World Cup 2022

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      Why do Wales fans sing ‘Wales, golf, Madrid’ about Gareth Bale?

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      WALES, GOLF, MADRID – in that order. The infamous phrase about Gareth Bale has earned it’s own song for the Dragons.The winger was at the top of his game during his early spell at Real Madrid but things turned sour before he departed for LAFC this summer.
      Gareth Bale celebrating Real Madrid’s Champions League win in 2022Credit: PA
      Moving to the MLS to get game time and keep match fitness, Bale has netted twice in 12 games for his new side.
      The move was seen as a surprising one, with the Welshman heavily linked with a return to Cardiff before deciding to join the California-based side.
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      Why do Wales fans sing ‘Wales, golf, Madrid’ about Gareth Bale?
      With Wales qualifying for Euro 2020 back in 2019, the players took to the pitch to celebrate in front of their fans.
      However, Wales caused a storm as Bales’ teammates brought a banner onto the pitch during a time where he was facing criticism from Real Madrid fans.
      On this banner? ‘Wales, golf, Madrid in that order’.
      Gareth Bale celebrating against Ukraine as Wales qualified for the 2022 World CupCredit: Alamy
      The flag referenced Bale’s preference for international football as well as his love for playing golf during his time in Spain, with there being prior heavy criticism for the amount of time he spent on the golf course and injury table for Los Blancos.
      Speaking on the banner, Bale previously admitted: “I’d seen the banner a few weeks before.
      “The boys had shown me and they said ‘if we do qualify, let’s try and find it and bring it out.’ I was like ‘do what you want but I won’t be going over to get it.’
      “They brought it down, we were all celebrating as a team and I’m not going to not jump around with my teammates.
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      “It was a bit of banter. A bit of fun. People can see it how they like.”
      Since then, Wales fans turned the celebration into a chant to highlight how Bale put his country over his love for golf and club football during his time in Spain.
      With Bale now plying his trade at LAFC, it remains to be seen as to whether the chant will be changed during the World Cup. More

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      England fans face massive fines if they’re caught going topless at this winter’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar

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      ENGLAND fans run the risk of being slapped with huge fines at the World Cup later this year.The tournament in Qatar gets underway next month, with the Three Lions kicking off their campaign against Iran.
      England fans in Qatar face hefty finesCredit: Alamy
      Supporters will have to remember to keep their kits onCredit: Getty
      While England fans will be able to drink for up to 19 hours a day in a special fan zone, supporters must remember to keep their kits on.
      Temperatures for the tournament are set to soar towards 50 degrees.
      But, despite the sweltering conditions, fans will NOT be able to go bare chested in the strict Muslim country.
      So regardless of whether skipper Harry Kane scores the winner in the last minute of the final, or the temperature is unbearable, Three Lions fans will have to keep themselves somewhat restrained.
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      Fifa have warned fans that shoulders must be covered in public, and the removal of shirts inside any stadium is NOT allowed.
      The tournament website, in a section titled Cultural Awareness, says: “People can generally wear their clothing of choice.
      “Visitors are expected to cover their shoulders and knees when visiting public places like museums and other government buildings.
      “Swimwear is allowed at hotel beaches and pools.
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      “Fans attending matches should note that the removal of shirts in the stadium is not permitted.”
      With the fine for littering in the tournament standing at £2,400, any supporter who takes off their shirt is likely to be in for a hefty punishment.
      And security will be able to identify those who defy the ban.
      Each stadium will have a whopping 15,000 cameras to monitor every fan’s move.
      Chief technology officer Niyas Abulrahiman said: “We have high-resolution special cameras to zoom in on a particular seat and clearly see the spectator.
      “It’s being recorded, so that will help us in any post-event investigation.” More

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      England World Cup fear as Reece James subbed off injured after jarring knee for Chelsea at AC Milan

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      REECE JAMES went off injured during Chelsea’s clash with AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night.The Blues defender was forced to make way just after the hour mark when he jarred his knee at the San Siro.
      James was forced off with an injury on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty
      England right-back James was then replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta.
      James went off with Chelsea’s medical staff holding his knee and he will be assessed further today with the squad now back in London.
      There has not yet been any confirmation of the severity of the Chelsea man’s injury.
      Manager Graham Potter said: “Reece, we are hoping will be ok but it is too early to say, we need 24-48 hours to give us anything more than that.”
      After the game, James wrote a message on Twitter saying he is staying positive.
      He wrote: “Fingers crossed it’s not a bad one. Love for all the messages, I appreciate you all.”
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      The 22-year-old’s problem will be of major concern to national team boss Gareth Southgate with one month to go until the World Cup.
      England suffered a major blow last week when it was revealed that Kyle Walker is a doubt for the tournament after undergoing groin surgery.
      Now there are fears James has his own fitness concerns following the knee issue he picked up in Italy.
      Southgate does still have alternative options at right-back – a position England are blessed in.
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      Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both vying for a place in the squad that will go to Qatar.
      However, Alexander-Arnold has been out of favour under Southgate, with James, Walker and Trippier all preferred to him.
      And the Liverpool man’s form has left a lot to be desired so far this season.
      England’s first game of the tournament comes against Iran on November 21.
      They then face USA four days later, before their final group stage match against Wales on November 29. More

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      Argentina World Cup blow as devastated Di Maria hobbles off with hamstring injury days after Dybala pulled up

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      ARGENTINA have been dealt a major blow ahead of the World Cup as Angel Di Maria suffered a hamstring injury.The winger was forced off the pitch as his Juventus side lost 2-0 to Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League.
      Angel Di Maria injured his hamstring against Maccabi HaifaCredit: AP
      Di Maria is 34-years-old but still producing on the big stage and has three assists in four games in Europe this season.
      He is a key part of the Argentina side and even scored the winner in last year’s Copa America final win over Brazil.
      And the former Manchester United star has not tasted defeat with his country since March 2019.
      But a hamstring injury means Di Maria is at risk of missing the World Cup as he could be out of action for several weeks, if not months.
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      To make matters worse for Argentina, another key player Paulo Dybala picked up a freak injury taking a penalty in the 2-1 win over Lecce.
      Dybala picked up a muscle injury taking the spot-kick and the forward could now miss the World Cup.
      The 28-year-old was in tears as he walked off and his manager Jose Mourinho delivered bad news after half-time.
      He said: “The injury looks very bad. I’d say bad, but honestly after speaking with Paulo… I think very bad”.
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      Dybala is now expected to have medical checks on Monday, less than seven weeks before the World Cup starts in Qatar.
      Argentina are one of the favourites to win the World Cup having not lost in 35 games, while Lionel Messi has also found form for club and country with 12 goals this season.
      But for Di Maria it has been a bad few days after his house in Turin was burgled while he was at home with his family and team-mate Dusan Vlahovic. More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea among clubs to earn MILLIONS at 2022 World Cup with Fifa to pay teams £9,000 per player per day

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      PREMIER LEAGUE and European giants are reportedly set to earn millions from the Qatar World Cup.Fifa will pay clubs £9,000 per player for each day they spend in the Middle East – including preparation time.
      Manchester United will receive a big payout if Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot reach the latter stages with PortugalCredit: Reuters
      England could earn Chelsea millions if Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount help the Three Lions reach the finalCredit: Getty
      The World Cup will not last as long as usual, running for just 29 days, but Fifa is set to splash out a record amount.
      A total of £157million was paid out to clubs in 2018 but that was at a rate of £6,440 per player per day.
      Now Fifa has increased the amount to £9,012 according to the Daily Mail.
      Manchester United and Chelsea are set to profit massively from Fifa’s Club Benefits Programme.
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      Chelsea alone could have 20 players heading to Qatar, earning the club around £180,240 per day, while United could have 18 players at the World Cup.
      Manchester City and Tottenham could have 17 while Arsenal have 14 internationals.
      City pocketed £3.78m at the 2018 World Cup and could benefit from the fact several of their players represent countries who are fancied to do well, including England, Spain and Argentina.
      That is because clubs will be paid out for the entire period a player spends with his country – so players who reach the final could earn their club hundreds of thousands of pounds.
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      After the conclusion of the tournament Fifa will pay out what is owed to the respective FAs, who will then give the money to the clubs.
      The scheme was set up for the 2010 World Cup but totalled just £36m on that occasion.
      The total has since risen sharply and reached £157m in 2018 based on 736 players being away for a combined 24,500 days – City were the biggest earners ahead of Real Madrid [£3.6m] and Tottenham [£3.3m].
      With 16 players in Brazil, City earned £236,099 per player, so United, Chelsea and the rest of the top six could expect to trump that figure – though it will depend on which countries reach the latter stages. More

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      When will the Premier League STOP for the World Cup? Full list of dates

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      THE Premier League is well underway but it’ll soon be time for the World Cup to get going. The Middle East tournament has caused a switch-up of the schedule, and Prem chiefs have now CONFIRMED the full dates.
      The Premier League have confirmed their dates for next year
      What is the Premier League 2022/23 schedule?
      The Premier League season got underway on August 6.
      It will be played up to November 12-13, before players join up with their international squads from November 14.
      The Premier League will resume on Boxing Day following the World Cup final, which takes place 8 days before on Sunday 18 December.
      The final round of fixtures will be on May 28, 2023, when all games will be played simultaneously, as is tradition.
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      Premier League 2022/23 dates

      August 6, 2022: Premier League starts
      November 12-13: Premier League goes on break
      November 21: World Cup starts
      December 18: World Cup final
      December 26: Premier League resumes
      May 28, 2023: Premier League finishes

      When will the Qatar World Cup take place?
      The World Cup in Qatar is taking place in the winter time to avoid the extreme temperature of the Middle East in the summer.
      It will start on November 21 with the group stage and the final will take place on December 18.
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      World Cup 2022 fans face travel chaos with Qatar airport ‘not ready’ for 1,600 flights a day as supporters swarm nation

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      FOOTBALL fans heading to the World Cup face potential travel chaos.That’s amid fears that Qatar’s main airport is “not ready” for up to 1,600 flights a DAY as supporters flock from around the globe.
      World Cup fans face potential travel chaos at Qatar’s main airportCredit: Alamy
      Insiders fear Hamad International is struggling with a shortage of staffCredit: Alamy
      The Mail claims a shortage of workers at Hamad International has raised safety concerns ahead of November’s tournament, with staff already struggling to deal with 700 flights per day.
      Insiders fear those working in air traffic control are stretched thin as it is.
      And one official claims the airport is “at crisis point” as the number of passengers arriving and leaving prepares to more than DOUBLE for the World Cup.
      It’s said that such is the struggle to recruit new workers, many jobs are being given out “without the completion of necessary training.”
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      Meanwhile, those already hired have been warned they will be “dealt with by the state” if they are found “sabotaging” the operation.
      There is a feeling that many flights will be delayed, while others will even be diverted to Dubai – a SIX-AND-A-HALF HOUR drive away.
      Annual leave has also been cancelled up until the end of the year.
      And workers fear no provisions have been made for Qatar’s infamous rainy season.

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      Elsewhere, some footy supporters could even be told they are only allowed to take hand luggage to ease congestion after arrival.
      And many staff have been BANNED from leaving their posts after being told they will be “closely monitored by high-level individuals and their representatives.”
      A leaked memo reportedly added: “Staff who are believed to not be fully motivated towards ultimate success and also motivating others not to partake in the successful delivery may be considered as having hidden agendas to sabotage state plans.”
      Responding to the claims, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority said: “QCAA air traffic control operates to the highest international standards and takes its responsibilities extremely seriously.
      “Our prime objective is to ensure the safe and expeditious flow of air traffic and enhance the passenger journey for all users.
      “In anticipation of the surge in traffic during the World Cup, the State of Qatar has upgraded its traffic control systems and executed meticulous plans that were conceived well in advance of hosting the event.
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      “Air traffic controllers undergo continuous training and checking as per international requirements. 
      “The training and safety management system of QCAA meets and exceeds standards as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and we have been successfully audited to those standards.”
      Staff have been warned not to ‘sabotage’ the operationCredit: Alamy
      Flights will increase from 700 to 1,600 each day during the World CupCredit: Alamy More

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      Man Utd star Anthony Martial could face World Cup heartache with France ‘concerned over striker’s injury record’

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL could face World Cup heartbreak and miss out on selection over his injury record, according to reports. The Manchester United forward has struggled with injuries this season which has seen him earn meagre minutes on the pitch.
      Anthony Martial got an assist during his time on the pitch against EvertonCredit: EPA
      However he was subbed off after 29 minutes due to injuryCredit: Getty
      And despite his impressive record when playing this season, his persistent injuries are set to rule him out of contention for France in their World Cup squad selection.
      According to RMC, Didier Deschamps looks set to snub the 26-year-old in favour of a more durable forward option.
      Martial was forced off once again during United’s most recent fixture, with Martial providing an assist for Antony’s equaliser against Everton.
      However, after just 29 minutes he was then forced to come off, going straight down the tunnel as he was replaced by eventual match-winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
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      Prior to the game at Goodison Park Martial enjoyed a fruitful cameo against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League, scoring a goal as United came from behind to win 3-2.
      This added to the brace he scored in the Manchester derby as a substitute.
      In fact, in just 133 minutes of football this season he has contributed to five goals – a rate of a goal or assist every 26.6 minutes.
      If he could stay fit for an extended period and replicate this he may even eclipse the talisman of cross-town rivals Manchester City.
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      Erling Haaland’s 15 goals and three assists in the Premier League see him with an insane goal contribution rate of 41.9 minutes.
      Deschamp will announce his squad for the World Cup in around a month’s time.
      The reigning champions are guaranteed to face Australia, Denmark and Tunisia in the group stages.
      And the former Monaco star will be hoping to at least be apart of the squad when the tournament in Qatar starts in November. More