World Cup 2022

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      Louis van Gaal tells Dutch press to ‘go home’ as Holland boss sparks row over ‘terribly boring’ World Cup performances

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      LOUIS VAN GAAL has told the Dutch press to go home following criticism of Holland’s style of play at the World Cup.Holland booked their World Cup round of 16 place after recording two wins and a draw in the group stages.
      Van Gaal has hit back at criticism over Holland’s style of playCredit: Getty
      They will now play the USA on December 3 for a place in the quarter-finals.
      However, Holland have been criticised by fans, as well as the Dutch press, for their style of play in the winter tournament.
      Such comments led to ex-Manchester United boss Van Gaal biting back after the 2-0 win over hosts Qatar.
      He told one journalist: “I’m not going to expand on it because I think you have a different opinion of football. 
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      “Why don’t you write you think it is terribly boring and you are going home tomorrow because you couldn’t care less?”
      Another reporter told the 71-year-old that fans were “grinding their teeth” on social media about the displays, to which Van Gaal responded: “That’s disappointing but I don’t agree with you.   
      “That’s your opinion but I don’t think your opinion is the correct opinion.
      “I think everyone would be rather proud we are progressing to the next round.
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      “I think things are not as bad as you say they are.”
      Van Gaal’s bitey comments are a stark contrast to the pre-game press conference ahead of the clash with Senegal.
      A young reporter told the manager he doesn’t have a question but just wanted to say that he is a big fan. 
      Van Gaal thanked the reporter and gave him a hug afterwards.
      Should Holland go all the way and become world champions, Van Gaal is open to one last big job in football.
      Ronaldo Koeman has already agreed to take the reigns of the side after the tournament.
      Van Gaal said: “My successor has already been appointed so that is not really an issue. I only did this to support Dutch football and thank them for this opportunity.
      “I’m doing this because I’m grateful and if we become world champion then the football world is a very opportunistic world so you never know?”
      Gakpo is Holland’s top scorer More

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      Canelo Alvarez called out by Argentine UFC star after threatening Lionel Messi following Mexico World Cup controversy

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      ARGENTINA UFC star Santiago Ponzinibbio offered to fight Canelo Alvarez as he jumped to the defence of compatriot Lionel Messi.Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 in their World Cup Group C match with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi getting a goal and an assist.
      Argentina UFC star Santiago Ponzinibbio has offered to fight Canelo in defence of Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      Canelo (left) threatened the Argentina footy icon for ‘disrespecting’ MexicoCredit: EPA
      Wild scenes in the Argentine dressing room followed after they kept their qualification hopes alive after they lost their first group match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia.
      A clip was shared of the joyous scenes, but it showed a Mexico shirt on the floor near Messi, and as the Paris Saint-Germain man took his boot off, his foot brushed the jersey – which boxer Canelo found disrespectful.
      And that led to the Mexican boxing legend saying Messi “better pray to God that I don’t find him”.
      Canelo tweeted: “Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag. He better pray to God that I don’t find him.
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      “Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls**t that Messi did.”
      However, welterweight Ponzinibbio, who has won 28 of his 34 MMA fights, has now joined the likes of Sergio Aguero by wading into the row and having Messi’s back.
      The grappler, who faces Robbie Lawler at UFC 282 on December 10, told MMA Fighting: “No point threatening Messi. Everybody knows Messi’s career. If [Canelo] doesn’t know he shouldn’t say a thing.
      “It’s normal for players to throw jerseys on the ground, they are all sweaty, but he didn’t do anything disrespectful.
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      “Everybody that knows Messi knows he’s an impeccable athlete and a very respectful person.”
      Ponzinibbio added: “[Messi] had an excellent match. I was upset. Brother, if you want to fight, I’m ready, but leave Messi be,
      “You mess with Messi, you mess with the entire Argentina. Don’t bother the kid.”
      Argentina face off with Poland in the third group game of the World Cup, with the two sides occupying the top two slots in Group C.
      A draw will send Argentina through to the knockouts if Saudi Arabia and Mexico also draw, or if the Mexicans win by up to a two-goal margin.
      Lionel Messi will be hoping to fire Argentina into the knockouts later todayCredit: Getty More

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      World Cup & Premier League star arrested for ‘rape’ of woman in her 20s has bail extended until next year

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      A PREMIER League and World Cup star arrested on suspicion of rape has had his bail extended until next year.The footballer is accused of raping two women in separate attacks, one in June this year and one in April 2021.
      A footballer has had his bail extendedCredit: Getty
      He had been due to answer police bail in October but this has now been extended to early January next year.
      The footballer, who has been taken to the World Cup, was held in July after police swooped on a home in North London.
      His first alleged victim, in her 20s, claimed she was raped during a break in the Med in June..
      She fled the five-star resort she was staying in and flew home to her friends and family, it is said.
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      The woman is understood to have spoken to police on her return to the UK and showed photos she claimed highlighted bruising on her body after the alleged attack.
      After his initial arrest he was later re-arrested on suspicion of two more counts from April and June 2021.
      The June allegation was later dropped by police.
      The player has not been suspended by his club and is in one of the 32 squads at the World Cup,
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      Scotland Yard said: “On 4 July, an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police.
      “It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022.
      “While in custody, he was further arrested on suspicion of two incidents of rape that were alleged to have been committed in April and June of 2021 against a different woman in her 20s.
      “No further action will be taken in relation to the alleged offence in June 2021 because the relevant legislation had not yet come into effect at the time it is said to have occurred.
      “This has been explained to the complainant who continues to be supported by officers.” More

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      Fuming Roberto Martinez accuses French media of dirty tricks to destabilise their World Cup 2022 bid

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      ROBERTO MARTINEZ says Belgium have become victims of French dirty tricks aimed at destabilising their World Cup bid.Belgium laboured to victory over Canada and then suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Morocco that has left them needing to win their final group game against Croatia to progress.
      Roberto Martinez has slammed the French media over a story about the Belgium squadCredit: Getty
      And stories that emerged in the French media about a bust-up amongst the players have shaken the camp with Martinez believing they have been done because Belgium are a threat to holders France’s crown.
      It was reported that after the defeat to Morocco a row occurred between Kevin De Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen and that the pair had to be split up by Romelu Lukaku.
      Manager Martinez said: “A World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world and there are many World Cups getting played and you could see maybe a country like France did a very good job with a story that became the main topic of conversation in Belgium.
      “What is clear is whoever has come up with it has scored an own goal for Belgium. Whoever has done it is genius.
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      “If I was an opposition journalist who could weaken an opponent I would do it.
      “It showed you that there is maybe more desire to find negative news around this team than really get this nation together and support this team and enjoy the talent of the best generation we have ever had in Belgium football.
      “And probably that was a lesson for all of us – that we are here on our own and we are here to fight for what we believe is the way we want to play and hopefully the fans – real fans – of the red devils can enjoy the process.”
      Now Martinez has told his players to ignore all the ‘noise’ and criticism that is coming from outside believing that it has affected the team.
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      He said: “ We were not happy with the two performances, we got the result in the first game but we were not happy with our performance.
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      “The second game was the first time we lost a game by two goals in a major tournament, something we never experienced before so you can imagine we were not happy with it and the players were not happy with it.
      “Then you see the storm on the outside and then you realise maybe we were listening too much to the noise from the outside before the tournament.
      “Now we have some outlets in Belgium that are quite happy to jump on fake news. That’s quite astonishing. I think it’s made the group more aware that the less you listen to the noise from the outside news the better.”
      Dries Mertens’ wife Kat Kerkhofs has also revealed how it was at the team BBQ following the reported clash between players.
      She told the MIDMID MONDIAL podcast: “That was really awkward. The players were logically still very disappointed.”
      But she added: “But I thought it was strange to read that there are tensions within the group.
      “The next morning everyone said hello to each other with a kiss. They do all that. So I think they are all super sweet to each other.” More

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      Who is Costa Rica vs Germany referee Stephanie Frappart and is she the first female official at a the World Cup 2022?

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      FOR the first time ever. a female official has been selected for a men’s World Cup – and she’ll be in charge of Costa Rica vs Germany.France’s Stephanie Frappart has been selected as a group of female match referees and will make history in Qatar – a country that suppresses women’s rights.
      Stephanie Frappert is making history at World Cup 2022
      Frappert lining up before officiating Juventus vs Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League
      The Frenchwoman acted as a fourth official at Euro 2020, making history by doing so.
      Frappart also made history in December 2022 by becoming the first female to referee a men’s Champions League game.
      She officiated the Group G clash between Juventus and Dynamo Kiev in Turin.
      The 37-year-old was also in the middle for the 2019 Super Cup between Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as the women’s World Cup final in the same year.
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      In October 2020 Frappart refereed her first Europa League game – overseeing Leicester’s game with Zorya Luhansk.
      Frappart has reffed sixteen times this season in the French Ligue 1, showing 62 yellows at an average of 3.88 per game.
      She has sent off just one player in the league this season.
      Frappert officiated the 2019 Super Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool that the Reds won 5-4 on penalties.
      Frappert showed three yellow cards in the UEFA Super Cup game between Chelsea and Liverpool

      Who is Stephanie Frappart?

      Born – Herblay, France
      Age – 37 years old
      Debut – 2011, French men’s third tier
      April 2019 – First female referee in Ligue 1
      December 2020 – First female referee in the Champions League
      June 2021 – First female referee at a men’s major tournament

      Stephanie Frappart poses with her medal after refereeing the 2019 UEFA Super Cup

      After officiating the 2019 Super Cup between Chelsea and Liverpool Frappart told CNN:
      “It was a pretty special feeling when you walked out in the stadium and the crowd were actually cheering for us, I’ve never experienced that and in such a big, big match.
      “In the warm-up I looked around and I was like, the other teams aren’t here so they have to be cheering for us.”
      “When you looked up at the crowd, I normally don’t engage with the crowd, they were looking at us and a few were waving and giving us thumbs up and congratulations. I thought that was pretty special.”
      Euro 2020 gets underway on June 11 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome as Turkey take on Italy

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      Watch Morocco fan dance with Senegal supporters in stands as they celebrate World Cup win over Ecuador

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      A MORROCO fan was spotted dancing alongside Senegal supporters as the African champions celebrated their place in the last-16.The Lions came out on top in their must-win game against Ecuador, reaching the knockouts of the World Cup for just the second time ever.
      A Morocco fan looked delighted as he joined the celebrations with Senegal fansCredit: Twitter
      Ismaila Sarr’s penalty put the 2022 AFCON winners on course to qualify, but the pendulum swung back the South American’s way when Moises Caicedo levelled on 67 minutes.
      But Senegal weren’t to be denied as Kalidou Koulibaly’s first international won the game.
      Participating in just their third World Cup, they made it past the groups for the first time for 20 years.
      The result led to Senegal fans partying in the stands at the sheer delight of seeing their winter carnival continue.
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      But it wasn’t just the Senegal faithful who were happy.
      A Morocco fan joined in the celebrations as he danced away with a red and green scarf around his neck.
      Despite being rivals in African football, it was a lovely moment which encapsulated what the World Cup is all about.
      And many fans on social media recognised that.
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      One said: “We used to be one nation, one empire, that’s the reason.”
      Another welcomed the support by saying: “Thanks to our Moroccan brothers for the support always.”
      A third replied: “Morocco and Senegal are brothers all the time.”
      Senegal’s reward for their victory is a last-16 meeting with England on Sunday night.
      Morocco will join them in the second round if they avoid defeat against Canada on Thursday, but they will still progress if they lose, providing Croatia beat Belgium. More

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      Inside luxury £3k-a-night villa used by England Wags for World Cup including private pool, roof terrace and beach access

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      THE England squad were treated to a day off by Gareth Southgate on Wednesday following their 3-0 win over Wales.The Three Lions have five days to prepare for their last 16 clash with Senegal and enjoyed some well-earned downtime before the knockout stages.
      The Wags are staying in this incredible villaCredit: Hilton
      It is impressively decked out with a luxurious feelCredit: Hilton
      England’s players were given a day off on Wednesday after the Wales winCredit: Instagram
      Amie Coady shared a video of their pool to social mediaCredit: Instagram
      It appears to be a glorious villa with wonderful sceneryCredit: Instagram
      A couple of their partners – the Wags of Kalvin Phillips and Conor Coady – have been sharing a gorgeous villa in Qatar.
      And these images of the impressive house show that they have been living a life of luxury.
      Amie Coady and Ashleigh Behan have been treated to a private pool and rooftop terrace.
      They are also a stone’s throw away from the beach and have been making the most of the location.
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      Kalvin Phillips alongside partner Ashleigh BehanCredit: Instagram
      Ashleigh wore an England top for the USA game on FridayCredit: Instagram
      Coady met wife Amie in the stands after England’s win over WalesCredit: Getty
      Amie snapped a picture with husband Coady on Wednesday and added the caption: “A day with you.”
      But the two Wags are not staying with a number of the other footballers’ partners.
      A host of them have taken residence on a £1billion cruise liner for the World Cup.
      They include Eric Dier’s partner Anna Modler, Jack Grealish’s girilfriend Sasha Attwood, Aaron Ramsdale’s fiancee Georgia Irwin, Harry Maguire’s wife Fern Hawkins, and Raheem Sterling’s wife-to-be Paige Milian.
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      A bunch of the Wags were greeted by their partners after the win over Wales on Tuesday night.
      The England players climbed into the stands to meet their families and enjoy a bit of quality time with their loved ones.
      They will return to training camp on Thursday ahead of a crunch clash against Senegal.
      If successful on Sunday, Gareth Southgate’s men then face the very real prospect of taking on defending champions France in the quarter-finals. More

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      Why is Tunisia’s Ellyes Skhiri wearing a mask against Australia at the 2022 World Cup?

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      VIEWERS of the Group D clash between Tunisia and Australia will have noticed a unique feature about Ellyes Skhiri for the African side.The FC Köln midfielder has hit 50 appearances for his national side, a feat to be proud of.
      Ellyes Skhiri is not backing out of challenges despite his face maskCredit: Getty
      But when facing Denmark and Australia, he has been sporting a mask over his face and fans may not have recognised him, and he is currently in action.
      We have all the details on why he is masked up during the 2022 World Cup.
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      Why is Ellyes Skhiri wearing a mask at the 2022 World Cup?
      So far this tournament, we have seen Son Heung-Min take to the field for South Korea in a mask.
      And the reason for this is similar to that of Skhiri, with both players suffering injuries.
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      Skihiri suffered a broken cheekbone in late October but would not let this ruin his World Cup dream.
      The midfielder returned a week later wearing a mask as he was determined to play at the World Cup for his country, who are looking to make it out of the group stages for the first time in their history.
      Wearing a mask will protect his cheekbone as it recovers, ensuring that it cannot be further damaged during his time on the pitch. More