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    England star Terry Butcher poses with Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball which could fetch more than £3million at auction

    EX-England star Terry Butcher poses with Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” ball — as speculation grows it will fetch more than its £3million estimate at auction.The defender played in the 1986 World Cup defeat to Argentina in which Maradona scored twice — the first with a punch.
    Ex-England star Terry Butcher poses with the ball used in the 1986 World CupCredit: AFP
    It is expected to fetch more than £3million at auctionCredit: Popperfoto
    The ball will be sold in two weeks, with auctioneer Graham Budd saying: “All the best prices I’ve ever had at auction have made multiples of the estimate.
    “When you have an exceptional item, you get multiple bidding.
    “Sometimes it takes a long while for the last person to pull out.
    “Almost anything’s possible at auction which is why it’s so exciting.
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    “It’s an absolutely exceptional piece.”
    We told earlier how Tunisian ref Ali Bin Nasser was selling the ball.
    Maradona died aged 60 in 2020.
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    England fans heading to Qatar World Cup warned not to HOLD HANDS in public – even with a partner of the opposite sex

    FANS travelling to this month’s World Cup MUST be mindful of Qatari culture, police have warned.The latest Foreign Office advice for the 3,000-plus England supporters planning a trip to the Gulf state is that NONE of them should hold hands in public, even with a partner of the OPPOSITE sex.
    Fans have been told to avoid holding hands in QatarCredit: Alamy
    Supporters have been urged not to provoke Qatari authoritiesCredit: AFP
    But while 15 special UK police “engagement officers” will act as a buffer between fans and potentially over-zealous local forces to try to “de-escalate” issues, supporters have been urged to avoid provoking the Qatari authorities.
    Qatar has pulled in extra police from Turkey and Pakistan to help control the World Cup.
    And Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the UK’s top football cop, said: “Our officers will be there to try to engage and calm things down if needed.
    “We’re not morality police and we are not going to tell people not to protest.
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    “That’s a local enforcement issue. We just want to look after the supporters.
    “The last thing we want is someone inadvertently causing offence, so if we see there’s something that may cause a problem we can go and try to de-escalate the situation.
    “We know that England fans have often gone to a square and drunk but that’s not really an option because you don’t have the off-sales in Qatar in the same way.
    “If you have 2,000 fans in one place, even in the UK, you’d get the police come in and sometimes when England have played abroad our fans have played up to it a bit.
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    “We just want to avoid that.
    “I’m not going to tell the fans what to do but Qatar is a calm place.
    “You just don’t hear shouting. You don’t see confrontation, they tend to be a very polite people.
    “The potential for a misunderstanding is probably greater.
    “But while there are very low levels of crime in Qatar, there are very high levels of CCTV compared to here so that chances of committing something and getting away with it are negligible.
    “The Qataris want this to be a success and for people to come away having had a good time and not saying negative things.
    England and Wales have both vowed to wear the “One Love” armband in Qatar although Fifa have still to give permission.
    But FA of Wales head of international development Mark Evans said: “Even if Fifa say “no”, we will wear the armband. The players have spoken about it and agreed what we will do, even if that means us being fined.”
    England fans have been advised by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to be respectful in their visit to Qatar, but his statement prompted a backlash from LGBT fan groups who highlighted the fact homosexuality is outlawed in the country.
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    English activist Peter Thatchell was arrested in Qatar last week after staging a one-man protest to highlight the country’s treatment of LGBT people.
    England’s WAGs have also been given a list of do’s and dont’s and told they must not drink alcohol or swear in public, play loud music, sing, shout or act “inappropriately” during the call to prayer. More

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    Keep politics and virtue-signalling out of the Qatar World Cup so we can enjoy it – if players don’t like it, don’t go

    THE World Cup is nearly upon us, and the wall of negative noise around this year’s tournament is increasingly deafening.
    Many are appalled it’s being held in Qatar at all given the alleged corruption that is believed to have won them the rights to hold international sport’s richest and most prestigious event, and the country’s mistreatment of migrant workers and non-existent LGBT rights.
    England skipper Harry Kane will wear a OneLove rainbow armband during the World CupCredit: PA
    It all kicks off in Qatar on November 20 – but criticism of the event has become ‘increasingly deafening’Credit: Reuters
    Piers reckons if footballers are really offended by Qatar’s human rights failings, then they shouldn’t go
    Last week, Australia’s Socceroos team released an earnest video expressing concern about the “suffering” of migrant workers and the inability for gay people in Qatar “to love the person that they choose”.
    Separately, England captain Harry Kane declared he’s going to wear a OneLove anti-discrimination armband during the games to register his own protest.
    And now, Ukraine’s Association of Football has demanded that Iran be banned from taking part due to its reported kamikaze drone support for Vladimir Putin in his illegal war on their people, and also cited Iran’s “systematic human rights violations” including a brutal crackdown on domestic protests.
    So, there’s a lot of high moral outrage flying around, and there will be a lot of on-field halos glinting in the ferocious Qatar heat come November 20 when the World Cup starts.
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    But I can’t be the only one wishing we could just keep all the politics and virtue-signalling out of it so we can just enjoy the football?
    The time for proper serious debate about Qatar’s suitability to host the tournament was surely during the bidding process twelve years ago, not three weeks before it starts?
    And if the argument against them running it is that they have a poor human rights record, which is an undeniable fact, then what about the other 31 countries taking part?
    Specifically, if persecution of gay people is deemed a disqualifying barrier to being involved in the World Cup, then shouldn’t we be similarly outraged by the participation of Senegal, Morocco and Tunisia where it’s also illegal to be homosexual?
    Or by Ghana, whose parliament is pushing through a new bill demanding prison sentences for anyone even expressing support or “sympathy” towards gay people?
    Or by Cameroon which according to a recent report “currently prosecutes consensual same sex conduct more aggressively than almost any country in the world”?
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    And don’t get me started on Saudi Arabia, where if you’re caught in a gay act, you can be chemically castrated, given life imprisonment or even executed.
    A closer look at other World Cup nations reveals further distinctly ‘problematic’ human rights issues.
    Costa Rica has serious human trafficking problems, Brazil has shocking levels of unlawful police killings and torture, Argentina is bedevilled by government and judiciary corruption, and Serbia continues to oppress Roma gypsies.
    Many of the countries already mentioned operate ongoing wars on free speech, jailing dissident citizens and journalists who criticise the government – or, in Saudi Arabia’s case, chopping them up with bone saws – and also have terrible records of mistreating migrant workers.

     Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored weekdays on Sky 526, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 or on Fox Nation in the US

    And if modern morality failings are truly our new World Cup qualification byword, then why should either England or America be allowed to play given our invasion of Iraq in 2003 and all the subsequent global terrorism hell that illegal war unleashed on the world?
    You get my point…
    Once you play the morality card in sport, I’m not sure where you can ever end up playing it without appearing to endorse human rights abuses.
    To single out Qatar for such exaggerated horror when so many other competing countries are just as morally bad, if not a lot worse, is hypocritical.
    We’ve witnessed similar double standards in golf where leaders of the PGA Tour have berated the new Saudi-backed breakaway LIV Tour for putting money before morals – despite they themselves hosting events in places like China which has a horrendous human rights record.
     And frankly, as a sports fan, I’m sick of all the disingenuousness.
    ‘Pointless virtue-signalling ‘
    If footballers are really that offended by Qatar’s human rights failings, then they shouldn’t go and play in the World Cup.
    It’s all very well wearing armbands or issuing critical videos, but if you still go then you’re just dabbling in pointless virtue-signalling that will have zero impact on effecting any change.
    I feel the same way about all the sports journalists suddenly jumping on the anti-Qatar bandwagon and saying it shouldn’t be happening.
    You can bet your life most of them will be holding their indignant noses long enough to get on a plane to Doha for six weeks as they cover the event they are pretending to want cancelled.
    I’ll be there too for some of it, as a pundit for Fox in America during the group stage which has pitted England against the US.
    And I feel no moral dilemma about going because I understand that many of the countries playing in this World Cup make Qatar look almost benign by comparison when it comes to human rights.
    That doesn’t excuse Qatar’s problems, but it puts them into perspective.
    I also think it’s crazy that this is the first time the World Cup has ever been staged in the Middle East given the huge popularity of football in the region, and we should celebrate that fact, not ruin the party with very selective judgement.
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    So, my message to the morality moaners is this: put your cracked halos away and just let me watch the bloody World Cup without trying to make me feel shameful or guilty about it.
    Oh, and come on England!
    The Socceroos last week became the first World Cup team to criticise Qatar’s human rights recordCredit: Getty
    Piers wants the ‘morality moaners’ to stop making fans feel guiltyCredit: PA
    This is the first time the World Cup has been staged in the Middle East – a fact we should celebrateCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    World’s sexiest football fans, from Gisele Bundchen following Brazil to Aussie celeb Margot Robbie cheering on Socceroos

    THEY don’t call it the beautiful game for nothing.Football brings the most glam women together, especially during a World Cup when many will be cheering on their favourite teams in the stadiums of Qatar or from their armchair.
    Gisele Bundchen shows off her love for BrazilCredit: Rex
    Victoria’s Secret model Gisele is one of the world’s sexiest football fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    From a Brazilian supermodel, who has just split from her famous NFL legend husband, to a Hollywood A-lister – these are SunSport’s sexiest football fans.
    Gisele Bundchen
    The world’s most famous and successful supermodel, Gisele has never hidden her love for Brazil.
    During the 2018 World Cup, she was spotted cheering on the Seleciao while wearing their famous jersey.
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    She is also pals with Brazil hotshot Neymar, after the pair appeared in Vogue together in 2014.
    The 42-year-old is now said to be divorcing NFL star Tom Brady, after 13 years of marriage.
    Margot Robbie
    Aussie beauty Robbie, 32, is used to turning heads on the screen – after sizzling in films such as Wolf of Wall Street and Birds of Prey.
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    But she must have had a few funny looks when she turned up at Craven Cottage for a Fulham match with husband and producer Tom Ackerley, who is a fan of the Cottagers.
    And Robbie is no stranger to the world of Aussie soccer – revealing she knew who Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan was.
    During a BBC Sport segment, when she was asked to predict his former side Brighton’s score in an upcoming match, she declared a Seagulls win because she needed to show “Aussie love” for the shotstopper.
    Margot Robbie is a football fan, who follows the SocceroosCredit: Rex
    Glam Robbie visited Craven Cottage to see Fulham playCredit: Rex
    Gigi Hadid
    Supermodels and football seemingly go hand-in-hand nowadays.
    Gigi, 27, was pictured sporting a PSG shirt on a visit to the Parc des Princes with pal Kendall Jenner back in 2015.
    A year later, she was spotted wearing a Bradford City shirt – the team supported by her ex Zayn Malik.
    But her loyalties will always be with Team USA, and she is keen follower of the women’s team.
    Gigi Hadid is a football fan, and was once seen at a PSG gameCredit: Getty
    Hadid was once seen wearing a Bradford City top

    Natalya Nemchinova
    Dubbed ‘Russia’s hottest World Cup fan’, Nemchinova was a favourite for TV cameras at the 2018 competition.
    Often, when there was a break in play, she’d be spotted in the stands – waving a flag in a revealing outfit.
    And the 33-year-old porn star was deemed to be her country’s lucky charm – as they marched on to the quarter-finals.
    However, she didn’t go to the Croatia match – and, just like that, the hosts lost and were out.
    Russian super fan Natalya Nemchinova was a hit at the 2018 World CupCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
    Nemchinova was a porn star in her homelandCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
    Anna Lewandowska
    The wife of Robert Lewandowski rarely misses a game when her husband is playing for Poland.
    Anna, 34, is a former karate champ in her homeland, personal trainer and nutritionist.
    She has been credited with helping the Barcelona ace improve on his fitness by crafting a strict diet for the hotshot striker.
    Expect to see her wearing Poland’s famous white shirt in Qatar.
    Polish beauty Anna Lewandowska is sure to be in the stands when Poland play in Qatar
    Lewandowska is married to Robert Lewandowski and has been credited with helping his careerCredit: Getty
    Emma Louise Jones
    Leeds fans know all about gorgeous Emma, having seen her work as a presenter for LUTV since 2017.
    But most recently she graduated to MOTDx – alongside former footballer Jermaine Jenas.
    Jones has built up a rapport with England stars, interviewing several on international duty through the years.
    She most certainly will be in Qatar on hosting duties.
    TV presenter Emma Louise Jones is a huge football fanCredit: Instagram @eljonesuk
    Jones is a regular at Elland Road and has interviewed a variety of England’s starsCredit: instagram
    Agustina Gandolfo
    Model Gandolfo is the girlfriend of Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez.
    The blonde bombshell was introduced to the Inter Milan star by none-other-than Wanda Nara, the ex-wife of Mauro Icardi.
    She has since grown her own brand as a fitness and healthy lifestyle expert.
    And she now runs her own restaurant in Milan called Coraje.
    Lautaro Martinez’s stunning Wag is stunning Agustina GandolfoCredit: Instagram / @agus.gandolfo
    Argentina fan Gandolfo has amassed almost 800,000 Instagram followers.
    Claudia Guarjardo
    Mexico’s finest TV presenter, Guarjardo once caused a stir when she revealed a new tattoo live on air while filming popular football show, Las Noches del Futbol.
    The inking was in an incredibly intimate place, in which she had to peel down her shorts for cameras to get a glimpse – leaving her co-hosts hot under the collar in the studio.
    Today, the stunning brunette is huge on social media – where she has almost 800,000 followers.
    Better still, she’s a huge supporter of the Mexico football team – sharing her love to her fans online.
    TV presenter Claudia Guarjardo is a Mexico fanCredit: Instagram
    Guarjardo showed off a revealing tattoo on air
    Sara Gundogan
    As Wags go, none are more supportive than Sara, 27.
    She is married to Man City and Germany ace Ilkay Gundogan, with the pair tying the knot back in May.
    And she is always at the Etihad cheering the midfielder on, as well at games watching Die Mannschaft.
    Sara isn’t afraid to wear her stripes either – often supporting her team by donning their jersey.
    Sara Gundogan is one of the world’s most beautiful women, as well as a football fanCredit: Instagram
    Sara shows her love for GermanyCredit: Instagram
    Ivana Knoll
    The 5ft10in Croatian beauty came to prominence at the last World Cup in Russia.
    And a quick glance through her Instagram page shows how patriotic she is – seen in a barely-there bikini decked out in the checkered pattern of the flag of Croatia.
    A former 2016 Miss Croatia World finalist, she is a favourite on TikTok – once causing a stir by sharing a racy twerking clip.
    Should she go to Qatar, she will certainly drive fans wild again.
    Ivana Knoll shows her love for Croatia with her bikini choiceCredit: Instagram / @wearknolldoll
    Knoll was spotted cheering on Croatia from the stands at the 2018 World CupCredit: https://www.instagram.com/knolldoll/?hl=en More

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    Man Utd in boost with Anthony Martial returning to full training in hope striker will make France’s World Cup squad

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a huge boost after Anthony Martial returned to full training.And there are even hopes the striker could make France’s World Cup squad this month.
    Anthony Martial is back in full training at Man United to keep his World Cup dream aliveCredit: Getty
    Martial, 26, returned to United over the summer after a flop loan spell at Sevilla.
    He hit the ground running in pre-season under new boss Erik ten Hag.
    But a number of injuries have limited Martial to just four appearances this term.
    Despite spending most of his time on the sideline, the hitman has still managed to score three goals.
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    And some United fans reckon Martial is the final missing piece in Ten Hag’s already-impressive jigsaw.
    However, supporters could soon see what life will be like with the ace in their side.
    That’s because Martial finally returned to full first-team training at Carrington on Monday.
    It’s reckoned he’s put his hamstring, achilles and back injuries behind him.
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    And with four games left until Qatar 2022, Martial could get a run in United’s starting XI.
    That could even open the door for a stunning World Cup call-up from France boss Didier Deschamps.
    The defending champs need solid support for Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe.
    And reports claim Martial is still in with a shout if he puts a run of games together.
    United first travel to Real Sociedad on Thursday in a bid to seal top spot in their Europa League group.
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    That game could come too soon for Martial.
    But back-to-back matches against Aston Villa, with one in the Carabao Cup, and a trip to Fulham represent some good opportunities. More

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    Gareth Southgate includes Brighton star Danny Welbeck in shock addition to England’s 55-man World Cup squad

    DANNY WELBECK has been named in Gareth Southgate’s 55-man provisional England squad for the Qatar World Cup. According to The Athletic, the striker will be joined by his Brighton team-mate Lewis Dunk in the selection.
    Danny Welbeck has been named in Gareth Southgate’s 55-man provisional England squadCredit: Getty
    Credit: Getty – Contributor
    Welbeck, 31, has 42 senior caps but has not made an international appearance since 2018.
    Although his form and flexibility this season, with three goals and the same amount of assists, has caught the eye of Southgate.
    Welbeck has 16 goals for England, his last coming against Costa Rica in 2018.
    Since making his debut in 2011, the forward has played in four major tournaments, in a pair of World Cups and European Championships.
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    But the ex-Manchester United and Arsenal star has not played in any of England’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers, nor did he play in last year’s Euros.
    Team-mate Dunk, 30, has only been capped by England once, in a November 2018 friendly against the US.

    The centre-back helped keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 win at Wembley.
    Southgate is faced with trimming his squad to 26 players by November 14, although England are set to name theirs four days earlier.
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    One man racing to be fit is Chelsea right-back Reece James, who is currently nursing a knee injury.
    James, 22, has flown out to Dubai in a last-ditch effort to help speed along his rehabilitation from injury he suffered in Chelsea’s 2-0 win against AC Milan.
    The defender was given an eight-week timeline to fully recover from his injury, with the Three Lions squad due to be picked in half that time.
    Reece James remains hopeful he can beat the clock and make it to the World CupCredit: Simon Jones More

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    England fans handed boost as Covid restrictions are eased ahead of 2022 World Cup in Qatar

    ENGLAND fans travelling to Qatar for the World Cup will no longer have to do a Covid test to enter the country.Visitors previously needed negative results on a PCR or rapid antigen test as well as being able to provide the correct health documentations to be allowed in.
    Qatar have scrapped Covid restrictions ahead of the World CupCredit: PA
    But with the World Cup on the horizon Qatar have relaxed measures in relation to Covid and none of this is now necessary.
    This hands all fans, players and staff travelling to the competition a major boost.
    The change in restrictions comes into force from today – just 19 days before the tournament begins.
    An estimated 1.5million fans are predicted to be visiting Qatar in November and December.
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    Ten thousand England fans and a further 5,000 Welsh supporters are making the journey, according to reports.
    Qatar was previously strict on who could enter the country amid the pandemic.
    Tourists did have to pre-register on the government’s Ehteraz health application before touching down in Doha.
    They had to also submit documents to get their stats on the app to turn green.
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    But now nobody even has to present a Covid vaccination certificate giving those travelling to the World Cup one less thing to worry about.
    England fans could still face a tough time in Qatar with alcohol only being served in certain areas, while those going who are part of the LGBTQ community were given a shocking warning from the UK government.
    Fans have also been warned to stay clear of camels over killer bug fears.
    If the Three Lions make the final then it could cost each person at least £5,000 per person to follow Gareth Southgate’s men all the way. More

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    Gerard Pique gets shock Spain World Cup call-up despite being FIFTH choice for Barcelona… and RETIRING four years ago

    GERARD PIQUE could get a shock call-up to Spain’s World Cup squad – despite being Barcelona’s FITH-choice centre-back… and retiring from international football in 2018.The defender, 35, is enduring a torrid time at the Nou Camp this season after slipping down the pecking order.
    Gerard Pique has been named in Spain’s 55-man initial World Cup squad despite his Barcelona woesCredit: Getty
    Even though he is vice-captain, he finds himself behind Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen in Xavi’s squad.
    But despite just 298 minutes of LaLiga action this term and only three starts, Marca report Pique has been named in the initial 55-man World Cup list.
    Each of the 32 managers heading to Qatar 2022 had to submit their 55-player roster to Fifa last Friday.
    They then have until November 13 to trim that down to the final 26 for the tournament, which kicks off on November 20.
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    Pique last played for Spain at the World Cup in Russia in 2018 before deciding to stop representing his country and focus on his Barcelona career.
    Should the out-of-favour defender go to Qatar, he would add bags of experience to Luis Enrique’s squad.
    Another surprise inclusion in the longlist named by Enrique is said to be Sergio Ramos.
    He won the World Cup in 2010 and the Euros in 2012 with Pique – and was also part of the Euro 2008-winning team.
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    The PSG defender, who has a record 180 caps for Spain, has been out of La Roja’s team for 20 months.
    However, it is expected both Pique and Ramos will be cut from the squad and not go to the World Cup.
    Aymeric Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Pau Torres and Garcia are set to be the quartet Enrique opts for.
    Goalkeeper David de Gea was left out of the initial 55 while Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to be a victim in the culling process.
    Spain start their Group E campaign against Costa Rica on November 23 – then face Germany and Japan.
    Sergio Ramos and Pique would add plenty of experience but both are expected to be cutCredit: AFP More