolves star’s view is not necessarily shared by owners whose sentiments are often, “Who cares about a silly old competition”.
      Well, I do and so do millions of English and Welsh men and women.I also care that it helps spread down money to lower leagues as all gate revenue is shared.
      There is too much talk of following the Scottish FA this season in cutting out replays and deciding ties with penalties.
      This is both unfair on the away team and ridiculous, almost akin to Parliament scotching by-elections and reintroducing rotten boroughs.
      Penalties provide a quick fix of excitement — but they hardly add up to justice for all.
      As for deciding the World Cup on penalties, that gets more absurd the longer that the contest goes on.
      There has to be a better method, although time is limited to a month and rules out full replays.
      It’s true that replays do not aid long-term programming. We have one at Bristol City next week and, of course, we want to go through.
      West Ham vs Bristol City will be decided by a replayCredit: Getty
      We’d love to win the FA Cup, we know that would brighten the lives of Hammers fans.
      It is something to brag about for the rest of your life, just as winning the European trophy did last season.
      The Robins will make an extra sum, an important factor the further down the eight qualifying divisions you go.
      Until the 90s there were as many replays as necessary. Heaven help us from a repeat of the record.
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      One is fun but let’s have no more interference in our world’s oldest football competition.
      Watch this week’s brilliant episode of the Tap In – SunSport’s exclusive new football show. More

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      Bury must play two games behind closed doors as they become first English club in decades to suffer UEFA-type punishment

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      BURY have been hit with a two-game stadium ban by the FA.The Shakers have been ordered to play their next two home matches behind closed doors due to offensive comments made by fans at a recent game.
      Bury have appealed the order to play two games behind closed doorsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      It is the first time an English club has been sanctioned in such a manner for decades, with stadium bans often handed out to European teams by Uefa.
      Bury have announced they will appeal the punishment, meaning fans will likely be in attendance when their next opponents Wythenshawe visit Gigg Lane.
      The club stressed they did everything in their power to help police and the FA carry out their investigation.
      And they claim the lost revenue would better be put to use “to fund a campaign intended to positively promote diversity and inclusion”.
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      A statement from the club read: “Bury Football Club has been informed by Manchester FA that an independent committee has decided that due to the offensive comments made by two supporters during our game against West Didsbury and Chorlton in September, we should be forced to play our next two home games behind closed doors.
      “We reported the incident at the time, and provided video and other evidence to the police to assist their enquiries at some considerable cost to the club. We have not disputed the claims made. The individuals have not yet had their case heard by the law enforcement authorities and have been prevented from entering the stadium indefinitely whilst we await the outcome.
      “Our grounds for appeal are limited. We have accepted the facts of the incident, and do not believe that we acted in a way which was anything other than responsible and measured.
      “We accept that the two individuals involved could have been removed from the stadium immediately but the stewards took a view at the time to stop any further problems and review the situation afterwards. We paid additional money to a CCTV specialist to review footage and provided this to the police. Our stewarding costs are £3-4,000 per game, it is not something we take lightly.
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      “The basis of our appeal is that the punishment is excessive. We have seen multiple incidents over recent years of groups of supporters collectively issuing racist, misogynistic and homophobic abuse, as well as tragedy chanting.
      “These have gone unpunished or have been dealt with by fines. We acted on the day. We are unable to completely control the words of two people in a crowd of 3,838 on that particular occasion.”
      The England national team were hit with a two-game stadium ban after the Euro 2020 final descended into chaos with fans breaching Wembley.
      One match was suspended so only the clash against Italy in June 2022 was played behind closed doors, although under-18s were allowed in.
      The last English club ordered to play a match behind closed doors was Aston Villa.
      They began their defence of the European Cup in front of an empty Villa Park in 1982 as punishment for fan riots against Anderlecht in the semi-final earlier that year.
      The FA also forced Burton to play Leicester behind closed doors in an FA Cup replay after the first match was marred by fan violence – Burton goalkeeper Paul Evans was struck by an object thrown from the crowd so the game was abandoned with Leicester leading 6-1. More

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      Former EFL defender given FOUR-YEAR ban from football for sexually assaulting two women on coaching course

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      A FORMER EFL defender has been banned from football for four years after sexually assaulting two women.Danny Senda, 42, was on a coaching course abroad with the women last June when the incidents of inappropriate touching took place in a bar.
      Former Wycombe defender Danny Senda was given a four-year football banCredit: PA
      It is understood he was already in the bar when the pair arrived together with a few other people.
      The first complainant accused Senda – who spent most of his professional playing career at Wycombe – of pulling her towards him.
      He then put one arm over her shoulder and placed his other hand down the front of her shorts.
      She removed his arms from her.
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      As she was preparing to leave the bar, she saw Senda touching another woman.
      The second survivor explained she felt someone’s hands come from behind her and placed on her chest and then her breasts.
      She turned around to see that it was Senda and immediately left the bar with the other woman.
      They reported Senda’s behaviour to the course leaders – who asked the ex-Millwall man to leave the programme.
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      With permission, he met with the pair to apologise before flying back to the UK – although one complainant felt “railroaded” into attending.
      The women did not press legal charges as the assaults took place overseas but did make a formal complaint to the FA, who said they were “deeply sorry” for what happened.
      Senda has admitted two charges of misconduct but in an interview with the FA in July, he said because of drinking alcohol he did not remember the incidents but also did not deny them.
      An independent commission initially wanted to give Senda a six-year ban but this was reduced to four years due to his apology and early admission of the charges.
      They said the incidents were of “the utmost seriousness” and that they “amounted to the commission of criminal offences that could never be condoned or tolerated in any environment”.
      An FA spokesperson said: “Women deserve to be involved in professional football without the fear of any form of abuse.
      “This was a shocking case, and we investigated the very serious allegations as soon as we were made aware of them.
      Women in football will be supported and protected and offenders will be severely punishedFA spokesperson
      “We thank the victims for reporting the incidents to us, and supporting the investigation through to its conclusion, and we are deeply sorry that they endured such a terrible experience.
      “The behaviour shown by Daniel Senda in June 2023 will not be tolerated.
      “We will investigate all allegations of sexual assault in a football environment which are reported to us – usually working with the police, but in this case, the incidents happened overseas so were not within the jurisdiction of UK law enforcement.
      “We hope that the very lengthy ban serves as a strong deterrent, and a clear signal that women in football will be supported and protected and offenders will be severely punished.”
      Senda came through the youth academy at Southampton and joined Wycombe, initially as a striker, in 1999.
      After also playing at full-back and as a right midfielder and racking up 316 league appearances for the Chairboys, he joined Millwall in 2006.
      But midway through his three-year stint in South London, he suffered a lengthy injury and was sidelined for 16 months.
      Senda also had brief spells with Torquay, Bristol Rovers and Barnet but retired in 2013, 13 months after dislocating his kneecap.
      Read more on The Sun
      He transitioned into coaching, working through the EFL at Brentford, Barnet, Leyton Orient and, most recently, Charlton where he was a first-team assistant manager until Dean Holden’s sacking in August 2023 just five games into the new season.
      According to LinkedIn, Senda is now self-employed after setting up his own football academy in Windsor.
      The ex-Millwall man apologised for sexually assaulting two women on a coaching course abroadCredit: Getty More