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The Sun
20 minutes ago
- The Sun
Newcastle issue apology and immediately take down third kit release video after eagle-eyed fans spot ‘offensive' flag
NEWCASTLE UNITED have apologised for including a flag that could "inadvertently cause offence" in the promotional video for their new third kit. The Magpies have taken down the video containing the flag and edited the footage out of future content that they plan to share. 5 5 5 Newcastle revealed their new Adidas third shirt on Tuesday with a video that included famous faces from the Toon Army including Sam Fender, Alexander Isak, Tino Asprilla and Jonas Gutierrez. However, what was meant to be a video celebrating Newcastle's growing family, has instead led to an apology from the club. A statement from Newcastle read: "We have been alerted to the appearance of a flag in our recent third kit launch video that could inadvertently cause offence. "In response, we immediately removed the video from circulation and have taken steps to edit the visual from all future content. "We sincerely apologise for any offence caused". At one point in the video two fans can be seen holding up an altered flag that resembles the Rising Sun Flag, a former symbol of the Imperial Japanese Army. While the flag is considered part of Japanese history, other countries such as South Korea, China, Singapore and Russia have claimed that it is associated with imperial wartime atrocities. Newcastle are heading on a pre-season tour later this month that will see them play games in both Singapore and South Korea. 5 5 The flag is currently banned by FIFA at international matches. While South Korea wanted it banned from the 2020 Olympics too, but organisers claimed the flag is "widely used in Japan" and is "not a political statement". Newcastle are yet to confirm that the flag in question was the reasoning for their apology. Their original video has been removed from all their social channels, while the same has been done by kit manufacturer Adidas. Newcastle begin their pre-season preparations this month, playing their first friendly against Celtic - a match in which they will debut their new third kit.
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Five to watch on Scotland's tour of the Pacific
The gaze of the rugby world is on Australia this summer as the British and Irish Lions take on the Wallabies, but Scotland also have their own Tests on the other side of the world this Townsend's side – minus the eight players selected for Andy Farrell's squad – are in New Zealand to take on the Maori All Blacks in Whangerei, Samoa in Christchurch, with a trip to Suva in between to face and his players have spoken of the importance of the matches, in particular those against Fiji and Samoa, which carry crucial ranking points ahead the 2027 World Cup squad is a mixture of household names and new faces and here we have identified five players to keep an eye on. Will Graham show Lions what they're missing? Second on Scotland's all-time try-scoring list – one behind Duhan van der Merwe – Darcy Graham has long been one of the first names on the Van der Merwe on Lions duty, the Edinburgh wing has a big opportunity to move ahead – and perhaps even open up a bit of a gap – at the top of that will be fascinating to see how the 28-year-old responds to his Lions snub. Many thought his pace, rugby IQ, competitive spirit, lethal finishing and game-breaking ability were tailormade for a Lions environment, but he missed the may not be the end of the story, though. As was shown this week with Ben White's call-up, Lions opportunities may still arise. Graham, and indeed the likes of Rory Darge, Jamie Ritchie and Tom Jordan, will want to show they are in top form and ready should that chance present itself. Paterson aims to make up for lost time Harry Paterson has always looked at home on the international stage. Keeping him fit enough to perform there regularly has been the memorable Scotland debut against France in the 2024 Six Nations - he played superbly having been thrown into the starting line-up on the morning of the game when Kyle Steyn's wife went into labour – demonstrated a temperament made for Test impressive showings on last summer's tour of the Americas confirmed Paterson's potential to be a big player for Scotland, but a succession of injury problems have hampered his valuable game time in a Scotland jersey this summer will hopefully tee-up the Edinburgh full-back for a big season ahead. Burke ready to enter battle for No.10 The role of chief understudy to Finn Russell as Scotland fly-half has been passed around quite a bit and for quite some time. Now Fergus Burke gets his chance to stake a New Zealand-born Saracens man, who qualifies for Scotland through his Glaswegian grandparents, was named in the squad for the Six Nations but did not see any should get his Test debut at some point on the summer tour but, with Adam Hastings and Tom Jordan also in the squad, it will be interesting to see how much game time he is is a former All Blacks under-20 international and will be desperate to play a part in the matches against the Maori All Blacks and Samoa back in his homeland. It will be fascinating to see how he adapts to the Test arena. Returning Turner helps solve problem position Townsend must have been doing cartwheels when George Turner announced he would be returning to the UK to join Harlequins and, as such, would once again be available for the year he has spent in Japan with Kobe Steelers – a move that made him unavailable for Test rugby – nobody has made a compelling case to replace him as first-choice Ashman's form has fluctuated significantly, Johnny Matthews' face just does not seem to fit with the Scotland selectors and Paddy Harrison still looks a little green for Test Cherry came in from the cold to claim the starting jersey during the Six Nations, but he is not in the squad and Turner should slot straight back into the number two power in the tackle and with ball-in-hand will be a huge asset. Masibaka the unknown quantity A classic Townsend left-field selection during the Six Nations that had fans and journos alike googling, "Who is Alex Masibaka?" Now we will get the chance to see what the big man is really all signed to Montpellier, Masibaka has been playing in the French second division these past two seasons for Soyaux-Angouleme but hopes to establish himself with his parent club in the Top 14 this powerful ball-carrying is said to be the key feature of his game that first attracted the Scotland has already stated the Fiji v Scotland match is an occasion of great personal significance - his mother is Scottish, his father Fijian – that he would love to be a part of and you sense there would be no challenge to get him up for that showdown in Suva.
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Man United's newest star vows to fight for first-team spot - as he promises to 'KILL IT' in pre-season training and impress Ruben Amorim
Manchester United 's new signing Diego Leon has vowed to fight for a first-team place when he joins the club for pre-season training. The teenage left back from Paraguay is due to land in Manchester this week after United agreed a deal worth up to £7million with his club Cerro Porteno, and is determined to force his way into Ruben Amorim 's side rather than going out on loan. 'I'm really happy, I think every player dreams of this,' Leon told Paraguayan media. 'When you're a professional, you have to adapt quickly, it is a massive opportunity. 'Everyone thinks I'll go out on loan, but I don't have that mindset. I'm going to kill it in pre-season and within one or two games, I'll already be playing with them.' United's players are due to report back for pre-season training at Carrington on Monday. After two weeks of fitness work, United face Leeds in Stockholm on July 19 before going on tour to the US where they play West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League Summer Series. The final game is against Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9. It's expected that Amorim and his coaching staff will monitor Leon in pre-season before deciding whether to include him in the first-team squad or send him out on loan. The teenager will be up against Patrick Dorgu and Harry Amass for the left wing back position in Amorim's 3-4-3 system. Luke Shaw also recovered from a long-term hamstring injury before the end of last season but was used predominantly as a left-sided centre-back. In January, United and Cerro Porteno agreed a fee of £3.3m which could rise to £7m with add-ons, but the deal could not be completed until Leon turned 18 in April and travelled to Manchester to undergo a medical. The player, who is understood to have a thrown a farewell party for family and friends in Paraguay at the weekend, has agreed a five-year contract with the option of another year.
