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      Puma’s away kits for World Cup ‘leaked’ as fans brand them ‘speed dating T-shirts’ and say they’re ‘trying to go bust’

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      PUMA’S “leaked” World Cup away kits have been branded “speed dating T-shirts” in a brutal swipe at the controversial designs. And one fan reckons the sportswear giants are “trying to go out of business” with their latest shirts.
      Puma’s away kits were not well received on social media
      Fans mocked up player names on the front of the boring designsCredit: Twitter @DagnallJames
      Credit: Twitter @DagnallJames
      Images of the reported second-choice strips for countries at Qatar 2022 did the rounds on social media.
      The basic designs are mainly plain white tops featuring the Puma name and logo top and centre.
      And below that is a garish national team emblem featuring the badge and then a strange shape design, some of which incorporate the national flag.
      Countries whose kits are made by Puma for the upcoming World Cup include Ghana, Senegal, Switzerland, Serbia and Morocco.
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      However, there are also designs for Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Israel and Ivory Coast – none of whom qualified for the tournament.
      And supporters on social media could not help but make jokes at Puma’s expense.
      James wrote: “They remind me of magnetic whiteboard labels.
      “Or they could be speed dating t-shirts.”
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      He then proceeded to write in the middle of the odd shapes the star names of players from each of the countries including “Sadio”, “Granit”, “Wilf” and “Mo” in a hilarious dig.
      Another replied: “I can’t imagine many wanting a second date.”
      They also added: “I think Puma might actively be trying to go out of business.”
      Another user said: “All the teams with Puma has their away kit with a f***ing white shirt and some random a** box in the middle.”
      A fourth commented: “These are sponsorless international shirts so Puma’s Teletubbies window is pointless and f***ing ridiculous. Can’t wait to do a World Cup kit review, Puma are getting rinsed.”
      And a final one joked: “Is there a way to suspend puma from the World Cup?”
      It is not the first time Puma have been criticised for their bizarre creations.
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      Last season, their range of third kits for clubs such as Manchester City, Marseille, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund was slammed as they replaced the club crests with names in a major blunder.
      England’s Nike kit has not officially been released yet – although a leaked version did not go down well either.
      Last season’s away kits did also not go down well with supporters More

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      Chelsea ace Lauren James and Houston Dash star Ebony Salmon called up to Lionesses squad

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      LAUREN JAMES has been named in England’s squad before the Euros winners’ World Cup qualifying duels with Austria and Luxembourg. Ebony Salmon – who has been in clinical form for US club Houston Dash – is also included in the 23-strong group.
      Lauren James has been named in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad ahead of games against Austria and LuxembourgCredit: Getty
      Ebony Salmon has been included in the Lionesses senior squad following her efforts for England’s Under-23sCredit: Getty
      James, 20, – who is the sister of Blues and Three Lions full-back Reece – received her first senior international call-up ahead of an England camp in November 2020.
      The Kingsmeadow starlet netted a classy goal during Chelsea’s pre-season clash with Lyon this month, which the French side eventually won on penalties.
      The forward made five top-flight appearances for the WSL champs last term and is yet to make her senior Lionesses debut.
      England boss Wiegman, 52, said: “We have been following her since I came in and my former colleagues too.
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      “She didn’t play that much but she did play some. We know she’s a very talented player.
      “She also had a very good prep with Chelsea, playing minutes, and we wanted to give her a chance to show what she can do with the national team.
      Salmon, 21, who skippered England’s Under-23s to a 3-0 victory against the Netherlands in April, has one senior international cap.
      The forward made her debut as a second-half sub in a 6-0 friendly defeat of Northern Ireland last year.
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      The former Bristol City and Racing Louisville striker has been on fire for Houston Dash, netting eight goals in eight top-flight appearances this year.
      Wiegman added: She had her spot in the Under-23s. She moved to Houston Dash, she did so well there.
      “She’s just a real goalscorer, that’s what she has shown over the summer.
      “We really want to see where she’s at now. She’s done so well so we really want to give her a chance and show where she’s at with our team.”
      Katie Zelem makes her return to the England squad along with Arsenal star Jordan Nobbs who is now fit following a knee injury.
      Manchester City keeper Sandy MacIver also returns with Hannah Hampton absent due to some personal issues.
      But Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby both miss England’s September clashes with Austria and Luxembourg due to injury.
      Wiegman said: “Chloe’s (injury) is just a small thing but it’s too early to bring her in and let her play.
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      “She needs a little bit more time but it’s not too bad. Fran has a foot injury.
      “I think she’ll be alright but she hasn’t had that much training at all so she needs a little bit more time.”
      Jordan Nobbs will be part of England’s camp after battling her way back to fitnessCredit: GettyEngland Squad for World Cup qualifiers in September

      Goalkeepers:
      Mary Earps (Manchester United), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City)
      Defenders:
      Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal) Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City) Demi Stokes (Manchester City).
      Midfielders:
      Ella Toone (Manchester United) Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal) Katie Zelem (Manchester United) Keira Walsh (Manchester City).
      Forwards:
      Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Beth England (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash), Lauren James (Chelsea), Nikita Parris (Manchester United). More

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      Brazil legend Romario ‘ends relationship with stunning model influencer girlfriend 25-years his junior’

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      BRAZIL legend Romario has reportedly ended his seven-month love affair with a pretty influencer 25 years his junior.The 56-year-old former footballer is said to have unfollowed 31-year-old blonde Marcelle Ceolin on Instagram and erased some of their happiest moments together from his social media.
      Romario has reportedly split from girlfriend MarcelleCredit: INSTAGRAM
      He won the World Cup with Brazil back in 1994Credit: Alamy
      Brazilian news website Extra says she has moved out of Romario’s home on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro and headed back to her native city of Bage.
      Both of them are yet to react to the claims their relationship is over.
      Brazilian media say it was retired soccer player-turned politician Romario who took the decision to end the romance.
      Marcelle fuelled rumours all was not well with her famous boyfriend with a recent Instagram post which said: “Calm seas never made a good sailor. I don’t want to be a good sailor. I want calm.”
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      Fifa confirm 2022 World Cup WILL start a day earlier to allow host nation Qatar to open tournament against Ecuador

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      FIFA have CONFIRMED the World Cup will start a day early.Hosts Qatar will kick off the tournament this winter with a Sunday evening slot to a global audience.
      The Al Bayt Stadium will host the opening game on Nov 20Credit: Getty
      Hosts Qatar will open the tournament against Ecuador
      The late switch was agreed by a Fifa committee on Thursday night.
      President Gianni Infantino and fellow leaders of the six continental governing bodies voted unanimously on the surprise change.
      Qatar will now make its World Cup debut against Ecuador on November 20 after an opening ceremony at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium.
      The competition was due to be starting with Senegal vs Holland on Monday November 21.
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      The second game belonged to England vs Iran.
      And hosts Qatar were then going to play later that day as the third game.
      But the World Cup hosts have played the opening game since 2006 and now will again in 2022.
      The winter tournament will see the Premier League take a break from November 12/13 until Boxing Day.
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      That gives players about a week to prepare for the start of the tournament.
      And they’ll have just a similar amount of time after the final to rest before the Premier league season resumes. More

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      Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against rivals Argentina set to be axed after refusing to play suspended clash next month

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      BRAZIL’S World Cup qualifier against rivals Argentina looks set to be scrapped as they are refusing to play the rearranged clash.The initial match between the two South American heavyweights last September was sensationally abandoned after just six minutes.
      Brazil and Argentina have been told to replay their World Cup qualifier next monthCredit: Alamy
      Lionel Messi and Neymar’s nations have both already qualified for Qatar 2022Credit: AFP
      Health officials stormed the pitch in Sao Paulo to remove four Argentine players accused of breaking Covid quarantine rules and falsifying documents to enter Brazil illegally.
      Even without the completed match, both countries safely qualified to secure their spots at Qatar 2022.
      However, they were fined by Fifa and have been ordered to replay it anyway this September, a year later than the original date.
      However, as reported by SI, Brazil are insisting they will not take to the field because it is too risky for them ahead of the World Cup which starts in November.
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      Fears over suspensions, injuries, an Argentina boycott and the inability to find another opponent for a second match mean the Selecao boss Tite would prefer to play two friendlies in Europe instead.
      Brazilian confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said: “We will reach out to Fifa so this match is not played.
      “I will make every effort to answer to the request of our coaching staff.
      “Our priority is to win the World Cup in Qatar.
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      “If that match is not recommended by the coaching staff of the Selecao, we will work for it not to be played.”
      Brazil and Argentina’s federations have taken the case to the Court for Arbitration of Sport, which is expected to rule later in August.
      The five-time champions, who last lifted the trophy in 2002, are in Group G with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
      Argentina, the 2014 runners-up still led by Lionel Messi, face Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia in Group C.
      The initial match was abandoned when health officials stormed the pitch last yearCredit: Getty
      Brazil boss Tite is worried about injuries or suspensions and would rather friendleis in EuropeCredit: AFP More

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      World Cup 2022 set to start day EARLY with Fifa ‘considering changing kick-off and making Qatar vs Ecuador first game’

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      WORLD CUP 2022 will start a day EARLY after Fifa agreed to let hosts Qatar kick off the tournament this winter.The World Cup hosts have played the opening game since 2006.
      The World Cup will be kicked off a day early by hosts QatarCredit: Getty
      Before that, it tended to be the defending champion who set the wheel in motion.
      But this year the competition was going to be started by Senegal vs Holland on Monday November 21.
      The second game belonged to England vs Iran.
      And hosts Qatar were then going to play later that day as the third game against Ecuador.
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      But Qatar chiefs wanted to be the first team in action.
      And the match against Ecuador will now be brought forward by a day to Sunday November 20.
      The game will kick off at 7pm UK time, and there will also be a formal opening ceremony beforehand.
      England vs Iran will continue to be in the second slot the next day at 1pm, with Senegal vs Holland becoming the third match in the evening. There will be no morning game.
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      The decision is still yet to be formally adopted and agreed to by the Bureau of the Council, which is comprised of the six confederation presidents plus head Gianni Infantino.
      However, it is just a procedure and the decision has indeed been made for Qatar to kick off the World Cup a day earlier than planned.
      The winter tournament will see the Premier League take a break from November 12/13 until Boxing Day.
      That gives players about a week to prepare for the start of the tournament.
      And they’ll have just a similar amount of time after the final to rest before the Prem season resumes. More

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      ‘They’ve done it again’ – Fans go wild for leaked Nigeria home kit with incredible design and green pattern

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      FANS are going wild after Nigeria’s new home kit was leaked online.Kit producers Nike have hit it out of the park with previous editions of the kit.
      Nigeria’s new home kit was leaked onlineCredit: footyheadlines
      The kit is set to be launched in late August or early SeptemberCredit: footyheadlines
      And once again it seems the new kit will be a massive hit.
      The first pictures have emerged online with Footy Headlines posting some images on their site.
      The pictures show a striking design which uses a number of symbols and multiple shades of green to create a collage effect on the kit.
      Dark green cuffs and white logos complete the kit’s look.
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      Fans and kit enthusiasts alike were clearly impressed with the new look.
      One user on Twitter declared: “They’ve done it again!!!”
      Another said: “Nigeria you’re gonna make my wallet mad.”
      A third user joined the chorus of praise for the kit, adding: “this is beautiful.”
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      Previous editions of the kit have seen hundreds stand in queues for it and consequently cause accidental roadblocks.
      However, Nigeria will not be competing at this year’s World Cup after losing out on a spot to Ghana who qualified via the away goals rule during the two nations’ playoff game. More

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      Wales want to tap into England’s Euro 2022 final triumph over Germany with their own record crowd next month

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      WALES aim to capitalise on England’s Euro 2022 success with a record crowd against Slovenia next month.The Football Association of Wales revealed there has been a surge in ticket sales since the Lionesses’ 2-1 final triumph over Germany at Wembley on Sunday.
      Wales hope to tap into England’s Euro 2022 glory at Wembley on Sunday following a rush in ticket sales.Credit: PA
      The Football Association of Wales is hoping for a bumper crowdCredit: Getty – Contributor
      And the attendance has already surpassed Wales’ current record of 5,455 – set against Estonia last October.
      But the FAW want to make more history and have set an ambitious 10,000 crowd target for the Cardiff City clash on September 6 as they bid to book a World Cup play-off spot.
      Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle is a team-mate of England stars Millie Bright and Fran Kirby.
      And the Wales captain said: “I’m so excited that the Red Wall are turning out in their numbers to support us, making history and more noise once again in this World Cup qualifying campaign.
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      “It means the world to us as players, we couldn’t do what we do without you.
      “The women’s game has had huge exposure with the recent Euros and we can’t wait to see the effect of that in the Cardiff City Stadium.
      “Hopefully it will be a huge night for Welsh football as we look to reach the play-offs for the first time, we are more motivated than ever.”
      Ingle and her Welsh team-mates are bidding to follow Gareth Bale and co by reaching a World Cup.
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      The Dragons hope to make history by booking a play-off spot for the first time.
      Wales face a trip to Greece on September 2 before they host Slovenia in Cardiff.
      And four points in the World Cup qualifiers would be enough to guarantee their place in the play-offs. More