4 d. ago ‘One father threatened to stab the referee’: why does kids’ football bring out the worst in parents?

When they’re not shouting at their own children, many of Britain’s soccer dads like nothing more than swearing at the officials, or even trading blows on the touchline. Isn’t this supposed to be fun? A chilly Saturday morning on the Astroturf pitches at Coram’s Fields in central London and several youth football matches are under way. I’m watching an under-11s game. The sound is the thud of boot on ball, the shrill interruption of the referee’s whistle, and a whole lot of shouting. From the players (“Mine!”, “Here!”, “Pass!”, “Ref!”, etc). From the two coaches (“Press!”, “Stay wide!”, “Push up!”, “Ref!”, etc). And from the touchline dads. There is one mum here today, but she’s less vocal.To varying degrees, the dads are part fan, part coach, part personal trainer to their progeny. There is one dad (there’s always one) who’s taking it a bit further, who’s a bit shoutier than the others. “Get rid of it!” he screams at the defence, meaning hoof it upfield, which is the opposite of the ...

Sport

6 d. ago Scottish football's 41 senior stadiums ranked from worst to best by our intrepid groundhopper HUGH MacDONALD... so, where did YOUR club's home end up on our list?

The instruction was simple. Rate all the grounds in the SPFL, they told me. The execution was slightly more difficult.

Society

9 d. ago Worst parts of England for football crowd trouble seen in grim map

Our interactive map shows details of the FA's disciplinary cases against clubs in England for "failing to ensure spectators conduct themselves in an orderly fashion"

Events

1 week ago Woman ‘sexually abused by Jesse Lingard’s grandad’ accused star of hiding 'dark secret'

Kenneth Lingard, the grandfather of ex-Manchester United star Jesse, is on trial for a string of child sex offences relating to one woman who claims she was repeatedly abused for more than 10 years

Events

1 week ago Jesse Lingard accused of hiding 'dark secret' as grandad faces child sex offences

Kenneth Lingard, the grandfather of ex-Manchester United star Jesse, is on trial for a string of child sex offences relating to one woman who claims she was repeatedly abused for more than 10 years

Society

1 week ago Unfocused, disorganised Tottenham suffer worst possible preparation for Eintracht Frankfurt

Ange Postecoglou blamed ‘unusual’ errors but Wolves defeat suggested a wider failing with the team ahead of do-or-die Europa League clash

Politics

2 w. ago The Menendez brothers' dark family secret that still haunts me. As they stand on brink of freedom, one of their closest relatives speak out...

They are phone calls that punctuate Anamaria Baralt's day, and ones she's never too busy to pick up.

Society

2 w. ago Nemanja Matic brands Andre Onana 'one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history'

The former United midfielder, now at Lyon, brutally assessed the keeper

Politics

2 w. ago Premier League's worst five managers as Ivan Juric finally leaves Southampton

Southampton have axed Ivan Juric after their relegation from the Premier League with the Croatian winning just one game - but it is not the worst record in Premier League history

Politics

3 w. ago Controversial Democrat says 'conspiracy theory' long pushed by Trump is true

A top Democrat has FLIPPED on a long-running conspiracy theory pushed by Donald Trump and his closest allies. The left-wing politician now says the dark secret is real.

Politics

3 w. ago Mum who left dead baby in bin bag kept tragic secret from husband for 25 years

Joanne Sharkey, who has today avoided jail, hid her dark secret for a quarter of a century, with her own husband having had no idea that she'd killed the child he never even knew existed

Events

3 w. ago Footballers' worst phobias from David Beckham's slimy critters to Gazza's dark secret

James Moore reveals the strangest and most notorious fears of our favourite footballers over the years following Wayne Rooney's big fin fear revelation over the weekend

Politics

4 w. ago From the outside it looks like a quaint suburban family home but this Colonial

At first glance, this New Jersey colonial-style manor seems like the perfect suburban retreat, but lurking beneath its charming exterior hides a chilling secret.

Society

4 w. ago Teen girl's head 'kicked like a football' by gang in 'worst nightmare' footage

Police have arrested a 12-year-old after a teenager was attacked by others in a sickening filmed ambush and she was hospitalised for three days with serious injuries

Events