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      Activist Peter Tatchell ‘arrested’ in Qatar for protesting against anti-gay regime just weeks before World Cup

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      PETER Tatchell said he has been arrested after staging a one-man protest against Qatar’s treatment of gay people.The activist was pictured holding a placard supporting Qatari people, just 26 days before the start of the football World Cup.
      Peter Tatchell protesting in Qatar against the country’s treatment of LGBT+ peopleCredit: Twitter
      Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and punishable by up to three years in prison.
      Qatar denied that Tatchell had been arrested and hit back at the what it claimed were “baseless accusations”.
      Tatchell stood for more than hour wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “#Qatarantigay” and holding a placard that read Qatar arrests and subjects LGBTs to conversion.
      Two uniformed police officers and three plain clothes officials arrived at the scene.
      They folded up his placard and took photos of Tatchell’s passport and other papers, and those of a man accompanying him.
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      Police left after shaking hands with Tatchell, who remained on the pavement.
      The activist said he was arrested for the demonstration but later freed.
      “There can be no normal sporting relations with an abnormal regime like Qatar,” he said speaking from Qatar shortly before his protest.
      “It is a homophobic, sexist and racist dictatorship.
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      “Qatar cannot be allowed to sportswash its reputation. It is using the World Cup to enhance its international image.
      “I did this protest to shine a light on Qatar’s human rights abuses against LGBT+ people, women, migrant workers and liberal Qataris. I am supporting their brave battle against tyranny.”
      Prior to the 2018 World Cup, Tatchell was detained in Moscow whiile staging a protest against the treatment of gay people in the Russian republic of Chechnya.
      Human Rights Watch on on Monday said security forces in Qatar arbitrarily arrested and abused LGBT Qataris as recently as last month.
      A Qatari official said in a statement that HRW’s allegations “contain information that is categorically and unequivocally false”.
      In response to Tatchell’s protest, Qatar’s Government Communications Office said reports of his arrest are “completely false and without merit”.
      “An individual standing in a traffic roundabout was cordially and professionally asked to move to the sidewalk, no arrests were made. 
      “We are extremely disappointed to see baseless accusations being freely reported by media outlets, without facts.
      “Many organisations will use increased media attention on Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to promote their own profiles.
      “We are always open to dialogue with entities that wish to discuss important topics, but spreading false information with the deliberate intention of provoking negative responses is irresponsible and unacceptable.”
      England manager Gareth Southgate said earlier this year that it’s “horrible” that female and gay England fans fear travelling to the World Cup.
      Australian footballer Josh Cavallo has said he’s “very scared” to play at the World Cup after coming out as the first openly gay male footballer.
      Over the summer World Cup chiefs said they have been given assurances that gay fans will not be persecuted when they visit the country in November.
      A Uefa working party, including FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, travelled to Doha for a third scoping visit.
      There have been suggestions that hotels might prevent gay couples from sharing rooms but Uefa said: “LGBTQI+ rights were discussed at length.
      “Assurances were provided regarding fans being safely welcomed with rainbow flags, in line with previous statements welcoming everyone to Qatar and ensuring local culture and customs are respected. 
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      Uefa added that meetings had been held with a number of agencies including Qatar’s ruling Supreme Committee and the country’s FA as well as human rights organisations.
      Migrant workers told the Uefa group that they still needed additional legal support, shelters for abused workers and translation services to fill in official forms and access to information on rights. More

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      Portugal in disarray just weeks before World Cup 2022 as Cristiano Ronaldo exile at Man Utd adds to injury woes

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      PORTUGAL are in disarray just weeks before the World Cup kicks off – with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United exile adding to their woes.The Euro 2016 champions only just scraped into this winter’s tournament in Qatar.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is adding to the problems within the Portugal squadCredit: Reuters
      Fernando Santos will be having headaches ahead of the World Cup next monthCredit: EPA
      Fernando Santos’ side had to beat Turkey and North Macedonia in the play-offs to reach the main draw – where they will face Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
      But even with one final warm-up friendly against Nigeria, the squad is in a real mess due to injuries, players’ poor form and selection problems.
      And captain Ronaldo is only worsening the situation.
      The 37-year-old talisman, Portugal’s top goalscorer on 117, currently finds himself pushed out of the United team with his Old Trafford career hanging in the balance.
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      He has started just twice in the Premier League this term and then came his antics against Tottenham last week, refusing to be subbed on then leaving Old Trafford before full-time.
      That saw him slapped with a £720,000 fine by United as Erik ten Hag forced him to stay at home for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.
      Ronaldo now faces showdown talks with the Dutch boss to work out his future – but could head into Portugal’s first game on November 24 with very little football under his belt.
      The same can be said for Portugal’s other star attacker, Joao Felix.
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      The £112million Atletico Madrid man is out of favour under Diego Simeone having started just one of the last seven LaLiga matches.
      To make matters worse, he has failed to score in 14 appearances for club and county – and his last assist came on the opening day of the season in the middle of August.
      Bruno Fernandes has rediscovered some form while fellow Manchester-based players Diogo Dalot, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias are doing well for their clubs.
      Rafael Leao is banging in the goals and assists for AC Milan.
      But Wolves quartet Jose Sa, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves and Pedro Neto are in pretty dire form.
      Summer-signing Nunes has failed to trouble the scorers and mustered just one assist in 11 games in England.
      Neto managed zero goal involvements before suffering his ankle injury which has ruled him out of the World Cup.
      Neto joins former Wolves team-mate Diogo Jota in being forced to watch the tournament from the treatement room.
      Jota damaged his calf and was taken off on a stretcher against Manchester City last week before Jurgen Klopp confirmed the Liverpool ace would not be back in time to link up with his national team.
      PSG holding midfielder Danilo Pereira, who has also filled in at centre-back for Portugal, is currently out with a hamstring problem but is expected to be back in action in the coming weeks.
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      Portugal are appearing at their ninth World Cup – but their best finish came way back in their debut in 1966 when they came third.
      They were knocked out by Group H rivals Uruguay in the round of 16 in Russia four years ago thanks to an Edison Cavani double.
      Joao Felix has got used to this view from the sidelines for Atletico MadridCredit: Getty
      Diogo Jota will not be going to the World Cup after damaging his calf for LiverpoolCredit: PA
      Portugal are struggling with poor form and fitness across the squad going into QatarCredit: EPA More

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      Jude Bellingham is the OLDEST 19-year-old I’ve ever seen… he can dominate at World Cup for England, says Dortmund boss

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND’S manager reckons he has helped to construct England’s midfield for the next decade as the World Cup approaches.Edin Terzic – who previously worked with Declan Rice at West Ham – has got Jude Bellingham banging in the goals in the Bundesliga.
      Dortmund’s boss says Jude Bellingham will have a ‘big impact’ at the World CupCredit: Rex
      Head coach Edin Terzic was very complimentary about his young England starCredit: AFP
      The Dortmund boss describes the maturing box-to-box Brummie Bellingham as the ‘oldest 19-year-old I’ve ever known’.
      The locals are purring about Bellingham’s emergence as a goalscoring midfielder – after the England man scored a double in Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Stuttgart to take his season’s tally to eight.
      Bellingham has netted four of those goals in the Champions League, including the opener at the Etihad last month, before former team-mate Erling Haaland’s late winner earned City a 2-1 victory.
      His conversion into a more attacking midfielder complements the more defensively-minded Rice, who made his West Ham debut when Terzic was assistant coach to boss Slaven Bilic.
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      Terzic, 39, said: “Borussia Dortmund is well known for developing talent. But Jude, at the age of 19… he’s like the oldest 19-year-old I’ve ever seen.
      “On and off the pitch we’re really happy he’s with us.
      “It’s a win-win situation. We are benefitting from having him and he appreciates that Borussia Dortmund is the right place for his development.
      “Jude will have a big impact not only against City but for the World Cup and for the rest of our season.
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      “For the English in the next ten years not only Jude but Declan Rice, who I was fortunate to work with at West Ham, will dominate the midfield positions for their national team. They are both very talented players.
      “I’m really happy with the way Jude is performing this season. It’s a different role, more attacking, entering the opposition box many times.
      “He’s got eight goals this season. This was the next step we spoke about when I chatted to him before the season.
      “I’m happy with the way he’s performing but his development is not finished yet, we still don’t know what his limits are.”
      Terzic was an assistant manager and technical director at Dortmund while Norwegian goal machine Haaland was scoring 86 goals in 89 appearances in two and a half years at the Westfalenstadion.
      Yet Haaland has even improved on that ratio since joining City and, like his pal Bellingham, he netted twice at the weekend – the Norwegian’s brace against Brighton taking him to 22 in 15 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side.
      Jude will have a big impact not only against City but for the World Cup and for the rest of our season.Edin Terzic, on Jude Bellingham
      While City are already through to the Champions League knockout stage, and Dortmund are likely to join them, tonight’s clash will be a major ‘homecoming’ occasion for the hottest striker on the planet.
      And Terzic said: “After the game in Manchester, Pep Guardiola told me we played the same game as when we played City one and a half years ago – but I said ‘no that was when we had Erling’.
      “Then we knew that with one touch, he would score but now we don’t have that option, that’s not possible, and we have to find other ways.
      “We have only positive memories of Erling – he’s not only a brilliant player but a brilliant person in the training ground and dressing-room.
      “He enjoyed Dortmund and we saw that when he said goodbye to the club last season and when he saw us in Manchester a couple of weeks ago.
      “It was great for him to be in Dortmund and great for us to have him scoring goals. Now he’s scoring goals in a different shirt and we have to stop him from scoring goals.”
      The man tasked with stopping Haaland tonight is Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.
      The Swiss No 1 said: “It was really emotional saying goodbye to him but now I have to stop him.
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      “It’s the type of challenge you want as a goalkeeper. He was up for a challenge all the time in training and I hope we can continue this tomorrow.
      “He is incredibly fast and physical and has a great shot but I want to keep my goal empty. It’s a really big challenge for me and the boys in front of me but matches like these are the most special.” More

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      Man Utd and Liverpool have 55 HOURS less rest than Prem Big Six rivals as horror Xmas fixtures schedule revealed

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool have been handed the tightest festive schedules of the Premier League’s big guns.Both northern giants will play three games in just seven days when the top flight returns after the World Cup.
      Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag will not be looking forward to the Christmas fixturesCredit: PA
      Fans are ready for a festive feast of football… but some bosses won’t be too happy
      And top-four hopefuls United and Liverpool will have 55 hours less time between matches than Spurs following the Prem’s Christmas and New Year fixtures announcement.
      The Prem resumes on December 26, eight days after the World Cup final in Qatar, with Spurs facing Brentford in a lunchtime Boxing Day fixture.
      Arsenal kick off against West Ham later that day at 8pm while defending champs Manchester City have received an extra 48 hours of rest post-World Cup before facing Leeds.
      Both the Gunners and City play three games in 192 hours, 24 hours more than United and Liverpool.
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      Erik ten Hag’s side are at home to Nottingham Forest on December 27, then travel to Wolves on New Year’s Eve.
      The Red Devils will have just two clear days before a home match against Bournemouth on January 3 with an 8pm kick-off.
      Struggling Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be hoping his team’s fortunes improve in the second half of the season but the German has also been hit with three games in just 168 hours.
      The Reds play Aston Villa at 5.30pm on December 26, Leicester four days later and travel to Brentford for a teatime clash on January 2.
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      Chelsea and Tottenham have the advantage of more than a nine-day gap between the start and finish of their festive fixtures.
      Leeds have the shortest window between their three matches with just 167 hours and 45 minutes from their clash with City on December 28 at 8pm to their home showdown with West Ham on January 4 at 7.45pm.
      The Prem shuts down on November 13, with the World Cup starting a week later.
      Players will return at different times over December depending on how their countries progress. More

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      Shakhtar Donetsk chief calls for England’s opponents Iran to be kicked out of World Cup and replaced by Ukraine

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      IRAN should be booted from the World Cup and replaced by Ukraine, claims Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin.The Middle Eastern country are set to kick off their campaign against Group B rivals England on November 21, before taking on Wales and the United States.
      Sergei Palkin wants Iran booted out of the World CupCredit: Getty
      Palkin, however, is leading calls for them to be removed from the competition, after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky accused them of supplying drones to Russia.
      A statement from Palkin read: “Shakhtar Football Club calls on Fifa and the entire international community to immediately ban Iran’s national team from playing at the World Cup for the country’s direct participation in terrorist attacks on Ukrainians.
      “This will be a fair decision that should draw the attention of the whole world to a regime that kills its best people and helps kill Ukrainians.
      “The vacant place should be taken by the national team of Ukraine, which proved that it is worthy of participation in the mundial.
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      “With unequal conditions with other national teams during the play-offs, they played with their heart.
      “This decision is historically and sportingly justified. I urge everyone to join the pressure on the football bureaucracy.
      “It is enough to repeat the mistakes of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, hiding behind the empty thesis about the apolitically of sports.
      “Facilitating the participation of terrorists in the World Cup is politics. It’s time to put an end to such a policy.”
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      Ukraine were beaten by Wales in their World Cup qualifying play-off earlier this year.
      Zelensky, 44, revealed that seven Russian drones shot down in Ukraine were supplied by Iran.
      He responded by stripping Iran’s ambassador to Ukraine of his acceditation.
      Iran have also been accused of sending personnel to Crimea to assist with the deadly bombardment of Ukraine’s towns and cities with kamikaze drones.
      Campaigners have also intensified calls to ban Iran after more than 200 protesters were killed in a crackdown by the country’s religious morality police.
      Iran has been rocked by an uprising triggered when a student died in police custody after she was held for not wearing her headscarf correctly.
      Carlos Queiroz is set to lead Iran at the World CupCredit: AP More

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      England fans forced to fork out staggering £5,000 to watch Gareth Southgate’s side all the way to Qatar World Cup final

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      ENGLAND fans will be forced to pay at least £5,000 to follow the team to all the way to the World Cup final. The Football Supporters’ Association has slammed the Qatar tournament as “the most expensive World Cup ever” after calculating the total outlay for a fan at the tournament, as revealed by the Mirror.
      The Qatar World Cup has been branded the most expensive everCredit: Rex
      Fans will need to fork out at least £5,000 to follow all of England’s games if Gareth Southgate can guide the team to the finalCredit: AP
      The cheapest match ticket prices available to England fans who want to follow the Three Lions all the way to the final – if Gareth Southgate and Co make it – will cost £1,200.
      Return flights to the Arab state range from £800 to £1,100.
      Then for the very cheapest accommodation option available in budget apartments fans will need to fork out at least £75 per night, totalling up to £2,175 if going from England’s opener on November 21 up to the December 18 final.
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      And by the time the costs for amenities, transport, food and drink is tallied up the aggregate cost for the trip will go over £5,000.
      The FSA’s Ashley Brown said: “I think it probably has to be the most expensive World Cup ever.
      “The cheapest category of tickets were very difficult to come by.
      “If you have a few beers then those numbers will soon add up.”
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      Beer, which is usually only sold in licensed hotel restaurants and bars in the country, is expected to cost at least £12 in the capital city of Doha.
      Meanwhile, in stadiums beer will be available for just £6 – but the only choice will be non-alcoholic Budweiser Zero, while it can also only be drunk in designated areas.
      One such area – ran by Glastonbury organisers Arcadia – will allow fans to drink for up to 19 hours a day, though even this will cost £8 per pint and tickets will be at least £50 per day.
      However, “sobering tents” will also be in use by Qatari officials in a bid to crack down on boozy antics.
      England fans on the booze will need to watch their wallets with the high cost of beerCredit: Alamy
      There are fears over the quality of accommodation in QatarCredit: Dan Charity More

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      ‘Motivated again’ – Germany legend Joachim Low targeting return to management 18-months after leaving international role

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      JOACHIM LOW has signalled his desire to return to work over a year after leaving his post as Germany boss.The 62-year-old is sniffing out opportunities to get back into the game after taking an extended break following 15 years in his previous job.
      Joachim Low is looking to sniff out new opportunitiesCredit: Getty
      Low reached the pinnacle of football in 2014 when he guided his country to World Cup glory.
      But he handed the reins over to Hansi Flick after underwhelming in subsequent tournaments.
      His last match as a manager was the 2-0 Euro 2020 defeat to England last year.
      Low now finds himself hungry to return to the profession he loves… after he has attended the World Cup in Qatar as a fan.
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      Speaking to German publication Kicker, the coach said: “I already have the intention of taking on a task in football again.
      “The fun in this sport is too much for that.
      “I feel motivated again when I watch football now – that wasn’t the case for a few months.”
      He then added: “If I feel a task appeals to me, I’m ready and attack again.”
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      On the upcoming festival of football in Qatar, Low continued: “I would like to experience a World Cup on site as an outsider.
      “That’s why I haven’t gotten a job yet.”
      Low hasn’t worked in club management since a stint with Austria Wien during the 2003-04 season.
      Prior to that, he coached FC Frauenfeld, Stuttgart, Fenerbahce, Karlsruher, Adanaspor and Tirol Innsbruck.
      Low then assisted Jurgen Klinsmann as Germany boss between 2004 and 2006, before landing the top job himself.
      Low, 62, hasn’t coached since losing to England at Euro 2020Credit: Getty More

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      England’s World Cup Wags plan mega bling holiday to Qatar – including camel racing

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      ENGLAND’S Wags aim to have a ball and shop for bling in Qatar while their fellas try to win the World Cup there.The players’ partners have already eyed up a £40,000-a-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton’s five-star Sharq Village and Spa in Doha.
      The Wags, including Sasha Attwood, plan to watch camels race on the sands
      Sasha is the glamorous girlfriend of England’s Jack GrealishCredit: Getty
      Other Three Lions family members will be holed up at the five-star Marsa Malaz KempinskiCredit: KEMPINSKI
      Up to ten aim to share its Royal Villa with ocean views, a chef’s kitchen and 24-hour butler service.
      Spa treatments include a £170 stress relief massage, should the Three Lions be taken to penalties, and a £400 facial to ease tension.
      The Wags — including Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, Jordan ­Pickford’s missus Megan, Kyle Walker’s other half Annie, Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood and Declan Rice’s partner Lauren Fryer — also plan to watch camels race on the sands.
      A planned trip to Pearl Island will include visiting high end jewellery and clothing outlets.
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      A source said: “They want to see everything Doha has to offer. They’re excited about going and want to make the most of it.
      “They are going to behave themselves but this is going to be a no expense spared trip of a lifetime for them all.”
      The Wags will be staying on a £1billion cruise liner during the tournament — with other family members holed up at the five-star Marsa Malaz Kempinski.
      Their secret plans emerged after a presentation by the Football Association warned them to be on their best behaviour in Qatar where rules are strict.
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      They were told that in public they must “dress modestly” and avoid displays of affection.
      They must not drink alcohol or swear in public, play loud music, sing, shout or act “inappropriately” during prayer calls.
      The FA delivered the non- negotiable rules at a secret ­presentation ahead of England’s 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley last month.
      England boss Gareth Southgate is expected to name his World Cup squad in the coming days.
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      His side are among the pre-tournament favourites.
      The Three Lions’ first group match will be against Iran in Doha on November 21 — the day after the tournament starts. More