French police slash inflatable migrant boat heading to UK
A few metres offshore, the boat itself was clearly in trouble. People were crowded around the outboard motor, which had briefly stalled but was being restarted. Waves were breaking underneath the boat, causing it to lurch wildly, and there were loud screams from several children who were in danger of being crushed onboard.Earlier, two large groups of people already wearing orange life jackets had emerged from the nearby dunes and rushed towards the sea. In all there were probably 80 or 100 people. But when the first "taxi-boat" - used by the smuggling gangs to collect passengers from various points along the French coast - sped past perhaps 100m from the shore, it was clearly full already and did not stop to pick anyone else up.A few minutes later, a second boat, with almost no passengers, came towards the shore, watched by a French coastguard boat further into the English Channel. Initially, people were ushered forwards in organised groups, holding hands, and directed by one man who appeared to be leading events. But as the inflatable boat turned and reversed towards the shore, there was a scrum as dozens of people scrambled to climb aboard in water that was at least waist deep.At first the gendarmes declined to intervene and stood watching from the shore. One officer repeated a now-familiar explanation to me - that they were barred from going into the water except to rescue people. But as the situation became increasingly chaotic, the officers at the scene clearly felt that a line had been crossed, that those on board were now in danger, and that there was a brief opportunity to disable the boat in relative safety and while any smugglers - who might have fought back - were distracted by their attempts to restart the engine.As a policeman slashed repeatedly at the rubber, there were cries and shouts of anger and frustration from some of those onboard. A young girl, who had been in the middle of the scrum, squashed at the stern of the boat close to the engine, was plucked to safety as others scrambled on to the nearby sand.Moments later the boat was dragged ashore by the police as the migrants began collecting items they had dropped on the beach and then headed inland, up the sandy paths through the dunes towards the nearest village and a bus-ride back to the migrant camps further north.
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The Independent
30 minutes ago
- The Independent
How Paul Pogba overcame the doubts to launch improbable Monaco comeback
The tears flowed as Paul Pogba signed his two-year deal at AS Monaco last week. "It is very rare to see me cry like that so I hope you enjoyed it," he joked at his presentation on Thursday. "It was a moment of joy," insisted the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder. But the outpouring of emotion runs deeper; it is more complex, more nuanced. It has been a turbulent three years for Pogba. "There were so many images that came into my mind. We know the doping story, my injury… everything came back to me during the signing and I just couldn't hold it back," he said. A doping ban, initially for four years but reduced to 18 months following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), coupled with injuries, have reduced the Frenchman to just over 200 minutes of football since the start of the 2022/23 season. Off-the-pitch issues have contributed to his on-pitch absence. "It is all linked. If the mind is good, it will go well on the pitch," he said on Thursday. Mentally, however, it transpired that Pogba wasn't in a good place, and that manifested itself physically, so Pogba believes. In March 2022, while still at Manchester United, he was kidnapped by masked men as part of an extortion attempt that implicated brother Mathias. Months later, he joined Juventus, but the extortion attempt followed him to Italy. Mathias Pogba phoned his brother, demanding a €13m payment and threatening to sully the player's image if the request was not met. It was not met. Mathias then claimed that his brother had used a witch doctor to put a curse on Kylian Mbappé ahead of PSG's Champions League Round of 16 tie against Manchester United back in 2019. "Paul never asked me to cast a spell on Mbappé," insisted the marabout. Although the player acknowledged speaking with a marabout, he states that it was only for help regarding the injuries that scuppered the end of his time at Manchester United and then his first year back at Juventus. After his brother was sentenced to a three-year prison, two years of which were suspended, at the end of 2024, Paul Pogba said he wished to "turn the page". By signing for Monaco, he has closed one chapter, a painful one. "I live day by day, not thinking about what happened to me in the past, [I'm] just thinking about the present and what's in front of me," he said, adding that he "hopes and thinks" that his new-found mental fortitude will keep the injuries at bay. "It's all linked," he insists. And Pogba, despite his light-hearted façade and his jokes about the dream of seeing his children "dab" when he scores a goal, he is a player, a man changed and remoulded by his recent experiences. He himself can recognise that. 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"You can't play for France without playing for your club," recognises Pogba. And he isn't there yet. The midfielder says that playing against his formative club, Le Havre, on the first day of the Ligue 1 season in August is an "added motivation". But it is only after Pogba, followed by many of the 40 journalists in attendance at his unveiling, departs the scene that a dose of realism enters. "I can guarantee that he won't be on the pitch against Le Havre. We are here to be realistic. We expect a three-month process," says Scuro, who talks about "increasing the load" in the coming weeks. Pogba was one of 12 first-team players absent from training on Thursday. Other new signings, Eric Dier and Ansu Fati, were only partially involved. The question of whether Pogba can still be the player that helped lead France to World Cup glory in 2018 is yet to be answered and won't be answered any time soon. But as a person, he now exudes a different energy. There is still the aura, the silence as he enters the room, the bravado, and the show, but there is a seriousness, too, a steely grit and an emotional vulnerability, either previously concealed or altogether absent. Those characteristics coalesce well with the environment he has entered at Monaco. "I think I'm the oldest at the club! It's weird," jokes Pogba, who at 32 will be expected to be a leader in the dressing room. He deeply hopes that he can be a leader on the pitch, too.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
How was women's football changed since Euro 2022?
England's squad looks rather different three years on from their greatest day. Two all-time greats, Ellen White and Jill Scott, retired soon after Euro 2022, while Rachel Daly ended her England career in April 2024. And then came the staggering nine-day period just before Sarina Wiegman announced her squad for Switzerland, during which two more Euro 2022 heroines — Mary Earps and Fran Kirby — retired and another — Millie Bright — withdrew from Euro 2025 selection contention. In the departing England greats' stead are several young, exciting compatriots. Hannah Hampton, Lauren James, Jess Park and Grace Clinton did not feature in Euro 2022 but are now important players. On the eve of the 2023 World Cup final England's record under Wiegman was won 32, drawn five, lost one. Since then, England have won 15, drawn four, lost seven. The introduction of the Nations League in autumn 2023 has created tougher fixtures but, as the numbers suggest, England's form has dipped over the past two years. England's relatively underwhelming form began with the World Cup final defeat by Spain. They have a glorious style, possess several breathtaking players and boast the silverware to support their esteemed status. Spain's World Cup win was overshadowed by Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish football federation, kissing Jenni Hermoso, the Spain midfielder, on the lips during the celebrations. The incident sparked a remarkable, protracted saga. Rubiales eventually stood down as president and, after a ten-day trial in February, was fined €10,800 (about £9,200) for sexual assault but avoided jail time. He and three other defendants, including the former Spain Women head coach Jorge Vilda, were acquitted of coercing Hermoso. Prosecutors have since asked for a retrial, while Hermoso and Rubiales both said they will appeal too. The episode exposed Spain players' hostile relationship with their federation, showed how women's footballers can be exploited by male bosses and sparked fierce debate over consent across Spanish society. Spain have knocked USA off their perch but women's football's grandest nation is rebuilding ominously. Emma Hayes, the Englishwoman who turned Chelsea into a dominant domestic force, became their head coach in May last year and last summer's Olympic gold indicated that her side will take some stopping at the 2027 World Cup. The Women's Super League lost its most colourful character when Hayes left, but other head coaches are filling the void. Sonia Bompastor, Hayes's successor at Chelsea, has proven popular by marrying a composed demeanour with a fierce ruthlessness. Over at Arsenal, Renée Slegers has shot to fame. In seven months, she went from unknown assistant to architect of an astounding Champions League final upset. By almost every metric, women's football is enjoying an economic boom. The WSL's annual revenue increased by 34 per cent to £65million in 2024 according to Deloitte, the Euro 2025 prize pot is £34million compared with £13million at Euro 2022, and Fifa is targeting a revenue of $1billion from the 2027 World Cup. Women's football's record transfer fee has been broken three times since Euro 2022, with Chelsea making Naomi Girma the first $1million signing in January. According to Fifa, women's clubs spent $15.6million (about £11.5million) on international transfer fees in 2024, compared to $3.3million in 2022. Many Lionesses have changed clubs since Euro 2022. Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze both swapped Barcelona for Chelsea, Alessia Russo left Manchester United for Arsenal, and Chloe Kelly joined Arsenal in January after an acrimonious departure from Manchester City. Earps has also moved, leaving United for Paris Saint-Germain. The WSL's soaring finances and stakes have made head coaches more vulnerable. Five were sacked in 2024-25, compared to two in each of 2023-24 and 2022-23. As women's clubs' revenue rises, so does their cost. Two teams (Reading and Blackburn Rovers) have dropped out of the Women's Championship for financial reasons in the past year. There had previously been no such withdrawal since 2018. Buoyed by Euro 2022, WSL attendances nearly tripled to an average of 5,456 in 2022-23, and rose again to 7,371 in 2023-24. However, with no major tournament last summer to sustain the growth, the average dropped to 6,731 for 2024-25. It's a similar story for the Lionesses, with their Wembley crowds generally decreasing since the Euro 2022 final attracted 87,192. A rash of superstars have injured an ACL since Euro 2022, including Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Sam Kerr and Vivianne Miedema. 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Women's teams are starting to be viewed as distinct entities within clubs. Chelsea are leading the way, with Alexis Ohanian (Serena Williams's husband) purchasing an 8 per cent stake in their women's team in May to value Chelsea at £245million — the highest team valuation in women's sport. Several other Premier League clubs are considering selling stakes in their women's team. Before Ohanian's purchase, Chelsea sold their women's team to the club's parent company for £200million in June 2024, showing that women's teams can now help clubs comply with the Premier League's financial rules. Aston Villa are set to make a similar transaction. Since 2022 women's club football has become more capable of thriving without reliance on men's teams. London City Lionesses epitomise this budding independence. They became the first standalone club to reach the WSL in May, are part of a multi-club model with the Washington Spirit and Lyon Women, and are backed by a conspicuous and ambitious American billionaire in Michele Kang. Keep an eye on them. World Sevens Football (W7F), a seven-a-side tournament funded by US private investors, held its inaugural edition in May. With buy-in from elite clubs, an unparalleled prize pot of $5million, and a format that is fun but not gimmicky, W7F is here to stay. Since 2022 women's football's power-brokers have increasingly understood that replicating the men's competitions and calendar is not essential. Maddy Cusack, the former Sheffield United midfielder, died aged 27 in September 2023. Her family swiftly alleged to United that she had a difficult relationship with the club's manager at the time, Jonathan Morgan, who has denied any wrongdoing. 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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Top Eurocrat embroiled in free five-star holidays scandal
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'We confirmed that the person failed to declare their flights, hospitality, gifts as well as the complimentary benefits that their spouse received whilst accompanying them on a number of business trips,' it said. 'We further identified that a non-EU country's economic operator provided the senior staff member and their family with complimentary flight tickets and hotel accommodation.' The watchdog added, 'However, we did not conclude that these gifts and preferential treatment led the person to act favourably on behalf of a non-EU country or non-EU entity.' 'Disciplinary procedure' The European Public Prosecutor's Office opened criminal investigation into Mr Hololei over corruption allegations after Libération, a French newspaper, revealed confidential details of OLAF's inquiry. A European Commission spokesman said the EU executive had opened a disciplinary procedure against Mr Hololei earlier this year. 'This internal disciplinary procedure is ongoing and is carried out within a reasonable period of time, account being taken of both the interests of the institution and of the person concerned. The Commission does not comment further on individual cases,' the spokesman told The Telegraph. The procedure focuses on four alleged breaches of the commission's rules, including the unauthorised acceptance of gifts, conflict of interest, unauthorised disclosure of documents and transparency. Mr Hololei did not respond to a request for comment. MEPs have expressed disappointment that the aviation agreement with Qatar was not suspended after the allegations. The European Public Prosecutor's Office has confirmed an ongoing investigation. 'The EU's response is not just feeble – it's farcical. Even the top brass aren't beyond suspicion, yet the worst a wrongdoer can expect is a perfunctory slap on the wrist,' Frank Furedi, executive director of the eurosceptic think tank MCC Brussels said: 'With consequences so toothless, the rot is not just setting in, it's thriving. Brussels must act, or risk becoming a byword for impunity.' OLAF's annual report said it had uncovered fraud worth €870 million last year, closing 246 investigations and opening 230 new probes. It issued 301 recommendations to EU and national authorities. This included four recommendations to the European Commission after investigations, while another three probes have not yet been concluded. There were four ongoing investigations into European Parliament staff and one concluded in the council of the European Union. Two were concluded into staff at the European Investment Bank, while three were ongoing at the EU's foreign affairs service. Another two were concluded at Frontex, the EU's border agency. 'Substantial breaches' OLAF, which investigates the misuse of EU funds, found €4.4 million (£3.8 million) worth of irregularities in one EU agency's training program. The agency reimbursed full costs for goods like laptops and furniture and did not take into account depreciation costs. 'Laptops with a three to five year lifespan were fully reimbursed after only a few months of use. The Agency also funded furniture that could have been used for five to ten years, but was only used for a few months,' the report said. It found €120,000 (£103,000) in payments to EU staff that broke the rules. OLAF uncovered 'substantial breaches of procurement, transparency and financial management rules' related to a €114 million (£98.3 million) EU funded project in Poland to deliver power generators to Ukrainian regions suffering from power shortages because of the war. 'Thanks to our efforts, an impressive €91 million (£78.5 million) has been targeted for recovery,' it said, adding 'contracts were awarded without authentic competitive bidding.' It also closed the last of six investigations into a scandal that involved about €10 million (£8.6 million) of bribes being paid by farmers to Slovak officials to illegitimately access EU agricultural funds. It uncovered 'systemic and widespread use of bribes to ensure the undue approval of rural development projects for EU co-financed subsidies from 2015 to 2020.' The agency recommended the recovery of €10 million in EU funds and loans. After a two-year investigation it uncovered an illegal Greek landfill project, which cost the EU €1.1 million (£950,000). The landfill was dormant for the first three years of its existence before ignoring environmental and safety rules from 2019. 'It morphed into a chaotic dumping ground for all sorts of refuse, with equipment either shattered or useless. Ultimately, we discovered that the landfill in question was not even eligible for EU funding,' OLAF said.
