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    Inside the luxury five-star Souq Al-Wakra hotel where England will stay for World Cup as Southgate warns against boredom

    ENGLAND players face a battle against boredom at the World Cup when stay in the same hotel for the entire tournament.Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has picked the Souq Al-Wakra hotel in the fishing village of Al Wakrah 10 miles south of Doha.
    England will stay at the Souq Al-Wakra hotel for the 2022 World CupCredit: Ray Collins
    England’s base in Qatar is a luxurious five-star resortCredit: Ray Collins
    Like the last two World Cup tournaments at the team hotel, players are likely to be kept entertained by a driving simulator, PlayStation, basketball, table tennis, pool and darts.
    Normally, teams travel from their base and stay in a different venue the night before a game.
    Asked whether the lack of travel is a good thing, Southgate said: “Initially, given the short period of time and the fact we’ve got a flight and time change, I think it’s good.
    “The ‘watch out’ for us is you don’t even move hotel the night before the game. So you must switch the mindset from, ‘this is just another training day’ to that feeling when you go on the road and think, ‘ok, it’s match day tomorrow, we’re in a different hotel’.

    “Because that does actually switch the players’ minds, so we’re going to perhaps have to consider those aspects of it to make sure it’s not just a long continual.”
    In Russia four years ago at the team base in Repino, 120 televisions were flown over from the UK.
    The FA also shipped over new bed mattresses for all their staff in contrast to 2016 in Chantilly, when a senior coach complained that the pillows at the five-star hotel were too plump.
    Equally, he moaned that the air conditioning was too fierce and the players were encouraged not to reveal secrets of their games room and who was the best at pool or darts.
    England will stay at the same hotel for the duration of the World CupCredit: Ray Collins
    Gareth Southgate has warned his players against boredomCredit: Ray Collins
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    As a precaution, French hotel staff removed chandeliers from the room as they were low, due to fears the players would swing on them.
    Players also complained of boredom under Fabio Capello in Rustenburg, South Africa, at the 2010 World Cup.
    Players will be provided with various items including PlayStations to keep stimulatedCredit: Ray Collins
    England’s base is located just 10 miles away from DohaCredit: Ray Collins More

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    Chelsea star Jorginho admits ‘sorrow is bigger than you imagine’ as he shares emotional message after Italy disaster

    CHELSEA star Jorginho admits his ‘sorrow is bigger than you imagine’ after Italy’s latest World Cup disaster.The Euro 2020 champs will not be playing at the Qatar tournament later this year after a shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia.
    Jorginho admits he is still distraught over Italy’s failure to reach the World CupCredit: Getty
    It means Italy have failed to reach two successive World Cups.
    But Blues playmaker Jorginho has taken the brunt of the blame for two key penalty misses in qualifying.
    Jorginho blazed efforts wide in both of Italy’s draws against Switzerland – who ended up topping their group to automatically qualify.
    And the Champions League winner has now shared an emotional message revealing he is devastated with Italy’s latest setback.
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    Jorginho wrote on Instagram: “In life and football, you can win or lose.
    “But there are defeats that are more painful than others. Believe me, my sorrow is bigger than you imagine.
    “Football is not just a sport, it’s a school of incredible values. It teaches you to never give up, learn from mistakes, remain united in tough moments.
    “To wear this jersey is a huge honour for me. We learn and get up. Let’s move on. Forza Azzurri, Forza Italia.”
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    Reflecting on his missed penalties, Jorginho told RAI Sport: “We played good football, we won the European Championship last summer, but unfortunately in the last few games we made small errors and were unable to recover from them. 
    “They made the difference. It hurts when I think about it, because I do still think about it and it will haunt me for the rest of my life. 
    “Stepping up there twice and not being able to help your team and your country is something that I will carry with me forever, and it weighs on me.
    “People say we need to lift our heads and carry on, but it’s tough.” More

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    Chelsea star Hudson-Odoi ‘considering switching international allegiance from England to play in World Cup 2022’

    CHELSEA star Callum Hudson-Odoi is reportedly considering switching international allegiance from England to play at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.The Blues academy graduate is eligible to play for Ghana, who booked their place at the tournament on March 29 after drawing 1-1 with Nigeria.
    Hudson-Odoi celebrating his goal in Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League win over JuventusCredit: NEWS GROUP
    Hudson-Odoi in action for England against KosovoCredit: ALAMY
    Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey scored the all important away goal to send his country through.
    And according to Goal, Hudson-Odoi is considering switching his international allegiance from England to Ghana in order to play at the World Cup.
    Hudson-Odoi has three senior Three Lions caps but can still switch as they all took place before he turned 21.
    His father Bismark was a footballer in Ghana for Hearts of Oak. 
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    The player is believed to have had dialogue with the Ghanaian FA.
    Hudson-Odoi was also invited to meet with Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo.
    Should Hudson-Odoi make the switch, he could end up facing England in Qatar.
    England have been placed in Pot One for Friday’s group stage draw.
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    Ghana, however, are in Pot Four alongside the likes of Canada and Cameroon.
    The winger has played 28 times for Thomas Tuchel’s European champions his term.
    But he has just three goals across all competitions with one of those coming in the Premier League.
    Hudson-Odoi was denied a loan switch to Borussia Dortmund last summer.
    And he had previously attracted serious interest from dominant German champions Bayern Munich.
    Bayern first tried to sign the winger in January 2019. More

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    Watch Lionel Messi awkwardly push off pitch invading fan in huge security breach after Argentina’s draw with Ecuador

    LIONEL MESSI had to awkwardly push off a pitch invader after Argentina’s draw with Ecuador. Soon to be Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez thought he had scored the winner in the World Cup qualifier.
    A pitch invader tried to take a video with MessiCredit: REUTERS
    Security rushed on to the pitch to stop the Ecuador fanCredit: AP
    Messi asked the fan to ‘stop’

    But former West Ham man Enner Valencia scored a late added time equaliser to confirm Ecuador’s place at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
    And at full-time, a pitch invader tried to take a video with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who didn’t look comfortable with the attention.
    The fan told Messi: “Leo, Leo. A photo, I come from the United States.”
    Security then managed to wrestle the fan away, who caught the interaction on camera.
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    Despite the draw, Messi made Ecuador right-back Byron Castillo’s night.
    Messi swapped shirts with the Barcelona SC player.
    Castillo was congratulated by his team-mates for managing to get one of the greatest players of all time’s shirt.
    He beamed as he checked out the front and back of Messi’s No10 Argentina shirt.
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    Messi will be at this winter’s World Cup, but it may be his last chance to win the competition having previously lost a final in 2014 to Germany.
    The Paris Saint-Germain ace, who is enduring a tough club campaign, says he will have to “rethink a lot of things” after this year’s World Cup.
    He said: “I can only think about what’s coming next, I only think about facing Ecuador.
    “After the World Cup, I will have to rethink many things.” More

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    Ranking all 22 World Cup balls from worst to best after Qatar 2022 ball is revealed as ‘quickest in tournament history’

    THERE are many footballs in the world but there is only one for each World Cup.From the old and heavy brown ball of the early 20th century, to the unforgettable black-and-white spotty one of the 1970s and the artsy versions of today.
    The 2022 World Cup tournament is set to take place this winter in QatarCredit: Getty
    This year’s ball for Qatar 2022 was recently unveiled by FIFA and England will have adidas’ “Al Rihla” at their feet as they bid to bring football home for the first time since 1966.
    And the manufacturers have promised that it will be the “fastest and most accurate FIFA World Cup ball to date” ahead of the upcoming draw.
    Design Director at adidas Franziska Loffelmann said: “The game is getting faster and, as it speeds up, accuracy and flight stability become critically important.
    “The new design allows the ball to maintain a significantly higher speed as it journeys through the air.
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    “For the biggest global stage in all of sport, we set out to make the impossible possible with radical innovation by creating the fastest and most accurate FIFA World Cup ball to date.”
    But how Al Rihla compare to all other World Cup balls as we rank them from worst to best starting from 1930 all the way to today:
    22nd:

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    ‘Karma exists’ – Ex-Ghana keeper Fatau Dauda trolls Mo Salah and Egypt team-mates for complaining about laser pens

    EX-GHANA goalkeeper Fatau Dauda has told Mohamed Salah and his Egyptian team-mates “karma exists” for complaining about laser pens.Liverpool star Salah has endured a tough year so far for his international team.
    Salah missed his penalty after having lasers shone in his faceCredit: REX FEATURES

    Egypt lost February’s Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal on penalties.
    And on Tuesday, they followed it up with another penalty shootout loss to Senegal to miss out on a spot at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
    But the game was marred by controversy with Egypt’s penalty takers having strong lasers shone in their faces.
    Senegal won the shootout 3-1 with Salah missing the target.
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football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}MO MORE? .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Emotional Salah ‘hints at international retirement’ after Egypt’s defeat
    The laser scandal in Dakar came after Egyptian yobs had targeted Senegal players with laser pens in the first leg 1-0 win in Cairo.
    And 26-cap former Ghana international Dauda told Egypt “karma exists” after he had lasers shone on his face by Egyptian fans during a 2014 World Cup qualifier in November 2013. 
    He said on Twitter, alongside a picture of lasers shining in his face: “Wossop Egypt, heard you are complaining about laser…..? Karma exists.”
    Egypt have complained about their treatment in the Senegalese capital.
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    A complaint has been made which claims players – Liverpool’s Salah in particular – were racially abused, had objects thrown at them during the warm-up and their bus attacked.
    An Egyptian FA statement said: “The national team have been exposed to racism with offensive signs in the stands against the Egyptian players in general, and Mohamed Salah in particular.”
    Fifa has vowed to examine match reports.
    They said: “Fifa is currently in the process of analysing the official match reports of the Fifa World Cup qualifier match between Senegal and Egypt.
    “The relevant information included in the match reports will be evaluated by the competent disciplinary bodies before deciding on the next steps to be taken.” More

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    Fifa finally set to scrap idea of World Cup every two years that was backed by Arsene Wenger

    FIFA will pull the plug on the doomed plan for a World Cup every two years.Global chief Gianni Infantino has accepted defeat in the idea he had championed alongside Arsene Wenger.
    Fifa chief Gianni Infantino and Arsene Wenger have accepted defeat in their plan to hold World Cups every two yearsCredit: EPA
    Infantino had planned to use Thursday’s Congress of the 211 member associations to bring the matter to a head and hold a decisive vote.
    But the worldwide backlash, led by European football, has forced Infantino into an embarrassing retreat.
    It means there will not even be a discussion of the concept at Thursday’s meeting in Doha.
    And even the back-up options, of a Global National League or expanded version of the ditched Confederations Cup, have now gone into cold storage.
    Sometimes you can kill a bad idea.
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    EUROPE’S giants may have taken a kicking over the Super League debacle.
    But the Prem Big Six helped earn a major victory over Uefa to confirm the controversial two “historical” places in the revamped Champions League from 2024-25.
    Uefa had been keen to give more spaces to clubs from smaller nations, rather than agree to the planned “coefficient” spots when the new 36-team “Swiss model” competition launches.
    But the powerful European Club Association, which readmitted the Prem six after they recanted on their Super League dalliance, has forced through the change.
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    The only ground given will be that a nation can have just one of the extra spots and that it must be the two highest-ranked sides who finished one place out of direct qualification.
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    PORT VALE have not, in truth, pulled up that many trees over their alleged 146-year history.
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    Vale’s 2-0 League Two win over Sutton on Saturday made them the ONLY club in the top four levels of the pyramid to have beaten ALL the other 91 in a league game.
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    FIFA’S World Cup finals draw is not the only major sporting event taking place in Doha this week.
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    England boss Gareth Southgate slammed by Qatar World Cup boss for public attack on the Middle East nation

    GARETH SOUTHGATE has been slammed by Qatar’s World Cup boss over his public attack on the country.The England boss ruled out a boycott of this year’s tournament over the hosts’ appalling human rights record, insisting it is too late to start protesting about the finals being held there.
    Gareth Southgate with Nasser Al Khetar in 2019
    Gareth Southgate has been slammed for his criticism of Qatar’Credit: Getty
    World Cup chief exec Al Khater says ‘no country is perfect’Credit: AFP
    But he did raise the issue of migrant workers’ rights in the Gulf state and fears England’s LGBT fans won’t travel there for the World Cup because they feel unwelcome in a country where homosexuality is illegal.
    However, Qatar 2022 chief executive Nasser Al Khater insists Southgate should look at England’s own troubles before criticising his nation.
    Al Khater stormed: “No country is perfect, so if somebody is coming and claiming they are a perfect country then they need to really take a look at themselves.
    “Is he basing his opinions and public statements on what he’s read? Because it’s an issue when you just base an opinion that you’re very vocal about on things you have read.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}DEVILISH BEHAVIOUR .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}England boos for Maguire could anger loyal Man Utd fans into backing ace
    “Somebody with a lot of influence such as Southgate, somebody with a big audience that listens to what he says, has got to pick his words very carefully before making statements like that.
    “Has he been to Qatar? Who from England has been here?
    “I look forward to welcoming him here, I look forward to meeting him at Friday’s draw.
    “He can listen to my opinion, he doesn’t have to believe it, but at least he needs to go that far, to understand different opinions and different cultures.”
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    Southgate has visited Qatar at least twice on football fact-finding missions and was even pictured with Al Khater in 2019.
    England stars Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tyrone Mings have also been to the country before.
    Three Lions coach Paul Nevin also worked in Qatar for five years.
    But Southgate’s comments over the last few days have angered Al Khater.
    Southgate had said: “Some of the religious and cultural aspects are going to be very difficult to change but there is an opportunity to use our voices in a positive way.”
    While England’s Liverpool midfielder Henderson admitted he was left shaken by the situation in Doha when the details were laid out to the players by the FA last week.
    Jodan Henderson said England players were shocked when told about the situation in DohaCredit: Getty
    He said: “When we were given a proper briefing, it was quite shocking and horrendous to hear some of the issues that have been happening there.”
    While Southgate added: “I found the human rights issues quite overwhelming, but I’m quite clear on the areas of concern about this tournament.
    “There are ongoing concerns about the rights of workers and the conditions they live in.
    “Then there are the issues that potentially threaten our fans when they travel: the rights of women and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
    “Sadly, through discussions I’ve had, I don’t think some of those communities are going to go and that’s a great shame”.
    However, in a Sky Sports interview, Al Khater continued: “He needs to come here, speak to workers, understand what they get out of being here.
    “There are isolated cases.
    “However, I can assure him, if he speaks to the majority of workers, they will tell you how they put their children through university, how they built their houses for their families, and these are the stories nobody hears.”
    ‘PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FEEL SAFE HERE’
    On the subject of England’s LGBT fans, he added: “Qatar is the safest country in the Middle East, the second safest country in the world.
    “I can assure fans the reason they won’t feel safe here is because of the lack of understanding.
    “People are basing their fears on things they don’t understand and that is usually what causes apprehension in human beings.
    “What I can say is that people are going to feel safe here.
    “We are a modest country, we have our culture and we ask them is to respect it.
    “Whether you are a gay couple, whether you are heterosexual, we have the same norms, so all we ask is for people to be respectful, like we are respectful when we travel around the world, and observe these cultural differences.
    “What it means is public display of affection is frowned upon, that’s simply it.”
    He is targeting a meeting with Southgate at Friday’s World Cup draw, adding: “I am extending him my deepest respect.
    “I respect him as a coach, as a human. I don’t have any issues with people’s opinions, but when someone has a different opinion you give them your side of the story.
    “We can disagree, but that’s fine.” More