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      England handed DOUBLE 2022 World Cup boost with Pep Guardiola ‘optimistic’ Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker will be fit

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      ENGLAND have been handed a DOUBLE World Cup boost with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola “optimistic” on Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker’s fitness.Both City aces underwent surgery and featuring in Qatar for the Three Lions was in doubt.
      Phillips has had a difficult start to life at Man City and the shoulder injury has halted his progressCredit: Getty
      Walker had surgery on his groinCredit: Getty
      The pair are pivotal to Southgate’s Three LionsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Big money summer signing Phillips had surgery on his shoulder, which has halted his progress at the Etihad.
      While Walker went under the knife for a groin injury.
      But in a boss to England boss Gareth Southgate, City chief Guardiola is “optimistic” both players will be fit.
      He said on Phillips at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s win against Leicester: “He feels really well, his mobility in his shoulder is perfect.
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      “He has to avoid contact with his teammates at the moment.
      “If he is fit and I believe he can play then maybe he can make some minutes [before the World Cup].”
      On the pair, Guardiola continued: “They are positive, optimistic, they are in touch with Gareth [Southgate].
      “I don’t know, hopefully they can be ready to be selected.”
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      Walker being back for the winter tournament would ease Southgate’s injury concerns at right-back.
      Chelsea’s Reece James is still on crutches and is expected not to be fit in time.
      However, James told SunSport he hasn’t given up on his dream of playing in this year’s World Cup.
      He plans on starting to run in the next few days in the swimming pool. More

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      Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal voted worst refereeing decision in World Cup history

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      DIEGO Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal against England has been voted the worst refereeing decision in World Cup history.The Argentine punched the ball into the net for the first goal in the 1986 quarter-final in Mexico.
      The infamous Hand of God refereeing decision has been voted the worst in World Cup historyCredit: Popperfoto
      The No2 clanger spot was Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany in 2010Credit: Getty
      But the handball wasn’t spotted by Tunisian ref Ali Bin Nasser.
      It was ranked No1 blunder by 37 per cent.
      England also featured in the No2 clanger spot.
      Some 33 per cent voted for Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany in South Africa in 2010.
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      Third, with 28 per cent, is France ace Thierry Henry’s play-off handball assist.
      The move denied Ireland a place at the 2010 World Cup.
      The poll of 2,000 football fans was carried out for Samsung UK.
      Experts compiled a shortlist of massive mistakes.
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      Reece James racist troll tracked down in Middle East just three weeks before World Cup in Qatar

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      A RACIST troll who abused England ace Reece James has been tracked down to the Middle East just three weeks before the World Cup starts in Qatar.An arrest is imminent after the Chelsea defender, 22, gave statements to Instagram, police and officials abroad.
      A racist troll who abused England ace Reece James has been tracked down to the Middle EastCredit: Simon Jones
      An arrest is imminent after Chelsea ace Reece gave statements to Instagram, police and officials abroadCredit: Simon Jones
      Reece told The Sun:’ I get (racist) messages here and there, but I’ve never really had it face to face’Credit: Getty
      Reece told The Sun: “It’s tough.”
      Trolling victim Reece has told how he is determined to fight back against the online menace saying: “Whenever I see it I report it.”
      The England ace spoke out as the net was closing on a racist tormentor who targeted him.
      The vile troll has been tracked down to the Middle East — just three weeks before the World Cup in Qatar.
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      An arrest is imminent.
      Chelsea star Reece told The Sun: “I get (racist) messages here and there, but I’ve never really had it face to face.
      “It’s always the way (that trolls hide behind the keyboard); whenever I see it I report it.
      “It’s one of those things that is hard to control. Most of the time they are fake accounts.”
      Most read in The Sun
      He reported a chain of racist abuse from a mysterious account.
      Starting in February of last year, Reece gave statements to Instagram, the Met Police and officials abroad — and now the culprit is finally on the verge of being nicked.
      Reece admitted: “It’s tough, when you have to take so much time on interviews and statements, and then it doesn’t lead to anything.
      “I had this one last season, monkey emojis and stuff.
      “Before I didn’t really open my messages, but one day I managed to see it, and reported it.”
      After posting a photo of him training, a man — using an account name of mhmd.awada — also wrote: “How can you f live with dirty black skin?”, plus other vile racist slurs.
      He followed this up with several monkey emojis and vomiting faces.
      Reece reported the abuse to Instagram and alerted support staff at Chelsea.
      Chain of racist abuse
      The club acted decisively, and in an unprecedented move, then owner Roman Abramovich wrote to every player telling them he was “appalled” at the abuse suffered by their talented right-back.
      The billionaire tycoon pledged to provide additional funding for the club’s anti-racism efforts.
      As a result, the Met Police’s ­specialist football unit began investigating and located the account.
      They have since been liaising with cops in the Middle East.
      Last night a source said: “There’s been a lot of conversation between police from both regions — everyone has been taking this case seriously.
      “It’s vital players feel supported and listened to, and know that all efforts are being made to clamp down on racism within the game.
      “Of course, there are fears that this account — and others like it — are linked to a racist group in Qatar, a country which has been found to have a poor track record for racist abuse against non-nationals.
      “We’ve already seen England players being horrifically racially abused after the Euro 2020 final — the last thing anyone needs is a repeat.”
      I think everyone has an equal right to play, no matter your sex, skin colour, or anything like that.Reece James
      Last September the Met confirmed it had recruited a specialist officer to focus on hate crime in football.
      In April of last year the world of football came together to initiate a boycott of social media in a protest against online racism.
      Reece — who still hopes to make it to the World Cup despite being on crutches as a result of a knee injury — believes education, or a lack of it, is the root cause of racism.
      At the Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey, he said: “I think everyone has an equal right to play, no matter your sex, skin colour, or anything like that.”
      He waded in on the decision to award the World Cup to Qatar — a country renowned for human rights abuses and strict anti-gay laws.
      Reece said: “I think most of the countries I know that are participating are trying to stand up for human rights there, and help people that can’t be themselves. I think everyone is working together to raise awareness and trying to show people that they can be who they are.”
      This month it was announced that England captain Harry Kane plans to wear a “OneLove” rainbow armband during the tournament in support of the LGBT community.
      Two years ago, the United Nations raised “serious concerns of structural racial discrimination against non- nationals” in Qatar.
      ‘Mysterious account’
      The report revealed that low-wage workers suffered severe discrimination and exploitation — almost ten years after global football’s governing body Fifa controversially awarded the World Cup to the Arab nation.
      The report claimed there was a “de facto caste system based on national origin,” in Qatar.
      It suggested that “European, North American, Australian and Arab nationalities systematically enjoy greater human rights protections than South Asian and sub-Saharan African nationalities”.
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      Reece, whose sister is England Lioness and Chelsea player Lauren, believes the time is right for a top-flight player to come out as gay.
      He added: “I don’t see why it hasn’t happened yet, In the women’s game it’s quite open and there’s a lot of relationships.”
      Reece, pictured with Marcus Rashford, said: ‘It’s always the way (that trolls hide behind the keyboard); whenever I see it I report it’Credit: AP
      Reece added: ‘It’s one of those things that is hard to control. Most of the time they are fake accounts’Credit: Simon Jones More

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      Man Utd ratings: Marcus Rashford continues World Cup charge but Anthony Elanga risk falling down Ten Hag’s pecking order

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      MARCUS RASHFORD continued to put himself in strong contention for Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad after netting Manchester United’s winner against West Ham.The 24-year-old came into the game against the Hammers with a goal against Sheriff in the Europa League on Thursday.
      Rashford scored the winnerCredit: Getty
      It was the winger’s second goal this weekCredit: Getty
      And he got his second in a week with a thumping header at the back post, meeting Christian Eriksen’s inch-perfect cross.
      The winger now has seven goals and three assists across all competitions this term, putting himself in good contention for the England squad next month.
      He was a good supporting star for Cristiano Ronaldo, who started up front.
      Anthony Elanga, meanwhile, was handed a rare start but struggled to get into the game.
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      The young winger often found himself pinned back by Hammers left-back Aaron Cresswell and with Alejandro Garnacho impressing, and Anthony Martial as well as Jadon Sancho to return, he could find himself falling down the pecking order..
      The win lifts United above top-four rivals Chelsea and moves them one point behind fourth-place Newcastle.
      United were at times careless in possession, but they got the job done after facing very little threat from the travelling side.
      Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Mbu rates the Red Devils.
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      David de Gea – 8
      Had nothing to do in the first half with West Ham posing very little goal threat.
      Pulled off two wonderful saves with ten minutes to go to maintain United’s lead.
      Denied a long range Declan Rice effort right at the death.
      Diogo Dalot – 6
      Put in a dangerous cross in the first half, nearly finding compatriot Ronaldo, but Rashford took the ball off the 37-year-old’s feet.
      Harry Maguire – 7
      Assured at the back. Strong in the air. Solid performance alongside Martinez.
      Denied Jarrod Bowen with a fine block late on.
      Lisandro Martinez – 6
      Found Elanga in behind with a quarterback pass early on.
      Luke Shaw – 6
      A good full-back performance. Overlapped Rashford well.
      Casemiro – 6
      Swept up well in the middle of the park. But struggled when faced with Said Benrahma.
      Christian Eriksen – 7
      Provided the assist for the opener, whipping a devilish ball to the back post for Rashford.
      Bruno Fernandes – 6
      Linked up play well and managed to find good pockets of space.
      Anthony Elanga – 5
      Quiet afternoon for the youngster. Struggled to get into the game.
      Subbed early on in the second half.
      Marcus Rashford – 8
      Saw a shot deflect over in the 15th minute after intercepting Dawson’s pass to Kehrer.
      Opened the scoring in the first half with a thumping header at the back post.
      Cristiano Ronaldo – 6
      Dropped deep in the early stages to get on the ball. Had a shot from range but it didn’t trouble Fabianski.
      Read More on The Sun
      Subs
      Scott McTominay (for Elanga, 60) – 5
      Didn’t have much to do when coming on. Was brought on to help United in the midfield.
      Fred (for Eriksen, 78) – 6
      Had a header cannon off the post. More

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      Gay former England footballer planning to come out blasts Qatar for being World Cup host

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      A GAY former England footballer planning to come out has blasted the decision to let Qatar host the World Cup.The ex-Premier League ace is considering openly discussing his sexuality on TV.
      As well as anti-homosexuality laws, Qatar has also been blasted over the deaths of migrant workers building football stadiumsCredit: Reuters
      And he believes the Gulf state’s anti-homosexuality laws should have prevented Fifa from staging the tournament there.
      A source said: “He thinks it was wrong to decide the tournament should be played in Qatar when they criminalise gay sexual relationships.
      “Obviously England will be taking part but he doesn’t blame them.
      He’s heartened to see the current squad of players will support the LGBTQ movement and captain Harry Kane will wear the OneLove rainbow armband.
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      “He’s hoping there will be many acts of protest against Qatar’s stance on homosexuality.”
      The decision to host the showpiece, kicking off next month, in the strict Muslim country has sparked fury from LGBTQ campaigners over its appalling human rights record.
      Qatar has also been blasted over the deaths of migrant workers building football stadiums.
      Earlier this month, Gary Lineker said he knew of two gay Premier League footballers and commented it would send a strong message to Qatar if they came out during the tournament.
      Most read in The Sun
      The ex-England striker turned TV presenter added: “I know for a fact that some have been very close and contemplated it.”
      Last week, campaigner Peter Tatchell, 70, said he was “arrested and detained on the kerbside” while staging a protest in Qatar’s capital Doha, although the state’s government denied it.
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      Desperate Chelsea star Reece James refusing to give up on World Cup dream as he prays Southgate gambles on crocked stars

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      REECE JAMES is refusing to give up on his World Cup dream and will try everything to make the winter tournament.The England and Chelsea right-back is sidelined with a knee injury and still in a brace and on crutches.
      James hasn’t given up on his World Cup dreamCredit: Simon Jones
      The Chelsea and England defender picked up a knee injury in the game against AC MilanCredit: Simon Jones
      James could miss the World Cup with a knee injuryCredit: Simon Jones
      James, 22, knows he is chasing a miracle to deliver a quicker-than-expected return as he hobbles around the Blues’ Cobham training ground.
      But he will keep fighting until November 10, the day Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is set to name his 26-man squad for Qatar.
      The defender, who suffered the injury against AC Milan in the Champions League on October 11, said: “I need to keep working hard over the next few weeks and see where I am on call-up day.
      “I will try and not rule myself out. It is still slow and in the early stages.
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      “I have been in rehab for two weeks, so I am still taking it day-by-day.
      “The Chelsea medical staff have not given me a percentage of my chance of being back for the World Cup.
      “It is down to how I feel closer to the time and how stable it is.”
      Blues boss Graham Potter fears the injury will take eight weeks to heal which would see James miss the World Cup.
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      The Three Lions defender added: “It is going to be very tough.
      “It is an injury which could take a long time and it came at an awkward period but I am trying my best and hopefully it is possible and if it is not, I know I tried everything.”
      Reece to start to run
      James hopes to start running again – starting off in a swimming pool – in the next few days.
      The Stamford Bridge star said: “I am trying to be positive. I am not not sure how long this injury will take.
      “I am not in pain. But if I try to speed it up, it might be a bit of a risk. I am trying hard every day to improve and make it right and get fit as soon as possible.
      “You are more gutted in the early stages of the injury and then you have to get your head around it.
      “I don’t know when I will be able to run again. I ask that question every day but the medical team do not give many answers.
      “You don’t go from walking to running. That is a difficult thing about injuries — you have to do it in stages, so I have to start running in the pool first.
      “Hopefully, this will be in the coming days.
      “Each day, I come in and get assessed and then I go on electric machines and receive therapy.
      “I go to the gym and the pool. After that, more treatment.”
      James hopes to start running in a swimming pool in the next few daysCredit: Simon Jones
      Injury worse than initially feared
      James was absolutely flying before the incident in the Champions League Group E clash.
      He was playing well for Chelsea and in the final internationals before the World Cup, he picked up senior caps No 14 and No 15 against Italy and Germany in the Nations League.
      James appeared certain to start at right wing-back against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium next month.
      He then suffered the injury in the second half of Chelsea’s 2-0 win in Milan and despite being taken off, he initially felt fine.
      While most of his team-mates stayed in Italy for a day off, James then returned to England for treatment.
      He said: “It was just one challenge.
      “The ball was mid-air, I tried to stud it down but my foot got caught and I got barged to the side and my leg went out.
      “I felt like I could have carried on but we were 2-0 up and they were down to ten men so I thought it was best to stop.
      “It felt fine. We did tests and it seemed like I tweaked it and only when I came back I realised it was not too good.
      “It was a big blow. Especially when you don’t think it is bad and then get told it is quite bad.”
      Immediately after picking up the knee injury, James spoke to England boss Southgate.
      The player added: “He asked me how I was, how bad it was but it was not in-depth.
      “I played in the England games and thought I played reasonably well.
      “So to then get injured before the World Cup is not what you want.”
      James with SunSport’s Charlie Wyett talking on his injuryCredit: Simon Jones
      Three Lions sweating
      James is one three England stars sweating over whether he’ll be on the plane for the World Cup.
      Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips also picked up injured, but are optimistic of being fit for Qatar.
      Walker, 32, has had hip surgery while 26-year-old Phillips — who has played just three games this season — could soon return from a shoulder problem.
      James said: “I have not spoken to Kalvin but I spoke to Kyle after his surgery. It is tough for all of us.
      “These things happen in football and hopefully the other players in the England squad will stay fit.”
      James is impressed by new Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who returns to his former club Brighton today on a nine-match unbeaten run.
      He said: “He has done well and the performances have been good.
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      “I have spoken to him a couple of times since the injury but he has not really known what to say.
      “He just tells me to keep working hard and to be back as soon as I can for club and country.”
      James all smiles with The Sun’s Clemmie MoodieCredit: Simon Jones
      James is still on crutches as he fights to be fit for the World CupCredit: Simon Jones More

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      Fifa deserves all the flak it gets over Qatar 2022 call but it’s too late now to address horrified activists’ complaints

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      IT was as inevitable as Erling Haaland scoring lots of goals that there would be demands for action against the World Cup in Qatar.Don’t say Fifa bosses didn’t ask for it, because they did.
      No less than 650 men are believed to have died constructing stadiumsCredit: AFP
      Horrified activists began campaigns for change after it was announced Qatar would host the World CupCredit: Reuters
      The moment the highly questionable executive committee voted for Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, horrified activists began campaigns for change.
      There was plenty to campaign about, too. Russian sport is riddled with drugs crime and Vladimir Putin’s policies are accelerating towards tyranny.
      After questions about where exactly Qatar is, it also became clear oil money was its lifeblood and that its rulers cared as much about stadium workers’ welfare as women’s rights. So, not much at all.
      No less than 650 men are believed to have died constructing stadiums.
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      And although worldwide protests have helped improve pay and conditions, we still have the feeling foreign brickies in the Arab state were ranked just above slaves.
      With the World Cup three weeks away, it is probably too late to do much about the latest challenges — but it is surely right to air them.
      Such is the anger at Putin’s war on Ukraine, that a side issue concerning Iran’s sale of bomb-charged drones to Russia has angered protesters to the point of demanding the replacement of the Islamic republic’s team with Ukraine.
      For all sorts of reasons, this isn’t going to happen.
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      Much as many people may see it as justice, it would be an open goal to barring many countries from numerous international competitions.
      The idea of a World Cup of the Innocents might be fun for those nations without fault, although my guess is such total purity does not exist anywhere or in anyone.
      Iceland might edge in on the basis of lowest crime rate, although not judging by the number of wicked whodunits on TV recently.
      An Iceland v Tonga final may not be a big attraction…
      Sadly, Ukraine will have to concentrate on matters closer to home.
      I have more sympathy with the bid to oust Iran, through the shocking treatment of protesters who refuse to accept their government’s refusal to do anything about the brutal murder, in police custody, of Mahsa Amini for taking off her hijab.
      Many since — including women and children — have been killed demanding women’s rights.
      Again, barring the Iran team would be widely applauded. But I am far from sure that it would further those demands.
      There is a scant record of boycott success in sport.
      Olympic boycotts haven’t worked and, realistically, the only one that did was against apartheid, which was started by England’s cancellation of the 1968-69 cricket Test series against South Africa.
      One promise we can make is that boycott campaigns will continue to flourish.
      Protesters have found it hard to impress themselves on football but I fear it won’t be too long before the green movement, for one, concentrates on the biggest sport there is.
      We should be careful how we treat people who want change for the better.
      Improving human rights has to be one of those.
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      Racism and undervaluing women are the most blatant and, I’m afraid, many politicians are slow in acting to improve these.
      Football is huge across the world and has the muscle to boot their reluctance over the grandstand.
      The decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has always been deemed controversialCredit: AFP
      A worker walking at the Caravan City, an ongoing project to host fans during the Qatar 2022 Fifa World CupCredit: AFP More

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      Tunisia could be KICKED OUT of 2022 World Cup in Qatar if their government interferes in footballing matters, warn Fifa

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      TUNISIA could be EXCLUDED from next month’s World Cup if their government interferes in footballing matters, FIFA have revealed.The member federations within Fifa are required to be free from legal and political interference.
      Tunisia could yet be banned from the World Cup just weeks before the tournamentCredit: Getty
      But, according to BBC Sport, football’s world governing body have become concerned by comments from Tunisia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Kamel Deguiche, who has spoken about the idea of “dissolving federal bureaux”.
      And a letter from Kenny Jean-Marie, Fifa’s director of member associations, to FTF general secretary Wajdi Aouadi, clarified the possible repercussions for Tunisia.
      It read: “Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the Fifa laws, including suspension of the relevant association.”
      It adds that all members of Fifa are “legally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties”, with Jean-Marie also calling for an explanation regarding Aouardi’s recent comments.
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      A deadline of Friday has been set for Tunisia to respond.
      The African side are due to kick off their World Cup campaign against Denmark on November 22.
      They have also been drawn alongside Australia and reigning world champions France in Group D.
      Fifa’s stance on government interference has already been brought to the attention of member federations in recent times through the suspension of Kenya and Zimbabwe.
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      India were also banned in August due to “undue influence from third parties”, although their suspension was lifted just weeks later.
      The World Cup gets underway on November 20 when Qatar take on Ecuador.
      Tunisia have never progressed beyond the group stage of the competition – which they have qualified for six times.
      Their last appearance came in 2018 when they lost to England and Belgium, before beating Panama. More