Fixtures for The Hundred 2023 released

Trent Rockets and Southern Brave will open the 2023 edition of The Hundred on 1 August at Trent Bridge. All fixtures this season will be double-headers, with both the men's and women's competitions starting at the same time.

The women's tournament started later in 2022 because of a clash with the Commonwealth Games. The men's and women's finals for the Hundred's third season will take place on 27 August at Lord's.

Flatrock Motorclub continues partnership with Michael d’Orlando at the 2024 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix

Flatrock Motorclub has confirmed it will resume its partnership with American Indy NXT by Firestone racing talent Michael d’Orlando at the 2024 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville, Tennessee this weekend.

Flatrock Motorclub to sponsor INDY NXT by Firestone driver Michael d’Orlando at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix

Flatrock Motorclub have just announced that it will partner with American INDY NXT by Firestone racing talent Michael d’Orlando at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix this weekend as part of the premium motorsport destination’s commitment to supporting the next generation of home-grown racers.

Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub marks one year anniversary since breaking ground

Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub marked the one-year anniversary since breaking ground on America’s newest premium racing facility in the heart of Cumberland County, Tennessee.

Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub partners with Radical

Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub has announced an exciting partnership with Radical Motorsport, promising to collaborate as the premium racing facility gears up to its 2024 grand opening.

Following Hamilton commission F1 launches diversity task force

Formula 1 has launched an equality and diversity taskforce to increase the opportunities for minority groups.

The move is part of a wider commitment that will also see F1 support initiatives fighting against the coronavirus pandemic and promote sustainability.

It coincides with the start of the delayed 2020 season in Austria in July.

Formula 1 boss Chase Carey said: “At our first race in Austria, Formula 1 will stand united to say loud and clear that racism

It follows after Lewis Hamilton announced plans to set up a commission in his name to increase diversity in motorsport.

The current – and six time – world champion said that he wants the Hamilton Commission to make “real, tangible and measurable changes”.

In a newspaper column he said: “Despite my success in the sport, the institutional barriers that have kept F1 highly exclusive persist.

“It is not enough to point to me, or to a single new Black hire, as a meaningful example of progress”.

Football 'must address scandal of dementia' affecting former players - say Stiles family

The family of 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles says football needs to "address the scandal" of dementia in the game. And they criticised the Professional Footballers' Association, saying there had been a lack of support for players.

The ex-Manchester United and England midfielder died in October, aged 78. He had dementia and prostate cancer. Stiles is the fifth member of England's World Cup-winning squad to have been diagnosed with dementia.

Previous research has shown that ex-footballers are three and a half times more likely to die of dementia than the general population. Stiles' family said they were proud of "what he achieved, but more importantly, the man he was". But they added: "There is a need for urgent action.

"These older players have largely been forgotten and many are in ill health, like dad.

"How can it be that these players are left needing help when their own union has tens of millions of pounds available today?

"How can it be that these players are struggling when the Premier League receives £3bn a year?

"The modern player will never need the help required by the older lads. How can it be right that some of the heroes of 1966 had to sell their medals to provide for the families?

"These older players are dying like my dad - many don't have medals to sell. It is right, of course to seek to identify the cause of dementia in older players but in truth the cause is irrelevant to the older players - whatever the cause, they need help now.

"I hope dad's death is the catalyst for this scandal to be addressed."

Stiles made 397 appearances for Manchester United between 1960 and 1971, later going on to play for Middlesbrough and Preston North End. He won 28 caps for England and is the seventh member of the England team that started the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany to die, after captain Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, Gordon Banks, Martin Peters and Jack Charlton.

Stiles had a minor stroke in 2010, and was then diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and prostate cancer.

The PFA said: "Our thoughts are with Nobby Stiles' family at this very difficult time.

"The PFA Charity offers a range of support to former professional footballers and their families/carers. The support we provide is always confidential and as each family's circumstance will vary, we try to ensure that the support provided is suitable to their individual needs.

"The PFA is listening to member feedback and evaluating ways to improve the services and care provided. We are at the of beginning of a process of consultation with sections of our membership who have lived experience of neurodegenerative conditions. We will be liaising with these members and their families to determine how the services can be of greater help and more accessible for those that need it.

"The PFA will continue to fund research as part of a working group, comprised of stakeholders from across the game. Currently, we are funding three separate studies looking at neurodegenerative conditions and football."

In a statement, the Football Association said: "We continue to work closely with the Alzheimer's Society and, alongside other sport governing bodies, we are pleased to be a part of their Sport United Against Dementia campaign to help raise awareness and gain support for their valuable work.

"Collaboration across football's governing bodies is key in order to better understand this important issue collectively, and we firmly believe that all areas of football should come together for this meaningful cause."

Research from a study by neuropathologist Dr Willie Stewart found that former footballers were between two and five times more likely to die from degenerative brain diseases.

It has yet to be proven whether heading is a contributing factor. But Stiles says he is "utterly convinced" heading had caused problems to the members of the 1966 World Cup team who have been diagnosed with dementia, including Sir Bobby Charlton.

Stewart's examination of former West Brom striker Jeff Astle concluded he died of a brain condition normally linked to boxers, and that it was caused by heading footballs. Last month, a coroner ruled that former Welsh international Alan Jarvis died from dementia linked to repeatedly heading the ball.

Stiles said that football was "hiding behind the fact that it's very difficult to get conclusive evidence of a brain injury" as it cannot be diagnosed until after death. He added: "It's blatantly obvious that heading the ball has given the World Cup players dementia.

"There's nothing else that they have done, although all I hear from football authorities is that they need more studies. But while they are doing that the players aren't getting the help they need and they need it now. Football hasn't reacted and in the meantime, there's been hundreds, maybe thousands of footballers who have suffered with it, and football has deliberately, in my opinion, not dealt with it because it will cost money and effect the brand.

"The research should continue, there is plenty of money to do it, to make sure that current players and youngsters coming through don't suffer the same fate as my father. But more importantly, players should be getting care and support now, substantial support and care.

"I don't think you could ever take heading out of football, but at least the players should be made aware that they make a decision to play the game knowing what the risks are."

The Premier League says it contributes £23m a year to the PFA, which goes to several charitable and development causes, including the recent study. It also has its own head injury advisory group, and is awaiting more details on concussion substitutions from IFAB, which are set to be trialled across the game from January 2021 onwards.

Football agent Mino Raiola dies

It was announced that Mino Raiola, the agent who represented some of football's most high-profile players, has died. The Dutch-Italian's stable of players included Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Football and anti-racism world mourning the death of campaigner and ‘Kick It Out’ founder Lord Ouseley Kt.

The founder of the ‘Kick It Out’ and anti-racism campaigner, Lord Herman Ouseley, has dies following a short illness.

Football club scores ‘Lesters’ sponsorship deal

One of Staffordshire’s fastest growing manufacturers has kicked-off a new commercial deal with Chasetown Football Club.

Football clubs, players and sporting bodies begin boycott to tackle abuse

Football clubs, players, athletes and a number of sporting bodies have begun a four-day boycott of social media in an attempt to tackle abuse and discrimination on their platforms. It began at 15:00 BST yesterday and will end on Monday at 23:59 BST.

The show of solidarity against online abuse hopes to encourage companies to take a stronger stance against racist and sexist abuse by users. Rugby union, cricket and rugby league have also joined the protest.

The Premier League released a statement prior to the four-day silence, saying it would not stop challenging companies until discriminatory online abuse is removed from our game and wider society.

It said: "We know that a boycott alone will not eradicate this, which is why we will continue to take proactive steps to call for change." A number of players posted a statement shortly before the protest began, while football clubs changed their Twitter feed icons to a blacked-out version of their logo.

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips wrote: "Disappointed that we even have to be doing this. Social media should be a safe space for everyone.

"I really hope main platforms make it a priority to eradicate online abuse from their system. It's already a problem in society, let's do more to stop it online as well." Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out says the boycott "signifies our collective anger", with football being joined by other sports.

Among the organisations boycotting Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are:

·         Football: Clubs from the Premier League, English Football League, Women's Super League, Scottish Professional Football League and Scottish women's football; governing bodies including the Football Association, Scottish FA, Football Association of Wales and Irish Football Association; European governing body Uefa; a number of other football organisations

·         Cricket: The England and Wales Cricket Board, first-class counties, women's regional teams and the Professional Cricketers' Association

·         Netball: The Superleague, England Netball, Netball Players Association

·         Rugby union: England Rugby, Scottish Rugby, Welsh Rugby, France Rugby, Premiership Rugby, clubs and the Rugby Players' Association

·         Rugby league: The Rugby Football League, Super League Europe, Rugby League World Cup 2021 and the Rugby League Players' Association

·         Corporate bodies: Premier League and Women's Super League sponsor Barclays, England sponsor Nationwide, Adidas; broadcasters Sky Sports, BT Sport and Talksport

British Cycling, British Horseracing, Great Britain and England Hockey, and the Lawn Tennis Association are also involved. The Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the FA, has also joined, alongside seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and Williams driver George Russell.

"I am fully supportive of the initiative and if me doing it helps put pressure on those platforms in order to help fight against it then, for sure, I am happy to do so," said Hamilton. "I am really proud to hear there are so many organisations getting involved. I am not sure why Formula 1 is not a part of that."

Formula 1 said it was committed to combatting any form of discrimination, online or otherwise and supports the sporting bodies and athletes involved in the boycott. It is understood Formula 1 is not joining the boycott as it does not experience the same abuse issues on its social media.

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend said players were starting to fight back", adding the boycott would send a warning to these companies that if you don't start regulating your platforms, it's going to be an indefinite blackout. Watford captain Troy Deeney said the social media boycott was a huge step.

He said: "For a long time now we've all been talking about the impact of social media on the younger generation, as well as mental health. I think the huge part about this is it's only four days, it could give people a perspective of what life could be like without a huge amount of sporting stars on social media."

Deeney added: “I receive abuse on a daily basis, which is also aimed at partner and children. That's very difficult for me to read but also not to react," he said. "We have to not react, we're in a privileged position but if we react on a human level, we're the ones who will get held accountable for our reactions."

Former West Ham, Sunderland and QPR defender Anton Ferdinand said it was sad that the fight against online abuse had got to this point, but that football was taking no more of it.

"There should be life bans, because we're talking about people's lives," he said.

"Some people don't get out of the slump they're in after being abused on social media, and that can lead to people harming themselves. We've got to take this very, very seriously."

He also called on the UK government to do more, saying: "Has the energy from the government been the same as what it was when the European Super League was being spoken about? No it hasn't, and that's the disappointing thing.

"When we're talking about pound notes and money involved, that's when people seem to act properly, and seem to act in the right way.

"The government haven't done that when it comes to discrimination on social media platforms, the energy isn't the same and that is one of the reasons why the social media companies aren't really taking heed of what is being said by the footballing bodies."

Burnley captain Ben Mee said he hoped social media companies will take notice. “There's plenty of technology out there that can help stop this abuse online, not just in football, sport, or in everyday general life.

"We need to protect young kids, young adults as well. And growing up with all this social media going on, it needs to be things put in place for these trolls and keyboard warriors to take responsibility for their actions."

Two years ago, a number of footballers took part in the #Enough campaign - a 24-hour social media boycott in protest at online abuse. But players across all sports continue to be subjected to racist abuse, with some clubs contacting police over the level of aggression.

An investigation by the Professional Footballers' Association, the players' union, found 56 abusive posts on Twitter in November 2020. The PFA reported them to the platform but 31 of them are still visible, which the organisation described as absolutely unacceptable.

Manchester United recently revealed their own analysis had found a 350% increase in abuse directed towards the club's players, with 3,300 posts targeting players during the period September 2019 to February 2021. It found 86% of those posts were racist, while 8% were homophobic or transphobic.

Also, Swansea City were joined by Birmingham City and Rangers in turning off their social media accounts for a week to make a stand against abuse. Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry removed himself from social media in March because of racism and bullying across platforms.

A survey of elite British sportswomen found that one third of participants had suffered abuse on social media. Some of football's governing bodies laid out the changes they would like to see in a letter to Facebook and Twitter in February.

The UK government has previously threatened social media companies with large fines, which could amount to billions of pounds if they fail to tackle abuse on their individual platforms. Individuals and football clubs have condemned the abuse, and it has been decided that collective action is the best way to bring about change.

Facebook, which owns Instagram, has said it is committed to tackling abuse on its platforms.

Instagram last week announced a tool to enable users to automatically filter out abusive messages from those they do not follow on the platform.

Twitter released a statement, stating it was resolute in their commitment to ensure the football conversation on our service is safe for fans, players and everyone involved in the game. The company added it had removed more than 7,000 football-related tweets in the UK that violated its rules.

Football Coaching students inspire change at Caribbean Crime Intervention Camp

Seven football coaching students from the University of Wolverhampton joined 13 UK coaches this summer for the third annual Crime Intervention Football Camp in St. Kitts and Nevis, a transformative initiative using sport to empower young people and reduce crime.

Football law makers confirms new accidental handball rule change

Accidental handball that leads to a goal-scoring chance or a goal for a team-mate will no longer be penalised, say football's law makers.

Ifab confirmed the change, saying it was because of the "interpretation of handball incidents" not being applied consistently. Ifab is also looking a possible change to the law regarding offsides. Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has proposed that a player should be considered onside if any part of their body that can legally score a goal is level with the second-last defender.

Fifa will also continue to test semi-automated technology to detect offside, whereby a signal is sent to the assistant referee almost instantly. The change to the handball rule is likely to be introduced in England from July 1. It will remain a handball offence if a player scores accidentally with their hand or arm, or uses their hand or arm directly before scoring.

The International Football Association Board had tightened handball laws for the start of the 2020-21 season. However, a spate of handball decisions led to fierce criticism across the game and saw English top-flight referees ordered to be less strict about their interpretations of the law.

Premier League officials were told to particularly focus on the distance an offending player is from the ball and whether he has extended his arm outside the natural body line. Ifab clarified its interpretation of the offside law, saying the definition for handball, whereby the arm ends at the bottom of the armpit, must be used when judging whether a player is offside or not.

Wenger's proposed change to the offside law is set to be trialled in lower-league Chinese football and, if successful, could then be trialled in England, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said. "There are people who think it may lead to a more defensive game and others who think it would mean a more exciting game," Bullingham said. "Let's do the trial and find out."

Fifa will also continue to test semi-automated technology to detect offside, with a signal sent to the assistant referee almost instantly. That would leave referees and their assistants just needing to decide whether the offside player was interfering with play.

"Everyone recognises that when a goal is scored and fans have to wait to find out if it's a goal or not isn't a brilliant experience for the fans, particularly those in the stadium," added Bullingham. "We are looking at technology where a linesman will immediately know if a player is offside or not and have that communicated to them and that allows them to make an instant decision, so in theory for offside decisions there would be no need to go back to the video assistant referee."

Football legend Law dies

Former Scotland, Manchester United, Torino and Manchester City striker Denis Law - the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d'Or - has died.

Football legend Pelé to be immortalised in the dictionary

Football great Pelé enters dictionary to mean 'unique' as the nickname of the late football legend has officially becomes synonymous with "exceptional, incomparable, unique". The Portuguese-language Michaelis dictionary, one of the most popular in Brazil, added "pelé" as a new adjective to its online edition.

The inclusion came after a campaign by the Pelé Foundation to honour the football star gathered more than 125,000 signatures. The only player to have won the World Cup three times, he is widely considered to be the best footballer in history.

Football needs more Black managers – Sterling

Progress in the fight against racism will only come in football when more Black players become managers, according to Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been taking part in anti-racism marches and protests throughout the length and breadth of the UK, following the murder of American George Floyd, in Minneapolis, in the USA.

“The protests are a great starting point to making people’s voices heard”, he said.

“But just protesting alone is not going to make a change in this country”.

He went on to say: “The change is being able to speak to people in Parliament, people at the hierarchy at my football club, clubs across the country, people at the national team, to implement change and give equal chances to not just Black coaches, but coaches from across Britain’s wide multi ethnic communities”.

In 2018, the Football Association announced in an equality action plan that 5% of its leadership roles and 14% of England coaching staff were filled by people from a BAME background.

In the same plan, the FA set targets of 11% and 20% respectively.

“When there’s someone from a Black background I can go to in the FA with a problem”, Raheem went on to say, “I might have within the club, that will be when I know change is happening and not just in my field, also in Parliament”.

England manager Gareth Southgate, who has always encouraged his players to speak out and say what’s on their mind, said that he admired the way in which many of his national team have campaigned since the George Floyd murder in the United States.

He said: “The last few days have seen Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings talking so eloquently about the situation across the world and the Black Lives Matter movement”.

On the stance taken by Sterling, he added: “Football is no different to any other big business and it too must change”.

In today’s multi-culturally diverse football in today’s multi-culturally diverse Britain; how multi-culturally diverse is today’s boardrooms who are appointing the managers?

Football needs to act before we suffer another tragedy – says Canadian businessman and former politician and diplomat, Frank McKenna

“In a blog I posted on social media channels last week I reflected on the fact that it was the 37th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster, where 39 Italian football supporters were killed prior to Juventus’ European Cup Final with Liverpool,” says Canadian businessman and former politician and diplomat, Frank McKenna PC OC ONB QC.

Football star, Didier Drogba, shines bright among the winners of the 28th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award

There is no end to the surprises at the Fair Play Menarini International Award.

Football star, Hazard joins Nissan’s #ElectrifyTheWorld movement to spark positive change

Belgium international and Real Madrid C.F. football player and proud Nissan LEAF owner, Eden Hazard shares his electric experience to inspire more drivers to join him and switch to a 100% electric vehicle.

Father of four, Eden acknowledges his children were a huge driving factor behind his own decision to join the EV revolution. Choosing to drive a LEAF was fuelled by the ambition to secure a cleaner future for his family.

"As a father, I have a duty to my kids to lead by example. There are many positive actions we can make, like choosing an electric vehicle, that will only have a positive impact for the planet, and the people," said Eden Hazard, Nissan global ambassador.

“The biggest benefit of my LEAF is its 100% electric powertrain, it makes me proud to be an EV driver and partner with Nissan to electrify the world together. We all need to make changes today to secure the future of our planet Earth.”

Since experiencing first-hand the positive impact EVs can have on the environment, Eden wants to share his experience in the hope of encouraging more drivers to switch to electric mobility.  

First time experiencing a Nissan LEAF with Formula E racing driver Oliver Rowland for an unforgettable track day last year, Eden was impressed with its acceleration and power. Witnessing the thrilling limits of an EV solidified his own decision to choose an electric vehicle

"There are many things I enjoy about my LEAF. It looks super cool inside and out – the exterior look is sophisticated, the inside feels futuristic and the driving experience is impressive to say the least," continued Eden.  

Eden shares his electric journey in continuation of Nissan's My Life with a Nissan LEAF series, a collaborative collection of user experience stories to raise awareness and enhance motorists' understanding of electric vehicles.

"With Eden's help, it is our goal to inspire people to take positive action for the planet and in 2021, we're continuing to educate drivers on the longer-term impact they can have. Eden is one of over 500,000 LEAF owners who has joined the revolution to #ElectrifyTheWorld and we want that number to continue to rise," said Coralie Musy, Regional Vice President, Brand & Customer Experience, Nissan AMIEO.

“As we enter a second decade of electrification, we are determined to create a more sustainable future for all. We're expanding our electric vehicle offering and have set the goal to achieve carbon neutrality across our company operations and life cycle of our products by 2050 however the support of global role-models is invaluable.”

"The future of mobility is electric and through a concerted effort, we can encourage drivers to make the switch and accelerate the global effort against climate change," continued Coralie.

Eden's video story is the most recent instalment of My Life with a Nissan LEAF series, which showcases real-life testimonials to highlight electric mobility as an enjoyable way of life. To discover his full story visit Nissan Stories.

To discover the benefits electric vehicles provide, visit the online fuel saving calculator and to learn more about Nissan LEAF, visit the Nissan LEAF website.

Football still do decide when they can finish season

Finishing the season in a 40-day window was one of the scenarios discussed at a Premier League meeting.

Top-flight clubs remain committed to playing all 92 remaining fixtures this season but did not discuss a deadline by which action must resume. Clubs were expected to debate a 30 June deadline to end the season but instead discussed "possible scheduling models".

Meanwhile, the Women's Super League (WSL) season could be completed over a six-week period, with the 45 games left played behind closed doors at one central base. St George's Park, the Football Association's national football centre, is understood to be under consideration to host teams and matches.

No WSL fixtures have been played since February 23, with the suspension of elite football across England coming after a two-week international break for the SheBelieves Cup and the Women's League Cup final.

With the Premier League (PL) being suspended since March 13, because of coronavirus, they say that it "remains our objective" to complete matches but currently "all dates are tentative".

It is understood some clubs expected to discuss the proposed 30 June deadline at Friday's meeting but it was decided this was not the right time to do so.

A Premier League spokesperson said: "In common with other businesses and industries" clubs were "working through complex planning scenarios.

It remains our objective to complete the 2019-20 season, but at this stage all dates are tentative while the impact of Covid-19 develops."

Sixteen of the 20 Premier League teams have nine games to play, with four having 10 left.
The Premier League earlier said play will only resume when "it is safe and appropriate to do so". 

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden spoke to PL bosses and signalled the government was content for them to start contingency planning.

In a section on player welfare at the meeting, it was decided tests for coronavirus would have to be widely available to the public before the widespread testing of players.

When and how football resumes has been widely debated across the sport as clubs face up to financial difficulties and the logistical issues caused by a late finish to the season.

If the season is extended beyond that date there is a possibility clubs will lose players before fixtures are concluded.

Lower down the football pyramid in England, the EFL has sent a letter to clubs recommending they return to training on May 16 at the earliest. The EFL has not discussed a league restart date with the government but told clubs: "Our planning needs to be agile enough to allow us to be as prepared as possible for a start at relatively short notice."

The remaining options for this campaign were outlined to WSL clubs during a conference call, including the possibility of having to void the season with the n FA spokesperson saying: "We are in the early stages of assessing what options are available for when it is safe and appropriate to resume the FA WSL and FA WC seasons.
"This includes the potential use of neutral venues.

The FA is understood to want the top women's divisions next steps to be in line with any decisions made by the Premier League, as well as following guidance from European football's governing body UEFA, with the top two WSL teams set to qualify for the Women's Champions League.

That means there could yet be some flexibility around the proposed restart start in June, but nevertheless the WSL is understood to have two main options remaining as the most likely.

Tiers three to seven of the women's pyramid in England were formally declared null and void after that decision was ratified on 9 April and the top two tiers could follow suit depending on the health advice given.