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Premier League players from all 20 clubs have made the following statement:

'We, the Players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for All, regardless of their colour or creed. This symbol is a sign of unity from all Players, all Staff, all Clubs, all Match Officials and the Premier League #blacklivesmatter #playerstogether.’

The PFA stands alongside players, clubs, the Premier League, The FA, EFL, LMA, PGMOL and all those who oppose discrimination in any form. 

The PFA and the Premier League supports the players’ wish to have their names replaced by Black Lives Matter on the back of their shirts for the first 12 matches of the restarted 2019/20 season. A Black Lives Matter logo will also feature on shirts for the remainder of the season, along with a badge thanking the NHS for their work during the COVID-19 crisis. 

In addition, the PFA and the Premier League will support players who ‘take a knee’ before or during matches.

As such a diverse industry, this is an important show of solidarity in the fight against systemic racism. Enough is #Enough

A Letter To English Football From Paul Elliott, Chair Of Our Inclusion Advisory Board

It fills me with huge pride that, for the remainder of the season, teams playing in the Premier League, EFL and the Emirates FA Cup will support the Black Lives Matter campaign.

This will ensure that everyone around the world knows that English football is united against racism.

Progress has been made by English football in the last 30 years. When I played, a torrent of racist abuse was sadly the norm. We've worked hard to reduce discrimination from the pitch and from the terraces.

But despite that progress, we still have some way to go as a game in some key areas. Critically, we need to address the systemic inequalities that prevent under-represented and minority communities gaining senior management opportunities across society and in football.

We must ensure that our boardrooms and leadership positions reflect the society that we live in and the people who play the game.

We need to lead this change as it will help ensure that voices from all our communities are heard and to encourage the broadest possible range of talent to work in our wonderful game. As well as helping to combat discrimination, this will make us more effective as businesses. It will also signal change to the country.

Thirty years ago, racism was a societal problem; but it was football and footballers who led the way, standing up to racism and helping change perceptions across the country. It’s clear that inequality is still being felt across all of society today and rather than resisting change, we need to embrace and drive it.

Football is a game that unites like no other and players across the game are clear that they want football to lead once again. Football needs to lead the way not because of its high profile but because of its unique demographics.

Football, like in nearly every area of society, has Black and minority ethnic people underrepresented at all senior levels. Nearly 30 per cent of professional footballers are Black but Black people are still a rarity in the boardroom, executive offices and dugouts. This must change.

Showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaign is a welcome start, but it will be an empty gesture from football if we don’t take this opportunity for concrete action. Your support for the campaign and the players’ passionate voices have shown me that if there is an opportunity to create change, the game will take it.

We are therefore creating a voluntary code for Equality In Football Leadership, which every level of club will be able to sign up to – whether grassroots, semi-professional or elite.

This will be a firm and tangible commitment to diversity and inclusion in boardrooms, senior administration and coaching. I’m asking that you join us.

I will be working on the details of the code with some of the senior black leaders in the game. We will welcome any feedback and input from across the game and beyond.

We will conduct a structured three-month consultation process. The three-month period ensures we do not get bogged down in interminable meetings whilst another generation of talented Black and ethnic minority candidates miss out on the chance to develop their careers in football. Project Restart has shown football can move quickly when it sees the need.

Our aim is to add to the good work clubs are already doing up and down the country, working with them to create meaningful targets which we can then all use to demonstrate collective progress.

Adopting the code will signify that together we want to go on a journey to ensure football leads the way. The targets may vary according to multiple factors. For example, the region of the country that you operate in or global reach and impact. We’ll audit annually and will be transparent in publicising the results. To do this, clubs will need to be prepared to be transparent about their diversity statistics.

Of course, change should go further than clubs alone and football administration must keep pace too. I have already agreed with FA Chairman Greg Clarke that our organisation must review the composition of the FA Council, revisit the FA’s lack of BAME executive leadership and ensure that County Football Associations can set the standard for the grassroots game by using the newly agreed diversity provisions of the County Football Association governance code. 

The FA Board is diverse with four women and one BAME director. I attend as an observer in my role as the chair of the FA Inclusion Advisory Board to ensure that diversity and inclusion issues are fully represented at every meeting, however I do not have a vote. We need the Premier League, EFL, Barclays FA Women’s Super League and the National League to step up and provide ethnic diversity at board and executive level too. We need more role models for young BAME people beginning their careers to draw inspiration from.

So, I thank you for your support of Black Lives Matter and for all the excellent anti-discrimination work you already do. Football can and should be very proud of its achievements to date. Through this new initiative we can lead the nation’s response to inequality by ensuring the leadership of football reflects the composition of our country.

This global movement was captured beautifully by the visibility of the diverse next generation of our youth. The multicultural, multiracial makeup of the protesters really embraced what the world looks like today. It is so comforting for people of colour to know they no longer need to feel they are a minority voice and the world is listening and supporting them.

In asking for your support I would like to recall the words of Martin Luther King Junior: "In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

Don’t be silent. Football must unite against inequality. Join in and make football and society fair for all.

Football is coming together to ensure this initiative gains genuine traction rather than be another opportunity for making speeches and handwringing. The following people of many ethnicities have put their names to this letter, rather than remain silent, to show their support for action now.

There are many more people across football who I’m sure would like to support us with this initiative, and we hope to make contact with them in the near future. I will be putting together a working group to support me on this journey, as we all have a significant role to play and one where we can action change together.

List of support:
• Greg Clarke, FA chairman
• Mark Bullingham, FA chief executive
• Sanjay Bhandari, Kick It Out
• Bobby Barnes, PFA
• Heather Rabbatts
• Gareth Southgate
• Phil Neville
• Chris Hughton
• Chris Powell
• Gary Lineker
• Alex Scott
• David Pleat
• Graeme Le Saux
• Justin Cochrane
• Liam Rosenior
• Michael Johnson
• Rachel Yankey
• Tyrone Mings
• Robbie Savage
• Lucy Bronze
• Bruce Buck, Chelsea FC
• Steve Parish, Crystal Palace FC
• Ben Robinson, Burton Albion FC

Paul Elliott, CBE

Chair of the FA’s Inclusion & Advisory Board

An inspection of the progress on the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was carried out by athletes and project partners today (December 16).

Since planning permission was granted in January this year, the demolition of three existing stands has been completed and the site remodelled with steelwork that will form the eye-catching new West Stand, which has started to take shape in recent weeks.

And despite the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the £72.4million scheme remains on budget and scheduled for completion in spring 2022 ahead of its initial use as the venue for the Commonwealth Games athletics competition, as well as the event’s Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Kelly Sotherton, Team England’s Track and Field Team Leader for Birmingham 2022, said: “It is fantastic to be able to take a closer look at the progress that has recently been made on the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium. I’m impressed with how quickly the new parts of the stadium are taking shape.

“This will be an amazing venue for Birmingham 2022 and I’m sure that athletes from across the country, and around the world, are looking forward to competing here during the Games. This stadium has long been associated with great events and great athletes and that association can now continue in 2022 and beyond.”

Post-Games the Stadium is set to become a focal point of health, well-being, sport, academic and community activity in an improved Perry Park as part of the wider Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme - which will see well over £500million invested into north-west Birmingham in the next decade.

Councillor Brigid Jones, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, which is delivering the Stadium redevelopment project, said: “The Alexander Stadium will be at the centre of international sporting attention during the summer of 2022, and it is really exciting to see the new stand taking shape.

“It is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved with the project that they have kept things on track despite the challenges of this year.

“As we come up to the third anniversary of Birmingham being awarded the Games, this is a hugely encouraging demonstration of the progress we have made so far in our preparations, and the long-lasting legacy that this project will create for the people of Perry Barr and Birmingham as a whole.”

The Stadium, which will house around 30,000 spectators at each session it is used for during the Games, will revert to a permanent capacity of around 18,000 post-Games, the largest permanent facility capable of hosting major athletics in the UK, and the home of the world-famous Birchfield Harriers athletics club, in addition to a range of other tenants.

Birmingham 2022 Chief Executive Officer, Ian Reid, added: “I am truly impressed with the progress that has been made on this project this year. Despite the challenge of the pandemic, it is on track and on budget and the new stadium is really starting to take shape.

“The Alexander Stadium is a hugely significant venue for Birmingham 2022 and this redeveloped stadium will be the perfect stage for the athletics competition during the Games, and of course for our opening and closing ceremonies which we are currently planning.

“It is great to end the year on such a positive note and it is exciting to witness first-hand the hard work and passion that has been poured into this project over the last few months.”

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage said: "I'm delighted by the significant progress that has been made at the Alexander Stadium in the past few months and I want to thank everyone involved for their efforts so far. We are on track for the stadium to be a brilliant centrepiece of the Games and a fantastic community facility for many years to come." 

Funding for the Alexander Stadium Redevelopment comes from three sources: Birmingham City Council (£27.4million), the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (£20million) and West Midlands Combined Authority (£25million). The overall project cost is part of the local contribution to the overall Commonwealth Games budget (£184million of the £778million total).

East Bengal's DR Congo international midfielder Jacques Maghoma has said that the Indian Super League (ISL) can emulate Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US. On the back of five seasons with Birmingham City, Maghoma chose to ply his trade in India, coveting an experience in a different football culture. The 33-year-old was also intrigued by the history, pedigree and forward planning of ISL newcomer East Bengal.

"The Indian Super League is only in the seventh season and you can already tell how much it has improved from when it first started," Maghoma said. "The stadiums, the pitches, the referees - how everything is set up, a lot of it has improved. It will be like Major League Soccer."

MLS launched in 1996 and over the past 25 years the US' topflight has blossomed with the proliferation of football-specific stadiums, the signings of marquee players and national TV contracts. In terms of media coverage though the league is still battling for attention in a crowded field of traditional American sports.

He said: "Who would have known that the MLS would have gone from what it was, maybe ten years ago, to what it is now?

"The ISL will grow and even grow bigger than the MLS. The league has the potential to do that and attract more and bigger players to come and play out here in the latter stages of their career."

In the past, football greats like Alessandro Del Piero, Robert Pires, Diego Forlan and Roberto Carlos were among the marquee players who, in the twilight of their careers, provided the league with star power. Maghoma may not have the same reputation as those names but the 33-year-old has experience from his playing days, having featured in the English Football League for Burton, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.

"In terms of quality, I wouldn't compare it to the UK, but there is still a lot of talent in India and in the ISL," he said. "At times, you 'd be surprised how good some players and some teams are, how they want to play football."

London-born Maghoma did not have an easy start in India, arriving at his new club in the middle of October with the coronavirus pandemic raging across India. He was thrown into the deep end, having to quarantine, train with his new colleagues and play the season's curtain raiser against Kolkata rivals ATK Mohun Bagan.

"You play a derby more for the fans and for the club," he said. "Bagan have been together as well for a longer period of time. Everyone in our club is pretty much new. We are still getting to know each other's strengths and weaknesses."

The Kolkata franchise are bottom of the table with three defeats and a draw from their opening four matches and are yet to score a single goal. The disappointing results have increased the pressure on team coach, former Liverpool and England goal scoring legend Robbie Fowler, who oversaw a shortened pre-season because of East Bengal's late entry into the ISL.

In October, he signed a two-year deal with East Bengal following a successful coaching spell in the A-League with Brisbane Roar.

A lack of stadium development is one of the reasons racism remains an issue in Italian football, says AC Milan chief executive Ivan Gazidis. Milan's San Siro is one of 12 Serie A grounds built over 50 years ago. Only champions Juventus play in a ground opened more recently than 2010.

"We see an environment in which there is a lack of respect kind of built in, perhaps similar to what we saw in England before the development of stadiums," Gazidis said. "The new stadiums provide an atmosphere in which people feel more safe and secure.

"They have more technology in them, they're more inclusive, you get more diversity in the crowds, women come, children come, people from every different race, colour, background and sexual orientation feel more welcome into the stadiums.

"That's what we have to work towards here in Italy. I think England perhaps has been working on these issues in a deeper way for longer. That doesn't mean they are anywhere near the end of the journey."

Milan have launched a 'Manifesto for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion' which they say will help tackle all forms of prejudice and discrimination within football.

"Denying that we have issues and pushing them under the carpet does not help," said former Arsenal chief executive Gazidis. "The first thing is acknowledgment and then we can take action.

"This is a process, there is no end to the process that we're on. The journey that football has taken over the last 20 or 30 years has been significant, but we have a long way to go." Milan were the drivers behind an open letter released last year in which all 20 Serie A clubs pledged to combat Italian football's "serious problem" with racism because there is no more "time to waste".

"It was a very significant moment," said Gazidis. "It was a moment when all of the clubs came together with one voice and said 'we believe more must be done'.

"This wasn't just a call to action to the league and the governing bodies, it was also a call to action for ourselves." 'Something bigger than the points'

Last week Istanbul Basaksehir and Paris St-Germain players walked off the pitch during their Champions League game after the fourth official was accused of referring to Basaksehir assistant Pierre Webo by the colour of his skin.

Gazidis said he would support his players were they to take similar action. "We talk a lot about racism but I'm a little bit fearful of the extreme reactions that we have," he said. "We all carry prejudices, all of us.

"These may be attitudes that aren't hatefully driven but driven through ignorance or through a lack of understanding of the sensitivities.

"I tell you why I would support players because they would do that only if it was something that they felt strongly about. We need to listen to those feelings if we're able to address them properly.

"There is something bigger than the points and what's happening on the field. In general, football has been an incredible force for good in this area."

Things are going well for Milan on the field. They are unbeaten in the league since March, with the youngest squad in the top five divisions in Europe.

"We have set out a vision for a progressive, modern, young Milan team playing ultimately in the most beautiful stadium in the world and establishing itself both in the domestic game and also in the international game," said Gazidis. "We have our stadium project, which will be the most modern and the most beautiful stadium in the world. It's an incredible project."

A recent poll showed younger fans are happier about the prospect of a European Super League than older fans. Gazidis is aware young supporters engage with the game in a different way than before - following their favourite players and clubs from around the world.

"This conversation about the European Super League has been going on for probably more than 20 years," he said. "The reality is there are many different ways that European football could develop over the next 5-10 years.

"I don't think there's a big likelihood that we see a Super League in the way that people talk about it.

"Do I think that there could be developments in the way that the Champions League develops? Absolutely I do. That's a conversation we should have and have it with an open mind."

The world of football is still paying respect to former Liverpool, Aston Villa and PSG manager Gerard Houllier.

The Frenchman who managed the Reds from 1998-2004 led them to five major trophies, including the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup treble in 2000-01.

Prior to that he managed Lens, Paris St-Germain and the French national team, and after leaving the Reds won two Ligue 1 titles at Lyon. His last managerial job was at Aston Villa, but he left in 2011 after nine months, following heart problems.

In a statement, Liverpool said they were "deeply saddened" by Houllier's death.

"We are mourning the passing of our treble-winning manager, Gerard Houllier," the club said. The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Gerard's family and many friends."

Houllier made his managerial name with Lens and PSG in the 1980s before taking over the French national side in 1992. But following its failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals he resigned from the role. In 1998, he moved to England and took charge of Liverpool as joint manager alongside Roy Evans. Evans resigned three months later and Houllier took sole charge, rebuilding the Reds and leading them to the unprecedented treble in the 2000-01 season.

In April 2001, he had open heart surgery after suffering from chest pains during a home match against Leeds, but returned to the dugout at Anfield and remained there for another three years before leaving in May 2004. Afterwhich, he led Lyon to two French titles before joining the FFF in 2007, but he was enticed back into management by Villa in September 2010, signing a three-year deal.

But the following April Houllier was admitted to hospital with chest pains and Gary McAllister stepped in to help steer Villa away from relegation trouble. He stepped down from the role at the end of the 2010-11 season with concerns that a return to the dugout could cause further health issues.

He has since held the head of football role at Red Bull, and in November became technical director of women's football clubs Lyon and OL Reign.

He was 73.

Eleven prizes were awarded at the prestigious annual celebration of Great Coaching – the UK Coaching Awards, which were hosted virtually by Olympian and broadcaster Jeanette Kwakye on Thursday, 3 December.

The awards showcase the diverse work of coaches, projects and organisations, making a huge difference to the health and happiness of the nation, especially against the backdrop of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Coaching Chain, which celebrates the contributions of several coaches to an athlete’s journey to success, was this year awarded to the coaches of Marcus Rashford MBE.

The England forward, who hails Wythenshawe, has been a fantastic performer for the Red Devils since making his first-team debut aged 18. This year, after campaigning successfully to persuade the Government to extend free school meal vouchers during the summer holidays; receiving an MBE from the Queen for his services to vulnerable children during COVID-19; and attracting a million signatures on his petition to end child food poverty, we were duly reminded of the 23 year-old’s razor-sharp striking ability when he disposed of RB Leipzig in the Champions League with his first senior hat-trick for United.

The coaches and mentors behind his growth and development are Colin Little, Dave Bushell, David Horrocks, Eamon Mulvey, Louis van Gaal, Maria Kelly, Neil Harris, Paul McGuinness, Stuart Leicester, Tarun Kapur and Tony Whelan.

Picking up the High Performance Coach of the Year award was Peter Rome. The wheelchair fencing coach bolstered a formidable GB disability fencing team, when he joined them six months before the 2016 Rio Paralympics. A silver medal for one of the two athletes who qualified, signalled the start of a successful era, with UK Sport funding allowing him to start a world class programme, with athletes like Piers Gilliver, who are now a major force on the world stage – having won 20 international medals or more in each of the last two years.

Rome sets high standards but has the total respect and buy-in of his athletes by remaining calm under pressure, patient and clear in his messaging, and always leading by example.

Peter Rome, said: “The shock is still settling in. It was an amazing ceremony, even under the circumstances. To still get the inspiration and see the depth of coaching within the UK was just phenomenal. It was inspiring just to see all the presentations. It brought back memories of when I was a grassroots coach and working in clubs and communities. I’m obviously very delighted to win the award, but it was an amazing event and very well hosted.

“It was inspiring to see what people have done [this year], to be a coach in this environment. To give that joy, that enthusiasm. To develop people through many different scenarios has been an eye-opener and it’s almost ‘what I can learn from [these coaches]’ as well. It makes me want to continue to develop.”

Labelled “one of the best” by former Celtic and Scotland striker Kenny Miller, Donald Park won the Lifetime Achievement Award, to recognise his achievements through a lifetime dedicated to coaching.

Originally from Lochaber in the Highlands and affectionately known as ‘Parky’, his impact on Scottish football has stretched far and wide. Across his career, which spans five decades, he has been a player, coach, manager, coach educator, volunteer and member of staff with the Scottish FA. His reach has largely included working with young Scottish talent at grassroots clubs, professional clubs and at international level.

Parky, said: “If I’m being completely honest, it’s an absolute shock to receive this award. To be presented with this award for doing something that I’ve loved for so long, and been very lucky to be involved in, is very humbling.

“It’s very nice to hear from players and coaches I’ve worked with during my career and what they have to say about me. I’ve been lucky to have worked with so many talented people and seeing some familiar faces when I received the award meant a lot to me.”

Among the other award winners was Wigan’s Scott Burns, who, as a volunteer, set up the Wigan Warriors’ Physical Disability and Learning Disability rugby league teams. Now the disability and inclusion officer and head coach for both teams, Burns took home the Changing Lives Award.

Thanks to his inclusive philosophy, relationship-building skills, regular team-building trips and the opportunity to play in stadiums all over the country, his players’ confidence and self-esteem has soared.

Scott Burns, said: “It’s unbelievable [to win the award]. Seeing our players develop as people, as well as players, it’s absolutely everything. It’s why we are in this job. We want to grow the individual and cater for them first of all. Rugby league and sport in general, is just the vehicle, that’s just the thing that we use to get people the opportunities to thrive in society.”

Talent Development Coach of the Year was awarded to Emma Collings-Barnes. As director of swimming at Mount Kelly Boarding and Day School, she has created a welcoming culture that has culminated in a hugely popular, maximum capacity programme. She has raised the standards of performance and vastly improved team spirit.

Collings-Barnes has also been selected for the British Swimming Coach 2024 Programme and has previously attended UK Coaching’s prestigious Women into High Performance Coaching Programme.

Emma Collings-Barnes, said: “I’m shocked but delighted. This year has been about rolling with the punches, taking each day as it comes and making sure the athlete is at the forefront of everything. It’s been a challenge, but I’ve got a great team around me and it’s actually been enjoyable in a strange way.”

In the Awards in Support of Coaches category, the Transforming Coaching Award went to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Cities Programme Team.

The ECB set out to recruit 2000 women from South Asian backgrounds as volunteers for its All Stars Cricket programme, across seven cities.

The Cities Programme Team worked to deliver an aspirational and representative marketing campaign titled ‘Dream Big Desi Women’ that engaged their target audience. They addressed the cultural barriers to coaching by holding national cricket programmes in non-traditional locations, where the women could feel comfortable and could travel to easily, including faith and community spaces. They also introduced modest kit options for its volunteers, including longer t-shirts, loose fitting trousers, long-sleeve skins and a sports hijab.

Reflecting on this year’s awards, UK Coaching’s Director of Coaching Emma Atkins, said: “Our heartfelt congratulations to all our winners and finalists. What you’ve all achieved in this extremely difficult year is superb. 

“You and the rest of the 3 million coaches in the UK have gone beyond the call of duty to make sure your participants didn’t lose momentum with their sport and physical activity goals and ambitions or weren’t isolated from the social-side of activity. You realised that for your participants, and indeed yourselves, coaching and staying active isn’t just a hobby or a past-time, it’s a way of life that deeply affects mental and physical well-being.

“We applaud you for your efforts, your inspirational resilience and the way you conducted yourself without fuss or fanfare.  

“As we move towards Christmas and the new year, our message to the British public is don’t forget to thank your coach for the positive impact they’re having on yours and other people’s lives. Be kind, support one another and stay connected – we’re here for the coach.”

The full winners on the night were:

Awards for Coaches:

Children and Young People’s Coach of the Year

Tom Bowen-Hall (rugby union) (Wiltshire, Melksham)

Community Coach of the Year

Prina Karia (badminton) (East Midlands, Leicester)

Changing Lives Award

Scott Burns (rugby league) (Greater Manchester, Wigan)

Talent Development Coach of the Year

Emma Collings-Barnes (swimming) (Devon, Tavistock)

High Performance Coach of the Year – supported by UK Sport

Peter Rome (wheelchair fencing) (West Midlands, Coventry)

Young Coach of the Year – supported by Sport Wales

Amy Moulton (gymnastics) (Somerset, Yeovil)

Lifetime Achievement Award

Donald Park (football) (Scotland, Lochaber)

The Coaching Chain

Marcus Rashford (football) – Colin Little, Dave Bushell, David Horrocks, Eamon Mulvey, Louis van Gaal, Maria Kelly, Neil Harris, Paul McGuinness, Stuart Leicester, Tarun Kapur and Tony Whelan.

Awards in Support of Coaches:

Coach Developer of the Year

Sarah Green (netball) (East Midlands, Nottingham)

Transforming Coaching Award

ECB - Cities Programme Team

Coaching for an Active Life Award

Scottish Disability Sport - Be Active, Be Well

Sports fans are being given a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a major multi-sport event after Birmingham 2022 confirmed that it was adding two sport specific roles to its popular apprenticeship scheme.

The scheme was only launched in late September but more than 1,100 people have already applied to be part of it, with eight apprentices appointed and a total of 12 expected to start work in January on helping to plan and deliver the biggest event ever to be held in the West Midlands.

The sports specific apprenticeship roles, which are open to people of all ages, are expected to attract applicants who are passionate about sport, as the successful candidates will have an opportunity to learn from and build relationships with major industry stakeholders. The apprentices will be given a unique chance to kick start their careers by working on the biggest sports event to be staged in the UK for ten years.

The sport apprentices will take on the role of Sport Team Assistant, working closely with the Director of Sport and assisting the wider sports team with co-ordinating updates to project plans, preparing presentations and reports and providing general administrative support.

These apprenticeship roles are two of eight that are currently vacant, with two technology and four accreditation apprentices also being sought. The accreditation apprentices will work with the team responsible for creating and managing the system that will enable approximately 80,000 people to work on and participate in the Games.

John Crabtree, Chair of Birmingham 2022, said: “Our commitment to expand the apprenticeship scheme at this pace means we can offer even more roles throughout the organisation. Not only will the successful applicants learn new skills and gain valuable experience but they will also be able to say that they were part of history, helping to organise an event which will put Birmingham and the region firmly in the global spotlight.”

“We hope to recruit around 30 apprentices in total and once the successful candidates have completed their apprenticeship they will continue working for the organisation, helping us to deliver a spectacular edition of the Games in the summer of 2022.”

The application process for the apprenticeship roles, which are open to everyone with a grade C (Level 4) in English, Grade D (Level 3) in Maths and with basic computer literacy skills, is very straightforward, with candidates simply completing a guided application.

More details about the roles, and how to apply for them, can be found on a new website at birmingham2022.gigroup.com The site has been introduced to make it even easier to find out about vacancies at Birmingham 2022 and it has a section dedicated to apprenticeships, with interview advice and some mock interview questions included.

The site has been created by Gi Group, official recruitment partner for Birmingham 2022 and Gi Group UK Chief Executive Officer, Paulo Canoa, said: “We wanted to provide an exceptional candidate experience and to make it as easy as possible for people to access information about and apply for Birmingham 2022 roles. The dedicated website, provides information about each department, advertises all of the vacancies and explains the recruitment process.

“Together with Birmingham 2022’s, recruitment and HR teams, we will also provide the best possible apprenticeship training and learning support and ensure the new recruits have a rewarding experience during their time with the company and develop the employability skills for future success.”

Minister for Sport, Heritage and Tourism, Nigel Huddleston, said: "Backed by almost £600 million of government investment, Birmingham 2022 will create new opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. I'm delighted to see that this apprenticeship scheme will help us to do just that, offering a unique opportunity to play a role in the UK's biggest sporting event in a decade, and develop new skills along the way."

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “One of the main reasons I was so determined to help secure the Commonwealth Games for the region was the employment opportunities it will create for people across the West Midlands, and that has become even more critical given the backdrop of the pandemic.

“These apprenticeships are fantastic opportunities for people to not only get involved in the biggest sporting event the region has ever held, but to also find a route into employment.

“I would encourage everyone to think about how they can play their part in the Commonwealth Games and help shape the future of our region, whether that is through these apprenticeships or some of the other opportunities on offer.”

The extension of the apprenticeship scheme also comes as Birmingham 2022 confirmed it is looking to recruit another 25 new members of staff before the end of 2020. Current vacancies, including those for roles starting in 2021 which are also already being advertised, can be found at birmingham2022.gigroup.com with the marketing, procurement, accessibility and volunteering teams all currently recruiting.

Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi has died, his family says. He became a household name after leading the Azzurri to victory at the tournament in Spain, finishing as top scorer and being named best player. At club level he first came to prominence as a prolific scorer for Vicenza, earning a move to Juventus and later playing for AC Milan.

His death was announced, following what Italian media report had been a long illness.

Rossi's wife Federica Cappelletti posted a picture of them together on social media with the words "Per sempre" ("forever").

She did not disclose the cause of his death.

Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for the Italian national side, and more than 100 Serie A goals during spells with Vicenza, Perugia, Juventus, Milan and Verona. "Sometimes there are simply no words to express the pain we are all experiencing," said a statement from Vicenza, who Rossi helped win promotion to Serie A in 1977.

Following his performances at the 1982 World Cup, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or which at the time was given to the European footballer of the year.

After retiring from football in the late 1980s, Rossi worked as a pundit for Sky, Mediaset and Rai.

He wrote his name into footballing folklore with his displays at the 1982 World Cup - although he nearly missed the competition after being implicated in a match-fixing scandal.

Although Rossi maintained his innocence, he was banned from football for three years after being accused of taking part in the 1980 Totonero scandal.

This suspension was reduced to two years on appeal, meaning he was available to play at the World Cup in Spain. Rossi later described going on to win the tournament as a "personal redemption". The tournament started with a whimper for both Italy and Rossi. The Juventus striker failed to score in the opening group stage as Italy drew all three games to scrape through.

The Italians looked far from World Cup contenders - until Rossi, whose performances had come under criticism, found his sharpness in front of goal in the crucial meeting with Brazil in the second group stage.

Rossi scored a hat-trick as Italy won 3-2 to reach the semi-finals, then scored both goals against Poland as Italy set up a meeting with West Germany in the final. A tense final swung Italy's way when Rossi scored the opening goal in the second half, the Azzurri going on to win 3-1 and become world champions for a third time.

"On one hand I felt fulfilled. I said to myself, 'you've made it'," Rossi later said about the triumph. On the other hand, I was disappointed that all of this just ended. The World Cup was over.

"But when you win something important it's not just about the trophy. It's about the group you win it with, it's about your entire career that took you there."

Italy's triumph sparked an outpouring of emotion back home, providing national unity and joy at a time when the country was beset by political and social unrest.

Those images of Rossi and his team-mates becoming world champions will forever be ingrained in the country's culture, says Italian journalist Daniele Verri, who said: "We are all shocked here because Paulo Rossi is such an iconic figure for Italian football.

"He is part of Italian history that goes beyond football. For those who were lucky enough to see him play in the 1982 World Cup we cannot ever forget what he did.

"The images of Spain 82 are part of Italian culture."

Rossi was 64.

 Paris St-Germain (PSG) and Istanbul Basaksehir players took a knee around the centre circle in an anti-racism message before the restart of their Champions League tie. The fixture was abandoned at 0-0 after the fourth official was accused of using a racist term towards Basaksehir assistant Pierre Webo. The incident happened just 14 minutes into the Group H tie, which was still goalless at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium.

Both sets of players walked off the pitch with the game delayed by a day. "It was something very new," said Fare (Football Against Racism in Europe) executive director Piara Powar. “Basaksehir and PSG players walking off the pitch will act as a ‘marker’ in football's fight against racism.

"This is the first time we've seen this happen in open play and I think it signifies a marker. Many Black players are now saying we may have put up with this in the past and seen things which racialised us unfairly in the past, but now we will take the power we have and use it and walk off, which is within their right."

The game restarted with a Basaksehir free-kick in the 14th minute. Webo - who had been sent off - was allowed to take his place on the away bench, with his red card suspended while Uefa investigates the whole incident and a new set of officials were in charge for the game’s restart, with Dutchman Danny Makkelie appointed referee.

Both sets of players and the officials - who also took a knee during the Champions League anthem - wore 'no to racism' T-shirts in the warm-up, with anti-racism banners in the stands. PSG needed a win to finish top of their group, and above RB Leipzig. The eventual final score was 5-0 to the French club.

British Athletics has announced the 62 athletes who have been offered membership to the Olympic and Paralympic Futures Academy programmes for 2021, which is supported by Nike, the Official Partner of the Futures Academy Programme.

Due to the challenging circumstances brought by the Covid-19 pandemic this year, and the impact this has had on our athletes, British Athletics has retained all athletes from the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Futures Academy Programme for the year ahead.

There are ten additions to Olympic Futures Academy Programme including two athletes who moved up the UK all-time age-group rankings this year; hammer thrower Charlotte Payne and endurance athlete Jake Smith.

Smith lowered the British U23 Half Marathon record in phenomenal style at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland, in October. His time of 60:31 also saw him move to third on the UK all-time list behind Sir Mo Farah and Callum Hawkins. 

Payne won silver in the women’s hammer with a mark of 63.92 metres at the Müller British Athletics Championships in Manchester back in September, moving to second in the UK all-time U20 rankings behind Sophie Hitchon.

Other additions to the Programme include; 2020 British 1500m champion (indoors and outdoors), George Mills, Kelechi Aguocha, Piers Copeland, Daniel Falode, Thomas Keen, Khahisa Mhlanga, Joshua Lay and Jodie Smith.

Selections for the Futures Relay Programme will be made next year.

Among those retained on the Programme include British Athletics Indoor Championships 60m champion, Amy Hunt, British 800m champion, Keely Hodgkinson, and Max Burgin, who lowered his 800m PB to 1:44.75 this season.

There are also six additions to the Paralympic Futures Academy Programme including 2019 World Para Athletics Junior Championships T20 400m bronze medallist, Ethan Kirby.

Kirby lowered his 400m to 51.87 during a challenging 2020 season, achieving the time in Yeovil in September.

The other five athletes include Melanie Woods who competed at the Müller British Athletics Championships in the women’s 400m wheelchair race in September, placing third overall. Victoria Baskett, Columba Blango, Jade Smith, Kirsty Soutar and Owen Williams complete the new additions to the Programme.

Among those retained include European T38 400m silver medallist, Ross Paterson and World Para Athletics Junior Championships double silver medallist, Kirsty Taylor.

Olympic Futures Academy

Amber Anning **

Jeremiah Azu

Kelechi Aguocha

Sam Bennett

Isabelle Boffey

Shemar Boldizsar

Alex Botterill

Max Burgin

Lewis Byng

Molly Caudery

Alastair Chalmers

Piers Copeland

Charlie Dobson

Oliver Dustin

Jona Efoloko

Daniel Falode

Cameron Fillery

Lucy Hadaway

Keely Hodgkinson

Amy Hunt

Thomas Keen

Joshua Lay

Lucy-Jane Matthews

Khahisa Mhlanga

George Mills

Holly Mills

Jake Norris **

Jade O’Dowda

Dominic Ogbechie

Divine Olapido **

Ben Pattison

Charlotte Payne

Jake Smith

Jodie Smith

James Tomlinson

Serena Vincent

Erin Wallace

Joshua Zeller **

Paralympic Futures Academy:

Fabienne André

Hetti Bartlett

Victoria Baskett

Columba Blango

John Bridge

Lydia Church *

Ed Clifton

James Freeman

Bethan Griffiths

Bulbul Hussain

Ethan Kirby

Owen Miller *

India Oates

Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker

Ross Paterson

Jade Smith

Kirsty Soutar

Steven Stone

Danny Sidbury

Kirsty Taylor

Alexander Thomson

Harrison Walsh *

Owen Williams

Melanie Woods

* Athletes marked with an asterisk are on both the Paralympic Futures and World Class Programme.

They can be fast-tracked onto the WCP but are far less experienced in other aspects of sport. It is therefore compulsory for the athletes to go through the Futures Programme for the education and experience to ensure they are better prepared for international competition.

**Athletes marked with a double asterisk are part of the NCAA and will be accessing a reduced programme due to regulations.

The programme will develop relationships with their coaches and provide support when back in the UK in preparation for major championships.

Known as 'the voice of golf' to fans around the world, Peter Alliss was synonymous with the coverage golf for more than half a century on BBC TV, having first appearing on the station in 1961 - he was made lead golf commentator after retiring as a player in 1978 - and provided the soundtrack to many of golf's most memorable moments, with November's Masters the last tournament he covered.

Born in Berlin, where his father Percy was the professional at the glamorous Wannsee club, the legendary golf commentator, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category in 2012, won 31 tournaments – as a player - and he and his father Percy were the first father-son duo to compete in the Ryder Cup, when it was a contest between Great Britain and the United States.

After retiring from playing professionally, Alliss moved into the commentary booth, where his descriptive and dead-pan style became the soundtrack to the BBC's coverage of major golf events.

His first experience behind the microphone came at the 1961 Open Championship, remarkably, in the same tournament he was challenging Arnold Palmer on the course.

"His inimitable tone, humour and command of the microphone will be sorely missed. His often legendary commentaries will be long remembered," the BBC said.

In 1978 he was appointed as the station’s chief golf commentator following the death of his co-host and great friend Henry Longhurst. He once described his television role saying: "I'm there as an old player, a lover of the game and a good weaver of stories."

To the majority of golf fans across the world Alliss’ soothing voice was the audio accompaniment to the legends of the game – from Seve Ballesteros to Tiger Woods and many more before and since.

European Tour chief executive, Keith Pelley, said: "Peter made an indelible mark on everything he did in our game, but especially as a player and a broadcaster, and he leaves a remarkable legacy," whilst Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, who also fronted the BBC's Masters and Open coverage in the past, and Monty Python actor John Cleese were among the first to mourn Alliss' passing.

He passed away age 89.

A £2million fund to help residents in all 69 of the city’s wards feel involved with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is set for approval next week.

The Celebrating Communities Small Grants Funding Scheme, due before Cabinet members on December 15, is part of a wider £6million package assembled by the council to maximise the benefit and legacy of hosting the Games.

Grants will be available to run initiatives which deliver against one of three themes: ‘Getting Active’, ‘Ready, Steady, Fun’ and ‘Celebrating Culture’ - which are described as follows:

Getting Active – encouraging communities to get out and get active by participating in sports and recreational activities. The overriding aim should be to encourage residents, of all abilities and ages, to engage in physical activity and improve their health and wellbeing.

Ready, Steady, Fun – delivering community projects to ensure a local area is Games ready (e.g. by improving communal space, and hosting community celebrations to develop active citizenship and reduce loneliness and social isolation).

Celebrating Culture – developing community-led cultural events and initiatives that encourage intergenerational activities. Proposed schemes must harness the power of culture to bring people together, celebrate their identities, and the culture, heritage and stories of their communities.

The scheme, which will be run in two rounds from April 2021, will allocate funding across the city’s wards using a formula that takes into account local deprivation data and the size of the ward.

Wards with one councillor will receive between £11,100 and £17,500. Wards with two councillors will receive between £22,200 and £35,000. Fuller details will be announced and widely publicised in due course with funding set to be available from April 2021, subject to the plan being approved by Cabinet.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have been described as a Games for everyone – this fund is all about making that a reality. We want everyone in every ward of the city to come together and have a chance to embrace our status as a Proud Host City, and there are plenty of ways that this can be done by our communities.

“Sometimes these plans will require small amounts of money to make them happen. We hope this Celebrating Communities fund will help unlock some of the local ambition and help make the events of 2022 memorable for the people of Birmingham for many years to come and help them experience the benefits the Games will bring.”

Of the remaining £4million that forms the wider £6million set aside by the council to help communities embrace the Games, £2million has already been approved for the Creative Communities Small Grants Fund.

The final £2million will be targeted at supporting learning, equalities and physical activity and be the subject of a separate Cabinet report by the end of March 2021.

Senegalese football hero Papa Bouba Diop, who died in France last week aged 42, is being buried in a private ceremony at his birthplace near Dakar. President Macky Sall led tributes to him, saying the nation's loss was "immense".

Diop scored the only goal in the 2002 World Cup match which saw Senegal upset then reigning champions France. Several of his former teammates, some overcome with emotion, attended Friday's ceremony. They wore the shirts of the national team bearing his name, and his number, 19.

Striker El Hadji Diouf said Diop had been a model team-mate, while Henri Camara said he had lost his "twin brother". Diop's body was flown back on Friday from Lens in northern France, where he died after a long illness.

President Sall said that Diop's goal against France meant Senegal would go down in the annals of global football. After beating France, Senegal reached the quarter-finals. No African team has gone further.

The president announced that a museum at a 50,000-seater stadium being built outside the capital, Dakar, would be named after Diop, who has also been given a posthumous national award, the Knight of the National Order of Merit.

The highlight of his club career was winning the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth. He also played for Fulham, West Ham United, Birmingham City and French club Lens. His Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said he was "very lucky to have managed such a fantastic boy - he was special".

"They called him the Wardrobe, he was so big you couldn't move him," he said.

Two basketball vests - one worn by the NBA superstar Michael Jordan and the other by former US president Barack Obama - sold for record sums at a Los Angeles auction on Friday.

Jordan's number 23 vest, which he wore when he signed for the Chicago Bulls in 1984, sold for $320,000 (£235,000). Mr Obama's vest, worn with his Punahou School team, went for $192,000 - a record for a high-school sports shirt. Last year, another one of his high-school vests fetched $120,000.

Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills said Mr Obama wore his shirt - also number 23 - in 1979, when he helped his team win the Hawaii basketball state championship. The ex-president's love of the game has followed him through life. In his new memoir, A Promised Land, he said he had to stop coaching his daughter Sasha's basketball team after parents from a rival team complained that he was giving them an unfair advantage.

Michael Jordan - the first billionaire athlete - was at the centre of the Chicago Bulls team that won six NBA championships in the 1990s. A documentary series, The Last Dance, about the team's standout successes was a hit on Netflix earlier this year. President Obama appeared as one of the show's interviewees, saying: "Michael Jordan and the Bulls changed the culture." The previous record sum for a Jordan "number 23" shirt was $288,000 in an auction in July.

Also on sale in the latest auction was an autographed Cavaliers shirt worn by current NBA star Lebron James, which sold for $128,000, and an NFL football shirt worn by quarterback Colin Kapaernick, from his debut for the San Francisco 49ers. His shirt also sold for $128,000 - a new record for an NFL shirt.

In 2016, Kaepernick became a symbol in the fight against racial injustice when he kneeled in protest during the US national anthem.

Cricket West Indies has won the 2020 Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award for sending their men's and women's teams to tour England.

The men's side arrived in June for a three-Test series when coronavirus infection rates in England were high. The women played a Twenty20 series in September at short notice after India and South Africa were unable to tour because of the pandemic.

"We are delighted," said Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave.

"I'd like to thank MCC and the BBC for recognising the efforts that our teams made in helping to ensure that international cricket came back safely during the pandemic."

All matches this summer were played in a bio-secure environment, with players staying in hotels on site and no fans allowed in the grounds.

MCC president and former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said West Indies' actions "truly embodied the spirit of cricket".

The MCC and BBC, who created the award in 2013 in memory of former BBC Test Match Special commentator and MCC president Martin-Jenkins, also praised the Pakistan Cricket Board, Cricket Ireland and Cricket Australia for allowing teams to tour.

They also said the England and Wales Cricket Board made a "herculean effort to host international cricket in this extraordinary year".

Last year's winners were the New Zealand men's team, who were recognised for their conduct after losing the World Cup final to England.

The Premier League and English Football League have agreed a £250m rescue package to help ease the financial challenge faced by EFL clubs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The EFL will be assisted in getting a £200m loan for Championship clubs.

A £50m grant has been agreed for League One and Two clubs.

EFL chairman Rick Parry said it was a "welcome, tangible commitment to the professional game at a time when it has needed it most". The Premier League will pay up to £15m to help the EFL secure a £200m loan which it will then lend to Championship clubs interest free.

Loans are capped at £8.33m per club and must be repaid by June 2024.

The £50m rescue package for Leagues One and Two is split into two parts - £30m will be paid to the 48 clubs as a grant based on missed gate receipts from the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. A further £20m monitored grant will be provided and clubs can apply based on need. A joint Premier League and EFL panel will determine club eligibility.

Clubs receiving a monitored grant will be subject to restrictions with respect to transfer spend and player wages.

"Our over-arching aim throughout this process has been to ensure that all EFL clubs survive the financial impact of the pandemic," said Parry. "I am pleased that we have now reached a resolution on behalf of our clubs and, as we have maintained throughout, this will provide much-needed support and clarity following months of uncertainty." Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "The Premier League is a huge supporter of the football pyramid and is well aware of the important role clubs play in their communities. Our commitment is that no EFL club need go out of business due to Covid-19.

"We are very pleased to have reached this agreement and we stand together with the EFL in our commitment to protect all clubs in these unprecedented times." Since March, football has been played behind closed doors until restrictions were lifted in some areas of England this week, meaning clubs have missed out on vital matchday revenue. In October, EFL clubs rejected the Premier League's proposed £50m rescue package for League One and Two clubs, saying it "falls some way short" of the required amount. Top-flight clubs made the offer after deciding not to pursue Project Big Picture. But in November, clubs "agreed in principle" for those in League One and Two to receive the package from the Premier League.

The agreement came two days after after a parliamentary committee heard that 10 EFL clubs were struggling to pay wages. The EFL board approved the deal before Premier League shareholders then gave their final approval to the agreement.

"I warmly welcome this deal between the Premier League and the EFL which provides up to £250m support to help clubs through Covid," said culture secretary Oliver Dowden. "Fans are starting to return and we look forward to building on this as soon as it's safe.

"With a £250m support package for men's elite football and £300m government funding for women's football, the National League and other major spectator sports, we have fuel in the tank to get clubs and sports through this."

Julian Knight MP, chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said he welcomed the rescue package but criticised the delay in agreeing the deal, adding: "This fiasco is evidence of a lack of accountability within football's governance structure."