28 h. ago Parents: share your experiences of behaving badly during kids’ football matches

We would like to hear from parents who sometimes get too involved when their children play footballKids’ football can be emotional. Some parents shout at their own children, others swear at officials, and a few even get into fights. We’d like to hear from parents about the times they’ve become too involved in their kids’ football matches.What has your experience been like and how did your children react? Have you noticed other parents’ behaviour on the pitch? Continue reading...

Sport

33 h. ago Fan, 52, killed himself from 'embarrassment' after police launch football match probe

Andrew Paul Hewitt dead at his family home the day after he attended a Chester FC away fixture at Warrington Town

Events

36 h. 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

36 h. ago Liverpool forced to delay title party as best and worst of careless Arsenal on show

ARSENAL 2-2 CRYSTAL PALACE: Mikel Arteta's side did just enough to ensure the Premier League title race is not officially over quite yet - but Liverpool's coronation looks imminent

Society

42 h. ago Bompastor warns ‘nothing done yet’ after Chelsea shatter Crystal Palace

Chelsea put their Champions League defeat against Barcelona behind them with a dominant 4-0 victory against a 10-player Crystal Palace. Guro Reiten opened from the spot before Catarina Macario scored a brace. Mia Fishel rounded off the night to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Women’s Super League.Sonia Bompastor praised her side’s performance to gain a “crucial result” but warned that “nothing is done yet” in terms of the league title. “We are in a good position but nine more points need to be played and it’s enough for Arsenal to come back,” the Chelsea manager said. “Everything is possible. I will only relax when it is mathematically done.” Continue reading...

Events

43 h. ago Palace’s Mateta punishes Arsenal muddle to leave Liverpool one point from title

Liverpool’s coronation as Premier League champions will have to wait a few more days, although it’s now only a matter of when, not if. In a match that could have represented a microcosm of their domestic season, Arsenal appeared to be heading towards a narrow victory over a dogged Crystal Palace side after Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard cancelled out Eberechi Eze’s brilliant volley. But an uncharacteristic mistake from William Saliba allowed the substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta to equalise and earn a deserved point for Palace, who will now head to Wembley for their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Saturday full of confidence.Liverpool’s players had gathered to watch events unfold in north London knowing that a defeat would seal a record-equalling 20th league title with five games still to play. They now have a 12-point lead with a vastly superior goal difference, with a draw against Tottenham on Sunday all that is required to make it official. At least Arsenal – who look d...

Politics

43 h. ago Arsenal blow Crystal Palace lead to leave Liverpool on brink of title

ARSENAL 2-2 CRYSTAL PALACE: Defeat for Arsenal against Crystal Palace would have seen Liverpool crowned Premier League champions but the league leaders have to wait

Politics

43 h. ago Macario’s double breaks Crystal Palace to put Chelsea on cusp of WSL title

Chelsea put their Champions League defeat against Barcelona behind them with a 4-0 victory against a 10-player Crystal Palace. Guro Reiten opened from the spot before Catarina Macario scored a brace. Mia Fishel rounded off the night to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Women’s Super League.Chelsea were always clear favourites coming into this game. The fortunes of the two sides could not have been more different – the hosts were unbeaten in the league and had scored over three times more goals than their opponents; Palace, meanwhile, were rooted to the bottom, fighting for survival. Continue reading...

Politics

43 h. ago Football fan dad killed himself over 'embarrassment' after alleged racist incident

Andrew Hewitt's bother Alan said the dad-of-one's behaviour was 'completely out of character' and he'd 'got caught up in the moment', at a football match

Events

46 h. ago Football fan, 52, hanged himself after being shamed for racist gesture towards black player at match

Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was filmed making the gesture towards Warrington Town player Bohan Dixon after he celebrated his team's opening goal against Chester FC.

Sport

67 h. ago Man City boost Champions League hopes with dramatic late Aston Villa win

MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 ASTON VILLA: Bernardo Silva's early goal was cancelled out by a Marcus Rashford penalty before Matheus Nunes scored a brutal late winner at the Etihad Stadium

Sport

67 h. ago Marcus Rashford moment involving Man City star epitomises Aston Villa revival

MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 ASTON VILLA: Marcus Rashford - who scored a first-half goal - sprinted 50 yards back towards his own goal, to dispossess Omar Marmoush, who was surging towards the Villa goal

Politics

67 h. ago Serie A matches and Italy’s Women’s Six Nations game move due to pope’s funeral

Serie A leaders Inter will now host Roma on SundayItaly v Wales in Women’s Six Nations to be rescheduledSerie A has postponed Saturday’s three fixtures due to Pope Francis’ funeral being held that day in Rome. Meanwhile, Italy’s Women’s Six Nations match against Wales is also set to be rescheduled as the country prepares to pay its respects.Earlier media reports in Italy had suggested that Serie A might make an exception for Inter’s clash with visitors Roma to allow Simone Inzaghi’s side additional rest time before their midweek Champions League semi-final at Barcelona. However, the league has confirmed that the game at San Siro will now kick off at 2pm (all times BST) on Sunday. Continue reading...

Culture

3 d. ago Football matches in Italy are POSTPONED due to Pope Francis' funeral

'At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,' Cardinal Kevin Farrell said.

Politics

3 d. ago Gunmen shoot dead Brit, 30, in Costa Del Sol after waiting for football match to end

The victim, 30, said to be from the North West, died after he left a tennis club in Calahonda

Events

3 d. ago Dundee United vs Celtic Referee and VAR: Match officials confirmed as Hoops close in on 55th Scottish title

Dundee United vs Celtic match officials are confirmed by the Scottish FA.

Politics

3 d. ago Ange Postecoglou left facing bleak reality as Nottingham Forest march past Spurs

TOTTENHAM 1-2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST: The noise around Ange Postecoglou's job is only likely to grow after another disappointing evening for the Australian and his side

Politics

3 d. ago Wood caps Forest’s blistering start at Tottenham to refuel European dream

There is no need to attempt to rewrite history by arguing that Tottenham Hotspur failed to see what they had in Nuno Espírito Santo. All that matters now is that this meticulous, softly spoken manager is the perfect fit for Nottingham Forest. They have provided Nuno with the perfect platform for his counterpunching tactics and, in what would surely be the story of the Premier League season, are ­closing in on Champions League football after cruising to victory over Ange Postecoglou’s limp and ­uninterested Spurs side.This was cool, clinical and resilient from Forest as they bounced back from two successive defeats by rising into third place with five games left. Nerves, it seems, are not for them. They struck early through Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood, who punished diffident defending, and then leant on their defensive prowess to claim the points. Spurs, stuck in 16th after falling to their 18th defeat in 33 games, were beaten inside 16 minutes, a header from Richarlison coming to...

Politics

3 d. ago Brownhill’s double sinks Sheffield United and earns promotion for Burnley

When Burnley last escaped the Championship for the promised land of the Premier League, they blew a hole in the wall under Vincent Kompany. Scott Parker decided it was more sensible to chisel their way out, inch by inch, completing their route to freedom with a tense victory over Sheffield United.Amid the change of owners, managers and styles, the captain Josh Brownhill has been a mainstay throughout and it was fitting his two goals completed the painstaking job. Parker’s promotion push has been the polar opposite to Kompany’s approach. The Belgian’s all-conquering side played fast, aggressive, attacking football, whereas the current style is based on discipline and defensive organisation. Burnley have conceded 15 goals in 44 games, a record anyone would be proud of and the foundation of their success. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago BREAKING Leeds and Burnley promoted to Premier League during Championship's manic Monday

Championships sides Leeds United and Burnley are both Premier League football clubs once more after a manic matchday on Easter Monday

Sport