Former Sheffield United and Everton defender Phil Jagielka announces retirement
Former England defender Phil Jagielka has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41. Jagielka has decided the bring the curtain down on his career after making over 800 appearances across 23 years. Jagielka started his career with Sheffield United and spent eight season with the Blades before moving to Everton in 2007. He would go on to spend 12 years at Goodison Park and became club captain in 2013, but returned to the Blades after being released by the Toffees in 2019. Jagielka spent two seasons back at Bramall Lane following the club’s promotion to the Premier League before spending six months at Derby, while he finished his career with Stoke. Jagielka won 40 caps for England between 2008 and 2016 and featured at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It's been an absolute honour to step onto the grass for every match Phil Jagielka Announcing his retirement on Instagram, Jagielka wrote: “All good things come to an end and after just over 800 appearances my playing career is done. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would get to play football at the highest level for some amazing clubs as well as my country. “It’s been an absolute honour to step onto the grass for every match and I have so many people to thank for that.” Read More 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
2023-11-28 21:53
WWE smashes its social media record with return of CM Punk
WWE crushed its social media record over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with the return of wrestler CM Punk at Survivor Series garnering more than 71 million views across all of the sports entertainment company’s platforms
2023-11-28 21:50
Welcome to Hell – Erik ten Hag confident Man Utd can handle Gala atmosphere
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 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 Chicago Bears end their losing run against Minnesota Vikings
2023-11-28 21:49
Maddy Cusack’s spirit was ‘allowed to be broken’ by football before tragic death
The family of Maddy Cusack say a “thorough external investigation” has been launched into the death of the Sheffield United midfielder after claiming her spirit “was allowed to be broken” by football. Cusack died at her home address in Derbyshire on September 20, aged 27. Derbyshire Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. On Monday night the Maddy Cusack Foundation, launched by the footballer’s family, shared a speech on Instagram and X attributed to Cusack’s mother, Deborah, originally spoken at a memorial service for the former Blades vice-captain in late October. It read: “The saddest and most utterly heartbreaking reason why I am having to stand here and speak to you today is because of football. “From February this year, the indomitable, irrepressible spirit, the spirit called Maddy, the spirit that I had so fearlessly protected was allowed to be broken. Taking her away from me.” The foundation’s post continued: “Those who knew Maddy well will be aware that she had no long-standing mental health issues or troubles. Not that there would be anything to be ashamed of if there were, but there were not. Those that didn’t know her need to know that. “Maddy was a happy-go-lucky, carefree girl with everything to live for and by last Christmas could be described as being at her happiest. This all changed gradually from February this year. “It is no secret, nor should it be, that Sheffield United Football Club have agreed at the request of Maddy’s family to carry out a thorough external investigation into the events that her family believe contributed significantly to her passing at the tender age of 27.” Sheffield United declined to comment when approached by the PA news agency. Prior to her death, Cusack had just started her sixth season with the Blades in the Women’s Championship and was the longest-serving player in their squad, with over 100 appearances, and also worked as a marketing executive for the club. The former England youth international signed a new contract extension with the Blades in July. Read More Sheffield United probe alleged racist incident during home loss to Bournemouth Brighton boss explains ‘big, big celebration’ and says no disrespect was meant Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola full of praise for two-goal Marcus Tavernier
2023-11-28 21:48
YouTuber AngryGinge apologises for joining 'poverty' chant at Manchester United match
YouTuber AngryGinge has apologised after joining a “poverty” chant while attending a Manchester United game. The content creator has become a popular figure online over recent times and regularly hosts live streams based around football and gaming. He’s now responded after being criticised for singing along to a song during Manchester United’s 3-0 win against Everton over the weekend at Goodison Park. AngryGinge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, was accused of “mocking poverty” after taking part in the ‘feed the scousers’ chant. Since the backlash, the streamer has posted a video apologising on Twitter/X, adding the caption: “Genuinely sorry for changing that chant. I didn’t think about what it meant, and as someone who comes from that background, I feel your anger and can only apologize. Genuinely am disappointed in myself and am very sorry.” He also said: “I’m so sorry I sang that chant. I just got caught up in the moment and didn’t even think what it actually meant,” he said. AngryGinge explained that he understood people's frustrations as he came from a background where food poverty was prevalent. “I’m so sorry I sang it, genuinely I’m so sorry if I’ve offended you. I myself have come from that background 100 per cent, I have come up on a council state, £1 microwave meals every f***ing night,” he explained. “I 100 per cent feel with you and sympathise with you. I’m so sorry I’ve said that. I genuinely meant nothing by it. I got caught up, I was singing the chants.” He went on to say: “I’m deeply deeply so sorry if I’ve offended. I’m so disappointed, to be honest. I’m just so apologetic, I understand your anger 100 per cent. It’s f***ing wrong, it is.” Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings
2023-11-28 20:54
Champions League prices are best in Germany and worst in Scotland, UEFA-backed fan group claims
When it comes to charging traveling fans for Champions League tickets, German clubs give the best value to away teams and Scottish clubs the worst
2023-11-28 20:26
Japanese golfer Ryo Hisatsune voted rookie of the year on the European tour
Ryo Hisatsune has been voted as the European tour’s top rookie this season after a memorable year that saw the 21-year-old Japanese player win the French Open and earn dual membership with the PGA Tour
2023-11-28 20:22
Hikaru hits out at grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik over cheating accusations
Star of the chess world Hikaru Nakamura has hit out at grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik after being accused of cheating. Grandmaster Nakamura recently responded to the cheating allegations against him by going on a crazy winning streak – after his initial good run caused others to speculate about the validity of his record. It comes after Nakamura dismissed “garbage” claims that he had cheated recently after going on a 15-game winning streak and blowing away opponents. Kramnik initially added fuel to the fire by appearing to have accused Nakamura of cheating in a cryptic post after referencing a number of “interesting” statistics behind his incredible form. Now, he’s deleted his initial post, leading to Nakamura slamming him for spreading the accusations. MORE DRAMA - Kramnik Unhinged www.youtube.com Posting a recent YouTube video, Nakamara said: “Someone doesn’t get to say these things without actual proof. They don’t get to falsely accuse people over and over again without having to pay a price. “It’s very disrespectful and to me, it shows that Kramnik simply has no respect for anybody at the end of the day. You don’t get to make false accusations when you are not an expert. You don’t get to make false accusations when you do not have data to back yourself up.” He went on to say: “I’m very proud of my record playing online, very proud of it, and I have nothing to hide.” Nakamura also hit out at Kramnik’s claims that he had set up bots to criticise him in comments sections online. “I would have to have an ego literally 100 times the size of my ego and it would have to be beyond chess to literally pay people, pay bots to come and post comments,” he said. “I think it’s very disrespectful of Kramnik.” Nakamura added: “For Kramnik to basically be insulting all of these mathematicians and statisticians who provided their name and used actual mathematical figures is very, very disrespectful and I think it shows that Kramnik has no respect for anybody at the end of the day. “It’s sad to see, but that’s really where I’m going to leave it for now because there’s just… I don’t see anything good coming from it.” Who knows where the biggest drama in the chess world will take us next… Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings
2023-11-28 19:46
Loaded field of CFP contenders for last 4-team playoff fuels championship weekend drama
The four-team College Football Playoff is going out with the most crowded field of contenders and the most consequential championship weekend in the 10-year history of the system
2023-11-28 19:29
Man United set for another fiery match against Galatasaray with Champions League hopes in peril
Manchester United’s first Champions League match against Galatasaray at the Turkish team’s Ali Sami Yen Stadium has gone down in lore because of the intimidating atmosphere created on and off the field in Istanbul in 1993
2023-11-28 19:29
Several surprises play their way into early season MVP discussion with the usual suspects
There are a few surprises who have played their way into the early season MVP conversations, joining the list usual list of NBA stars that includes Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid
2023-11-28 19:19
Week 12 backs up Justin Simmons' contention that NFL lacks clarity, consistency in rules enforcement
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons lamented a lack of consistency and clarity in the NFL's rules designed to keep players safe
2023-11-28 19:15