hacklink hack forum hacklink film izle hacklink marsbahisizmir escortsahabetpornJojobetcasibompadişahbetGorabetcasibom9018betgit casinojojobetmarsbahismatbetmatbet

News

Tag: Row

  • Megan Rapinoe defends Barbra Banda with soccer star embroiled in gender row after JK Rowling attack

    Megan Rapinoe defends Barbra Banda with soccer star embroiled in gender row after JK Rowling attack

    By OLIVER SALT

    Published: | Updated:

    Former United States women’s captain Megan Rapinoe has leapt to the defense of Barbra Banda amid fierce controversy surrounding the Zambia soccer player’s gender.

    Banda, 24, is the latest women’s sports star facing questions over her gender after she was crowned BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year over in the UK this week, a decision which sparked outrage given she was left out of Zambia’s Africa Cup of Nations squad in 2022 on ‘gender eligibility grounds’.

    It is believed team bosses became aware that the striker’s ‘testosterone levels’ were higher than those permitted by the Confederation of African Football, meaning she was excluded from her country’s squad at the major international tournament.

    However, after recently helping OIrlando Pride win the NWSL championship, and scoring four goals at the Paris Olympics with Zambia over the summer, the BBC named Banda as its top women’s soccer star for 2024 earlier this week.

    Her victory has been criticized by certain women’s rights groups and members of the soccer community after her exclusion from AFCON two years ago, yet Rapinoe has come out in support of the Orlando forward and congratulated her on winning the award.

    In a post on her Instagram story, the World Cup winner shared a photo of Banda with the NWSL trophy and wrote: ‘You’ve thrilled, entertained and inspired us, and the world, all year long. This is so deserved as is every bit of your success. You stand so much taller than the tiny people trying to tear you down. 

    Ex-USWNT captain Megan Rapinoe has defended a soccer star embroiled in gender controversy

    Ex-USWNT captain Megan Rapinoe has defended a soccer star embroiled in gender controversy

    Zambia and Orlando Pride women's striker Barbra Banda is facing questions over her gender

    Zambia and Orlando Pride women’s striker Barbra Banda is facing questions over her gender

    Rapinoe congratulated Banda on winning a women's soccer award despite the outrage it caused

    Rapinoe congratulated Banda on winning a women’s soccer award despite the outrage it caused

    ‘Proud as hell that you’re a womens footballer, pushing the games to new heights. We love you Babs’.

    Rapinoe also added: ‘and to all the hateful little people out there hate hate hatin, HOP TF OFF, yall are sad.’

    Banda’s award win has proved highly controversial, with author JK Rowling one of many to hit out at the BBC’s decision on social media.

    Rowling shared a post on X reporting that Banda had scooped the women’s soccer prize and wrote: ‘Presumably the BBC decided this was more time efficient than going door to door to spit directly in women’s faces.’

    The latest gender dispute comes after a turbulent summer involving women’s boxer Imane Khelif, who was accused of being a biological male while storming her way to a gold medal in the welterweight category at this summer’s Olympics.

    The controversy came after Khelif was disqualified from the World Championships in 2023 by the International Boxing Associations (IBA) after it was claimed that she failed a gender eligibility test. 

    However, the Algerian insisted she was a woman and her father even produced her birth certificate which said she was born female.

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) repeatedly defended her right to compete throughout the games, while the IBA’s test results and credibility were also called into question.

    Earlier this month, a report in French magazine Le Correspondant – which is yet to be confirmed as legitimate – alleged that Khelif has ‘male characteristics’ and XY chromosomes, something she has repeatedly denied.

    Appearing on Italian TV shortly after it was released, the Olympic champion attacked the journalist who leaked that unverified medical report and promised to take them to court.

    Source link

  • Health Secretary Neil Gray to make statement on football chauffeur row

    Health Secretary Neil Gray to make statement on football chauffeur row

    PA Media Neil Gray sitting listening in the Holyrood chamber. He is flanked by two female MSPs and is holding a pen to his lips while he listens. PA Media

    Neil Gray will address MSPs about his use of ministerial cars

    Health secretary Neil Gray will make a statement at the Scottish Parliament this week addressing his use of a ministerial car to travel to football games.

    The Dons fan was driven by a chauffeur to watch Aberdeen play at Hampden three times in six months.

    All the visits were classed as official ministerial engagements where the use of chauffeur-driven cars would have been approved by civil servants.

    However, he has been criticised by opposition parties who have claimed the trips were “excessive” and “hypocritical” after the SNP criticised Labour politicians for attending similar events.

    When challenged on the issue by journalists at Holyrood, Gray refused to answer further questions, only saying that “it’s important that parliament’s given an opportunity to explore these issues”.

    A government spokesperson said the publicly-funded car trips were “in accordance” with their policies, which represented value for money to the public.

    They added that sport was part of Gray’s remit as health secretary, and said he regularly attended sporting events “to support workers and players”.

    Ministers are entitled to publicly-funded transport as part of their job.

    But the policy states it “cannot be provided from public funds for journeys where the principal purpose is not connected to the performance of ministerial duties”.

    VIP seats

    Gray was given VIP seats at Hampden – as a guest of the Scottish Football Association (SFA) – three times, once in his current role and two when he was wellbeing economy, fair work and energy secretary.

    The Airdrie and Shotts MSP watched Aberdeen v Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup semi-final in November, and the final against Rangers in December, as well as the semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Celtic in April.

    The minister, originally from Orkney, was also driven to an Aberdeen home league match against Livingston in May during a day of ministerial visits in the city.

    The first two matches were logged on the Scottish government’s ministerial engagements, travel and gifts register as meetings with the SFA about the “social impact” of investment in sport.

    The latter two were registered under the subject “sport”.

    Other ministers have been driven to sporting events recently too, including:

    • Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon’s trip to Murrayfield to watch Scotland play rugby (which was registered as an event to promote aquaculture)
    • Siobhian Brown, the community safety minister, went to Scotland’s friendly against Finland at Hampden, (describing it as being related to “safer communities”)
    • Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur also used the car service for a trip to Hampden to watch the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers (logged as a ministerial visit for “sport/investment”)
    PA Media Michael Matheson sitting in the Holyrood chamber PA Media

    Michael Matheson was forced to quit after an £11k data bill was racked up on his parliamentary iPad

    Gray took over as health secretary from Michael Matheson last year.

    Matheson was forced to quit after an £11k data bill was racked up on his parliamentary iPad.

    He claimed it had been used by his sons to watch football matches during a family holiday.

    He repaid the costs after the story broke but left his ministerial post in light of a critical report by Holyrood officials, which found he breached Parliament’s expenses policy.

    Opposition criticism

    Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said the SNP’s “shoddy excuses” in defence of Neil Gray made the row look like “another Michael Matheson affair”.

    She said: “What is it with SNP health secretaries and claiming taxpayer funds to watch the football?

    “The SNP’s shoddy excuses are making Neil Gray’s chauffeur scandal look a lot like the Michael Matheson affair.”

    She also accused the SNP of being hypocritical after criticising the UK Labour party for accepting freebies during the summer’s general election campaign.

    Source link

  • Piers Morgan, and Others Rally to Strip Imane Khelif of Her Olympic Gold as Leaked Medical Reports Reignites Gender Row Debate

    Piers Morgan, and Others Rally to Strip Imane Khelif of Her Olympic Gold as Leaked Medical Reports Reignites Gender Row Debate

    Imane Khelif is again seizing headlines for the same reason—controversy over her gender. After months of heated debate, the Algerian boxer’s leaked medical report has come to light, alleging that she has the XY chromosome. Her gender sparked controversy at the Olympics, raising questions about her participation. However, she went the distance and clinched the gold, and now there are demands to return it.

    According to reduxx.info, endocrinologists Soumaya Fedala and Jacques Young prepared a report on Khelif, 25, last year. The report specifies that she has a 5-alpha reductase deficiency, which is a sexual development disorder found in assigned males at birth. French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia then received a copy of the same. A further chromosomal test also suggested that Khelif has an XY karyotype.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Article continues below this ad

    As the news broke out, Piers Morgan turned to his X handle and campaigned to strip the Tiaret native of her Olympic gold. He wrote, “Confirmation of what some of us said at the time: Khelif is a biological man. The gold medal should now be stripped and awarded to the best actual woman.”

    Enzo Maccarinelli blasted the fans who didn’t believe him. The former world champion’s post read, “Well well can u believe it the man who looks like a man and fights like a man is actually a man the amount of do gooding d-ckheads who lambasted me and others who tried defending women’s rights to compete in a fair sport was insane.”

    These leaked medical reports have taken the boxing world by storm, and this might affect Khelif’s decision to turn pro. While she had recently expressed her desire to venture into professional boxing, she could expect increased protest over the move. The boxing world is also split, as the likes of Rick Glaser have retracted their support of the female boxer.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Article continues below this ad

    Boxing insider distances himself from Imane Khelif

    When tagged by a fan, Glaser expressed his opinion of the recently released reports surrounding Khelif. He responded, “Please don’t include my name in anything involving Khelif. She’s all Eddie Hearn’s.” Eddie Hearn had specified his interest in bringing her to Matchroom Boxing when she turned pro. However, the British boxer might rethink the decision given the leaked medical reports.

    via Reuters

    The controversy surrounding Khelif started in the first match of the Olympics against Angela Carini, who quit the match within the first minute. Soon, her disqualification from last year’s World Championship over the failed gender tests made the news. Now another medical report has come out with similar claims about her.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Article continues below this ad

    What do you make of these reports relating to Imane Khelif? Let us know in the comments below.



    Source link

  • Imane Khelif row: Mandatory genetic testing in sport ‘not justified, ethical or viable’, say academics

    Imane Khelif row: Mandatory genetic testing in sport ‘not justified, ethical or viable’, say academics

    Your support helps us to tell the story

    From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

    At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

    The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

    Your support makes all the difference.

    Mandatory testing of sex chromosomes in sport is neither justified, ethical nor viable, a group of academics say.

    Safety and fairness in female sport was one of the most prominent topics at this summer’s Olympic Games, where boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu Ting took gold in the women’s welterweight and featherweight categories respectively.

    The International Boxing Association had disqualified the fighters from its World Championships last year for allegedly failing gender eligibility tests, though the governing body failed to provide any concrete evidence in support of this at a press conference during the Games.

    The IBA had been stripped of recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over governance failures and therefore it was the IOC which ran – and set the entry criteria for – the Olympic boxing competitions in Paris.

    During the Games an editorial by a group of scientists in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (SJMSS) proposed the introduction of sex chromosome testing amid what it described as a “growing concern” over the participation in female sport of athletes with an XY difference of sexual development (XY DSD).

    Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei won featherweight gold in Paris after being disqualified from the IBA’s World Championships

    Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei won featherweight gold in Paris after being disqualified from the IBA’s World Championships (PA)

    However, another group of experts has now questioned the proposed testing regime in an editorial in the same journal, published on Monday.

    The group, which includes Professor Alun Williams from Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, first of all highlighted the lack of direct evidence demonstrating a performance advantage for athletes with XY DSD.

    Secondly, they believe the first editorial’s call for “early” testing at the sub-elite level must include minors if it is to achieve its aim. They say the concerns which led to genetic testing being abandoned in 1999 remain, “and are amplified by the vastly increased number of younger athletes” it is proposed would be tested under the new regime.

    “The editorial gives the impression that such tests are straightforward – ‘individual consent, confidentiality, and dignity… simple cheek swab… standard medical care’, but these assurances ignore the enormous problems such a testing regime would generate,” the group wrote.

    They argue that under the proposal for mandatory genetic testing for sport eligibility, “young athletes would not be presented with a genuine choice” and some would be subjected to invasive examination by gynaecologists.

    “Consent is only a coercive offer: comply with the test or never participate in competitive women’s or girls’ sport, even at sub-elite level,” they wrote.

    They also question who would pay for and produce the “worldwide army of counselling expertise” required to operate an ethically responsible genetic testing programme.

    “For those undergoing follow-up clinical examination and genome sequencing….how would the devastation of young athletes’ personal identity and self-esteem, and the alarm caused to their families, be managed?” they wrote.

    “The resultant duty of care of these athletes will fall to the sport federations mandating such assessments, without any realistic prospect of being fulfilled.”

    The new editorial concludes: “Broad discussion is required to develop more appropriate regulations. However, the proposed mandatory testing of all young women and girls in sport is not justified by scientific evidence, has limited ethical defensibility, and is not an operationally viable proposition.”

    Khelif filed a legal complaint with the French authorities over the online abuse and harassment she was subjected to during the Olympic Games.

    A response to the Williams group’s editorial was also published in the SJMSS on Monday.

    The response said the Williams group appeared to have applied a “no presumption of advantage” principle to XY DSD athletes.

    They argue that evidence shows athletes with certain XY DSDs have: male genitals and testosterone levels within the male range, sensitivity to male-range testosterone which makes the body more masculine, a prevalence of 140 times higher in female sports compared to the general population, and reduced performance where testosterone is suppressed.

    “It thus follows that athletes with these XY DSDs hold male performance advantages,” the response from a group including sports scientist Ross Tucker stated.

    They also rejected the idea that testing would need to be done on minors.

    “Rather, we believe that eligibility screening should occur early enough in an athlete’s career to protect their privacy and dignity and avoid the ethical failures of the past,” they wrote.

    Their response concluded: “We believe that a broader screening process with follow-up examinations in rare cases is scientifically sound, ethically justifiable and operationally feasible.”

    PA

    Source link

  • Laura Woods wades into sport’s trans row to slam Labour peer’s response to Olympic ‘gender tests’ boxers debate – despite death threats to her unborn child when she last spoke out

    Laura Woods wades into sport’s trans row to slam Labour peer’s response to Olympic ‘gender tests’ boxers debate – despite death threats to her unborn child when she last spoke out

    TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods hit out at a Labour peer on social media on Wednesday as she waded into a debate on transgender athletes in sport.

    During a debate in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Labour spokeswoman Fiona Twycross was asked about fairness, safety and equality for women in sport after boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting won gold medals at the Paris Olympics despite allegedly failing gender tests last year.

    Addressing the gender row in boxing, Twycross revealed the government had not spoken to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or boxing authorities as she claimed reporting around the fighters was ‘highly speculative’. 

    Twycross added: ‘The Sports Council guidance recognises the need for solutions for different sports based on the points that the noble lady raises. They found two diametrically opposed camps which I think are reflected in the Chamber today when it came to inclusion of trans women. 

    ‘And the guidance found that you can’t easily reconcile inclusion with fairness and safety in relation to sport, and it is more straightforward with male sport. The Sports Council also recognised, which I feel strongly your Lordship’s House should as well, that society is changing, and simply keeping the existing arrangements in sport won’t accommodate inclusion and actually won’t serve anyone well.’

    Laura Woods has hit out at a Labour peer's response during a debate on transgender athletes in sport

    Laura Woods has hit out at a Labour peer’s response during a debate on transgender athletes in sport

    Labour peer Fiona Twycross (pictured) revealed the government had not spoken to the IOC or boxing authorities after Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Tin won gold medals at the Paris Olympics despite allegedly failing gender tests last year

    Labour peer Fiona Twycross (pictured) revealed the government had not spoken to the IOC or boxing authorities after Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Tin won gold medals at the Paris Olympics despite allegedly failing gender tests last year

    Imane Khelif struck gold in the women's welterweight division at the Paris Olympics this year

    Imane Khelif struck gold in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris Olympics this year

    Lin Yu-Ting also won a women's boxing gold medal at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris

    Lin Yu-Ting also won a women’s boxing gold medal at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris

    Woods revealed in July that she is expecting her first child with Love Island star Adam Collard, and she received death threats to her unborn baby the last time she spoke out on transgender athletes in sport, but she has decided to speak out again

    Woods revealed in July that she is expecting her first child with Love Island star Adam Collard, and she received death threats to her unborn baby the last time she spoke out on transgender athletes in sport, but she has decided to speak out again

    Woods is expecting her first child with former Love Island star Adam Collard and received death threats to her unborn baby the last time she spoke out on the transgender debate, but she still took to X to slam Twycross’s response on Wednesday afternoon in a series of posts. 

    Her first post read: ‘Crazy discussion in the House of Lords around women’s sport. @Baronessjenkin highlighted a UN study published in August calculated: “By March this year over 600 female athletes in more than 400 events were defeated by trans-identifying males who took a total of 890 medals.”

    ‘“I’m not aware of that report” was the response from @fionatwycross. The report is entitled: “Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport.” Why isn’t she aware of it?’

    Woods continued: ‘Fairness and safety MUST be the MOST important factors in sport. At ALL levels. Including and especially grass routes. This can not keep happening.

    ‘Transgender people SHOULD absolutely have a place in sport, but NOT at the expense of safety or fairness for women. And it is not up to women to find that solution. These categories should be protected.’

    Woods also got involved in boxing’s gender row when the Olympics took place in August after Khelif and Lin went all the way in Paris to claim gold.

    On the final day of Olympic competition, The Telegraph’s Oliver Brown published an article titled: ‘Blinded by ideology: Inside boxing row that undermined IOC and tarnished Olympics’.

    Woods' original reply to a Telegraph article in August sparked a mass debate in her comment section

    Woods’ original reply to a Telegraph article in August sparked a mass debate in her comment section

    Brown declared in the article that IOC president Thomas Bach had ‘failed in his duty to protect female athletes by allowing Khelif and Lin to win gold despite failing sex tests’.

    A day after the article was published, Woods replied to a post by the author on X as she wrote: ‘Great article Oli’, followed by an applause emoji.

    This comment sparked hundreds of replies to Woods, who then argued with several fans via the social media network.

    A different comment aimed at Woods read: ‘Actually it isn’t, do a bit more research!’ Woods hit back: ‘Which part?’

    Another fan simply wrote: ‘Ewww’, to which Woods replied: ‘What’s eww, Jamie? Be more specific’.

    One of the longer tweets aimed at Woods read: ‘Pretty poor – She’s had tests to prove her gender and she was born a woman. No actual evidence of her failing XY tests as well’.

    Woods demanded more information as she wrote: ‘Which tests were those and where’s the evidence of that?’

    Two days later, Woods revealed she had received online death threats to her unborn baby.

    ‘Since I replied to this article I’ve had numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child,’ wrote Woods. ‘Questions on my own gender (I’m pregnant so guess that clears that one up) calls for my employers to sack me, threats to my home.

    ‘I’ve been called a racist, a bigot and a sexist as well as various insults – ****, s**g etc.

    Woods took to social media app X to share the abuse that she had been receiving after wading in on the Olympic boxing gender row

    Woods took to social media app X to share the abuse that she had been receiving after wading in on the Olympic boxing gender row

    ‘I’ve also been asked why I haven’t raised any concerns on this topic before? See above for your answer.

    ‘When there are discrepancies with test results – which could impact the safety of another human being, in an environment that above all else should be fair – questions are quite rightly going to be asked. The answers are still unclear, otherwise this topic would be closed.’ 

    Despite the backlash that she received last time, Woods has decided to express her outspoken views on transgender athletes in sport once more, insisting that women’s rights must be ‘protected’. 



    Source link

  • Boxer Imane Khelif to turn pro after gender row and Olympic triumph

    Boxer Imane Khelif to turn pro after gender row and Olympic triumph

    Your support helps us to tell the story

    This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

    The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

    Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

    Boxer Imane Khelif is set to turn professional after winning Olympic gold in Paris, a triumph that was surrounded by a gender row.

    Khelif came under scrutiny after her opening win this summer, as her opponent Angela Carini withdrew inside 46 seconds, after being hit by just one punch. Khelif went on to win gold for Algeria in the welterweight category, outpointing Luca Anna Hamori, Janjaem Suwannapheng and Liu Yang to do so.

    However, the 25-year-old’s success was overshadowed by a debate around her gender, with the International Boxing Association (IBA) having disqualified her from the 2023 World Championship – allegedly because Khelif failed a gender eligibility test. The IBA said Khelif had also returned adverse test results at the 2022 World Championship.

    Many unfounded claims circulated during the Paris Olympics, including that Khelif was previously a male and that she is now a transgender or intersex athlete. There is no evidence to support either of those claims, while the IBA hinted at the presence of XY chromosomes but never made the accusation outright.

    In any case, Khelif remained defiant during the episode as she won gold, and she is moving forward with a pro career.

    Khelif announced the news at a press conference on Sunday (20 October), while revealing that a documentary about her career is in the works.

    “I will soon enter the world of professional boxing,” Khelif said, per numerous reports. “I have many offers. Currently, I have not made up my mind about where I will enter professional boxing.

    “But very soon I will take this step. We, as Algerians, would like to see our level in the field of professionalism.”

    Imane Khelif won Olympic gold in Paris this summer, amid a row about her gender

    Imane Khelif won Olympic gold in Paris this summer, amid a row about her gender (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

    This summer, British promoter Eddie Hearn – who works with Anthony Joshua among many other star boxers – said he would be open to signing Khelif for Matchroom.

    “What I’m gonna say on this is: I think there’s a lot that is unclear, so I’m gonna give you my opinion now – based off really not knowing all the facts,” Hearn told iFL TV. “So therefore, I shouldn’t really give you my opinion, but let’s have a conversation about it.

    “I look at it like this: if there is an unfair physical advantage that this individual has, that is something that has to be looked at correctly – not by a rival organisation, not by someone that might have an agenda.”

    Hearn was referring to the fact that the IBA previously organised Olympic boxing but ceased to do so before the 2021 Games in Tokyo. The International Olympic Committee, which ultimately oversaw boxing in Tokyo and set up the Paris Boxing Unit this summer, parted ways with the IBA over concerns relating to the organisation’s finances and links to Russia, and due to fears of corruption.

    “When I first heard this story, the perception of the public and probably mine as well was: ‘This is a man who now lives as a woman, and this is not right,’” Hearn continued. “And I think if you’re born male, I don’t think you should compete against women in boxing, but if you’re born female and you’ve lived your whole life as a female, competed as a female your whole career…

    Khelif celebrating her Olympic triumph in the French capital

    Khelif celebrating her Olympic triumph in the French capital (AP)

    “I’m not gonna say what’s right or wrong, I’m just gonna say the facts I know lean me towards the fact that you have a right to compete as a female; you are a female. […] Yeah, I think if the facts were laid out, and it was a position where there’s no reason why this individual shouldn’t compete as a female, [I might sign her].

    “One, obviously, [she’s] a talented fighter. Two, commercially, I think [she’s] up to over 2m Instagram followers from 30,000 or something. The answer is yes, but… there’s probably a lot of facts we don’t know around this situation.”

    Source link

  • Prep Football Top 10: Campbell No. 1 for sixth week in a row

    Prep Football Top 10: Campbell No. 1 for sixth week in a row

    Source link

  • Illini West football wins fourth in a row; this time over Bureau Valley | Hancock County Journal-Pilot

    Illini West football wins fourth in a row; this time over Bureau Valley | Hancock County Journal-Pilot

    The Illini West football team is on a roll.

    The Chargers have won four straight games, the latest a 34-7 victory over Bureau Valley on Senior Night.

    Illini West won the toss and deferred to the second half. Bureau Valley started its first drive at its 35-yard line. They held the football for three minutes before turning it over on downs after a Brady Hartz three-yard reception kept them seven yards short of the first down after a 10-play, 54-yard drive at the eight-yard line of the Chargers.

    The Chargers threw incomplete on first down. Ethan Carlisle had a four-yard run on second down. Tre Neiderman caught a Carlisle pass for a 15-yard gain and the first down. Nick Johnson was stopped for two-yard and three-yard losses on consecutive plays. Carlisle lost six yards on the next play and the Chargers were forced to punt it back to Bureau Valley.

    The Storm’s next drive started at their own 44-yard line. Elijah Endress had a seven-yard carry on first down. The drive ended as Helms tired to fake the handoff and fumbled the football and it was recovered by Issac Jones of the Chargers at the 35-yard line.

    Carlisle was dropped for a seven-yard loss by Endress on a keeper on first down. He lost four more yards on the next carry. Max Kinnamon was thrown for an eight-yard loss. Kinnamon punted it away on fourth down. The Storm went three-and-out punted back to the Chargers.

    Johnson ran for 12 yards to end the scoreless opening quarter. Carlisle had a three-yard gain to open the second period. Neiderman caught consecutive passes of 12 and 13 yards. Carlisle was incomplete on first down. He connected with Kinnamon at the 30-yard line and Kinnamon ran it in from there to put the Chargers up 6-0 on a 48-yard pass play. Neiderman caught a pass for the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead with 9:56 to play in the half.

    The Storm’s next drive featured a Helms 36-yard run. Four plays later, Endress was stopped at the line of scrimmage by a herd of Chargers on fourth down to turn the football back over to the Chargers at their own 22-yard line.

    Carlisle had positive gains of seven, two and four yards to pick up the first down. Johnson ran to the right and broke an Endress tackle near the line of scrimmage and then raced 66 yards for the touchdown to put the Chargers up 14-0 after the two-point conversion failed with 4:48 to play in the half.

    The Storm had another three-and-out and punted it back to the Chargers.

    Carlisle threw incomplete on first down. He ran for 36 and two yards on consecutive plays. Johnson added a four-yard carry. Carlisle ripped off a six-yard gain to pick up the first down. Kinnamon was dropped for a six-yard loss after taking a double handoff. Carlisle threw back-to-back incompletions to set up a fourth and 14 at the 14-yard line. Carlisle rounded right and threw back across his body to the left and found a wide open Kinnamon who ran into the end zone from 14 yards out to make the score 20-0. The conversion failed.

    Bureau Valley was called for illegal procedure and Endress had a two-yard run to end the half with the Chargers leading 20-0.

    The Chargers took the second-half kickoff and Neiderman caught a pass from Carlisle for five yards. Johnson tried to turn the corner on the right side and was dropped for a two-yard loss by Tyce Barkman. A Carlisle pass intended for Johnson was picked off by Blake Foster of the Storm.

    The Storm had the football for eight plays before turning it over on downs to the Chargers. The Chargers took over at the Storm 45-yard line. Johnson ran for seven yards. Back-to-back penalties on the Chargers for a false start and holding made it second and 17. Carlisle threw two straight incompletions and Kinnamon punted it back to the Storm.

    The Next Storm drive featured a Foster 13-yard reception and on the next play a Helms 20-yard run. But the Chargers defense held strong as Khile Stonger broke up a pass on fourth down to keep the Storm scoreless.

    Starting at their own six-yard line, the Chargers got two yards from Carlisle. Bureau Valley was offsides making it second and three. Johnson was stopped in his tracks for no gain and Carlisle was incomplete to set up a fourth and three from the 13-yard line. The Storm’s Bracin Patnoe was called for roughing the kicker to keep the football with the Chargers. Johnson had a two-yard run. Sparks caught a three-yard pass and that play ended the third quarter. Johnson broke off a 78-yard run and was caught from behind by Hartz at the three-yard line. Carlisle pitched to Johnson and he ran it in from three yards out. Trish Mokosch kicked the extra point for a 27-0 score.

    The Storm went three-and-out, punting the football back to the Chargers. The next Chargers drive started at the Storm 37-yard line. Johnson had back-to-back three-yard runs. Carlisle followed with a six-yard carry. Johnson went for 12 yards and then lost four yards on the next play. Johnson had a six-yard carry and Neiderman with a run of four off the pitch to set up fourth and five. Sparks out-jumped Hartz for a pass and came down in the end zone for the touchdown. Mokosch added the successful extra point for a 34-0 lead.

    The Storm got a run of 19 yards from Helms on first down. Five plays later, Helms found Foster in the right corner of the end zone for a touchdown and Barkman added the extra point for the final score of 34-7.

    “There were a lot of doubters when we were 0-3. They have dug themselves out of a huge hole and have put themselves in the position to make the playoffs,” Illini West Head Coach Jacob Calvin said after the game. “It was a great team win and even more special for the seniors who were playing their last regular season game at home.

    “I coached these seniors at the JV (junior varsity) level and I am happy for them,” he added. “Our defense executed the way we knew they could. Nick (Johnson) getting his carries and running the football well has helped the passing game. And the offensive line continues to gel.”

    Stats: Nick Johnson carried the football 16 times for 150 yards two touchdowns. Carlisle ran for 55 yards on 13 attempts. Carlisle was 8-15 for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Kinnamon had two catches for 62 yards and touchdowns of 48 and 14 yards. Sparks caught three passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.

    Source link

  • Peter Schmeichel reveals Sir Alex Ferguson threatened to ‘SACK’ him after heated row at Man United, as the legendary goalkeeper opens up on his ‘biggest regret in football’

    Peter Schmeichel reveals Sir Alex Ferguson threatened to ‘SACK’ him after heated row at Man United, as the legendary goalkeeper opens up on his ‘biggest regret in football’

    • Schmeichel has opened up on a heated row he had with Sir Alex Ferguson
    • The former goalkeeper has claimed Ferguson wanted to sack him
    • LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday

    By Sam Brookes

    Published: | Updated:

    Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to kick him out of the club after the pair got into a heated dressing room row.

    Schmeichel was an integral part of United’s winning machine during his seven years at the club between 1991 and 1999. 

    He won five league titles and finished on the ultimate high of a Champions League triumph to complete a historic Treble in his final season.

    But it was not all plain sailing for the giant Dane at Old Trafford, as Schmeichel has claimed Ferguson wanted to sack him following a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield in 1995, and he only saved his Old Trafford career by apologising to his manager and team-mates.

    Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Schmeichel explained: ‘Sir Alex Ferguson picked on me after a game and the second half was so bad, but I made a lot of saves and I felt like I kept the team in. He blamed me for my goal kicks. 

    Peter Schmeichel (left) revealed Sir Alex Ferguson (right) wanted to sack him at Man United

    Peter Schmeichel (left) revealed Sir Alex Ferguson (right) wanted to sack him at Man United

    Schmeichel and Ferguson won the Champions League together in 1999, but the former has claimed that moment nearly never happened after a heated dressing room row

    Schmeichel and Ferguson won the Champions League together in 1999, but the former has claimed that moment nearly never happened after a heated dressing room row

    The row came after a game at Anfield when United were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in 1995

    The row came after a game at Anfield when United were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in 1995

    Schmeichel explained that he apologised to Ferguson and his team-mates to save his Old Trafford career

    Schmeichel explained that he apologised to Ferguson and his team-mates to save his Old Trafford career

    ‘I felt really hard done by for him picking on me. My head went and that was probably my biggest regret in football and I’m not repeating that. 

    ‘On a Monday morning, he called me into his office and said that he was going to sack me and that we can’t have a player doing this. I accepted that and I apologised to him.

    ‘He had a meeting in the changing room after and it was the worst I’ve ever seen him. He was so angry. He never done that in training before. He left and then I apologised to the team. My behaviour was so out of order. There are certain things you can do and certain things you can’t do.

    ‘In the 90 minutes, I feel like you can say whatever because it’s all about winning. Before the game and after the game, you can’t say anything. It’s up to the manager or the coach to talk about what happened. You can’t go in and say you played bad, but I did that. I shouldn’t have done that. But he never brought it up again.’

    Former United players and staff have often talked about Ferguson’s infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ where he would turn on his team to get a reaction from them.

    Addressing Ferguson’s man-management style at United, Schmeichel insisted the Scot would often pick on certain players and enjoyed confrontation as he felt it would get the best out of the group.

    Schmeichel conceded that the exchanges between Ferguson and his senior stars would often be ‘brutal to watch’, but it clearly worked as United went on to win 13 title in the first 21 years of the Premier League. 

    Schmeichel believes Ferguson went after certain players in the dressing room - including Roy Keane - but insists the legendary manager enjoyed confronting his senior stars

    Schmeichel believes Ferguson went after certain players in the dressing room – including Roy Keane – but insists the legendary manager enjoyed confronting his senior stars

    Ferguson's approach paid off as United dominated English football for two decades

    Ferguson’s approach paid off as United dominated English football for two decades

    ‘What I learned very quickly was that Sir Alex Ferguson needed an out,’ Schmeichel added.

    ‘Very often it was in games where things were going well, or he needed something off his chest. He had certain players that he would do that to. 

    ‘I was one of them, Gary Pallister was one of them and Roy Keane was one of them. Ryan [Giggs] was also one of them. It would have been brutal to watch but you were allowed to talk back as a player. He wanted that confrontation because it was shaking things up. He wanted that.

    ‘What I learned from him was that 95% of everything he said was by the sign and he was thinking about it and was waiting for the opportunity to say that. He would pick those moments and once it happened, gone.’

    Peter Schmeichel was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet

    Champions LeagueSir Alex Ferguson



    Source link

  • Greenfield Recorder – High School Sports Roundup: Franklin Tech field hockey wins third game in a row with triumph over Amherst (PHOTOS)

    Greenfield Recorder – High School Sports Roundup: Franklin Tech field hockey wins third game in a row with triumph over Amherst (PHOTOS)

    TURNERS FALLS — After tying with Hampshire in its season-opener, the Franklin Tech field hockey team has found a groove. 

    The Eagles — which have made it to three straight Western Mass. finals — came back to win their next two games and on Thursday, found themselves hosting a much improved Amherst squad. 

    Tech found the back of the cage with 1:25 to go in the first half and added a late insurance goal, moving to 3-0-1 on the year with a 2-0 County League triumph over the Hurricanes. 

    “We’re playing well right now,” Eagles coach Rian Lovett said. “Kids are stepping up when they need to. I’ve seen a lot of really good play and we have great team chemistry right now. From the back line to the forward line, everyone is picking each other up, backing each other up and filling in the gaps. It was a great team win.” 

    While the score was 2-0, it was a competitive game throughout. Franklin Tech held an 8-4 penalty corner advantage, though the Amherst defense hung tough to keep the Eagles from breaking the game open. It was the Hurricanes’ first loss of the season, having won their opening three games. 

    “I told them after the game that we competed for 60 minutes,” Hurricanes coach Sarah Hafele said. “They got two lucky goals and we could have gotten two lucky goals. I don’t think we got blown out. I think we were two well matched teams and we’re excited to see them again.”

    It was McKenzie Sourdiffe-Phelps who put the Eagles on the board just before the half, picking up a deflected ball in the circle and firing it into the back of the cage to give Tech the opening lead. 

    With three minutes to go, and Amherst pressing for the tying goal, Lovett used her timeout to allow her squad to regroup. 

    The message during the break worked, as Jazzy Gonzalez raced through the Hurricane defense before sending a pass to Sourdiffe-Phelps, who was able to knock a shot in to help seal the win for the Eagles. 

    “We’re competing in the tough games,” Lovett said. “I told them at the end of the game that it’s all about grit. I took the timeout with three minutes to play because I saw we were starting to look exhausted. I told them they had to bear down and give me everything they had and that’s what I got from them. They believe and believe in each other which is huge. They have to believe that the next person who gets a pass isn’t going to miss it. That’s when it falls apart. Right now, it’s working.” 

    Eden Polak made nine saves in goal for Amherst, with Madison Markwell not being called into action to make a save for Franklin Tech. 

    Boys soccer

    Franklin Tech 2, Duggan 2 — Trailing 2-0 late, the Eagles scored twice in the closing minutes to earn a draw with Duggan in Turners on Thursday. 

    Jon Gheorghita scored on a penalty kick to cut into the lead before Mason Thurston tied the game in the final five minutes off an assist from Gheorghita. 

    Hopkins 0, Greenfield 0 — Neither the Golden Hawks or the Green Wave were able to find the back of the net on Thursday, leading to scoreless Schmid League draw in Greenfield. 

    Liam Grahame-Lawson made eight saves for the Wave while Logan Bye made six saves for Hopkins. 

    Pioneer 4, Smith Academy 1 — It was the Judah Glenn show for the Panthers, as the junior opened the scoring in the first half before tallying twice in the final 40 minutes to close out the hat trick and lead Pioneer to an impressive Schmid League triumph in Northfield Thursday. 

    Dani Paque closed out the scoring for Pioneer in the second half. Jackson Glazier dished two assists while Jackson Campbell and Kurt Redeker each recorded an assist in the win. 

    Four Rivers 10, Academy of Charlemont 0 — Cooper Whitney tallied a hat trick while Jasper Greninger scored twice in the Otters’ victory Thursday. 

    Kolin Broderick, Aiden McGuinness, Wes Acton, Tim Yanko and Marley McConkey also scored in the win. 

    Girls volleyball

    Mohawk Trail 3, Athol 1 — The Warriors moved to 4-0 on the season with a 15-25, 25-17, 25-14, 25-22 triumph over the Bears on Thursday in Buckland. 

    Abby Spooner, Giana Vaillancourt (five aces, seven assists) and Olivia Mayer (three aces) each had five kills while Ella Reed finished with eight assists for Athol. 

    Franklin Tech 3, Greenfield 1 — Shelby O’Leary dished 24 assists while adding four aces and 11 digs in the Eagles’ 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19 win over the Green Wave on Thursday in Turners. 

    Emma Petersen tallied 11 kills, one ace and five digs, Sarah Beckwith finished with 12 aces, three kills and five digs while Madison Pettingill added three aces, eight kills, 15 digs and three blocks in the win. 

    Turners 3, Mahar 2 — After the Thunder roared out to a 2-0 lead, the Sens fought back to win the next two sets to force a fifth. It was all Turners in that fifth set, however, as the Thunder pulled out a 25-13, 25-15, 22-25, 23-25, 15-3 victory in Turners. 

    Madi Liimatainen led the way with 19 aces, 11 kills and four digs while Maddie Dietz recorded two aces, three kills and 20 assists, Tatianna Carr-Williams tallied one ace, six kills and three digs and Janelle Massey put down five aces and four kills in the win for Turners. 

    Duggan 3, Pioneer 1 — Sophia Wood led the way with three aces and eight assists for the Panthers in an independent loss to Duggan on Thursday. 

    Jacobia Tyminski (three aces, seven digs), Oceana Duclos (two aces, two digs), Kiara Gruszkowski (two aces, two kills) and Taylor Chase (two kills, two aces) played well in the loss. 

    Golf

    Hopkins 210, Turners 219 — Golden Hawk Ryley Regan was the match medalist with a 38 in Hopkins’ victory over the Thunder at Thomas Memorial Thursday. 

    Darian Burnett led Turners with a 49. 

    Mohawk Trail 176, Pathfinder 214 — Phineas Tuttman fired a 41 to finish as the match medalist, lifting the Warriors past the Pioneers at Country Club of Greenfield Thursday. 

    Logan Moore (42), Conner Bergeron (46) and Tyler Zdanowicz (47) closed out the scoring for Mohawk Trail. 

    Source link