PSG are no fairy story but a step towards the death of football - it's time to call out their owners' sportswashing and the brutality it hides: OLIVER HOLT
The images that flooded the mind were not of Desire Doue's goals or the brilliance of Ousmane Dembele but of a moment a decade ago when the PSG coach's daughter, Xana, carried a Barcelona flag around the pitch at the Olympiastadion in Berlin after Barca had won the Champions League and her dad planted it in the centre circle for her.
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The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lauren James injury latest as England provide update on ‘scare' ahead of Euro 2025 final
England forward Lauren James is set to be available for the Euro 2025 final against Spain after recovering from an ankle injury. James was forced off at half-time during England's semi-final win over Italy but has trained in the days before the final and is set to be fit. Sarina Wiegman expects to have all 23 players available for selection, should they come through their final recovery, including James. 'We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through, so if everyone recovers well then we have 23 players available for tomorrow,' Wiegman said. 'I think we have many players that can impact, and we know that (James) can have an impact too, so that will be nice.' James played a key part in England's 1-0 win over the world champions Spain at Wembley in February - the last time Spain lost a match. 'Lauren brings something slightly different,' Leah Williamson said. 'Just like the others, so obviously having that available is best-case scenario for us.' Williamson has recovered from her own ankle injury and is set to captain England in the final after missing out of the 2023 World Cup, where the Lionesses lost 1-0 to Spain in Sydney. 'I can speak for every single member of the squad when I say we will play as long as we get the green light, we would play through absolutely anything to be involved at this stage,' Williamson said. 'My ankle is great. My mum actually rolled her ankle a couple of days ago, so she's taken all the attention away from me now. But no, I had a scare. Obviously I want to be involved, and I want to be available to help the team any way they need me.' Williamson said it was 'awful' to miss out on the last World Cup and admitted she felt 'useless' watching England in the final against Spain. 'That probably bothered me the most,' Williamson said. 'Of course, I'm very happy with that,' Wiegman said when asked about Williamson's availability as captain. 'I am very happy that we have 23 players available tomorrow and yeah, Leah has a big role in the team, so it's really nice to have her on the pitch.'
Daily Record
25 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Irked Russell Martin's six word message to Rangers team made something crystal clear before game even started
The new Ibrox boss was left unimpressed with a number of players after handing out chances to stake claim Russell Martin finished the game watching from the stands. And he warned his sloppy fringe men they'd better buck up their ideas if they want to avoid spending the rest of the season there too. The new Ibrox boss was unimpressed with a number of players he handed a big chance to stake their claim in the 2-2 friendly draw with Middlesbrough - revealing he spotted signs they weren't up for the fight in the WARM-UP. After throwing on the cavalry with half an hour remaining to salvage a draw, Martin admitted the lack of depth to his squad was obvious. Goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis rescued a draw after Neto Borges and Dael Fry had Boro two ahead. Martin was then sent off at the interval for protesting over the non-award of a penalty too hard. But having made 11 changes to the side that started Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League qualifying first leg victory over Panathinaikos, it was the application of some of his second string which had him seeing red at full time. Oscar Cortes and Josh Gentles were singled out for praise. But Martin said: 'A lot of the moments that were uncomfortable for us were down to a lack of intensity on our part. 'And I said to the guys - I didn't like the warm up. "There's a bit of disappointment in a few people, maybe not in the team and that stuff. "But if you're disappointed, and especially playing for this football club, you have to show it in being more aggressive, more intense, not being downbeat and sort of just being out there and letting the game pass you by a little bit. 'So they know that now. That can't happen. It can't be a problem for us. 'Whenever you step on the pitch for this club and this team, you have to be all in. 'So that was a good lesson for a couple. And the rest I'm really pleased with, and we're better than we were before the game for sure. 'I think we're learning about people all the time. And every situation is different. Every person as a player, but as a person, is different. 'There was just a little bit too much in the first half that I didn't really like and there were some good moments in the first half. 'But I think the thing to take is, when you're not playing or not in the starting 11 right now then we're at the start of a very, very long season and we are going to need everyone. I've told them that. 'But you need to be a bit more like Oscar, run really hard. 'Maybe his end product wasn't quite there today because he hasn't played too much, but effort, endeavour, willingness to run, to help your mate, fantastic. Josh Gentles the same. 'That's where you need to be when you if you want to be part of this in the long term.' Martin fired the warning to his players two days before the fly out to Greece for Wednesday's crucial qualifier. A 2-0 first leg win at Ibrox has given Rangers a cushion ahead of what's expected to be an intense evening in Athens Olympic Stadium. And he reckons the sluggish start was a timely reminder of the levels and intensity that will be required if they are to see off Panathinaikos and keep their £40m Champions League dream alive. He said: 'If we were in a difficult situation, it's down to us, a lack of intensity, not being in the right position quickly enough. So I think that's the lesson. 'If you're not going to play with enough intensity or enough speed or enough aggression, then you will be put into difficult situations way more than you are if you want to bring all of those to the party. 'So, especially early on in the game when a team has energy and they're fresh and they have a really good organized press and they have a good coach. 'We knew it'd be difficult for the guys. I don't think we expected anything less. But be difficult on our terms. 'If we're running, being aggressive, playing with intensity, and it's still difficult, then we can look at it and try and fix it. But don't be difficult on someone else's terms.' Curtis followed up his wonderstrike that opened the scoring against the Greeks on Tuesday night with another Ibrox strike to seal the draw with 11 minutes remaining. This time it was all about awareness as he pounced to bury the loose ball after Nico Raskin's header was saved. And Martin said: 'He showed good instinct today. He got better on Tuesday as the game went on and he showed some good stuff today, some good timing, some good bits. 'So, just a really good learner. And I thought Nico was brilliant next to him today as well. 'The best Nico's played since we've been here, so I'm really pleased with Nico's contribution because I think having Max Aarons and Nico on your side of the pitch will definitely help Findlay. 'And he just needs to keep listening, keep learning. Good instinct today, good character, good attitude. As long as he keeps doing that, he'll be fine.'
Glasgow Times
25 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Martin reveals transfer interest in a 'fair few' Rangers players
This comes after the team's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough in a friendly match. Neto Borges and Dael Fry put the visitors ahead at half-time, but second-half goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis ensured a draw for Martin's side. Following the confirmation of Robin Propper's move to Dutch club FC Twente, Martin was questioned about potential further departures. He said: "I think we have interest in a fair few of the players, but as and when they go, I don't know. Read more: "I just wait for Kevin [Thelwell] to tell me what's going on. "And yeah, whilst they're here, they'll be treated with care and respect and professionalism. "And it might not always be on the terms they want or like, but I think if we're honest with each other and we respect each other and they respect the group, there's not going to be a problem." [[Rangers]] are set to play Panathinaikos this Wednesday in the return leg of their second-round Champions League qualifier. They currently have a 2-0 aggregate lead.
