World Cup 2022

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      PSG consider buying Stade de France as Qatari owners eye ‘better stadium’ with French government keen to sell

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      FRENCH giants Paris Saint-Germain could reportedly move across town to the 80,000 seater Stade de France.The Ligue 1 outfit currently play at the 48,000 capacity Parc des Princes.
      PSG currently play at the Parc des PrincesCredit: Reuters
      The French club could move to the Stade de FranceCredit: Reuters
      PSG want global superstars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar play in front of more than 48,000 fansCredit: Getty
      But PSG’s Qatari owners are eyeing an upgrade.
      They are keen on a £430million renovation of the Parc des Princes, according to CBS, but the stadium is owned by the City Council of Paris.
      PSG want to make it a 60,000 seater arena, but will not do so unless they own the stadium.
      The Council are claimed to be quoting PSG four times above market value to become owners of the stadium.
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      PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi declared to Bloomberg: “Paris deserves a better stadium.”
      Al-Khelaifi claimed the Council of Paris are pushing the club to move, with the Stade de France thought to be a potential option.
      That stadium is owned by the French government, who are believed to be looking at selling the arena.
      There are also claimed to be two sites where a new stadium could be built.
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      Al-Khelaifi added: “My first option is we don’t move. But the city of Paris is pushing us to move.”
      He admitted: “We’ve spent 70 million euros (£60m) upgrading the Parc des Princes but it’s not our stadium.”
      The Stade de France is currently used by the French national football and rugby teams.
      Part of the reason for a stadium expansion or move is to protect PSG from Uefa’s financial fair play rules.
      Les Parisiens were fined earlier this year for overspending.
      A stadium with a capacity higher than 48,000 would allow the club to bring in more revenue. More

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      Escort sites spring up in Qatar as call girls charge up to £20,000 for randy Brit World Cup fans who risk 7yrs in jail

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      WORLD Cup fans are risking up to seven years in jail by hiring high-class hookers to pose as their wives in Qatar. Bookings to Qatar-based call girl services are soaring – with prostitutes offering rates of between £10,000 and £20,000 to accompany soccer fanatics to matches and act as their partners.
      Footie fans are risking jail time to score some female companionship for the World Cup
      Escorts are offering to wear traditional abayas to help them blend in as punter’s wives
      Bookings for escort services in Qatar have boomed since the tournament kicked off
      UK-based sites are also offering the same service to cash in on the tournament.
      An insider said: “It’s a bonkers risk, but some football fans will chance it.
      “Sites are springing up every day in Qatar and the UK offering rates to go with them to matches and pose as their wives, as sex outside marriage is outlawed in Qatar.
      “But if they are caught they and the prostitutes are risking years in jail, and there will be nothing the British Foreign Office will be able to do to save them as they will be bang to rights for breaking Qatar’s laws.”
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      Sex outside of marriage and homosexuality are illegal in Qatar, where the tournament will be held, and each ­carries a prison ­sentence of up to seven years.
      Working as a prostitute carries a typical jail term of at least three years under the state’s strict Islamic code.
      Women can be jailed for up to seven years and forced to endure up to 100 lashings if they are found guilty of engaging in pre-marital sex, known as zina.
      Even rape victims can face prosecution if a suspect claims the sex was consensual – which sparked alarm bells for female footie fans.
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      Figures show soccer stadiums become sex assault hotspots when booze-fuelled crowds flock to big games during tournaments.
      But many supporters will still be willing to take the risk for the sake of female companionship during the World Cup.
      Many of the escorts are based in Qatar’s capital of Doha, but are offering to travel and stay for days and weeks with punters.
      They often cover up their faces on their online ads, with Western hookers offering to travel to Doha obscuring their faces in images to avoid authorities being able to prove they are working as a call girl if caught.
      Rates are from 2,500 Qatari Rial per hour (£600) to small fortunes for long-term “companionship to coincide with the World Cup” according to one advert.
      The escorts are also offering to wear the traditional abaya, a long black robe that covers the entire body to make them appear more authentic when posing as wives, with others offering to cover their hair.
      Our insider warned the ploy is “extremely risky” as fake passports will have to be used to avoid jail as authorities will check partners’ names match when checking into hotels.
      Football fans are also being warned one-night stands could lead to seven years behind bars in Qatar, with FIFA officials saying “no exceptions” will be made.
      FIFA has said “all are welcome” at the tournament – but there is a growing concern that is not the case as there have already been reports of fans with different surnames being stopped from booking and sharing hotel rooms.
      Nasser al-Khater, chief executive of the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar has said: “The safety and security of every single fan is of the utmost importance to us.
      “But public displays of affection are frowned upon, it’s not part of our ­culture – and that goes across the board to everybody.”
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      The Qatar Supreme Committee for the delivery of the 2022 World Cup also warned of the strict laws in place.
      In a statement it said: “Qatar is a ­conservative country and public ­displays of affection are frowned upon ­regardless of sexual orientation.”
      Sex workers can face up to 3 years behind bars under the Arab country’s strict laws
      Call girls are charging thousands to thrill footie supporters from across the globe
      Fans could face seven years in prison if they are found guilty of engaging in pre-marital sex More

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      Fans all say the same thing about Antonio Rudiger’s hilarious running during World Cup clash against Japan

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      ANTONIO RUDIGER had social media buzzing with his bizarre running during Germany’s clash with Japan.The Real Madrid star was in action for his country as they kicked off their 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar.
      Antonio Rudiger bizarrely ran towards the touchline
      Fans noticed the Germany star’s strange running technique
      And it was an incident in the 64th minute that really got people talking.
      Trailing 1-0, Japan desperately sought to get back in the game.
      Manager Hajime Moriyasu threw on former Arsenal forward Takuma Asano in the second half as he chased an equaliser.
      Asano chased a long hopeful ball down the channel, but was marshalled by Rudiger.
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      Rather than conventionally shepherding the ball out of play, however, Rudiger bizarrely jumped into his run as he galloped towards the touchline.
      The former Chelsea ace grinned as he ran back into position, with fans noticing his strange run.

      One wrote: “Wtf is rudiger doing.”
      While a second tweeted: “Rudiger has got to be one of the weirdest players I’ve ever seen.”
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      A third asked: “What is blud doing?”
      Another added: “Look at the way Rudiger runs how can you hate this guy.”
      Japan DID equalise shortly after, with Ritsu Doan grabbing a deserved leveller just 15 minutes from time.
      And they went in front in stunning fashion moments later, Asano somehow squeezing a brilliant shot beyond Manuel Neuer.
      Germany pushed hard for an equaliser, Rudiger flashing a shot from range wide late on.
      But Japan managed to hold on for a famous 2-1 victory.
      Takuma Asano stunningly put Japan in frontCredit: Reuters More

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      Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer too ill to fly to Qatar after 77-year-old World Cup winner goes blind in one eye

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      GERMANY legend Franz Beckenbauer has revealed illness will stop him from flying to Qatar for the World Cup.Beckenbauer lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy as a player in 1974 and manager in 1990.
      Franz Beckenbauer captained Germany to the 1974 World CupCredit: AP
      Beckenbauer isn’t travelling to Qatar due to illnessCredit: Getty
      However, the 77-year-old is suffering from health problems and therefore won’t be able to support the current stars in the Middle East.
      But while the German won’t be travelling, he vowed to keep fighting on.
      He told Bild: “I had a so-called infarction in one eye.
      “Unfortunately I can’t see anything on the right.
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      “I can handle that. And I have to be careful with my heart.
      “But I will not travel to Qatar. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for our team in front of the TV.
      “People probably think he never lives long. But I’ll try to stay with you for a while.”
      Beckenbauer, widely regarded as one of the best to ever player the game, won 103 caps for Germany.
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      And the ex-defender is no stranger to the World Cup.
      He played at football’s greatest show on three occasions and lifted the famous trophy after beating the Netherlands in the final in 1974.
      Beckenbauer then became the first man ever to win the World Cup as both a player and manager 16 years later. More

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      Roy Keane claims Cristiano Ronaldo stayed at Man Utd for too long and bombshell interview was ‘tipping point’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO stayed at Manchester United for too long and his bombshell interview ended up being the “tipping point”.That is according to United legend and Ronaldo’s former team-mate Roy Keane, who claims the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s dramatic exit from Old Trafford had long been “on the cards”.
      Manchester United have terminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s deal with immediate effectCredit: PA
      Roy Keane insists Cristiano Ronaldo stayed at Manchester United for too longCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      The Red Devils terminated the Portugal captain’s £500,000-a-week deal with immediate effect on Tuesday following a mutual agreement.
      The Manchester giants made that decision after the star forward’s tell-all interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan in which he slammed manager Erik ten Hag, the Glazers and former team-mates.
      Keane was not at all shocked with that development as he insists the 37-year-old should have left in the summer.
      The footballer-turned-pundit also suggested Ten Hag mishandled him as Ronaldo should have never been treated as a “fringe player”.
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      Keane told ITV: “It has been on cards for the last few months. The interview was the tipping point. It is like a divorce, the end of a relationship.
      “He should have left in the summer, the new manager was never going to play him. You cannot have Ronaldo as a fringe player, it is just not right.”
      Keane doubled down on Ten Hag after Ronaldo revealed he doesn’t respect him because he felt the Dutch tactician didn’t appreciate him enough.
      The legendary United skipper insists the ex-Ajax boss should have treated the Real Madrid legend “differently”.
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      Keane added: “The Dutch are straight-talkers. Good thing for the club, him and the fans. Once the World Cup is finished they are back in the league and want to hit the ground running.
      “You do have to treat the top players differently. I don’t want to go down the road again about pressing, Ronaldo did not come back to the club to do that, he came back to score goals.
      “Let him go in the summer before it gets really messy. Ronaldo has run out of patience there. I think it is really straightforward. People say his reputation at United is tarnished. Far from it. United fans aren’t daft.
      “Ronaldo will go down as one of the greatest players. It has not ended well, but that’s life. I think he will be delighted to be among the Portuguese squad and show its qualities.” More

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      ‘Don’t get me started’ – Roy Keane says it was nice to see England get taste of own medicine after losing out on Musiala

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      ROY KEANE claimed it was nice to see England “get a taste of their own medicine” when Jamal Musiala switched his allegiance to Germany.The Bayern Munich wonderkid, 19, turned out for the Three Lions at youth level, playing for their Under-21s as recently as 2020.
      Jamal Musiala is in World Cup action for GermanyCredit: Getty
      Roy Keane had little sympathy for the Three Lions
      Musiala lived in England from the age of seven until moving to Bayern aged 16 – opting to represent the country of his birth last year.
      Discussing the former Chelsea starlet’s decision ahead of today’s clash between Germany and Japan, Irishman Roy Keane had no sympathy.
      In fact, he revelled in it.
      The Manchester United legend said: “It’s nice to see England get a taste of their own medicine because they took players… (Declan) Rice, (Jack) Grealish – don’t get me started on that.
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      “When players make that decision it’s not easy, you have to respect it, of course.”
      Grealish, 27, represented Ireland’s youth set-up all the way up to Under-21 level.
      During Keane’s stint as assistant manager to Republic boss Martin O’Neill, however, Grealish swapped his allegiance to England.
      The Manchester City attacker was born in Solihull, Birmingham – but was eligible for Ireland via his grandparents.
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      Rice, meanwhile, also played for the Republic’s youth sides before even earning three senior caps during Keane’s time as No2.
      Following an approach by England, however, the West Ham ace opted to switch to the Three Lions.
      Rice, 23, was born in Kingston Upon Thames, but like Grealish was eligible for Ireland via his grandparents.
      Both are featuring in their second major tournament in England colours this month, with the latter scoring from the bench against Iran on Monday night.
      Musiala played for England at youth levelCredit: Reuters More

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      Referee checks Germany’s Manuel Neuer is not wearing One Love armband amid threat of World Cup ban before Japan clash

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      THE linesman for Germany’s game against Japan was forced to check whether captain Manuel Neuer was wearing the One Love armband.Hansi Flick’s side were one of the seven European nations who planned on wearing the One Love armband.
      Zeegelaar checked Neuer’s armbandCredit: EPA
      Germany staged their own protest by covering their mouthsCredit: Reuters
      The armband has been used as a message of support and unity, especially for the LGBTQ+ community with England, Wales, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Denmark also set to join with Team DFB.
      However, Fifa made a last-minute decision to ban the accessory – and threatened captains with yellow cards or even one-match suspensions prompting a U-turn from all seven countries.
      It saw captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer walk out with the regular generic ‘No Discrimination’ version instead – but linesman Zachari Zeegelaar was forced to check nonetheless.
      However, the armband ban didn’t stop Germany from staging a protest.
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      The 11 stars, including Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and wonderkid Jamal Musiala, lined up and all covered their mouths with their right hand – as if to say they have been silenced by the tournament organisers.
      That includes Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who was in the stadium to witness the silent stand first hand.
      Germany’s official team Twitter account said: “It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case.
      “That’s why this message is so important to us.
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      “Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.
      “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect.
      “Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.” More

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      Who is Brazil vs Serbia referee Alireza Faghani at World Cup 2022?

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      IRANIAN referee Alireza Faghani is one of the most respected referees in the world.He was in charge of England’s World Cup third-place playoff against Belgium in 2018 and now he is in the middle for Brazil vs Serbia in the group stages for 2022’s edition.
      Iranian referee Alireza Faghani has not shirked the big decisionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Who is Alireza Faghani?
      The son of a referee, Faghani spent seven seasons in the Persian Gulf Pro League before making the jump to internationals.
      Originally a player in the lower Iranian leagues, he became a ref and joined the Fifa-elite list just one year after making his top-flight debut.
      With VAR being used for the first time in 2018, you may remember Faghani from the Confederations Cup where he failed to give Chile a penalty and refused to view the TV monitor.
      In his career the Iranian has been in charge for the finals of the 2014 AFC Champions League, 2015 AFC Asian Cup, 2015 Club World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
      Faghani is also registered in the Indonesian League and takes charge of domestic games in the top flight.
      Expect to see plenty of cards in the games that the Iranian takes charge of in Russia – he dishes out an average of 4.40 per match.
      Has he officiated at the World Cup before?
      Faghani was at the 2014 World Cup – and was named as a fourth official for the opener between Brazil and Croatia.
      He’s also been on the big stage at the Olympics and numerous AFC Cup finals around the continent.
      But in 2018 he has already been given some of the biggest games, such as Germany vs Mexico, Serbia vs Brazil and France vs Argentina.
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