
IFAB keen to introduce sin bins for professional football after grassroots trial
Sin bins should be trialled at higher levels of football following their successful implementation in the grassroots game, the sport’s lawmaking body has agreed. Temporary dismissals of players for offences such as dissent and specific tactical fouls were backed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at its annual business meeting. IFAB board members also supported a proposed trial whereby only the team captain may approach the referee in certain major game situations. Tuesday’s meeting in London will shape the agenda for the organisation’s annual general meeting, which will be held on March 2 in Glasgow, where any proposed changes to the laws of the game will be considered for approval. Protocols and a system for trialling will now be developed. Board member Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the Football Association, said: “When we were looking at sin bins – protocol clearly has to be developed – the areas we were looking at were dissent, where it’s worked very, very well in the grassroots game in England. “We’ve also spoken about other areas, particularly tactical fouls. We're then looking at whether we should extend it into other areas, such as tactical fouls Mark Bullingham on the use of sin bins “I think frustration for fans watching games when they see a promising counter-attack that’s ruined by that and the question of whether a yellow card is sufficient for that has led to us looking at whether that should be involved in the protocol as well. “The starting point was looking at player behaviour and dissent – we’re then looking at whether we should extend it into other areas, such as tactical fouls, as well.” Sin bins were introduced across all levels of grassroots football from the 2019-20 season in an attempt to to improve levels of respect and fair play in the game. The rule change was implemented up to step five of the National League system and tier three and below in women’s football. Read More Top two tiers of women’s football poised to break away from Football Association Tom Daley back on British Swimming’s World Class Programme in Olympic boost ECB boss admits challenges remain for cricket after positive impact report Former Sheffield United and Everton defender Phil Jagielka announces retirement Bruno Fernandes excited for ‘amazing’ atmosphere at Galatasaray Man City unveil statue of club greats Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell and Francis Lee
1970-01-01 08:00

Harry Redknapp stars in bizarre government ad promoting 'deadline day'
Football legend Harry Redknapp is getting involved in a different type of 'deadline day' by becoming the star of a new government ad urging pensioners to apply for cash boost. The ad mimics a sports channel on one of the most important days in the footballing calendar, with Redknapp 'pulling up in his car' being hounded by reporters on why pension credit is a 'brilliant signing'. "It’s always an exciting time of the season – I would just say to anyone, check in with your mum, dad, nan, or grandad", he says of the 10 December deadline. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
1970-01-01 08:00

Bayern Munich extends goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's contract by a year after comeback from injury
Bayern Munich gave goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer a one-year contract extension Tuesday after his successful return from a broken leg
1970-01-01 08:00

Patrick Kane is signing with the Detroit Red Wings, an AP source says
Patrick Kane is signing with the Detroit Red Wings, a person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press
1970-01-01 08:00

Top two tiers of women’s football poised to break away from Football Association
The Women’s Super League (WSL) and Championship are preparing to break free from the Football Association after the top two tiers unanimously agreed to be governed by a new, independent body from next season. Former Nike and Citigroup executive Nikki Doucet has been appointed to lead the organisation, NewCo, effective immediately, and will oversee plans for all 24 clubs to move into the new governance structure ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Each club who participates in the WSL and Championship will act as shareholders under the NewCo model, which has long been in the works and is seen as an important step in growing what an independent review concluded this summer has potential to become a billion-pound domestic women’s football industry within 10 years. Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, said: “The women’s professional game is in the strongest place that it has ever been thanks to the hard work of everybody involved in its development so far, but we firmly believe that the NewCo will take it to another level entirely. “Each of our 24 clubs and the league itself wants the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship to be setting the standards for women’s football around the world, and this venture into a new governing body is the next step in us achieving that ambition. “This is a historical moment for the women’s professional game in this country, and it is a move that will see our clubs and players make even bigger strides both on and off the pitch.” Former England international Karen Carney led the independent review into the women’s game, commissioned by the government in 2022, concluding in July that “women’s football is a start-up business.” This is a historical moment for the women’s professional game in this country, and it is a move that will see our clubs and players make even bigger strides both on and off the pitch Baroness Sue Campbell “If you’re starting something you have to have an influx of money. In 10 years’ time I really do believe this sport could be a billion-pound industry,” she said. NewCo, a restructure of power similar to the Premier League’s 20-club governance model, is viewed by many as a critical next phase in the commercial growth of the English women’s game. A working group chaired by Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham, with Doucet serving as an independent consultant, led on developing the proposal for NewCo and involved 10 representatives from WSL and Championship clubs including Crystal Palace chair Steve Parish and Patrick Stewart, who earlier this month was appointed interim chief at Manchester United. Venkatesham added: “This is a pivotal moment in the history of the women’s professional game, as we look to work together to build the most distinctive, competitive and entertaining women’s football club competition in the world. “Setting up NewCo provides the opportunity to accelerate the sustainable growth of the women’s game and will not only support the development of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, but the entirety of the women’s football pyramid. “It has been a constructive and collective effort to get to this stage, and Nikki’s appointment encapsulates the ambition we have for NewCo. With her vision for women’s football, the future is incredibly bright.” Read More Tom Daley back on British Swimming’s World Class Programme in Olympic boost ECB boss admits challenges remain for cricket after positive impact report Former Sheffield United and Everton defender Phil Jagielka announces retirement Bruno Fernandes excited for ‘amazing’ atmosphere at Galatasaray Man City unveil statue of club greats Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell and Francis Lee Football rumours: Juventus eyeing swoop for Thomas Partey
1970-01-01 08:00

Germany and France advance to the Under-17 World Cup final. Argentina will play Mali for third place
Germany and France will meet in the Under-17 World Cup final on Saturday
1970-01-01 08:00

Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates advance to semifinal stage for Pro Football Hall of Fame
Three-time All-Pros Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates were chosen as semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024 in their first year of eligibility
1970-01-01 08:00

Erik Ten Hag outlines how ‘calm’ Manchester United can negotiate Istanbul atmosphere
Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to keep their heads in the intense atmosphere of Istanbul to prevent Galatasaray from knocking his side out of the Champions League. Defeat would mean United are eliminated before their last group game and Ten Hag, who should welcome back Rasmus Hojlund and Antony from injury, believes his team cannot afford to lose their cool. United have had two red cards already in the Champions League with Casemiro sent off in the 3-2 home defeat to Galatasaray and Marcus Rashford in the 4-3 loss to FC Copenhagen, meaning the Englishman is suspended for Wednesday’s game. United led in both matches before losing and Ten Hag does not want a repeat. He said: “You have to stay calm in your head and don’t get too emotional. Control your emotion, don’t give them anything - the referee as well, don’t give them a moment they can take - so you have to stay away from such moments.” Hojlund and Antony both missed Sunday’s 3-0 win over Everton but have trained and are in contention to return. “They are in the squad,” Ten Hag confirmed. However, United will be without a host of injured players, including Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans. Ten Hag said he had no fears about picking the 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo for such a high-pressure game after the midfielder excelled on his Premier League debut at Goodison Park. “We don’t have that,” he said. “If players are good enough, they are old enough.” Ten Hag believes United are a better team than they were when they lost to the Turkish champions in September. He added: “It will probably will be the same for Galatasaray but I think we have improved. It is good progress, you see we are stepping up. We are more stable and winning games so definitely there is progress from the first game.” United have lost their last three games in Turkey and have never won or scored in three away matches against Galatasaray. They exited the Champions League in 1993 with a 0-0 draw at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium but Ten Hag was unworried by their poor record. He said: “We have to make our game. We have to make our own history.” Read More Champions League: What do Newcastle, Man United and Arsenal need to reach last 16? Bruno Fernandes excited for ‘amazing’ atmosphere at Galatasaray Roy Keane derides ‘absolute rubbish’ from Erik ten Hag after Man United win
1970-01-01 08:00

Oakland is getting a new minor league team — the Oakland B's
Oakland is getting a new minor league baseball team, the Oakland B's
1970-01-01 08:00

What’s the Point of a “Wait for Green” Traffic Sign?
The meaning of the “wait for green” traffic sign is less redundant than it seems.
1970-01-01 08:00

Peter Vermes laments missed chances as Sporting Kansas City eliminated from MLS Cup
Sporting Kansas City boss Peter Vermes believes his team were unlucky to be eliminated by Houston Dynamo in MLS Cup playoffs.
1970-01-01 08:00

Erik ten Hag confident Man Utd can handle ‘Welcome to Hell’ hostility
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must keep calm and in control of their emotions if they are to emerge from their ‘Welcome to Hell’ experience at Galatasaray with their Champions League hopes alive. It is 30 years since the Red Devils’ first trip to the Istanbul giants, who progressed on away goals from that highly-charged encounter punctuated by hostility and intimidation. United have visited Galatasaray twice in the Champions League since then and are now preparing for a huge clash for both sides amid an ear-splitting backdrop at Rams Park on Wednesday. The Turkish champions are well placed to qualify having won the reverse fixture 3-2 and Ten Hag knows his side will be unable to reach the knockout phase if they lose the Group A encounter. “We know we can (win away in Europe) and we are confident,” Ten Hag said. “The last games away from home in the league were also very hostile environments. We played very well. We were very calm and composed. “This team also last year in Barcelona (in the Europa League did well), so we know how to deal with it and I’m sure it will be tomorrow a confident team on the pitch.” Asked if he will stress to his players to keep their heads and remain disciplined, Ten Hag said: “Absolutely. You have to stay calm in your head and don’t get too emotional. You need the emotions but you have to control it. “That you don’t give them anything, that you don’t give the referee as well at that moment that they’re going to take, so you have to stay away from such moments. “We know how to deal with it. You have to play confident and you have to make it your game, so it’s not that important how the opponent is playing. “It’s important how we are playing, how we are dealing with possession, how we are dealing with out of possession, so normal stuff. We will make a good plan but then, at the end of day, the players have to decide, they have to manage the game.” United have failed to so much as score in their three visits to Galatasaray, who have embraced the ‘Welcome to Hell’ phase made famous in their 1993 meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. There are few more hostile environments in European football and Ten Hag was asked by a Turkish journalist what his plans were “to get out of hell” on Wednesday. “We have to make it our game and it’s the history,” the Dutchman said. “Obviously Manchester United has a great history, but you can’t take any guarantee from it in the future, so we have to make our own future. It’s the past, so tomorrow, it’s about the future, so we have to make it our game. It’s on us.” The last games away from home in the league were also very hostile environments. We played very well. We were very calm and composed Erik ten Hag United head to Istanbul without a variety of first-team players, with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen among those injured. Jonny Evans, Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo are also sidelined, while Jadon Sancho remains banished from the squad and Donny van de Beek was not registered for the Champions League. Marcus Rashford serves a one-match ban for his sending off in the 4-3 loss at Copenhagen earlier this month, but striker Rasmus Hojlund and winger Antony are available. Ten Hag confirmed “they are in the squad” after missing Sunday’s 3-0 win at Everton through injury – a match in which Kobbie Mainoo shone on his first Premier League start. The highly-rated 18-year-old put in an eye-catching display at Goodison Park and Ten Hag would have no hesitation throwing him in again. “No, we don’t have fear (of starting Mainoo again),” Ten Hag said. “If players are good enough, then they are old enough.” Read More ECB boss admits challenges remain for cricket after positive impact report Former Sheffield United and Everton defender Phil Jagielka announces retirement Bruno Fernandes excited for ‘amazing’ atmosphere at Galatasaray Man City unveil statue of club greats Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell and Francis Lee Football rumours: Juventus eyeing swoop for Thomas Partey On this day in 2015: Jamie Vardy scores in 11th game in a row
1970-01-01 08:00