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      Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin says becoming a FASHION icon off the pitch has boosted his goalscoring confidence on it

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      DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN reckons he is proof that clothes maketh the man.
      The Everton striker is fast becoming an England scoring icon – convinced that becoming one of football’s fashion icons has boosted his confidence.

      Toffees star Dominic Calvert-Lewin loves to stand out from the crowdCredit: instagram.com/domcalvertlewin

      Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies pictured at New York Fashion Week

      The striker has made himself the darling of English football this season.
      He has 15 goals in 16 games – including two that have fast made him a brand name within the Three Lions.
      The dedicated follower of the world’s most exclusive haute couture labels insists his love of flash gear helps his head as well as his look.
      He tells style magazine The Face: “As a footballer you’re so in a routine, and you do the same things every day.

      “It’s that bit of freedom. If you want to wear a suit for no reason, why not?”
      The Yorkshireman comes up against Leeds United tonight revealing that he first fell in love with glad rags when he played for the White’s rivals Sheffield United.
      As a 16 year old he bought a Ralph Lauren puffer jacket with his first pay cheque at Bramall Lane.
      He says: “I gave my mum a portion of the money and went and spent the rest on this coat.

      Dominic Calvert-Lewin been in impressive form for Everton this season Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      “I left myself with probably £20 for the rest of the month.”
      More recently he and team mate Tom Davies spent last season’s winter break at the New York fashion week.
      Calvert-Lewin was snapped wearing a bucket hat and pinstripes while the midfielder posed in a robe.
      His team mates have a laugh over his togs, but he is happy to be on the cat walk.
      The man boss Carlo Ancelotti tips to be a world leader stresses he wears the stick well.

      Fashion icon Dominic Calvert-Lewin has racked 393,000 followers on InstagramCredit: instagram.com/domcalvertlewin
      He says: “Now the tables have turned and they go, ‘Actually, looks alright that, only you could pull that off.
      “It’s like a backhanded compliment.”
      Lucas Digne has been ruled out for three months with an ankle injury and will have surgery on Monday.

      Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores on his England debut in 3-0 win over Wales More

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      Football pundit Steve ‘Tommo’ Thompson suspended by BBC for describing players’ scuffle as ‘handbags’

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      FOOTBALL pundit has been suspended by the BBC — for describing a scuffle between two players as “handbags”.
      Steve “Tommo” Thompson was relieved of his duties for using the familiar matchday phrase after ­listeners complained.

      Steve ‘Tommo’ Thompson was relieved of his duties after describing a scuffle between players as ‘handbags’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      He made the comment on BBC Radio Lincolnshire during Lincoln City’s 0-0 draw away at Accrington Stanley in the Sky Bet League One last Saturday.
      It is so common it appears in the Collins Dictionary as “an incident in which people, ­especially sportsmen, fight or threaten to fight, but without real intent to inflict harm”.
      Freelancer Steve, 65, who played for and managed Lincoln, was said to be “devastated” by the BBC’s decision.

      Steve made the comment on BBC Radio Lincolnshire during Lincoln City’s 1-0 win at Swindon Town in the Sky Bet League One on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lincoln fan Bernard ­O’Mahoney is campaigning for his reinstatement. He said: “As any football fan knows, ‘handbags’ is an incredibly well-known saying.

      “I can’t begin to think who’d be offended by it. The BBC has lost touch with the public.”

      ‘Handbags’ appears in the Collins Dictionary as ‘an incident in which people, especially sportsmen, fight or threaten to fight, but without real intent to inflict harm’
      Fan Marcus Greatorex added: “It’s just an old term. The BBC should pay more attention to songs on their stations promoting knife crime and drug use.”
      The BBC said: “After listeners raised concerns, Steve acknowledged some of his comments on air didn’t meet the standards we expect. He is taking a break but will be back in the New Year.”

      Freelancer Steve, 65, who has played for and managed Lincoln, was said to be ‘devastated’ by the BBC’s decisionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      THE SUN SAYS

      THE BBC has been in the grip of “woke” madness longer than almost anyone.

      But dropping a footy pundit for calling an ineffectual on-pitch scuffle “handbags” is a new level of foolishness.
      Who exactly is offended by this term, so common it’s in the dictionary?
      No one outside the imagination of hyper-sensitive producers.
      The BBC is growing more distant by the day from the public whose licence fees it needs.
      It’s one own-goal after another.

      U23Malaysia and UAE friendly marred by shocking violence as players throw punches and trade blows
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      Brackley Town’s James Armson on their historic FA Cup test, watching Gareth Southgate and helping the next generation

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      AS WELL as needing to run his own business, Brackley Town legend James Armson has extra motivation for a historic result against Tranmere in the FA Cup second round on Friday night.
      The club lost their club house last summer after it was burned to the ground.

      Armson can’t wait for Brackley Town’s FA Cup adventure vs Tranmere

      And with the coronavirus pandemic striking earlier this year, Brackley have really felt the pinch.
      Armson explained: “We lost our club house last summer in an accident. It burnt down. We missed a lot of revenue from bar sales and fans drinking there.
      “And on top of the pandemic, like any non-league club or organisation, we have felt the pinch. We are fortunate in a way that we have been able to keep the club together.
      “So, for us to still be in this position, and a chance to make history, we as a club should feel proud.”

      Before 2013, sixth tier Brackley Town had never made it into the second round of the FA Cup – but in the last seven years they have reached it three times.
      On the last two occasions, Armson has led the way, most notably in 2016 when – having just joined the club – he scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 replay victory against Gillingham to write his name in the history books.
      And once again four years on, after beating Bishops Stortford in the first round 3-2 on penalties following a dramatic 3-3 draw, the third round awaits.
      Midfielder Armson – who has played in every position on the pitch during his career – said: “If any non-league club can have just one FA Cup story that the players can tell their kids, that’s pretty amazing, but for Brackley, we are very lucky to have three.

      Brackley will face Tranmere after storming into the FA Cup second round

      “When you’re younger you dream of playing in an FA Cup final. I am nowhere good enough for that, so for me my final is the third round.
      “I remember as a teenager watching my local club Nuneaton play in the third round against Middlesbrough in 2006, when Steve McClaren was manager and Gareth Southgate was in defence.
      “For the whole town it was amazing. It would be nice to achieve that for Brackley.”
      A maiden-third round spot for Brackley would also provide the funds to help support one of the lucky ones in non-league.
      Armson, 30, explained: “I know lots of other clubs like us having to offload players. We are lucky in the sense we have kept our group together and been able to use the government grants.
      “But we as players aren’t putting pressure on ourselves in that sense. Our job is about what happens on the pitch. People in different roles of the club can worry about the money side.
      “We need to do this for ourselves and the fans. It has been hard for them. Brackley isn’t a massive place, and you get to know the faces of the ones that support us. We will perform for them.”
      On top of FA Cup heroics, Armson has been running his company ‘Positive Impact’ – a group providing alternative education for kids no longer in the mainstream school system, as well as counselling sessions.
      Armson – who has a wife and two young kids – said: “It’s been tough. I didn’t go to university and I haven’t got a business degree.
      “You do lose sleep, lie awake at night and things pop in your head, but not about football.
      “There is a difference between Jimmy Armson the footballer and James Armson the businessman, they are two different sides to me.
      “People have been asking me if I am nervous. I haven’t even thought about it. With the pandemic I am busy updating risk assessments and health and safety procedures.
      “I’ve also got a family to support and give attention to. I enjoy playing football, it is a hobby. And right now, it is a relief.”

      Diego Maradona’s greatest World Cup goals More

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      Marcelo Bielsa demands Premier League chiefs BLOCK fans returning to stadiums until all 20 clubs can reopen their gates

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      MARCELO BIELSA has demanded Premier League chiefs block fans returning to grounds until all 20 top-flight clubs can reopen their turnstiles.
      Under the new Covid tier system, HALF of Prem clubs will still not be allowed supporters from Wednesday, while the other ten can have 2,000.

      Marcelo Bielsa feels it’s unfair only half the Prem can welcome back fansCredit: AFP or licensors

      Bielsa believes all clubs must be allowed fans or none at allCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Leeds are in Tier 3 and must keep fans locked out – with boss Bielsa saying: “If fans are not allowed in all stadiums, then they should not be allowed until everyone can.
      “Clubs shouldn’t have  to deal with the  consequences of being in a category. It should be about trying to maintain the competition as equally as possible.”
      Arsenal will become the first Prem team to welcome fans back since March when they host Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday.
      While West Ham’s Prem clash with Manchester United next Saturday is set to be the first top-flight match with fans since the Covid lockdown.

      Bielsa believes the system will warp the league and mean an unequal playing field weighted in favour of those teams — in London, Merseyside and on the south coast — that can have crowds.
      He added: “The presence of fans has an effect on the result.
      “Places with a higher risk of infection will be penalised but they should not be punished for that.”
       Bielsa’s assessment was backed by Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, whose fans must also stay at home.

      Bruce said: “Being in Tier 3 is a kicking. It will give the Liverpool and London clubs an advantage.”
      But Crystal Palace chief Roy Hodgson does not see any advantage.
      He said: “I don’t honestly think the 2,000 fans are going to be able to create enough problems to disturb the away team.”
      Prem bosses declined  to respond directly to Bielsa’s comments.
      But a spokesman said: “We continue to work on a roadmap for pilot events that can help clubs scale up to larger capacities.”

      Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani prepared for Marcelo Bielsa exit in summer More

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      Soccer aces ‘tried to bribe Football Manager creators to boost skill ratings’

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      SOCCER aces have tried to bribe the creators of Football Manager to boost their skill ratings, it has been claimed.
      The computer games’ director Miles Jacobson said some agents have offered cash bungs in return for an improvement in clients’ “abilities”.

      Miles Jacobson said some agents have offered cash bungs in return for an improvement in clients’ ‘abilities’Credit: Rex Features

      Miles said: “I’ve had agents that have tried to bribe me to put stuff up, and the ones that have asked me that know to never ask me that again.
      “Because, I’m not one for bribing.”
      The Sports Interactive game already has a reputation among players for helping unearth new talent after some managers admitted to using it to scout for new stars.
      Former Chelsea and Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted to using the game to find players while working as a scout for Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

      Andre Villas-Boas admitted to using the game to find players while working as a scoutCredit: AFP or licensors

      And Everton FC has used the game since 2008. admit to using the game to find players while he himself was a Chelsea scout in the first Mourinho era.
      The FM database represents real-world footballers with around 250 statistics which cover a variety of aspects including pace, strength, shooting, tackling and creativity and leadership.
      The stats are compiled by 1,000 researchers around the world and are then refined before being inputted into the database.

      Mourinho slams managers who tell stars to skip internationals
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      Anton Ferdinand reveals he was made to feel like the guilty party by the FA after John Terry racism row

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      ANTON FERDINAND felt like the guilty man during a meeting with FA officials investigating his race row with John Terry.
      The former QPR defender is finally opening up on his infamous run-in with the Chelsea captain more than nine years ago.

      Anton Ferdinand has opened up on his racism ordeal

      Terry was cleared in court but convicted by the FA of using insulting language referencing skin colour during the stormy London derby in 2011.
      Ferdinand was called upon to provide a statement in the aftermath and remains bitter about his treatment.
      The 35-year-old said: “I just wanted the FA to deal with it. All I wanted to do was play football.
      “The FA got involved and I was happy. They needed a statement from me.

      “I was sitting in a room with two FA delegates and they were probing me. Probing me?
      “They were starting to make me feel like I was in the wrong.
      “All I know is I didn’t feel like the victim in that room.”
      Ferdinand has made a documentary with the BBC, Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism and Me.

      John Terry was found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand by the FACredit: PA:Press Association

      The ex-West Ham and Sunderland defender feels he would have been labelled a ‘stereotypical angry black man’ if he’d spoken up at the time.
      He does admit firing the first insult during the clash by taunting Terry over claims he had bedded Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend.
      Ferdinand revealed: “I said, ‘You sh***ed your team-mate’s missus, you are a c-word’.
      “It was a rumour then and I was trying to rile him up.
      “I’m not proud of what I said to him.
      “On a football pitch, sometimes your emotions are invested and you want to say things that hurt people. It’s a game of egos.”
      Terry was cleared of racist abuse in court but later convicted by the football authorities, banned for four games, fined £220,000 and stripped of the England captaincy.
      Ferdinand said: “Because I’ve never spoken about it, I don’t think I quite understand what I went through and I need to come to terms with that, not just as a footballer but as a person. I had no idea that anything had occurred on the pitch. Everyone was just buzzing that we’d beaten Chelsea.

      He said, ‘You f***ing black c***, you f***ing love it’. I couldn’t believe my eyes
      Anton Ferdinand

      “My mum said, ‘Anton, are you OK?’ I said, ‘Yes, of course’.
      “My wife says, ‘Then you’d better have a look at this and hands me her brother’s phone.
      “This is the first time I’m seeing it. I’m looking at the phone and rage just came over me.
      “You know when they say your blood boils. It just hit me.
      “He said, ‘You f***ing black c***, you f***ing love it’. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
      “I got booed everywhere I went after he lost the England captaincy.
      “The abuse on social media started immediately and never stopped.
      “I’d wake up and expect there to be racial abuse on my phone.

      The pair faced each other again in 2012Credit: PA:Press Association

      Ferdinand last played in Scotland for St MirrenCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      “All that love I had for the game was just ripped out of me. I hated the game, what it stood for.
      “I couldn’t retaliate. I had to be professional. Shut up and deal with it.
      “Where does that go? Where is that release? You can’t deal with it as a human being then.
      “I could stand here be macho and say I wasn’t traumatised. But I was.”
      Terry, who is now assistant head coach at Aston Villa, admitted using the words but was acquitted because of his explanation that they were phrased as a question, rather than as a direct insult.
      The pair have not spoken since.
      Ferdinand wants a meeting so they can both get closure on a momentary exchange which shook sport.
      He added: “I watched John Terry take a knee. Fair play to him because he got a backlash on social media and called a hypocrite.

      Carlton Cole recently claimed that Terry had admitted using the racist languageCredit: PA:Press Association
      “He’s doomed if he does and doomed if he doesn’t. I hope that him showing that comes from a good place.
      “But don’t just take a knee, come and talk about it.”
      Earlier this month, Terry’s former Chelsea team-mate Carlton Cole claimed he had confessed to using the racist language in ‘a moment of madness’.
      But a statement from Terry’s lawyers said:  “John Terry refutes in the strongest possible terms the allegations that are made against him by Carlton Cole.
      “They are false and never happened and Mr Terry has previously been cleared of these allegations in an English court of law.
      “Never before has Carlton Cole mentioned this to Mr Terry or raised any issue of this type with him, the FA or the police.
      “The reason for that is because the words were not said.”

      Anton Ferdinand subjected to sickening racial abuse on social media after plugging his new anti-racism TV documentary More

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      Diego Maradona dead – England stars pay tribute to World Cup nemesis and one of all-time greats as he dies at 60

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      DIEGO Maradona was shaking the Hand of God last night as the football world mourned one of its greatest.
      Argentina’s World Cup-winning skipper, 60, died of a heart attack at home weeks after brain surgery.

      ⚠️ Read our Diego Maradona death live blog for the latest news & updates

      Diego Maradona died of a heart attack aged 60Credit: Getty

      The football legend will forever be remembered for his Hand of God goal in 1986Credit: PA:Press Association

      Gary Lineker was among his ex-England rivals to lead the tributesCredit: Getty

      Paul Gascoigne, who played against Maradona in Italy, said ‘it’s such sad news for everyone in sport’Credit: Empics

      Fans got a glimpse of what might have been when Kevin Keegan swapped tops with Maradona in 1980Credit: Getty
      He became a hate figure for his Hand of God goal in 1986 but will be remembered as one of the greatest to play the game.
      Former England star Gary Mabbutt said Maradona would have been a favourite in a Three Lions shirt.
      Fans got a tantalising glimpse of what might have been when Maradona, then 19, swapped tops with Kevin Keegan after a 3-1 England win at Wembley in 1980.

      Mabbutt, 59, told The Sun: “He was one of the greatest of all time.
      “When Argentina won the World Cup with him as captain in 1986… it’s impossible to do it single-handedly but he was just exemplary.
      “He would have been an asset to the English side.”
      Mabbutt was once Maradona’s teammate in a benefit match for Argentina and Spurs hero Ossie Ardiles, and said: “He was incredible. Even in the dressing room, the tricks he was doing . . his ability in the game was greatly admired.”

      Last night Argentine president Alberto Fernandez posted a photo of him embracing Maradona, 60, and said: “You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of all.
      “Thank you Diego. We’re going to miss you forever.”

      Maradona died just weeks after undergoing brain surgeryCredit: AFP or licensors

      He suffered a long battle with his health, forcing him to make numerous trips to hospital in recent monthsCredit: EPA

      He was taken ill at the home of his former wife Claudia VillafañeCredit: Getty
      The midfield genius was taken ill at the home of one of his two daughters and former wife Claudia in Tigre, just north of the capital Buenos Aires.
      Maradona went back to bed after breakfast, having told his nephew Johnny Esposito: “I don’t feel well.” They were to be his final words.
      A nurse at the property raised the alarm after discovering he had suffered a suspected heart attack.
      But he was already beyond hope when medics arrived.
      His death has sparked three days of mourning with a huge funeral likely next week.
      A brilliant No10 who starred for Napoli, Barcelona and Argentina in the ’80s and ’90s, Maradona was famed for his mazy dribbling.
      In the 1986 World Cup quarter- final he punched the ball past England goalie Peter Shilton.
      The foul was missed by match officials and a goal awarded in the days well before VAR.
      Minutes later, with England fans cursing his cheating, he dribbled 60 yards to net a second, later voted goal of the century.

      In the 1986 World Cup quarter-final he famously punched the ball past Peter ShiltonCredit: Getty

      That year, Argentina won the World Cup with him as captainCredit: AFP – Getty

      He won 91 caps for Argentina, scored 34 goals and played in four World CupsCredit: Getty
      But Maradona’s career was also blighted by drink and cocaine abuse which triggered wild behaviour and serious health problems.
      Gary Lineker, 59, who scored for England in the 1-2 Hand of God defeat, tweeted: “By some distance the best player of my generation, arguably the greatest of all time.
      “After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God.”
      Paul Gascoigne, who played against Maradona in Italy, said: “It’s such sad news for everyone in sport. What a talent.”
      Former foe Shilton said this summer: “He may have been the greatest player ever but I didn’t respect him one bit.

      After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God.
      Gary Lineker

      “Especially because he never apologised faor cheating. He felt that he didn’t have to apologise, so that was that.
      “It is sad that despite winning 125 caps for England, that moment is what I am most remembered for.”
      Maradona was pictured with his surgeon Dr Leopoldo Luque when he left hospital on November 11 — eight days after being admitted with a blood clot on the brain.
      The ailing legend, overweight and a sad shadow of the swaggering star of his heyday, still attracted crowds of fans as was driven from the private Olivos Clinic.
      Nine ambulances rushed him to the gated family residence so the star could recuperate amid Argentina’s Covid lockdown.

      Ace’s ‘sorry’ for the goal

      By Tom Wells

      I SHOOK the Hand of God in January 2008 in an extraordinary interview in which he apologised for the infamous goal.
      Speaking through a translator, Maradona told me of his life, football and drugs battle.
      On the Hand of God goal he said: “If I could apologise and go back and change history I would do. But the goal is still a goal. Argentina became world champions and I was the best player in the world. I cannot change history.”
      He said he had contemplated suicide due to his battles with cocaine.

      Maradona presented a national team to Argentina’s Pope Francis in 2014Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Brazil legend Pele said ‘I have lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a legend’Credit: Reuters

      Gary Mabbutt said Maradona would have been a favourite in a Three Lions shirtCredit: AFP – Getty

      Lionel Messi said it was ‘a very sad day for all Argentines and football’Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Usain Bolt posted a tribute online, writing ‘RIP to legend Maradona’
      Lawyer Matias Morlahas had said Maradona would continue to receive treatment for alcohol dependency following his hospital release.
      The star was still coach of Argenitina’s Gimnasia y Esgrima club despite a string of recent hospital admissions.
      He claimed to have kicked his cocaine addiction which dogged his glory days in the 1980s and almost killed him in 2000.
      He was also famed for his partying and womanising.
      He had a secret love child Diego Jnr while at Napoli who he refused to acknowledge until 2003 — the year before his divorce from long-suffering wife Claudia Villafañe.
      His weight ballooned after he stopped playing thanks to his wild lifestyle forcing him to have a gastric bypass operation to lose weight in 2005.
      He was later hospitalised for alcohol-induced hepatitis and collapsed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia — where he was seen making manic obscene gestures on TV.
      A video also emerged of him drinking tequila on a plane, and in which he laughed he “drank all the wine” ahead of Argentina’s win over Nigeria.
      But it was the diminutive, left-footed star’s silky skills and mesmeric talent for which he was best remembered.
      He was the first player in football history to set the world record transfer fee twice — first with a £5million move to Barcelona, then a £6.9million to move to Napoli.

      Fans took to the streets to pay their respects to the sporting iconCredit: Getty

      In one of his final interviews, Maradona said ‘I am eternally grateful to the people, every day they surprise me’Credit: AP:Associated Press
      He also played for Spanish club Sevilla plus Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland.
      His greatest silverware hauls came with Napoli and Barcelona, which were preceded by chaotic exits.
      He won 91 caps for Argentina, scored 34 goals and played in four World Cups, captaining his side to a 1986 final triumph over West Germany in Mexico.

      Soccer gave me everything I have, more than I ever imagined.
      Diego Maradona

      He also played in the 1990 final won by the Germans.
      On his 60th birthday on October 30, Maradona spoke of his concern that fans would continue to love and support him.
      He said: “I am eternally grateful to the people. Every day they surprise me, what I experienced in this return to Argentine football I will never forget.
      “I was out for a long time and sometimes one wonders if people will still love me, if they will continue to feel the same.”
      The icon also rued his addictions which robbed him of the chance to be an even better player.
      He said: “Soccer gave me everything I have, more than I ever imagined and if I hadn’t had that addiction, I could have played a lot more. But that is past, I am fine and what I regret the most is not having my parents.”
      Maradona told how he missed his late mum Dalma, and of his hope that she was still looking down on him with pride.

      The Sun says

      CHEAT? Genius? Maradona was certainly both in that infamous 1986 World Cup tie.
      But he should mainly be remembered as the latter — a staggering, if flawed, talent who inspired millions of kids.
      We have to hand you that, Diego.

      He said: “I always make that wish, one more day with my mother but I know that from heaven she is proud of me and that she was very happy.’’
      Maradona’s brother-in-law died of Covid and his sister battled the virus.
      Asked what his ideal 60th birthday present would be in his final interview he said: “My wish is that this pandemic passes as soon as possible and that my Argentina can move forward.”

      Emotional Gary Lineker pays tribute to Diego Maradona
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      Saudi GP bosses deny ‘sportswashing’ nation’s human rights record with 2021 F1 race after Amnesty International backlash

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      SAUDI GP bosses deny they want to ‘sportswash’ the country’s human-rights record by paying to host a race next season.
      Amnesty International criticised Formula One for adding the Grand Prix to form a 23-race calendar in 2021.

      Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal denies Saudi Arabia are ‘sportswashing’ the nation’s human rights issuesCredit: AFP or licensors

      Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal, president of the Saudi Arabian motorsport federation, hopes he can change people’s minds.
      He said: “I don’t blame them, when you don’t know a country, and when you have a certain image of a country.
      “I remember myself when my parents used to tell me we’re going to go to the US, especially to New York, I was frightened.
      “I would think that I’m going to walk in the street and somebody will come and shoot me, because I’d never been there.

      “I know why they’re not excited about it, because of a lot of issues with the human rights, and because they’ve never been to Saudi.
      “That’s why, now for us opening up, and hopefully with people coming in Saudi Arabia, seeing the country, and then going back and reporting what they saw, this will maybe make people change their mind.
      “This happened to us with Dakar, we had a lot of people…about 3,000 participants and drivers came.
      “Most of them, they had the same impression, and they were not happy.”

      Prince Khalid added: “Even with Formula E, like BMW and other teams, they said, they didn’t want to go to Saudi Arabia.
      “But after they came to Saudi Arabia, and after they saw us and met us, they changed their perspective about Saudi Arabia.
      “Part of the vision and part of opening up our country, we would like people to come and see who we really are. We don’t have anything to hide.
      “If we wanted to sportswash our image or something, then we will close our country because we will not let you come and see and meet with our people.”
      Amnesty International were critical that F1 had added the GP to form a 23-race calendar in 2021.
      Prince Khalid said the matter had been discussed with F1 bosses but also stressed that the country does have a different culture.
      He added: “We definitely had a conversation on that and I know, maybe this is a thing that a lot of people talk about with Saudi Arabia, but we are not like the other countries.
      “We know that we are different. We have our culture. There are things that people can do in other places that they can’t do here.
      “But we respect our differences, and we are opening our country to anyone.
      “We don’t have any discriminations, so everybody can come. If you’re a man or a woman, there is no segregation.
      “Sport brings people together and unites them. So that’s why we are hosting these events.”

      Formula One announce Saudi Arabia Grand Prix More