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    China censoring Qatar World Cup crowds on TV by cutting away to hide maskless faces as rage grows of Covid lockdown

    CHINA’S state broadcaster cut away from maskless fans at the Qatar World Cup today amid Covid lockdown rage. During the live broadcast of the Japan and Costa Rica game, CCTV Sports replaced close-up shots of maskless fans waving flags with images of players, officials or the football stadium.
    CCTV Sports replaced close-up shots of maskless fans with images of players, officials or the stadiumCredit: Twitter
    The broadcaster showed distant shots of the crowd where it was difficult to make out individual facesCredit: Twitter
    CCTV Sports showed distant shots of the crowd where it was difficult to make out individual faces, and fewer crowd shots compared to the live broadcast of the same game on Douyin – China’s TikTok.
    Footage of the Tunisia and Australia clash on Saturday also emerged showing a stark difference between the state TV’s version of the game and other broadcasts.
    CCTV Sports kept the camera on players on the pitch and officials on the sidelines while the other broadcast zoomed in on fans reacting to the game.
    And in a video shared of the 1-1 draw between the USA and Wales, the crowd appeared to be blurred in one version of the broadcast.
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    Tens of millions of people in major cities in China – including the capital Beijing – are currently under some form of lockdown as Covid cases rise across the country.
    China is the last major economy still trying to stamp out the spread of Covid with snap lockdowns, lengthy quarantine rules and mass testing regimes.
    But the contrast of the harsh restrictions with the raucous World Cup crowds has infuriated many living in China.
    The images of maskless fans in Qatar have highlighted to many frustrated Chinese the difference between their country’s Covid curbs and a world that has moved on from masks and lockdowns.
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    An open letter to China’s National Health Commission questioned the country’s Covid policies and asked if China was “on the same planet” as Qatar.
    It went viral online last Tuesday before being deleted.
    One Weibo user fumed: “My biggest takeaway from watching the World Cup: no one is wearing a mask, and no one is afraid of the pandemic!”
    “How long will the policies keep us in lockdown? Are we not the same species with those from the rest of the world?
    “Are we closing off the entire country from the world now?”
    Another said: “The Qatar world cup tells us that the rest of the world has returned to normal.
    “It’s not sustainable for us to maintain this state of shutdown.”
    State broadcaster CCTV spent millions of dollars on the rights to broadcast the event – even though China has not qualified for the competition since 2002.
    It comes as China deployed an army of riot cops to crush protests as fury erupted over the deaths of ten people in a tower block blaze.
    Hundreds have taken to the streets across major cities in China after the tragedy was blamed on Xi Jinping’s draconian zero-Covid lockdown.
    From Beijing to Shanghai, the deaths have led to protests across China and cops have descended onto the streets to keep order as tensions boil over.
    The deadly blaze at the apartment block in Urumqi on Thursday sparked outrage as the city has been under strict Covid restrictions since August.
    Furious residents have blamed the deaths on the Covid lockdown as they said they were only allowed to leave home for short periods each day and the timing was strictly controlled by authorities.
    Footage also showed workers trying to take down fences near the building, delaying firefighters and emergency services from getting to the scene and helping victims.
    Thousands took to social media to question whether residents had been trapped in the building – and whether the fire exits had been blocked.
    Urumqi authorities issued an unusual apology on Friday night and confirmed lockdown measures would be eased “in stages” after the blaze.
    And on Sunday, Beijing appeared to acknowledge the tragedy as authorities reportedly issued a notice stating it is “strictly forbidden” to block fire exits in buildings under lockdown.
    But the deaths have sparked protests across China.
    People in Urumqi were seen confronting officials, breaking down a barrier and yelling “end the Covid lockdown”.
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    Protesters in Shanghai stood on police cars and others chanted “we don’t want PCR tests” as a vigil was held in the city for the fire victims on Saturday night.
    The demonstrations are the latest signs of building frustration with Chinas intense approach to controlling Covid. More

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    World Cup’s ‘hottest fan’ ready to cheer on Croatia in mini dress despite ‘modesty’ warning by Qatar

    THE WORLD CUP’S so-called “hottest fan” is ready to cheer on her beloved Croatia as she donned a red and white checkerboard mini-dress. Croatian superfan Ivana Knoll warned Canada to “beware” her beloved side as the two teams clash this afternoon at the Khalifa International Stadium.
    Ivana Knoll has been pushing the modesty dress code of QatarCredit: PA
    She looked very excited ahead of the game against CanadaCredit: PA
    Ivana warned the Canadians to ‘beware’ as they face her beloved sideCredit: PA
    She took to Instagram ahead of the game showing off her new dress – and also showed off a red and white checked bikini.
    “Beware Canada!” she wrote, adding in her second post “let’s go!’ as she posted a snap from the back of a car on her way to the game.
    Ivana is visiting Doha despite previously slamming the World Cup as a “disaster” – and dubbed the sporting event a “circus”.
    And she seems determined to test the limits of modesty laws in Qatar.
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    The 30-year-old wore a racy form fitting outfit to her side’s game against Morocco and shared snaps of herself in a revealing swimsuit while posing up by the curved skyscraper in Lusail.
    Ivana has already received abuse online from trolls calling for her to better respect the cultural code of Qatar.
    But the model appears to be unphased ahead of Luka Modric’s men’s key clash with Canada.
    World Cup fans had been urged to keep outfits conservative despite the soaring temperatures.
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    Glam footie fans risk being slapped with huge fines or even put behind bars if they flash their figures in Qatar.
    Although non-Qatari women don’t need to wear the abaya – the long, black robe – their tops must cover their midriff and shoulders, and skirts, dresses and trousers must cover the knees.
    Women travelling in to the Arab nation are also banned from wearing any tight clothing, or flashing any cleavage.
    WAGs were advised to wear a scarf around their necks in a bid to cover up their busts.
    “Visitors (men as well as women) are expected to show respect for local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothing in public,” the Qatar tourism authority warned before the World Cup.
    Ivana shared a bikini snap on Instagram before the gameCredit: INSTAGRAM/KNOLLDOLL
    “It is generally recommended for men and women to ensure their shoulders and knees are covered.”
    Ivana however appears to be determined however to test the rules – maybe even breaking point.
    And she hasn’t scared to criticise Qatar’s World Cup, branding it a “disaster” after her itinerary was left in chaos.
    The stunning brunette told her 570k Instagram followers the winter tournament has “the worst organization in history.”
    She complained that some of her pals still hadn’t received their ‘Hayya’ cards – the personalised document required by all visitors attending World Cup matches in Qatar.
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    The clothing brand owner has wowed the world with her appearance at the World Cup in both 2014 and 2018.
    Meanwhile, The Sun is searching for England’s very own Ivana Knoll with our competition Operation Fit’s Coming Home.
    Ivana Knoll showed off her assets – and support – for Croatia ahead of their match against MoroccoCredit: Instagram/knolldoll
    The Croatian superfan teased followers that she would dress like this in QatarCredit: instagram/knolldoll
    Ivana Knoll, a diehard Croatian supporter, has hit out at this year’s World CupCredit: Instagram/@knolldoll More

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    Cody Gakpo ‘holding out’ for Man Utd transfer reveals ex-PSV director with Netherlands ace lighting up World Cup

    NETHERLANDS star Cody Gakpo is ‘holding out’ for a move to Manchester United.PSV Eindhoven superstar Gakpo has been lighting up the Eredivisie this season with some stunning performances that saw him register a whopping nine goals and 12 assists in 14 league appearances.
    Netherlands star Cody Gakpo is prioritising a move to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    The winger is also standing out in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as he has scored in both of Holland’s matches in the group stage against Senegal and Ecuador.
    According to PSV’s former technical director John de Jong, the 23-year-old has big plans for his future and has his sights set on United.
    De Jong claims a deal with the Red Devils came close last summer but fell through a week before deadline day.
    Gakpo still had the opportunity to move to the Premier League but refused to board a private jet to Leeds and wasn’t attracted by Southampton’s club-record bid.
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    The former PSV chief, who was sacked in September for a “breach of confidence” with the board, insists the forward is prioritising United.
    De Jong told NOS on Sunday: “Cody has been waiting a long time for the transfer to Manchester United and it seemed to be coming.
    “A week before the end of the transfer window that fell through. After that he had two options in the Premier League, but you never know how that will turn out.
    “He made the choice himself. In the end I did have a discussion with the board, whether or not to sell. I think it is really better for him that he stayed.
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    “I think it’s very nice how he is developing. He continues the line he started at PSV this season.
    “He is very effective and decisive. Also at the World Cup. I really enjoy watching it.
    “It is especially great for Cody Gakpo that he is doing so well, but ultimately also for PSV and Dutch football.”
    United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly prioritised Gakpo as his top candidate to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window. More

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    Morocco 2 Belgium 0: Red Devils stunned by Courtois dropping clanger after VAR drama as World Cup hopes hang in balance

    THIBAUT COURTOIS’ four-day spell as a World Cup hero ended on a crushing day for Belgium.The 6ft 5in keeper’s second-half clanger set his team on the way to a humiliating defeat that will seriously rock the ambitions of a talented but ageing team.
    Morocco stunned Belgian with a 2-0 win in Group FCredit: EPA
    Kevin de Bruyne knows his country are at risk of going out earlyCredit: Rex
    Criticism came in for Thibaut Courtois just days after his heroics against CanadaCredit: Getty
    Courtois actually made two blunders on a day when Roberto Martinez’s squad failed to turn up and were undone by their own sloppiness and the passion of minnows Morocco.
    He got away with the first one when Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick was ruled out by VAR  – but he clearly didn’t heed the warning.
    In the second half, he got mugged again by a similar strike that piles pressure on to boss Martinez as he struggles to get his team into the knockout stages.
    Belgium were unconvincing in their spawny 1-0 win over Canada that sent them into this match as Group F leaders.

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    It took lightning reactions from Courtois to see them through.
    But they looked even more wobbly here against a Moroccan side with a dash of current or ex-Premier League players in Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, former Wolves defender Romain Saiss and ex-Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal.
    Just one shot on target in the first half and a feeble one at that when right-back Thomas Meunier finished off a three-man move involving Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne – experienced, quality footballers who really should be doing better.
    Morocco barely threatened to score themselves but against the No2-ranked team in the international rankings that is no surprise.

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    It was up to Belgium to take the game to the North Africans looking for the win that would see them into the last 16 with a game to spare even if they aren’t at their best.
    They failed to do so and for a few moments at the end of the first half feared a calamity when the lowly opposition who have never been beyond the group stage, took a surprise lead.
    Wideman Ziyech was fouled three yards out from the left-hand corner of the Belgian box.
    He took the free-kick himself and whipped a curling inbound shot over the wall.
    Thibaut Courtois was beaten by a free-kick for the first goalCredit: EPA
    Courtois got away with one in the first half thanks to a VAR callCredit: Getty
    Zakaria Aboukhlal blasted into the top corner to wrap up the winCredit: Getty
    It cleared every head only to then squirm under the body of the lumbering Courtois and over the line.
    All his good work against the Canadians last Wednesday looked undone until Mexican ref Cesar Ramos was directed to his pitchside screen and noted a narrow offside against ex-Molineux man Saiss.
    There was little improvement in the second half and Boufal came close to scoring with a scorching shot across the face of goal that whistled past Courtois’ left-hand post.
    Hazard was replaced on the hour mark as part of a double substitution that saw Leicester’s Youri Tielemens come on to inject some life into Belgium.
    But it only got worse as Courtois made his second blunder of the match at another set-piece.
    With 17 minutes left, midfielder Abdelhamed Sabiri took a chance with a free-kick from a similar position to that in the first half.
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    Instead of crossing, he went for it by whipping a shot towards the near post which Courtois had left unguarded and was unable to react in time to keep the ball out of his net.
    In injury time Morocco swept forward and Ziyech’s clever cutback found Zakaria Abouhlal who rifled in number two to spark pandemonium on the Africans’ bench.
    Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech are on course to reach the knockout roundsCredit: Getty
    Eden Hazard failed to deliver once again for his countryCredit: AP More

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    Belgium 0 Morocco 2 – World Cup 2022 LIVE RESULT: Aboukhlal sinks Belgians with late close range strike

    BELGIUM can secure knock-out qualification with a win over Morocco – but they could have found themselves a goal down.Hakim Ziyech’s long-range free-kick flew past Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian net.
    But the referee ruled it out for offside following a VAR decision.

    Live stream: BBC iPlayer
    TV channel: BBC One
    Belgium XI: Courtois, Alderweireld, Castagne, Vertonghen, Meunier, Witsel, Onana, T. Hazard, De Bruyne, E. Hazard, Batshuayi
    Morocco XI: Munir, Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui, Amallah, Amrabat, Ounahi, Boufal, Ziyech, En Nesyri

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    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
    Belgium 0-1 Morocco
    77, De bruyne whips in an excellent ball but no one in red can get on the end of it!
    The Moroccan fans inside here are bouncing.
    Belgium 0-1 Morocco
    76, Batshuayi, who has struggled to make an impact today, is off for De Ketelaere.
    Trossard is on for Thorgan hazard.
    GOAL! – Belgium 0-1 Morocco
    73, Sabiri breaks the deadlock and Morocco take the lead in Doha!
    Sabiri with the exact same free-kick as Ziyech from the opposite flank.
    He swings it in, and once again it goes through everyone, including Courtois who was left flapping at thin air.
    I’m sure he was unsighted by Saiss, but this time the defender had stayed onside.
    At last a goal, and what a finish we might have here.
    Credit: Reuters
    Credit: Getty
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    72, Time for some Moroccan reinforcements.
    Aboukhlal adf Hamdallaha are on.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    71, De Bruyne picks up a good position and whips a ball in towards Batshuayi who would have had a tap-in but for a last-stitch intervention by Aguerd.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    69, Ounahi is urged to shoot and goes for the spectacular.
    Back goes the head, and high goes the ball.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    78, Batshuayi wanders offside again, before kicking the ball away in frustration.
    Not been his night.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    66, Batshuayi effort takes a deflection and lands in the arms of Munir.
    We’ll see some changes for Morocco now.
    Sbiri and Attiat-Aallah are on.
    Hakimi, who was a doubt for this one, and Amallah make way.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    63, Chances aplenty!
    Boufal is alert at the back post and volleys it back across the six-yard box where Vertonghen had positioned himself well.
    De Bruyne then gets up the pitch and shapes to shoot but is quickly closed down.
    Mertens then dances past the challenges and fires a good effort on target, forcing Munir to parry wide.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    62, De Bruyne attempts to squeeze a pass through to Mertens but the flag was already raised against Batshuayi who just can’t get into the game.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    61, Morocco work the ball well, but the chance falls to the wrong man in Mazzraoui, who strikes a shot at a snail’s pace, bobbling wide of the goal.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    59, Roberto Martinez decides to switch things up.
    Onana is off for Tielemans.
    Skipper Eden Hazard is withdrawn for Mertens.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    57, Mazraoui floats a ball in behind to Nesyri who can’t take it into his stride and Courtois can clean up.
    Morocco look the more dangerous at the moment.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    56, Boufal comes close!
    The winger drops his shoulder and cuts inside Meunier before curling an effort narrowly wide of the far post.
    That’s woken up the crowd inside here.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    55, Eden Hazard flicks the ball on to his brother who can’t return the favour, playing the return pass out of play.
    When Belgium move the ball quickly they look so much more dangerous though.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    53, Hazard and De Bruyne combine in the midfield, but can’t carve out a real opportunity.
    Every time either gets the ball they are surrounded by white shirts.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    51, Eden Hazard drops his shoulder and fires an effort towards the near post. Munir is forced to tip it behind for a corner kick.
    Onana meets it, taking it away from Vertonghen in a better position. The frustration grows amongst the Belgian players and supporters.
    Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    49, Ziyech is caught in the middle of the park with the fouls continuing into the second half.
    Ziyech then shifts the ball inside, but doesn’t quite get hold of it. Simple enough stop for Courtois.
    SECOND HALF – Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    Morocco get us back underway for the second half.
    Andrew Dillon has more information on Morocco’s early keeper switch:
    IT WOULD appear that Yassine Bounou – known as Bono – had an issue with his eyes and signalled to his bench that he needed to come off.Andrew DillonSunSport
    Credit: Getty
    Andrew Dillon at Al Thumama Stadium
    SunSport’s Andrew Dillon has this half-time report from the stands, explaining that last-minute keeper switch.
    A WEIRD half – which started with Morrocco suddenly having to switch keepers just moments before kick off.
    Number one Youssine Bounou was taken ill after singing the national anthem and replaced by Munir El Kajoui. It won’t count as a substitution because the game had not kicked off.
    And after a drab half in which Belgium failed to impose themselves in any way against their unfancied opponents it was their keeper Thibaut Courtois who had the last word.
    The 6ft 6in stopper allowed an inswinging free kick from Hakim Ziyech to squirm under his body and give the Moroccans what they thought was a shock lead. But the goal was ruled out for a narrow offside following a VAR check.
    Belgium look rubbish though. Even worse than against Canada in the first game when they got a lucky win.Andrew DillonSunSport
    Half-time stats
    Belgium have enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but have struggled to do an awful lot with it.
    Batshuayi cuts an isolated figure up front, whilst De Bruyne looks frustrated with the rest of his team.

    HALF-TIME – Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    The whistle disallowing Morocco’s goal is shortly followed by the half-time whistle as the players trudge off the field.
    Ziyech is still arguing with the referees, but the new video review graphics looked pretty conclusive.
    It’s been far from a classic, with scrappy challenges all over the pitch preventing either side from building any kind of momentum.
    Let’s hope for better in the second half!
    Credit: Getty
    GOAL DISALLOWED – Belgium 0-0 Morocco
    The goal is chalked off for offside. It was Saiss who looked to be covering the Courtois’ eye-line.
    Belgium 0-1 Morocco
    The referee is off to take a look at the screen. It looks like an offside check, which you think wouldn’t need to be checked.
    GOAL! – Belgium 0-1 Morocco
    It’s gone in!
    Ziyech sends in a free-kick which just goes through everyone.
    But VAR are taking a look…
    Credit: Reuters
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    Who is Portugal vs Uruguay referee Alireza Faghani at World Cup 2022?

    IRANIAN referee Alireza Faghani is one of the most respected referees in the world.He is the man with the book of cards for Portugal’s group game against Uruguay.
    Faghani is not afraid to lay down the law with the world’s top football stars and took charge of Brazil’s group win over SerbiaCredit: Getty
    Faghani 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.
    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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    Iran TV demand USA are KICKED OUT out of World Cup after they scrub emblem from official flag in support of protests

    IRAN have been left fuming after USA scrubbed the symbol of the Islamic Republic off their flag. The national state television channel are even calling for the Americans to be booted out of the World Cup.
    USA posted an image without the Islamic Republic’s emblemCredit: Twitter
    Iran’s team were warned of potential punishment for not singing the national anthemCredit: AP
    An Iranian fan in tears ahead of the Wales gameCredit: AP
    The move by the USA to change the flag came amid nationwide women’s rights protests in Iran challenging Tehran’s theocratic government.
    USA’s official Twitter account posted an image of the World Cup Group B standings but decided to remove the Islamic Republic’s “Allah” emblem and the “takbirs” from Iran’s three-coloured flag.
    The USMNT say the gesture was to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights” and they added it was a one-time display and it will restore the symbol moving forward.
    This has allegedly breached Fifa guidelines, as pointed out by Iran’s state-affiliated media Tasnim News Agency.
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    They even called on Fifa to kick USA out of the competition.
    They tweeted: “According to section 13 of #FIFA rules, any person who offends the dignity or integrity of a country, a person or group of people… shall be sanctioned with a suspension lasting at least ten matches or a specific period, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure.”
    A later tweet added: “By posting a distorted image of the flag of the Islamic Republic of #Iran on its official account, the #US football team breached the @FIFAcom charter, for which a 10-game suspension is the appropriate penalty. Team #USA should be kicked out of the #WorldCup2022.”
    Iran will play USA in their final Group B clash with a spot in the round of 16 up for grabs.
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    The Middle Eastern country trail group leaders England by a point.
    Audible boos and cheers could be heard during Iran’s anthem against England and Wales.
    Civil unrest continues in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini.
    The 22-year-old woman died in police custody having been arrested for not wearing her hijab correctly.
    Hundreds of protestors have died in Tehran and other cities. More

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    Who is Belgium vs Morocco fourth official Yoshimi Yamashita? Meet Japan’s first female referee at the 2022 World Cup

    IN a footballing first, Yoshimi Yamashata makes up a trio of the first ever women to officiate at a men’s World Cup tournament.She is on the touchline for the Belgium vs Morocco game in the group stages, where she is fourth official.
    Yamashita will be one of three women refereeing at the Qatar World CupCredit: AFP
    She is joined by Stephanie Frappart of France and Salima Muksansanga of Rwanda, who are all set to make history in Qatar.
    According to FIFA, the women will be joined by by Neuza Back, Karen Dias, Kathryn Nesbitt who make up the 69 assistant referees.
    Here is all you need to know about the Japanese trail-blazer.
    Who is Yoshimi Yamashata
    Yoshimi Yamashita was born in Tokyo in 1986.
    She refereed at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
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    Yamashita also became the first woman to referee men’s matches in the J-League and AFC Champions League.
    She told Japanese press that she feels “great pride and responsibility” after being asked to referee at the tournament.
    The 36-year-old admitted: “I didn’t think it would ever be possible to officiate men’s games, so the World Cup wasn’t in my thoughts.”
    She hopes that her inclusion will mark a big change in the wider game, stating: “I don’t see any difference between men’s and women’s football, so what is happening in Qatar needs to continue.”
    Yoshimi Yamashita took charge of the AFC Champions League Group G match between Melbourne City and Jeonnam DragonsCredit: Getty
    When asked about what her presence might mean for other women watching the tournament, Yamashita replied: “I want to tell young girls who are interested in becoming referees that our potential is growing.”
    However, she acknowledged that she feels “a certain amount of pressure to win everyone’s trust.”
    Yoshimi Yamashita has been keeping fit ahead of the tournamentCredit: AFP
    This is the first time a woman will have officiated in a men’s World CupCredit: AFP
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    Japan’s first ever professional female referee has been keeping in top condition ahead of the tournament, making sure she is up to speed with the game.
    She said: “I’m really conscious of the speed, I make split-second decisions. I have to continue training that muscle as the World Cup draws closer and be prepared to adjust to speedy developments.”
    Yamashita is also keeping her mind sharp, revealing that she had been watching videos of previous matches.

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