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      Kiss ruined happiest day of my life, Spain World Cup star Jenni Hermoso tells Luis Rubiales as sex assault trial begins

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      SPAIN’S World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso has told a court that former football chief Luis Rubiales’ forced kiss “stained one of the happiest days of my life.”Hermoso, 34, was the first witness to appear at a court in Madrid as Rubiales’ sexual assault trial began on Monday.Jenni Hermoso is seen testifying on day one of Luis Rubiales’ trial in Madrid, SpainCredit: ReutersThe moment where Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after their World Cup winCredit: EnterpriseAxed Spanish FA boss Rubiales – seen in court today – could face up to two and a half years in prisonCredit: ReutersHermoso pictured arriving at the court of San Fernando de Henares on Monday morningCredit: AFPRubiales, 47, is accused of sexual assault and coercion over the kiss he planted on Hermoso at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, where Spain defeated England.The former Spanish FA boss, who initially refused to resign and dismissed the controversy as a “witch hunt by fake feminism,” faces up to two and a half years in prison if convicted.Rubiales has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting the kiss was a “peck between friends celebrating.”Taking the stand at Madrid’s Audiencia Nacional court, Hermoso described how Rubiales grabbed her head and kissed her without consent.Read more on Luis Rubiales”I didn’t hear or understand anything,” she told the court.”The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.”I felt it was totally out of place and I then realised my boss was kissing me, and this shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting.”A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so.”Most read in FootballShe added: “As a woman I felt disrespected. It was a moment that stained one of the happiest days of my life.”Hermoso said the pressure campaign left her fearful for her safety, forcing her to leave Madrid.Luis Rubiales Desperate Move: Controversial Video Sent to FIFA to Prove Innocence“From the first moment I reached Spain I had cameras after me 24 hours, people following me, people taking photos while I was having breakfast with my family. I had to leave Madrid with my family,” she said.“I felt fear at times of being in the street. I received death threats and messages of all types and we had to leave Madrid because the situation was unbearable.”It was a change in my life and I still say my life changed from that minute.”‘A statement I hadn’t written’The court also heard that just hours after the kiss, Rubiales and his aides allegedly pressured Hermoso to declare it was consensual to contain the growing backlash.She was called off the team bus at Sydney’s stadium and shown a statement she was expected to sign.Hermoso recalled breaking down in tears as pressure mounted on her to publicly downplay the incident.The Spanish footballer told the court:  “I skim-read it and said and knew I hadn’t written a word of it.“It was a statement I had supposedly drafted myself and consented to being put out to fan the flames of the fuss that was being created by the kiss.Hermoso and her Spain teammates beat England at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in SydneyCredit: AFPJenni Hermoso said in a press conference that the kiss was unwantedCredit: APThe unwanted kiss has sparked outrage around the worldCredit: RexRubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation in 2023 following criticism over the ‘Kissgate’ scandalCredit: Getty“The statement said Luis Rubiales and I were good friends and the kiss happened in the effusiveness of the moment. I said I didn’t agree to it going out.”On the flight back to Spain, Rubiales allegedly approached Hermoso personally, pleading with her to back him publicly.“He told me, ‘Please, my two daughters are in the back of the plane crying,’” she said, adding that she refused.Ex-national team coach Jorge Vilda — one of Rubiales’ co-defendants — then allegedly approached Hermoso’s brother, warning him that her football career could suffer if she did not comply.“I felt totally unprotected in what should have been a safe place for me,” Hermoso said. “No one asked me if I needed anything. The only thing Rubiales and his aides did was try to protect their reputation.”Spain’s #MeToo momentThe scandal overshadowed Spain’s first-ever Women’s World Cup triumph and became a tipping point for sexism in Spanish sport.The hashtag #SeAcabó (It’s Over) flooded social media, with Hermoso and 80 other players going on strike until federation leadership changed. FIFA suspended Rubiales, who eventually resigned in September 2023.The incident also sparked national soul-searching over sexual misconduct in Spain. The country had only recently toughened its sexual assault laws following the notorious ‘La Manada’ (Wolf Pack) gang rape case in 2016.Protests have erupted in Spain over the allegationsCredit: Rex“Rubiales out of play” has been displayed at many protestsCredit: Rex’A peck between friends’Rubiales continues to deny wrongdoing, insisting the kiss was a “peck between friends” and his downfall was driven by “fake feminism”.His daughters, two of whom were on the team’s flight home, will testify in his defense next Monday.Former coach Jorge Vilda, ex-federation sporting director Albert Luque, and marketing director Rubén Rivera also face coercion charges and potential 18-month sentences.The trial is set to run until February 19, with high-profile witnesses, including Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, expected to testify.Rubiales, if convicted, could receive a suspended sentence as first-time offenders in Spain rarely serve time for prison terms under two years. READ MORE SUN STORIESProsecutors are also seeking €100,000 (£83,000) in damages for Hermoso.A verdict is expected by the end of the month at the earliest.Rubiales has constantly denied any wrongdoingCredit: Talk TV More

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      Keira Walsh ready to ‘fight for badge’ and trophies with Chelsea after club confirm signing of ex-Barcelona star

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      KEIRA WALSH declared she is ready to fight for Chelsea’s badge after confirming her switch from Barcelona. The England midfielder has joined the WSL leaders on a four-and-a-half-year deal, for a fee thought to be around £400,000. Walsh will Chelsea’s number 30 shirt following her permanent transfer from BarcelonaCredit: GettyThe Blues midfielder has become the second England star to join the club from Barcelona following Lucy Bronze’s move in July last yearWalsh, who won eight trophies with Barcelona, sees her move to Chelsea as a “good fit” for her in terms of her ambitionsCredit: APIn doing so she sealed one of the biggest moves in the January transfer window with Chelsea boosting their squad to aid their quadruple trophy chase.Her arrival comes before the Blues’ trip to Aston Villa on Sunday with the team aiming to extend their WSL unbeaten run to 13 games this term. Of her move Walsh, who made 64 Barcelona appearances, said: “It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy to be here and very excited to get started.“You look at the history of the trophies Chelsea have won and I’m an ambitious player and person, so for me, it is a good fit.Read More Football Stories “Speaking to Paul Green (Chelsea’s head of women’s football), Sonia and Camille (Chelsea assistant manager), I just got such a good feeling from them. “It has been really positive. I want to play for this club and fight for the badge.”Walsh, who began her senior club career at Blackburn at 16, has spent the past two-and-half-years playing for Barcelona with whom she won eight trophies including two top-flight titles.Her transfer has seen the Blues strengthen their midfield options with the team hoping to go unbeaten in the top-flight this season. Most read in FootballShe is also the second England star to join the team from Spain’s title holders following Lucy Bronze’s transfer last July.Before her Chelsea switch and Barcelona stint, Walsh spent eight years at Manchester City, winning eight trophies including one WSL title. Her move to Spain came two months after she played an instrumental role in England’s European Championship triumph in July 2022. The midfielder provided an assist for Ella Toone’s goal in a 2-1 defeat of Germany at Wembley. And during her time with Barca the 80-capped Lioness helped them win two Champions League trophies in 2023 and last year.  In her first season at the helm Sonia Bompastor hopes to guide the London outfit to a Champions League tournament triumph.Today Chelsea also announced the signing of goalkeeper Femke Liefting who won the Golden Glove at last year’s Under-20s Women’s World CupCredit: GettyEurope’s biggest club prize is the one major trophy the Blues are yet to win. Walsh’s arrival comes five days after Chelsea’s swoop for USA international Naomi Girma, 24, the club forking out US$1.1million to sign the ex-San Diego Wave defender. And yesterday they also strengthened their goalkeeper ranks with 20-year-old Femke Liefting joining from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. More

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      Chloe Kelly criticises Manchester City after sealing transfer deadline day switch to Arsenal

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      CHLOE KELLY hit out at Manchester City after completing her transfer to Arsenal, claiming the club attempted to “assassinate her character”. The Lioness star shared her thoughts in a social media post on Thursday night after sealing a loan move to the Gunners. Chloe Kelly will spend the rest of this season at Arsenal after sealing a loan move from Manchester CityCredit: AlamyThe England forward’s contract with Man City is due to expire in JuneCredit: GettyYesterday evening Arsenal announced the Euros-winning England forward had joined the club on a temporary deal running until the end of this season.Kelly, whose contract with Man City expires in June, will wear the Gunners’ number 18 jersey.Her transfer to the London giants followed a dramatic day which included Man United attempting to sign her, with the Cityzens reluctant to see her join their local rivals. It is also thought the forward had declined a chance to sign for Brighton with Sky Sports claiming her initial preference was to remain in Manchester.Read More Football Stories However Kelly would later seal a move, before yesterday’s 11pm transfer deadline, that saw her return to the team where she began her senior playing career at the age of 17. And the England international claimed Man City were “briefing journalists” against her. SunSport have approached Man City for a response. Via an Instagram story shared after her Arsenal loan move, Kelly wrote: “So disappointed to find out that people at the club  are briefing journalists against me if I am to sign at a club before the window shuts.Most read in Football”They’ve called reporters to assassinate my character and tried to plant negative stories about me in the football media, of which are false accusations.”Following her Arsenal move Kelly thanked Man City’s fans for “welcoming her with open arms” and her team-mates at the club for their support. Her transfer comes almost five years after she joined the Cityzens for whom she has scored 30 times in 109 appearances. The forward helped the team to a Women’s FA Cup triumph in 2020 and a League Cup win in 2022. And last season she made 18 top-flight appearances registering five goals and five assists with the club beaten on goal difference to the WSL title by Chelsea. This term she struggled for top-flight game time making one start in the six top tier matches. And two days ago she issued a written statement which explained that she “accepted” her future would not be at Man City beyond June. In July 2022 Kelly made history playing an instrumental role in the Lionesses’ history-making European Championship triumph.Her extra-time goal sealed England’s tournament win after a 2-1 defeat at Germany at Wembley earning the 48-capped Lioness widespread praise. Two years ago she also helped England reach the Women’s World Cup final with the team falling to a slim 1-0 loss to tournament victors Spain. And Kelly hopes to earn a place in Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad ahead of this year’s Euros taking place in Switzerland in July. Head Coach Renée Slegers said: “Chloe is an exciting attacking player and will be a great addition to our squad as we approach the second half of the season. “She’s direct and explosive, with huge natural talent and ability. We’re all looking forward to working with Chloe as an Arsenal player in the coming months.”The completion of Kelly’s transfer comes ahead of Arsenal’s WSL trip to Man City on Sunday. Chloe Kelly will provide with more attacking options with the club battling for more trophy winsCredit: GettyThe Gunners are currently fourth in the table and one point behind the Cityzens. Both teams will also go toe-to-toe on February 6 in the semi-finals of this year’s Women’s League Cup. READ MORE SUN STORIESArsenal, who are the contest’s record winners, hope to win the trophy for a seventh time. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Keira Walsh closing in on sensational transfer deadline day move to Chelsea from Barcelona

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      KEIRA WALSH is set to become Chelsea’s latest high profile signing with the club closing in on a deadline day swoop for England ace. The midfielder, previously linked with Arsenal, is set to join the WSL giants four days after they signed USA defender Naomi Girma. Chelsea’s impending of signing Keira Walsh is a huge boost for the club who hope to win the Women’s Champions League for the first time in their historyCredit: GettyWalsh’s upcoming move to the WSL leaders follows a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona with whom she won two Champions League medalsCredit: APThe Blues have agreed a transfer fee of £500,000 with Walsh’s current side Barcelona, according to Sky Sports. The former Man City ace is due to have a medical with Chelsea aiming to seal their deal before today’s January transfer deadline. The England star will be eligible to feature for Sonia Bompastor’s team in the Champions League knockout phase with the quarter-finals taking place in March. Chelsea’s signing of Walsh will be a massive coup for the team who are currently top of the Women’s Super League and chasing an eighth top-flight title win. Read More Football StoriesLast September reports in Spain claimed WSL rivals had a record transfer bid for the midfielder rejectedThe Rochdale-born player, who began her senior club career at Blackburn Rovers at the age of 16, has evolved into one of the sports’s most gifted midfielders. The player, who grew up watching Spanish football, played a key role in helping Manchester City win the WSL title in 2016 in the second year of her eight-year stint at the club. And after joining Barcelona in September 2022, for a then world record £400,000 fee, Walsh has gone on to become an integral part of  the LaLiga giants. Most read in FootballIn addition to making 54 top flight appearances for the club whose stars include Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, the midfielder lifted eight major titles. Her silverware wins include two Champions League trophies, two La Liga Women’s titles and three Spanish Super Cups. The midfielder was also among the nominees for last year’s Fifa best women’s player of the year gong which was awarded to Bonmati. Since providing an assist on her senior England debut in a 5-0 World Cup qualifier defeat of Kazakhstan, Walsh has also shone on the international stage. The midfielder started in every single one of the Lionesses’ matches during the 2022 Women’s Euros. Among her tournament highlights was a standout pass that led to Ella Toone’s opening goal in their 2-1 tournament final defeat of Germany at Wembley. And she is in strong contention for a place in Sarina Wiegman’s squad ahead of this year’s Euros in July. Earlier this move Chelsea strengthened their defensive options by signing Olympic gold medal-winning USA centre-back Naomi GirmaCredit: GettyWalsh’s impending Blues move comes two and a half years on from Chelsea being linked with the player prior to her Barcelona move. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe club made headlines earlier this month by signing Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for a record breaking US$1.1million dollar feeWalsh’s switch will see her become the second England star the Blues have signed from Barcelona following Lucy Bronze joining as a free agent in July last year. More

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      England’s Georgia Stanway undergoes knee surgery ahead of Euros with midfielder expected to be ‘out for months’

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      GEORGIA STANWAY has undergone a knee operation after suffering a serious injury during training with her club Bayern Munich. The England midfielder, who underwent surgery yesterday, ruptured a lateral ligament in her right knee earlier this week.  Georgia Stanway’s last competitive game prior to her lateral knee ligament injury was against Arsenal in the Champions League in DecemberCredit: ReutersBayern Munich expect the midfielder star will be “out of action for several months” for themCredit: AlamyThe German giants expect the player, 26, to be out of action for several months for their team who are battling to win a seventh Women’s Bundesliga title. This means Stanway could miss the rest of this season and face a battle to be fit for this summer’s Euros with England hoping to retain their crown. The Bayern Munich star was part of the Lionesses side, who under boss Sarina Wiegman, became the first England team to win the contest in 2022. This year’s tournament in Switzerland is due to start on July 2 with England’s group stage opener against France taking place in Zurich three days later. Read More Football StoriesShould the 75-capped Stanway return to fitness by then, there is a chance she may have not have played in any competitive matches before the contest’s start. Her last competitive appearance for her club, who are currently second in Germany’s top tier, was on December 18. Back then the midfielder was part of the team that fell to a 3-2 group stage loss to Arsenal in the Champions League. Stanway, who joined Bayern Munich from Man City in May 2022, is a highly-regarded player for club and country. Most read in FootballShe began her senior club career at Blackburn Rovers in 2015 prior to signing for Man City later that year and then joining Bayern seven years after. Stanway, who was born in Cumbria, made an instant impact on her senior Lionesses debut scoring in a 3-0 friendly defeat of Austria in November 2018Five years later, she helped her national team make history by winning the Women’s Euros for the first time. On the way to defeating Germany in the final of the 2022 contest she scored a long-range quarter-final winner against Spain. Stanway’s injury comes a month on from Alex Greenwood damaging her medial collateral ligament whilst on Manchester City dutyCredit: ReutersStanway’s fitness blow comes just over a month after Lioness and Man City defender Alex Greenwood sustained a medial and collateral ligament injury. The Cityzens captain was stretchered off during her side’s 2-0 defeat of St Polten in the Champions League.She is currently working on her way back to fitness at the club after undergoing surgery following her MCL injury.  More

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      Chloe Kelly states her future ‘is not at Manchester City’ in exit plea post shared before January transfer deadline

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      CHLOE KELLY admits she does not see herself being a Manchester City player beyond this June.The England ace opened up on “dreams” being “crushed” and concerns for her “mental wellbeing” in a message shared via Instagram. Chloe Kelly’s most recent start for Manchester City was on January 12 in their FA Cup fourth round defeat of IpswichCredit: PAThe England forward has made six WSL appearances this term and believes she will not be at Man City beyond June this yearKelly’s past and present England team-mates Rachel Daly, Millie Bright, Keira Walsh and Gabby George posted sympathetic messages in response to her statementKelly, 27, who is one of the WSL’s most high profile players, has been the subject of speculation concerning her Man City future.This followed England’s tournament-winning goalscorer at the 2022 Euros, falling down the pecking order at the Cityzens. Last term Kelly made 21 top-flight appearances starting in 18 of those games registering five goals and five assists with the team finishing second on goal difference. The forward, who began her senior club career at Arsenal in 2015 before a 2016 Everton switch and a City move in 2020, helped the Cityzens to league and FA Cup wins. Read More Football Stories However this season she has started in just one of the 12 WSL games played by Gareth Taylor’s side.Her most recent start for the team this month was in their FA Cup fourth-round 3-0 defeat of Ipswich on January 12.And Kelly’s current contract with the club she joined in July 2020 expires in June. With this year’s Euros less than six months away, the forward hopes to be in a position to fight for England squad selection.Most read in FootballVia a post published on her social media accounts on Wednesday night, Kelly wrote: “From day one, I’ve felt so much love from my team-mates and the fans. “With my contract expiring in June I’ve accepted that my future is not at this club beyond then. “With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country. “Something which has always filled me with such pride and it is a true honour to do so.”Kelly, who last February was linked with French giants Paris Saint-Germain, is thought to be a January transfer target for Man United.The WSL’s window for January moves closes at 11:00pm on January 30. Earlier this month the Telegraph reported the Red Devils as being interested in a loan move for the forward. City’s neighbours and rivals, who visit Tottenham on Sunday, are currently second in the top tier and seven points off leaders Chelsea. With the Cityzens sat fourth outside the Champions League qualification spots, they may be reluctant to sanction a move to a top three WSL rival this month. Having not started in any of Man City’s WSL games since a 2-0 home win against West Ham in October, Kelly has expressed frustration.  In her Instagram post, she added: “To be dictated (as to) whom I can and can’t join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career but my mental well being. “The situation has dragged on for far too long, it’s disappointing and not right.”I’m at a pivotal point in my life and my career is so important to me.”It’s very disappointing that the sport that we love can make you feel this way especially after there’s been so much growth in our sport. “This is why I’m posting this because I want to make you all aware that we as players dedicate our lives to our sport and our clubs but our dreams can be crushed whilst we live in silence.”Kelly is keen to cement a place in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for this year’s Euros in Switzerland after helping the Lionesses win the contest in 2022Credit: PA”Ultimately I just want to be happy again. READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile City have signed Brazil forward Kerolin, they currently have star forward Lauren Hemp sidelined by a knee injury. The team return to WSL action on Sunday when they host third-place Arsenal.  More

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      Manchester United ace Ella Toone pays tribute to late father and reflects on grieving his passing

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      ELLA TOONE has opened up on her grief following the death of her father Nick who passed away in September last year. The Manchester United midfielder, 25, paid an emotional tribute to her dad in a candid piece written for the Players Tribune. On the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast Ella Toone revealed she returned to training the day after her father Nick passed awayCredit: ReutersThe Man Utd midfielder hopes that by opening up on her grief, she can help others going through a similar experienceCredit: PAToone has been in clinical form for the Red Devils netting four goals in their last two WSL gamesCredit: AlamyNick Toone had been a huge influence on the Women’s Super League ace on and off the pitch. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer the day after watching the Lioness star score in the 2022 Euros final with England defeating Germany 2-1 at Wembley And Toone wrote of her Dad informing her in May last year that the cancer had returned.This was soon after the midfielder helped Man United make history scoring her team’s 4-0 triumph over Tottenham in their first Women’s FA Cup final appearance. Read More Football Stories Last September her father passed away three days before his 60th birthday.Toone wrote: “We win the FA Cup, last May. Dad texted after the game. “When I went to the house, everyone sat down in the living room, and Dad said, ‘I’m doing some tests. And I’m not well.'”I just remember thinking: ‘Tests? What tests? What?Most read in Football”It’s come back. I’ve got cancer.” “I said, ‘What do you mean it’s come back?’ “And he said the day after we won the Euros, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. “He’d fought it for a whole year without telling us, and it had gone. And then it came back.”But he didn’t let on how bad it was. I tried to ask questions, but he’d just palm it off.”In a way, I totally get it because I’m exactly like that. “I’ll sit in a room, and someone will be talking to me, and I’ll just shut down. “And when it came to talking about the diagnosis, that was Dad.”He didn’t want anything to be different. He didn’t want people to mither about him, none of that. “So he went about it the way he wanted, and that was that. “I feel like he kissed me and hugged me more. He became a bit softer, which was sweet. “But other than that, he was just the same really.”Toone, who like her father, is a lifelong Man United started her football journey at Astley and Tyldesley Girls’ team at age five.Two years later she joined Manchester United’s Centre of Excellence at seven. Following senior club career stints at Blackburn Rovers and Man City from 2015 to 2018, the midfielder returned to the Red Devils.On the international stage Toone helped England win the Euros for the first time in 2022 and started for the Lionesses in the 2023 World Cup final which they narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain.The midfielder, who hopes to help England retain their Euros crown this summer, has fond memories of her father taking her to watch their local team Hindsford FC during her childhood. In July 2022, Toone told England.com: “I just used to play all day with the lads. “I have loads of cousins and me and my brother would play with them all day on the sidelines while the club were playing. “Those were my first footballing memories when I was really young.”Toone, who has been in fine form for second–placed Man United this month, described her father as the person who always kept her “grounded”. She admits writing about the feelings that followed his passing was also about helping “anyone grieving and feeling alone”. The 53-capped England midfielder wrote: “When he passed, it was a big shock, even to some of the people closest to him, because no one hardly knew he was ill. “I’m still processing. This is my first try at really talking about it. Like Dad said, The Toones are not great at feelings. “But I wanted to write this, for anyone grieving and feeling alone.“Friends who also have experienced the uniquely awful feeling of losing a parent have helped me massively in the worst part of my life. “Now, when people ask, “Who do you look up to?” I say it’s people like Beth Mead and Rach Daly, who’ve continued to play football and be an inspiration after losing someone they love.”They’ve helped me, massively. I hope that in the future I can do the same for people in my life who might be going through the same thing. Toone and her Man United team-mates are currently second in the WSL and seven points behind leaders ChelseaCredit: Alamy“Grief takes a different shape for everyone. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But maybe if someone sees me sharing a small piece of my own grief, it might make it a tiny bit easier for them to know that I know what they’re going through is brutal. “It’s messy. And that’s alright. Trust me, it’s alright.” More

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      Football should trial return of pints in the stands… but can minority of fans be trusted to show we’re past dark days?

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      AS ladies say ‘cheers’ to drinking alcohol in the stands at Women’s Championship matches, the chance of a return to a beer or two on all the men’s terraces are about as high as Accrington Stanley winning League Two.Actually, Accrington’s average attendance of 2,509 would be a very good ground at which to start serving alcohol as policing any noisy drunks would be a simple process.There isn’t a measurable risk of violent drunks at Women’s Championship matchesCredit: GettyKarren Brady is happy to let responsible drinkers drink, it’s the rest of them she worries about . . .Credit: PABut it isn’t going to happen at Wham Stadium which, incidentally, is not named after (the late and great) George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s pop pairing.Nor anywhere else, at least not in the near future.Drinking alcohol within view of the playing field was stopped in 1985 after a sequence of events involving noisy, sometimes violent, spectators.There are no moves to change the law although there are many ways of buying alcohol beyond a pitch view, and a recent study showed Chelsea fans top the beer table, drinking on average six pints a game.Read More on FootballAt that rate, they might need a half-time substitution for their liver more than their team.The police and stewards are on the look-out for drunks or people bringing alcohol into grounds although some still try. A Leeds supporter succeeded in 2012 and, should anyone need convincing that the ban should end, the facts were he assaulted Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after running on to the pitch.It transpired that the offender drank countless cans of lager and a bottle of vodka on the journey to the ground. In Sheffield he then drank at least seven pints of cider.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesI feel woozy even writing that. He was jailed for 16 weeks and banned from football grounds for six years.There isn’t a measurable risk of violent drunks at Women’s Championship matches and it made sense supporters should be able to drink wisely during this trial.Watch Ireland captain Katie McCabe star in hilarious Adidas ad ahead of new WSL season with ArsenalIt’s a different crowd, reflected in the fact government data revealed there had been no arrests recorded at women’s football matches.The end of restrictions is positive for several reasons — extra revenue, another attraction for people to attend, and even a tot to cheer fans of the losing side.Supporters of a return to drinks during play can point to rugby and cricket for freedom from limitations.At the Ireland v Scotland match a record 137,000 pints of beer were sold at Stade de France.There was a mass brawl, but that was on the pitch between the players. Drinkers at cricket are often asleep anyway.Women tend to follow the rules rather than consider them a nuisance. We despise violence and bad behaviour, both of which are much more prevalent among men and it is unlikely many will see pie-eyed woman causing trouble at matches.Maybe solution lies in compromiseI would love to make a bonfire of all restrictions but I don’t think it would be possible or responsible.Ultimately, the question isn’t just about alcohol — it’s about trust. Have fans moved on from the dark days of the 80s? Can clubs strike the right balance between modernisation and maintaining order?In football, intensity and passion run high. Add alcohol to this and it can be a problem.The last thing clubs or fans want is a descent into chaos because of a few irresponsible drinkers.The landscape of football has been transformed in those 40 years. Stadiums are safer, crowds are more diverse, and family-friendly atmospheres have replaced toxic environments of the past.Perhaps the solution lies in compromise. Limited trials at selected matches could provide data on whether ending the ban works.READ MORE SUN STORIESGuidelines would have to be stringent and include steps such as alcohol-free zones, stricter ID checks, and time-limited drinking.I am happy to let responsible drinkers drink, it’s the rest of them I worry about . . . More