Latest news with #UEFA
Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Times
Athletics' plan to kick West Ham out of stadium for up to three weeks
West Ham United will be forced to temporarily move out of their home if the World Athletics Championships is staged at the London Stadium in September 2029. Last week the government announced that it would provide the financial backing for a bid, with £35million from the Treasury and a further £10million from the London mayor's office now guaranteed. However, the championships now forms the finale for the international track and field season as part of a new World Athletics initiative, meaning that the nine-day event will likely take place after the start of the 2029-30 football season. The formal bid from UK Athletics, UK Sport and the other stakeholders will also need to cover alternative dates in July and August. But September will be the preference for World Athletics, should London be chosen, and organisers would therefore need to look for the event to coincide with the international break at the start of the month, which usually involves a midweek and weekend game. That, however, would not fully resolve the fixture issue for West Ham. The process for changing the seating configuration that is required to accommodate the athletics track is far quicker than the 15 days it used to take, and can now be done in as little as four days. But that still means the organisers of the athletics event would need the stadium for between two and three weeks, insiders estimate. That would, therefore, mean the Premier League fixtures — as well as Uefa fixtures, should West Ham qualify for Europe that season — being arranged accordingly, with the east London club playing all their matches away from home over that period. All of West Ham's games during the event would need to be played away from home REX The Times understands there are certain contractual obligations that mean the London Stadium has to allow for a limited number of global sports events to take precedence. A London Stadium spokesperson said: 'We are delighted that London Stadium is seen as a potential venue for the World Athletics Championships in 2029, one of the biggest events on the world sporting calendar. The 2017 Championships we hosted to sold-out crowds were a huge success, bringing investment and more than £100million in economic benefits to London. 'It is early days in the process for 2029 and full details of any bid are to be developed, including potential dates for the event. During this process we will work closely with all our stakeholders, including West Ham, to make sure any benefits to the venue, city and country are considered fully alongside all other requirements.' Jack Buckner, the UKA chief executive, said: 'We will be having that discussion with them. 'But we are delighted to now have the government support for this bid. There's a ton of work. But to get to the start line, it feels great. And that level of backing and support is massive.'
The Star
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-England's Kelly grateful for moments like Tuesday after rocky club season
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Semi Final - England v Italy - Stade de Geneve, Lancy, Switzerland - July 22, 2025 England's Chloe Kelly misses a penalty before she scores their second goal from the rebound REUTERS/Denis Balibouse TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY GENEVA (Reuters) -After Chloe Kelly smashed in her own rebound that lifted England into the Euro 2025 final, she struck a casual pose at the corner flag, one hand on the flag, another on her hip, and smiled up at the England fans. Kelly's 119th-minute winner was the punctuation mark on a nervy come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Italy that sends the reigning champions into their third consecutive final of a major tournament. They will play either world champions Spain or Germany on Sunday. Asked where she gets her confidence, Kelly said: "Myself." "The moments when in January I felt like giving up football makes you so grateful for these moments here today, and this makes you enjoy every minute of that," said Kelly, who did her trademark prancing penalty run-up. "I think confidence comes from within, but from around you as well. The players that we stand side by side with on the pitch, give confidence in each other." Back in January, there were doubts the 27-year-old would be in the Euros squad because she was barely playing for Manchester City. She made a public plea to leave City to secure more playing time and improve her odds. Kelly's plea worked as she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell with Arsenal, and then signed a permanent deal with the London club. Sunday's final will be the fifth in a major tournament for coach Sarina Wiegman, who said the night felt like a "movie" with 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang striking the equaliser in the 96th minute to send the game into extra time. "It was a little bit dramatic. At the 88th minute, I thought 'We have to score now or we have a problem,'" Wiegman said, laughing. Wiegman heaped praise on Agyemang, who almost scored again with an effort deep into the second half of extra time, but clanged her shot off the crossbar. "She's only 19 years old and she's very mature, she knows exactly what she needs to do," Wiegman said. "When you came into our team late, right before the she's really mature already and brings something different, and that's what she showed today. "That ball she hit against the crossbar - it was spectacular." The one negative on the night was Lauren James limping off with an ankle injury to end the first half. Wiegman said James, who sat on the bench with a bag of ice on the ankle, will be reassessed on Wednesday. (Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
England's Kelly grateful for moments like Tuesday after rocky club season
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Semi Final - England v Italy - Stade de Geneve, Lancy, Switzerland - July 22, 2025 England's Chloe Kelly misses a penalty before she scores their second goal from the rebound REUTERS/Denis Balibouse TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY GENEVA - After Chloe Kelly smashed in her own rebound that lifted England into the Euro 2025 final, she struck a casual pose at the corner flag, one hand on the flag, another on her hip, and smiled up at the England fans. Kelly's 119th-minute winner was the punctuation mark on a nervy come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Italy that sends the reigning champions into their third consecutive final of a major tournament. They will play either world champions Spain or Germany on Sunday. Asked where she gets her confidence, Kelly said: "Myself." "The moments when in January I felt like giving up football makes you so grateful for these moments here today, and this makes you enjoy every minute of that," said Kelly, who did her trademark prancing penalty run-up. "I think confidence comes from within, but from around you as well. The players that we stand side by side with on the pitch, give confidence in each other." Back in January, there were doubts the 27-year-old would be in the Euros squad because she was barely playing for Manchester City. She made a public plea to leave City to secure more playing time and improve her odds. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Opinion Most companies onboard wrong – here's how to get it right Life Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath's bat-biting frontman turned reality TV star, dies aged 76 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Kelly's plea worked as she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell with Arsenal, and then signed a permanent deal with the London club. Sunday's final will be the fifth in a major tournament for coach Sarina Wiegman, who said the night felt like a "movie" with 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang striking the equaliser in the 96th minute to send the game into extra time. "It was a little bit dramatic. At the 88th minute, I thought 'We have to score now or we have a problem,'" Wiegman said, laughing. Wiegman heaped praise on Agyemang, who almost scored again with an effort deep into the second half of extra time, but clanged her shot off the crossbar. "She's only 19 years old and she's very mature, she knows exactly what she needs to do," Wiegman said. "When you came into our team late, right before the she's really mature already and brings something different, and that's what she showed today. "That ball she hit against the crossbar - it was spectacular." The one negative on the night was Lauren James limping off with an ankle injury to end the first half. Wiegman said James, who sat on the bench with a bag of ice on the ankle, will be reassessed on Wednesday. REUTERS
The Star
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Analysis-Soccer-Super subs save the day again as England go through to Women's Euro 2025 final
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Semi Final - England v Italy - Stade de Geneve, Lancy, Switzerland - July 22, 2025 England's Michelle Agyemang scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw GENEVA (Reuters) -Just when England's reign as women's European champions appeared to be coming to an end, their bench cavalry rode to the rescue once more as substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly got the goals that put them into the Euro 2025 final. Trailing 1-0 deep into second-half stoppage time against Italy in their Euro 2025 semi-final, the defending champions looked beaten, but Agyemang levelled to force extra time and Kelly snatched the winner to seal England's place in Sunday's final in Basel. For the second game in a row, the pair came on and proved decisive, and with Beth Mead also impressing from among the ranks of the replacements, England coach Sarina Wiegman has some welcome selection problems ahead of the decider against either Germany or Spain. Just as she did against Sweden in the quarter-final, Agyemang came off the bench to level, and though that game went to a penalty shootout, this time Kelly needed only the rebound from one late spot-kick to send her side through. Agyemang has been a colossus for England in her substitute appearances to date, providing power, physicality and a nose for goal when they need it most -- not bad for a 19-year-old who was a ball girl for an England game at Wembley only four years ago. Kelly's wing work has been equally exemplary, her unshakeable confidence allowing her to persistently create chances and change every game she entered. Their contributions were vital. Italy defended with a mix of heroism, wisdom and cynicism that looked to be enough to see them into the final for the first time since 1997. The Italians had done superbly, making sure their clearances went to a teammate or out to the wings to lessen the danger and they presented the England players with a solid block in the middle, inviting them to shoot from distance. Their strategy of compressing space and denying angled balls behind their defence effectively restricted England's attack, limiting striker Alessia Russo to a handful of touches in the box. The introduction of Agyemang and her combination of skill and physicality gave England a more direct weapon, and with Kelly marauding down the wings, the reigning champions suddenly looked to have a sliver of hope. Italy keeper Laura Giuliani spilled the cross that Agyemang snapped up and converted into an equaliser, and the keeper saved from Kelly's extra-time penalty, but could do nothing to prevent her from steering home the rebound as the super subs struck again to save England. "We're going to make a movie some day! Well, this is a movie, my goodness, it's unbelievable. Here we are again, it's really, really special," an elated Wiegman said, praising her supporting cast for their blockbuster ending. (Reporting by Philip O'ConnorEditing by Toby Davis)
The National
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Bizarre moment Rangers sub blocked because of socks
The Albanian midfielder was lined up to replace Joe Rothwell in the closing stages of the Champions League tie against Panathinaikos. However, Bajrami would be prevented from taking to the pitch as fourth official Robertas Smitas stopped the substitution from going ahead. The fourth official blocked Bajrami's substitution (Image: Premier Sports) Premier Sports cameras picked up Bajrami's frustration at the intervention from the UEFA official as he returned to the bench to switch his socks. The issue appears to come down to the fact that Bajrami had cut holes in his socks. It has become increasingly popular to see professionals cut their socks in order to relieve pressure on the calf muscle. Russell Martin also engaged with the fourth official after having the sub stopped as he looked to introduce Bajrami to the action for the final minutes with [[Rangers]] leading 2-0. Bajrami would final enter the pitch moments later, after booting a bottle in frustration, wearing a fresh pair of socks. Read more: Commentator Rory Hamilton described the action: "Well, Bajrami was ready to come on but he's been turned away by the fourth official. "Something is not quite right with the change there. Russell Martin is now enquiring as to exactly why the winger wasn't able to come on. "Now Bajrami is ready. I think it was a problem with the socks, which are now okay." The issue was over holes cut in the player's socks (Image: Premier Sports) Neil McCann added: "He's not happy, he is ripping socks off and everything down there." Hamilton then continued: "Well, still the conversation goes on between Russell Martin and the fourth official. He is furious they can't get Nedim Bajrami on.
