World Cup 2022

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘I’m suffocating’ – Man Utd star Raphael Varane speaks out on quitting France after French legend calls him ‘disaster’

      by

      RAPHAEL VARANE has revealed that football’s “suffocating” schedule is one of the reasons behind his retirement from international football aged 29.The 2018 World Cup-winning defender shocked the football world on Thursday when he decided to step away from representing France.
      Raphael Varane retired from international football aged 29Credit: AFP
      Varane’s tough call came nearly two months on from France’s devastating World Cup final loss to Argentina on penalties.
      And the Manchester United defender says playing consistently at the highest level has taken its toll on him.
      Varane said in an interview with Canal+ that is due to be released in full on Sunday: “I gave everything, physically and mentally.
      “But the very highest level is like a washing machine, you play all the time and you never stop.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “We have overloaded schedules and play non-stop.
      “Right now, I feel like I’m suffocating and that [Varane] the player is gobbling up [Varane] the man.”
      Varane’s decision to retire from international football follows on from World Cup-winning captain Hugo Lloris’ departure from the set-up.
      However, the four-time Champions League winner has been slammed by former France star Jerome Rothen as a “disaster”.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Rothen won 13 caps for his country between 2003 and 2007.
      He told Spanish outlet AS: “I think that at this age and when you play in a club that allows you to be at a very high level, you have a duty.
      “It’s to bring your talent to your country. He’s a disaster. He has a long history, congratulations!
      “He won the most beautiful of competitions, the World Cup in 2018. We saw all his contribution to the last World Cup.
      “There was scepticism because he was coming off an injury, but he performed very well.
      “But I tell myself: what a decision! It’s a disaster to hear that, not to wearing the national team shirt again at 29. He can’t do that.
      “Raphael, don’t forget you brought a lot, but here you are doing something stupid! The competition?
      “He put players in his pocket. It’s a major madness within this group.”
      Rothen then went on to speculate on the mood of the France camp post-Qatar World Cup.
      He concluded: “I can only think of one reason for him stopping at 29, it is because the atmosphere of the French must not be good.
      “Which France national team player stopped at the age of 29?”
      Varane was considered to be Lloris’ replacement as France’s captain, but the weight on the country will now most likely rest on Kylian Mbappe’s shoulders.
      The Paris Saint-Germain star has also confirmed himself as one of the best in world football and is on course to carve out a legendary career.
      Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina, and netted his penalty in the shootout, only to end up on the losing team.
      Read More on The Sun
      He is only the second player to score three in a World Cup final, following on from England’s Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966.
      Mbappe has 12 World Cup finals goals to his name at just 24, and is just four behind record holder Miroslav Klose.
      Jerome Rothen has slammed Varane’s decision to retire from international football as a ‘disaster’Credit: Alamy More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Wales national anthem lyrics: Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau – Land of Our Fathers in English and Welsh

      by

      THERE are very few national anthems in the world that are belted out with the pride and ferocity of Wales’ Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.The song, which translates into English as ‘Land of my Fathers’, is one of the most recognisable in global sport – with Welsh fans belting out the famous lyrics for the Wales vs Ireland Six Nations match.
      Wales bellow their national anthem with pride
      Wales’ rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones and his team-mates sing the Welsh national anthemCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      During rugby matches at the Principality Stadium and the Wales national football team’s games at Cardiff City Stadium, the anthem has become synonymous with the never-say-die Welsh attitude to big sporting occasions.
      What are the lyrics to Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau in Welsh?
      Usually only the first verse and the chorus is sung at sporting events, but we’ve included the whole lot for you lot keen enough to see the whole thing.
      Verse 1 
      Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
      Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
      Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
      Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
      Chorus
      Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
      Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
      O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
      Fans raise the roof during a rousing renditionCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Verse 2
      Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
      Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i’m golwg sydd hardd;
      Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
      Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.
      Verse 3
      Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,
      Mae hen iaith y Cymru mor fyw ag erioed,
      Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
      Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
      What are the lyrics in English?
      Obviously with the anthem being sung in Welsh, this is only the translation and won’t be belted out during the Six Nations like this.
      But it’s good know what the lyrics mean – and they’re suitably patriotic.
      Verse 1
      This land of my fathers is dear to me,
      Land of poets and singers, and people of stature,
      Her brave warriors, fine patriots,
      Shed their blood for freedom.
      Chorus
      Land! Land! I am true to my land!
      As long as the sea serves as a wall for this pure, dear land.
      May the language endure for ever. More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd star Raphael Varane STUNS France by retiring from international football aged just 29 after World Cup final loss

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED and World Cup-winning defender, Raphael Varane, has STUNNED France by retiring from international football aged 29, according to reports.Varane made 93 appearances in his near decade-long international career.
      Raphael Varane has retired from international footballCredit: Getty
      But according to Le Parisien, the defender does not want to push on towards the century mark and will retire from international football.
      Varane played at the World Cup in Qatar last November-December and helped his country reach a second consecutive final.
      However, France were beaten on penalties by Argentina after a 3-3 thriller.
      Varane would like to spend more time with his family, as well as limited the chances of big injuries in the latter stages of his career.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Across the span of his career, Varane has missed an astonishing 90 club games through injury, the worst layoff coming in 2013 with a meniscus rupture.
      The Man Utd ace also recognises it’s time for the next generation of French defenders to take over.
      The likes of Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are all tipped to have bright careers.
      Varane’s decision comes despite Euro 2024 taking place next year – the only major competition he is yet to win.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      In his statement, beside a phot of him holding the World Cup trophy, wrote: ‘Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
      “Each time I wore this special blue jersey, I felt immense pride. 
      ‘The duty to give everything, to play with my heart and to win every time we entered the field.
      “I have been considering this for several months and have decided that it is the right time for me to retire from international football.
      ‘As a child, I remember following France 98, this team, these players who made us experience indescribable emotions.
      “I dreamed of doing like our heroes and, 20 years later, I had one of the best experiences of my life, one that made me really proud. 
      ‘We brought the Cup home!! I will never forget him. I still feel every single emotion I felt that day, July 15, 2018.
      “It was one of the greatest and most memorable moments of my life.
      ‘Even after the defeat in the final last year, with certainly a great run, you welcomed us as heroes when we returned. To each and every one of you, a thousand times THANK YOU!”
      The ex-Real Madrid ace made his debut for Les Bleus in March 2013, starting in the 3-1 win over Georgia.
      Varane was part of the 2018 World Cup-winning team, helping France redeem themselves for the 2016 Euros loss on home soil – a tournament he missed through injury.
      He played every single game at the Russia tournament, not missing a single minute of football.
      France won the final 4-2 against Croatia to secure their second-ever world crown.
      Read More on The Sun
      In the same year, Varane won a fourth Champions League title with Real and a fourth Club World Cup, solidifying himself as one of the best players in the world.
      In 2018 on an individual level, he was part of the Fifa Pro World11, Uefa Team of the Year, Uefa Champions League Squad of the Season, Fifa World Cup Fantasy Team, Fifa World Cup Dream Team and the IFFHS Men’s World Team. More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Emiliano Martinez’s World Cup party at The Belfry Hotel, with Argentina-themed walls, trophy, DJ and dance floor

      by

      EMILIANO MARTINEZ is still celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win more than a month on from the win over France after throwing a lavish party.The Aston Villa stopper returned from international duty after his penalty shootout heroics in Qatar with a target on his back.
      Emiliano Martinez celebrated Argentina’s World Cup win once againCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ferpalaci0/?next=
      Naturally the theme of the party was Argentina’s World Cup triumphCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ferpalaci0/?next=
      Latin artist Fer Palacio was on music duty during the partyCredit: Instagram @mandinha_martinez_
      Martinez’s wife Mandinha was allowed to DJ for a whileCredit: Instagram @mandinha_martinez_
      Other Aston Villa stars such as Brazilian Philippe Coutinho were in attendanceCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ferpalaci0/?next=
      Emiliano Buendia was also at the partyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn-sULJoUh8/?hl=en
      The Belfry Hotel played host to the partyCredit: Instagram @mandinha_martinez_
      Martinez set tongues wagging with his “s***house” celebrations both in the immediate aftermath of the tournament and in the subsequent days.
      But that’s not stopped Martinez from getting the party going again.
      He and his Argentina team-mates took the opportunity to head to The Belfry Hotel, located nine miles from Villa Park, for another shindig with his side out of the FA Cup.
      Videos posted on social media showed the hotel had been decked out in Argentina colours.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The walls were plastered in Argentina memorabilia paying homage to the victory in Qatar, including posters and balloons.
      Even the floor was also given the blue-and-white treatment, with the World Cup trophy placed in the middle of floor.
      Guests, which included Emiliano Buendia and Brazilian club-mate Philippe Coutinho, were seen dancing to the music of Latin artist Fer Palacio.
      In accordance with the theme, all guests wore all-white attire.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      The party is said to have continued later on at a local nightclub.
      Martinez and his Villa team-mates will next be in action against Leicester next weekend, giving the goalkeeper plenty of time to recover.
      Footage showed one guest dancing with the World Cup trophyCredit: Instagram @mandinha_martinez_
      The floor was given a blue colouration with white dots all across itCredit: Instagram @mandinha_martinez_
      Guests donned all-white attire for the eventCredit: Instagram @mandinha_martinez_ More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Uruguay pair Jose Gimenez and Edinson Cavani slapped with bans after causing chaos at World Cup 2022

      by

      URUGUAY’S Jose Gimenez has escaped a FIFTEEN game ban after elbowing a Fifa official at the World Cup but has been hit with a suspension.And team-mates Fernando Muslera, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin have also been banned by the governing body after the shocking scenes following their elimination last month.
      Four Uruguay players have been banned after their angry World Cup exitCredit: Reuters
      Edinson Cavani, right, is one of those to have been sanctioned by FifaCredit: AP
      South Korea’s 2-1 win over Portugal sent the South American side home packing on December 2 in their final group clash despite them beating Ghana 2-0 in a controversy-filled game.
      Uruguay were furious that they had been denied a late penalty after Cavani had been brought down in the box and after the final whistle that anger boiled over.
      The 28-year-old defender Gimenez completely lost his cool as he tried to confront the referee while he was walking off the pitch, leading to team-mates holding back the Atletico Madrid star as he shouted and chased ref Daniel Siebert.
      And amidst the chaos, Gimenez elbowed a Fifa representative in the back of the head before he shouted down a TV camera: “They [the referees] are all a bunch of thieves these sons of b***hes. Yes, record me. Son of a b***h.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      That led to reports that he could receive a whopping 15-match international ban.
      Goalkeeper Muslera, 36, also angrily confronted the match officials while defender Godin was also involved in the shocking melee.
      Meanwhile, ex-Manchester United forward Cavani punched the VAR monitor as he trudged off the field to land himself in hot water.
      Now Fifa have finally announced what punishment they have dished out to the shamed foursome.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Both Muslera and Gimenez have received four game bans each for aggressively confronting the team of officials.
      And Cavani and Godín have been hit with one-match ones.
      All four players have also been ordered to carry out community service on a soccer project and pay fines of up to £17,450 by Fifa.
      The Uruguayan soccer federation had been fined also for the incident a total of £43,624 and must close some of its stadium for one home game. More

    • 150 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Punters visiting black market online gambling sites tripled during the World Cup

      by

      THE number of punters visiting black market online gambling sites tripled during the World Cup, research shows.A total of 250,000 used unregulated overseas firms during the tournament — up from 80,000 in the same period in 2021.
      The number of visitors to black market gambling sites tripled during the World CupCredit: Getty
      The betting industry says it takes under 30 seconds to sign up to a black market site compared to 12 minutes for a regulated UK operator.
      It comes as ministers prepare to publish a gambling white paper.
      Michael Dugher, CEO at the Betting and Gaming Council, said punters face a “dire threat” from “the growing unsafe, unregulated black market”.
      He said the regulated industry worked hard to protect young people during the World Cup by adhering to strict regulations while black market operators “preyed on the vulnerable”.
      READ MORE ON GAMBLING
      He added: “While the regulated industry was going to great lengths to protect young people during the World Cup and adhering to strict regulations and promoting safer gambling, black market operators were preying on the vulnerable.
      “These unlicensed sites offer none of the safer gambling tools promoted by our members, they pay no tax and employ no one, they do not contribute a penny to sport or services tackling gambling harm.
      “Rather than dismissing the problem, the regulator and the Government need to tread extremely carefully and resist blanket intrusive affordability checks at low levels that push even more punters to these dangerous sites.”
      He praised the research by Yield Sec, a US-based licensed gaming marketplace.
      Most read in Tech More

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      World Cup’s hottest fan Ivana Knoll reveals secrets behind her famous bum and pouting lips

      by

      THE World Cup’s hottest fan, Ivana Knoll, has revealed the secrets behind her famous bum and plump lips. Knoll took social media by storm for her eye-catching displays at the Qatar World Cup last year.
      Knoll was questioned whether her lips were realCredit: Instagram
      Knoll also pushed back on questions about her bumCredit: Instagram
      Knoll was in Qatar supporting CroatiaCredit: Instagram @knolldoll
      The 30-year-old had footballers sliding into her DM’s during the tournamentCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      The Croatian football fan often wore revealing outfits despite Qatar being a very conservative country.
      Ex-Miss Croatia Knoll, 30, has amassed a whopping 3.6million followers on Instagram.
      Some fans have questioned Knoll’s authenticity, questioning whether she has had any surgery.
      When asked if her lips were natural by a fan, Knoll replied: “Yes!!!! My mother also has big lips and guess some ppl have natural big lips.”
      READ MORE ON IVANA KNOLL
      Another fan went a step further and questioned whether her bum was real.
      Knoll insisted: “No! I didn’t do BBL and I don’t have implants.
      “Just genetic. Lot of food and workout.”
      While Knoll was in Qatar roaring Croatia on as they made the semi-finals, footballers at the tournament slid into her DMs.
      Most read in Football
      When asked in an interview with Barstool Sports, Knoll replied: “Yes. I remember a few players messaging how are you, blah blah blah.”
      Ivana claims some of her admirers were playing for teams Croatia clashed with.
      She added: “Some of the players would say sorry for tomorrow before the game.
      “I would not respond until they lost.”
      Knoll says her good looks are purely geneticsCredit: Instagram @knolldoll
      Knoll dressed in red supporting her countryCredit: Getty
      Knoll sent social media wild with her revealing displaysCredit: Getty
      Knoll has millions of Instagram followersCredit: INSTAGRAM More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Martinez faces punishment for World Cup final antics as Fifa open proceedings against Argentina for ‘rule breaches’

      by

      FIFA have launched an investigation into Argentina’s behaviour in the World Cup final. Football’s governing body announced it has “opened proceedings” against Lionel Messi and Co for potential violations of Fifa’s disciplinary code.
      Argentina were crowned champions in QatarCredit: Getty
      Emiliano Martinez’s conduct in Qatar was criticised by manyCredit: Getty
      But his tactics paid dividendsCredit: Alamy
      During the award ceremony Martinez made a crude gestureCredit: Getty
      And his controversial antics carried on during the celebrations in ArgentinaCredit: @ESPNFC
      The statement read: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association due to potential breaches of articles 11 (Offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play) and 12 (Misconduct of players and officials) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, as well as of article 44 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Regulations in conjunction with the Media and Marketing Regulations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, during the Argentina v. France FIFA World Cup final.”
      Following their dramatic shootout victory over France in the final, many were critical of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
      Martinez used the dark arts to get into the heads of the French players – a tactic which ultimately paid dividends as his nation won the shootout.
      But it was his antics after the final whistle which caused the most controversy.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      During the award ceremony, Martinez made a crude gesture with the Golden Glove award.
      In the celebrations in the dressing room, Martinez also called for a minute’s silence for Kylian Mbappe.
      This continued at the trophy parade back in Argentina.
      The ex-Arsenal stopper was spotted holding a baby doll with a picture of Mbappe’s face.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      And now, almost one month after the final, Argentina’s FA could face a sizeable fine over their conduct.
      Argentina was not the only nation in Fifa’s cross hairs following the tournament.
      Sanctions have already been levelled towards Mexico due to discriminatory chanting, which resulted in an £88,000 fine and the order to play one game behind closed doors.
      Serbia and Ecuador also faced punishment, with both being hit with partial stadium closures for breaching the discrimination clause, though Serbia also broke the misconduct clause.
      This also landed Serbia a fine of £44,000, while Ecuador were handed a fine just under £18,000.
      2018 finalists and third placed nation Croatia have also had an investigation opened against them for their own conduct against Morocco.
      The charges against Croatia refer to “potential violations of articles 13 (discrimination) and 16 (order and security at matches) of the Fifa disciplinary code.”
      Tottenham star Cristian Romero hit back at critics of Argentina’s antics.
      In an interview with Sky Sports, he said: “Yes (people make too much of it). Only because people just see the photos.
      Read More on The Sun
      “People don’t think about what was said before for us to get to this point. Against Holland, they spoke too much before actually entering the pitch and we were annoyed with that.
      “They said we lacked respect but that’s not true. You can understand what would go on to happen.” More