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Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating has described her breakthrough 2023-24 season to date as “surreal” as the 19-year-old prepares for Sunday’s historic derby at Old Trafford. Having previously made only a handful of first-team appearances for City and had loan spells with AFC Fylde and Coventry United, Keating has played every minute for Gareth Taylor’s side in the Women’s Super League so far this term and also received a maiden call-up to the senior England squad. She said: “I don’t think it was expected and I feel like just getting thrown in there was quite good. “It’s been so surreal, I didn’t expect to come in and play so many games, especially against teams like Chelsea and Arsenal. “You learn something new from every game and gain more experience the more you play, so it’s been good to get out there and get some minutes. The more you play the more confident you get.” On her England experience, during which she was an unused substitute for a Nations League double-header against Belgium, she said: “It’s anyone’s dream if you’re from England to make it to the seniors. “I feel like it was just, again, so surreal, but the girls were lovely. Training standards were so high and it was a great experience to just be around (that).” I don't think it was expected and I feel like just getting thrown in there was quite good Khiara Keating It has not all been highs for Keating, who was among the WSL player of the month nominees for October after keeping three clean sheets – in City’s 2-1 loss at Arsenal on November 5, having saved a penalty, she saw a late mistake punished as Stina Blackstenius netted the hosts’ winner. Regarding that game, she said: “I think it’s just things to take away. It was a mistake (and) in that moment I felt like the world was going to end! “It’s one of those things, it’s football and it happens. The support from the girls, Gareth and the coaching staff around me was unreal, to bounce back and make sure I was ready for the next game. “Everyone learns from their mistakes, and there’s things like ‘do I come out or do I stay’ since that I’ve reflected on. Next time the decision hopefully is better.” Next on the agenda for City, beaten 1-0 at home by Brighton last weekend, is a landmark clash with Manchester United – the club Ardwick-born Keating was with from the age of six to 11 before moving on to City. It will be the first WSL Manchester derby to be played at Old Trafford, and she said: “When you’re from Manchester and you know the history behind it, when you’re home-grown – it’s that little bit (more) special. I can’t wait and just hope we deliver on the day.” It has been quite a journey from her United days as a child to facing them on Sunday for Keating, who added: “I don’t think when I was a kid I ever expected to get as far as I did, but I think I had the right people around me and the right coaches and friends. “I’m here where I am now and I’m so grateful to be in the position I am and I think the only way is up now.” At a time when diversity in the women’s game continues to be a considerable talking point, England’s October camp saw Keating express her happiness to have the opportunity to inspire people and be a role model. And she said ahead of Sunday’s match: “It’s always an honour, and always at the back of your mind, that you’re inspiring anyone. “I feel like the position where we (her and her City team-mates) are, we can inspire so many kids, and coming from an ethnic minority background – it just gives them the extra push to believe they can do it too. “When I’m playing, I don’t really think (about it) but I feel like it’s just a bonus that I’m the first (goalkeeper from an ethnic minority background to play for City Women) and it shows what we’re doing as a club, that it is so diverse, and everyone gets a chance, no matter where you come from.” Read More Injury rules Andy Murray out of Great Britain team for Davis Cup finals Matt Wallace shoots stunning third-round 60 to lead DP World Tour Championship Pat Cummins urges Australia to ’embrace’ World Cup final pressure against India Liverpool fly Luis Diaz’s parents to UK for Christmas with son after kidnapping On this day in 2013 – Elena Baltacha announces retirement from tennis England display against Malta ‘not a worry’ ahead of Euros, Gareth Southgate insists

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Anti-discrimination body Kick It Out received a record number of reports of discriminatory behaviour during the 2022-23 season. Figures released by the organisation show that 1,007 reports – an increase of 65.1 per cent over the previous season – were made during the campaign from the grassroots and professional games and across social media. Reports of online abuse rose by 279 per cent with the organisation receiving 207 more reports related to online forums and social media than in the previous 12 months. The significant leap in reports highlights that discrimination is still a serious issue within the game. Kick It Out Racism was the most common form of discrimination, accounting for just under half (49.3 per cent) of all reports, while reports related to sexism and misogyny represented the largest rise in a specific discrimination type. Figures show a 400 per cent increase in reports of sexism and misogyny, up from 16 to 80. Faith-based discrimination fell slightly due to a 29.5 per cent drop in the number of reports received of an antisemitic nature, but Islamophobia (300 per cent) and sectarian chanting in the professional game (15.8 per cent) were both up. Discrimination reports in the professional game rose by 27.4 per cent to 484, which represents those received from the Premier League, English Football League and National League, domestic cups, European and international competition, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship. A statement from Kick It Out referred to the rise in reports as a “significant leap” that “highlights that discrimination is still a serious issue within the game”. However, it added: “The record figures could also be attributed to an increased awareness of reporting procedures and fans becoming less tolerant of discriminatory behaviour.” Racism continued to account for more than half of grassroots reports (50.8 per cent) and 43.4 per cent of overall grassroots incidents received were from under-18s or younger age-group games. “Research conducted by Kick It Out suggests these numbers are the tip of the iceberg with many incidents still not reported,” the statement added. Social media abuse comprised a much larger proportion of overall reports compared to previous years, making up 28 per cent of all reports received, up from 12.1 per cent last year. Kick It Out chief executive Tony Burnett said: “The significant increase in reports across the game is alarming and strengthens our resolve to tackle discrimination in all areas of football. “Behind each of these statistics is somebody who has sadly experienced discrimination, and supporting the victims of abuse remains Kick It Out’s utmost priority. “While we continue to work tirelessly to Kick It Out, we call upon fans, clubs, leagues and governing bodies to help us with this cause, and we are encouraged that the number of reports per incident continues to increase, suggesting that people are becoming less tolerant of discriminatory behaviour and more likely to report abuse when they see it. “Our figures provide a snapshot of what is happening across the game, but we still don’t know the full picture because clubs, leagues and governing bodies aren’t currently mandated to share their reporting data. “This underscores why football urgently needs a centralised reporting mechanism to collate and monitor reports. Only once that happens can we understand the full extent of the problem within football and tackle it with the full force of the sport.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Novak Djokovic on Wimbledon challengers: They want to win but it ain’t happening Wimbledon day nine: Iga Swiatek sent home but Novak Djokovic marches on Will Young hits century on Nottinghamshire debut to frustrate leaders Surrey

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