Sports News

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has announced that football legend, Paul Gascoigne, has joined the line-up of ‘A Tribute To Italia 90’, an evening of stories from the players of one of England’s most dramatic World Cup tournaments.

The evening will raise money for the Grand Theatre and The Steve Bull Foundation. 

Steve ‘Bully’ Bull will appear as part of the line up alongside Peter Shilton, Paul Parker, Dave Beasant and the newly announced Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne. The evening will be hosted by Sky Sports’ Johnny Phillips.

Steve Bull said; “I love coming to the Grand Theatre, the shows they have on are absolutely unbelievable and I recommend anybody to come down.

“We are going to be reliving the 1990 World Cup, 30 years on! We might have a few more names to add yet, just wait and see! We’ll tell you loads of stories, see you there!”

From David Platt’s goal against Belgium, the extra time win against Cameroon, Gazza’s tears and that dramatic semi-final penalty shootout against West Germany.

Come Monday May 18, they surely will be discussing it all.

The English Premier League will be inducting its first two Hall of Fame names this month with a shortlist of nominees to be announced for future inclusion, voted for by fans.

It will be separate to the English Football Hall of Fame, which has existed since 2002 at the National Football Museum.

The Premier League version will recognise players of "exceptional skill and talent" from home and worldwide who have played in the game’s top tier since it began in 1992 – with candidates who have retired and whose Premier League career comes into consideration.

Each inductee will receive a personalised medallion, engraved with the year of their induction.

Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters, said: "The Premier League Hall of Fame is reserved for the very best in the game and will be an occasion for our fans around the world to look back over the years and help us celebrate some truly exceptional playing careers."

The likes of legends such as former Manchester United star, Ryan Giggs, Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and former Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle United’s record-breaking striker, Alan Shearer were the first suggested names on the list of world-class players to have graced the Premier League.

Now, the very best of the best will receive a new highly exclusive honour after the Premier League’s announcement of its first Hall of Fame.

Of course, though, the millions of fans of clubs who have graced the Premier League since its inception, in 1992, have their own individual to put forward.

"Membership of the Premier League Hall of Fame will be the highest individual honor awarded to players by the League," it said in a statement.

As a footnote; on what would have been his 59th birthday - former Norwich City, Nottingham Forest and England striker, Justin Fashanu, was inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame.

Children aged 11 and under in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will no longer be taught to head footballs during training.

This comes as new Football Association guidelines for coaches also puts limits on how much heading older children should do.

The ruling follows Glasgow University research that showed former footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die from brain disease.

The English Football Association of Wales said its guidance for coaches on children heading the ball was currently under review with the findings being made available later this year.

In a joint announcement from the FA, Scottish FA and Irish FA, coaches were advised that there should be "no heading in training in the foundation phase" - which covers primary school children, or under-11 teams and below.

There are also new rules for age ranges up until 18, with headers being kept a "low priority" and gradually becoming more frequent in training until the age of 16.

There will be no changes to heading in youth matches, where the FA said headers are rare.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "This guidance is an evolution of our current guidelines and will help coaches and teachers to reduce and remove repetitive and unnecessary heading from youth football.

"It is a responsible development to our grassroots coaching without impacting the enjoyment that children of all ages take from playing the game."

An inquest into the death – in 2002 - of ex-West Bromwich Albion and England striker Jeff Astle found heading heavy leather footballs repeatedly contributed to trauma to his brain.

His daughter, Dawn Astle, who has campaigned for changes in rules over headers, said she was "pleased" with the ruling and that it was "sensible" following the research.

Published in October last year, the University of Glasgow study found that former professional footballers were more likely to die of degenerative brain disease - and five times more likely to die from Parkinson's disease.

There was no evidence in the study that linked incidences of the disease with heading the ball, but the FA said the new guidance had been issued to "mitigate against any potential risks".

Ms Astle added that there should now be guidelines for training for footballers aged 18 and over.

Qatar Airways have announce that it is the new Premium Partner and Official Airline Partner of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), France’s most successful football club, for the next three seasons.

The multi-Ligue 1 champion joins in the exclusive group of top global football clubs proudly supported by the world’s number one airline, including Italy’s AS Roma, Boca Juniors in Argentina and German club FC Bayern München.

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ms. Salam Al Shawa, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the famous French club to our extensive sport sponsorship portfolio, and look forward to having them on board. In Paris Saint-Germain we have found a partner that shares our passion for innovation and we will work together to develop many exciting activities to engage with supporters and our global audience.”

PSG Chief Partnerships Officer, Marc Armstrong, added: “We are delighted to welcome Qatar Airways into the Paris Saint-Germain family as the Official Airline Partner of the club.

“This is another example of our strong desire to develop innovative partnerships with leading global brands and Qatar Airways is a natural choice for us as it shares our commitment to creating powerful connections with fans all over the world.”

The PSG partnership will also see Qatar Airways become Official Partner of the PSG handball and women’s football teams until 2022.

Qatar Airways have developed a wide range of global sports sponsorships, supporting top-level sporting events and some of the world’s biggest football clubs.

As official FIFA partner, Qatar Airways recently sponsored the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 and will sponsor the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 edition ahead of the FIFA World Cup

Qatar 2022.

Qatar Airways - the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, - is also partner of CONMEBOL, the governing body for football in South America.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite.

The world’s fastest-growing airline added several new destinations to its network last year, including Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia; Langkawi, Malaysia; and Gaborone, Botswana. The airline will add Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Osaka, Japan; Nur-Sultan and Almaty, Kazakhstan; Cebu, Philippines; Accra, Ghana; Trabzon, Turkey; Lyon, France; Luanda, Angola; and Siem Reap, Cambodia, to its extensive route network in 2020.

In a series of reports to Cabinet on February 11, Birmingham City Council members will be asked to note overall strong progress in preparing for and delivering the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Cabinet will also be asked to endorse an Outline Business Case (OBC) to realise the legacy of redeveloping the Alexander Stadium.

The OBC places the stadium at the heart of an improved Perry Park, transforming the much-loved open space into a hub of community, leisure, health and wellbeing activity – as part of the effort to improve the quality of life for those already living in the area and to make Perry Barr a place that people from far and wide want to visit and call home.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Having just secured planning permission to redevelop the Alexander Stadium, a scheme that is on budget and schedule, the publication of the OBC is yet more encouraging news as we continue to work with our Games Partners to prepare for the biggest event in the city’s history.

“Things are now starting to progress at pace ahead of the summer of 2022 when we welcome 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories to Birmingham.

“Post-Games, the rebuilt Stadium will become the focal point of all community, leisure and wellbeing activity in a regenerated Perry Barr. This OBC details the way forward as we seek to improve the quality of life for those already living in this part of north-west Birmingham.”

In addition, a £9million council investment is being proposed as part of an initial £15m package into services to ensure the wider city is truly “Games ready” and in the best position possible to reap the full long-term benefits of staging the event.

Cllr Ward added: “We are a proud host city, so this funding will enable the council to get things in place so the city is ready to maximise the potential of hosting the games and the benefits the event will bring in the years beyond 2022.

“The need for these resources was always anticipated. Its use will not be directly related to the actual delivery of the Games. It will be used to improve the city for everyone who lives in, works in or visits Birmingham, with full details in the months ahead.

“Given we have funding available at this time, it is right to allocate it now because with more than two years to go until the Games, it gives the council as much time as possible to maximise the benefits from this increased investment.”

Finally, with land assembly largely complete and a number of plots already let for construction works, approval will be sought at the February 11 meeting to enter into contract on the largest plot on the site (1,354 bedspaces) as the regeneration of Perry Barr continues at pace and the requirements for the Games Village are met.

In addition, the reports to Cabinet also detail how the council is continuing to work with partners locally and nationally to address previously-identified cost pressures between now and Games-time that relate to the Village, with a Revised Full Business Case for the scheme due before councillors in due course.

Proposals for the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium were approved by Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee – making a major milestone in the preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

At the heart of the wider effort to regenerate Perry Barr, the £72million plan will see the venue become a high-quality venue for diverse sporting, leisure, community and cultural events in the decades to come.

Initially, the stadium is set to be the focal point of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, hosting the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as the athletics events during the 11-day event which features 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories.

The redeveloped stadium would increase its permanent seating capacity from 12,700 to 18,000 allowing more than 30,000 during the Games through additional temporary seating.

Post-Games it will be at the centre of a regenerated Perry Barr, which is receiving more than £500million of investment in the coming years, which also includes new housing, improved transport and related upgrades to infrastructure and public space.

The revamped stadium is set to host a range of tenants including the world-famous Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club and Birmingham City University - providing a new home for the university’s sports and exercise students, bringing an exciting new partnership and purpose to the stadium beyond athletics – as well as becoming a focal point for a range of leisure, health, wellbeing and community activities for local residents and the wider general public.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “We’ve always been clear that Birmingham 2022 is about much more than 11 days of fantastic world-class sporting action. The Games are about regeneration, improved health and wellbeing, promoting the city on a global stage and building civic pride.

“This particular scheme is integral to all of those aims and benefits – the eyes of the Commonwealth and indeed the wider world will be on the venue during the Games, but the longer-term opportunities the improved stadium will offer a regenerated Perry Barr, and indeed the wider region and nation, mean the delivery of this scheme is crucial for the city’s future.”

Abazz Shayaam-Smith, triple jumper and Team England scholarship recipient, said: “The first time I came here I was 13 years old. It’s now going to be really inspirational. I’ve seen the designs and it’s going to look really good.

“To think of how many nations will come here in 2022 and compete on this track it’s so exciting.”

Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, Cllr Bob Sleigh, added: “The West Midlands Combined Authority was pleased to contribute funding towards the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium as not only will it provide a world class sporting arena at the heart of our region, it meets our aim of encouraging economic growth, creating jobs and improving the health of citizens.

“We are also investing in train, bus, tram and cycle routes across the whole region, which will not only meet the public transport needs for Birmingham 2022 but serve the people of the West Midlands for years to come.”

Ian Reid, Chief Executive for Birmingham 2022, said: “The Alexander Stadium is a pivotal venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, as not only will it host the track and field events for athletics but it’s also where we will stage our official opening and closing ceremonies for the Games.

Construction of the new stand will commence in spring of this year, with completion in late 2021.

68 Team GB athletes have been offered membership to the Olympic World Class Programme (WCP) for 2020.

Jake Wightman and Tom Bosworth, who finished fifth and seventh in the 1500m and 20km race walk respectively at this year’s World Championships in Doha, have been recognised for their performances by being moved from Olympic Podium Potential to Olympic Podium level.

Following his fourth in the 200m in Qatar, Adam Gemili, who also claimed 4x100m relay silver, has been added to Olympic Podium as an individual while long jumper Abigail Irozuru has been welcomed onto the WCP as a new member at the highest level having finished seventh at the World Championships.

There are ten new additions to the WCP in total with seven athletes being offered membership at Olympic Podium Potential including world 1500m finalist and British champion Neil Gourley and triple jumper Ben Williams who added 54cm onto his lifetime best across the course of the season to end 2019 seventh on the UK all-time list with 17.27m.

Jamie Webb is also added having won a superb European indoor silver in March and finished 2019 as the British No.1 in the 800m while Jodie Williams and Jessica Turner join at Olympic Relays following their contribution to the women’s 4x400m relay team throughout the summer.

The British Athletics WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded initiative to support the delivery of success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Membership onto the WCP for 2020 is based upon an athletes’ potential to win a medal at Tokyo 2020 or Paris 2024.

There are three levels of membership of the WCP at Olympic level with numbers for 2020 broken down as follows: Olympic Podium (16), Olympic Podium Potential (29), and Olympic Relays (23).

Athletes can use their discretion should they not wish to accept membership to the WCP. Endurance athletes funded separately to the WCP will be announced in due course. British Athletics Futures Programme athletes will be announced within the next week.

Due to the late staging of the World Para Athletics Championships in 2019, the full WCP for 2020, including Paralympic levels, will be announced in the new year.

BRITISH ATHLETICS OLYMPIC WORLD CLASS PROGRAMME 2020:

Olympic Podium (16)

Dina Asher-Smith, Tom Bosworth, Holly Bradshaw, Mo Farah, Adam Gemili, Callum Hawkins, Sophie Hitchon,, Zharnel Hughes, Abigail Irozuru, Katarina Johnson-Thompson,, Nick Miller, Laura Muir, Reece Prescod,, Lynsey Sharp, Lorraine Ugen and Jake Wightman.

Olympic Podium Potential (29)

Andrew Butchart, Taylor Campbell, Melissa Courtney, Tim Duckworth, Niamh Emerson, Tom Gale, Elliot Giles, Neil Gourley, Charlie Grice, Dewi Griffiths, Josh Kerr, Morgan Lake, Kyle Langford, Chris McAlister, Eilish McColgan, Sarah McDonald, Naomi Ogbeta, Shelayna Oskan-Clarke, Andrew Pozzi, Aimee Pratt, Charlotte Purdue, Jemma Reekie, Daniel, Rowden, Jazmin Sawyers, Steph Twell, Jamie Webb, Laura Weightman, Callum Wilkinson and Ben Williams.

Olympic Relays (23)

Amy Allcock, Kristal Awuah, Cameron Chalmers, Zoey Clark, Emily Diamond, Beth Dobbin, Eilidh Doyle, Miguel Francis, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Richard Kilty, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Daryll Neita, Ashleigh Nelson, Laviai Nielsen, Asha Philip, Martyn Rooney, Danny Talbot, Jessica Turner, CJ Ujah, Jodie Williams, Bianca Williams and Rabah Yousif.

St Basils youth homelessness charity were presented a cheque for £40,000 from Edgbaston Golf Club, following a successful two year partnership.

St Basils, which takes its name from the small church hall it was first launched from in 1972 in Digbeth, Birmingham, has since become the largest youth homelessness charity in the West Midlands, supporting over 5,000 16-25 year olds each year with a range of prevention, accommodation, support, employability and engagement services.

An Edgbaston Golf Club spokesperson said: “Outgoing Edgbaston Golf Club Captains, Jim Jeffries and Janet Vakil, are delighted with the success of their two year’s association with St Basils. A Birmingham based Charity that works with young people to enable them to find and keep a home, grow their confidence, develop their skills and prevent homelessness. Fundraising activity, for Edgbaston's Captains’ Charity, included three sponsored walks: one in Spain and nearer to home at Ross-on-Wye and Cannock; and also a number of on-line auctions, raffles and contributions from Captains’ days, Invitation days and other golfing events. All of which were wonderfully well supported by the Edgbaston Membership and by friends of the Members.”

Barrie Hodge, Head of Fundraising and Communications at St Basils said: “We can’t thank the team at Edgbaston Golf club enough for their amazing support during this partnership.  Their commitment to our cause has been outstanding. The money raised by the club is an investment, not just in the young people we support, but in the future of our region and the place we call home.  On behalf of all the young people we support at St Basils, thank you.”

St Basils Business and Communities Executive for Birmingham Sian Dhillon said: “We’re really lucky to enjoy support from a number of local businesses in Birmingham who form partnerships with us as their chosen charity. Edgbaston Golf Club have gone above and beyond in terms of their dedication to the cause and we’ve been absolutely staggered by the generosity shown and by the amount they’ve managed to raise to help vulnerable young people across Birmingham.”

St Basils are always on the look-out for further business partners across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Philippines Football League could be in for a major investment over the next three years, with claims of sponsorship with Qatar Airways circling around. The agreement between the two parties is reportedly set to begin by the end of October 2019.

The Philippines Football League revival could be handed a major boost with claims that Qatar Airways are in talks to become a sponsor for the next three years. The financial details of the deal are yet to be disclosed, however, Philippine Football Federation President, Nonong Araneta, claimed that it clears up funding for the league to use for junior-level tournaments.

The agreement was set to be enforced from the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara, which was scheduled to begin on October 26, 2019.

The 2019 season of the Philippines Football League was still underway, with the campaign itself ending on October 19, 2019. However, the champions for the year have already been crowned.

Ceres-Negros won their third consecutive PFL title with a win over Green Archers United.

On their way to the title, the Busmen recorded several impressive wins, including a 12-0 victory over Philippine Air Force and a 13-0 triumph over Global Makati. The defending champions are also unbeaten in the league up until now and could complete an ‘invincible’ season with a win over Kaya FC on the final matchday.

With their second-successive title win, Ceres-Negros also secured qualification to the 2020 AFC Champions League preliminary round 1.

Two West Mercia police officers have appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court after been charged with the assault and murder, of footballer Dalian Atkinson who died after being Tasered.

The ex-Aston Villa striker was restrained by police officers at his father's house in Telford, in Shropshire.

The Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) has not named the officers because it believes their defence will apply for them to remain anonymous.

After being informed, the family of the former Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday striker issued a statement welcoming the decision but stated that they "regret that it has been more than three years since Dalian died".

The CPS made the decision to press charges following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

An alternative charge of an unlawful act manslaughter has also been put forward by the CPS for the officer charged with murder, known as ‘Officer A’ who remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates.

The second officer, Officer B, indicated she would plead not guilty and was bailed ahead of their next appearance at Birmingham Crown Court later.

Police officers attended Atkinson’s father’s home where he (Dalian) was detained outside.

He was taken by ambulance to the Princess Royal Hospital where he later died.

Dalian was has an England B cap against the Republic of Ireland, also played for Manchester City, plus La Liga side Real Sociedad and Fenerbahçe in Turkey.

With just 100 days to go, it has been announced that Britain's leating distant runner, Laura Muir, will attempt to set a 1000m World Record at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow on Saturday 15 February 2020.

Confirmed to compete at the event which sees her race on familiar territory in her home city of Glasgow, the reigning double European indoor champion and European outdoor 1500m champion will aim to start 2020 in electric style as she targets a historic world record -breaking performance in front of her home crowd.

Muir is already the British and European record holder over 1000m having clocked 2:31.93 back in 2017 to go second on the all-time list behind Maria Mutola, and now she will aim to take the number one spot by breaking the world record of 2:30.94 – set back in 1999 - when she races at the Emirates Arena next February.

Not only does the venue serve as Muir’s indoor training base, but the 26-year-old also won 1500m and 3000m gold there at 2019’s European Indoor Championships – so she is relishing the opportunity to compete in front of packed home crowd as part of her Olympic Games preparations.

Speaking on racing at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow, Laura said: “I can’t think of a better way to begin 2020 and Olympic year than with a world record attempt in my home city and in front of a home crowd at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow.

“Through the hard sessions this winter, knowing that I’ll be stepping back out onto the track in Glasgow will be absolutely huge motivation, as will the opportunity to attack what is a really tough and long-standing world record.

“With that said, I feel that going quicker that 2:30.94 is a real possibility, and I can’t think of a better place to go for the record than in Glasgow and at such a world-class event.”

On the role the Emirates Arena crowd can play in the attempt, she added: “I know all about the Glasgow crowd from the European Indoors this year and I know they will be crazy as ever, so the opportunity to achieve something as historic as a world record with them cheering me all the way is really special.”

The Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow serving as the UK-leg of the IAAF World Indoor Tour, and Muir’s presence in Glasgow sees her join the in competing at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow.

Organisers of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are searching for volunteer community representatives to join the event’s Legacy and Benefits (LAB) Committee - a cross-partner group set up to ensure that Birmingham and the West Midlands takes full advantage of its moment in the national and international spotlight during the summer of 2022.

Successful candidates will be part of a group tasked with establishing a legacy strategy and overseeing the delivery of a comprehensive programme of benefits for the city and region, covering key topics like civic pride, culture, tourism, trade and investment, jobs and skills, education, sustainability and physical activity and wellbeing.

John Crabtree OBE, Chair of Birmingham 2022, who also chairs the LAB Committee said: “Over the next few years the work of the Legacy and Benefits Committee is going to be crucial and we’re looking for dynamic volunteers to join us to help improve the region. We need individuals who are innovative, commercially astute and can match our dedication to delivering the most sustainable, inclusive, and accessible Commonwealth Games to date.”

He added: “All of the partners that are involved with the Commonwealth Games, including Birmingham 2022, Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, are committed to delivering a strong legacy for the region and this committee will play an important role in ensuring this comes to fruition, as we absolutely must make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that hosting an event of this magnitude provides.”

The physical legacy of Birmingham 2022 is already obvious as the Games is proving to be a catalyst for transformation in the city and the region, with a brand new aquatics centre being built in Sandwell, the creation of the Athletes’ Village in Perry Barr and the redevelopment of Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

Hosting the Games is also accelerating the development of infrastructure and public transport improvements that will benefit the city and wider region for many years to come.

The mission for Birmingham 2022, which all Games partners are signed up to, also includes ensuring that this major multi-sport and cultural event will bring people together, improve health and wellbeing, help the region to grow and succeed and put Birmingham and the region on the global map, so the committee will play a vital role in ensuring that all elements of this mission are accomplished.

The closing date for applications is the 18 November and to apply candidates just need to send a CV and covering letter outlining why they would be a good candidate for the role, their relevant knowledge and experience, and demonstrating their genuine passion and aspiration for the region.

Successful candidates will be required to attend approximately five meetings per year and to read and comment on committee business in between meetings.

Hundreds of thousands of screaming South Africans greeted their heroes as they danced and sang at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg to welcome the returning Springboks who arrived home with their most valued cargo - the Rugby World Cup.

With star attractions, captain Siya Kolisi, leading the victorious team off the plane, with the Webb Ellis Trophy in hand, the exuberant delight proved overwhelming as the mass crowd – a true reflection of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ that the country is perceived to be – joined in unison to hail the three-times champions.

Following their much-hipped exploits in Japan, people of all varying backgrounds - Black and white, male and female, young, middle aged and old, low-income earners and the wealthy – all stood side-by-side as one mass sea of green to salute their heroes as a carnival atmosphere enveloped the normally sedate international arrivals section of the airport with every Springbok receiving a deafening seal of appreciation.

Francois Pienaar, who captained the memorable Springbok 1995 World Cup winners, hailed the Springboks' latest World triumph as bigger than then.

“This is bigger because it is a transformed team”, he said. “58million people watching in South Africa and all races woken up wearing green - which wouldn’t have happened in my time.

“It has evolved from my time. We had an incredible moment with Mr Mandela, but just the support from the nation for this team and captain.

“Seeing Siya Kolisi as the the first Black captain of South African rugby - in his 50th game  - and with his dad flying for the first time in his life to watch his son play.

“Wow! You don’t get much bigger than that”.

A visibly tired Kolisi said: "We are hugely grateful, humbled and overawed by the support in Japan and here.

"This reception is something else - we couldn't begin to thank everyone for backing us throughout this journey.

"We did this for all South Africans”, he added. “Ordinary people who work tirelessly all day long to care for their families and friends, and ultimately make our wonderful country an even better place.

"Winning the World Cup on foreign soil was very special and arriving home to this wonderful support is the cherry on top".

Following their first dominant display in the crushing 32-12 victory over pre-match favourites England, in Yokohama, South Africa became the first side to win the Webb Ellis Cup having lost a match in the tournament - they were beaten by New Zealand in the pool stage.

But, their fans – from all backgrounds – couldn’t care a j

It was a glorious ‘6’ for Lewis Hamilton MBE HonFREng as, despite the disappointment of not taking the chequered flag in Texas, his second place, behind Mercedes-AMG Peronas Motorsport teammate Valtter Bottas, was more than enough to claim yet another Formula One World Champion standing him out as one of the sport’s greatest ever drivers and leaving him tantalizingly one short of equalling the record of Michael Schumacher.

Having surpassed the record of five F1 Championships, held by Juan Fangio, at 34, Hamilton, undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport, looks hungry for more – meaning 8 titles and more.

With his tally of 83 race victories - the second-most of all time – him currently holding the records for the all-time most career points of 3399, the all-time most pole positions (87) and the most grand slams in a season (3), as others would be overwhelmed with that achievement, the unequaled genius from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, is hungry for much more.

His father, Anthony, emphasized: "As I keep saying to Lewis, 'you're 34 years young rather than 34 years old. As long as you're feeling fit and emotionally you love the sport, you can keep going for as long as you can”.

“His approach has always been 'if you’re going to do this, you’re going to do this properly', and nothing has changed since then”.

The Champ himself said: “While I feel like I am mastering F1, there is still more to master, there is more to add and more pieces of the puzzle to complete.

“There are going to be ups and downs along the way but I feel like I have the best tools to deal with those. I am working on a masterpiece and I haven’t quite finished it yet.”

With this season’s calendar yet to be completed, Lewis has at least one more year to run on his Mercedes deal, and has already committed to remaining in the sport beyond next year.

For the first time in decades Iranian women have attended a World Cup qualifier in Tehran after they were allowed to enter a stadium to watch a men's match

Since just after the 1979 Islamic revolution women were banned from stadiums when men were playing.

The change, though, followed the death of a female fan who set herself alight after being arrested for trying to attend a match.

Sahar Khodayari, known as ‘Blue Girl’ because of the team she supported, set fire to herself outside court while awaiting trial for trying to attend a match disguised as a man. The 29-year-old died a week later.

However, human rights organisation, Amnesty International, described the move as a "cynical publicity stunt" and that there were only a "token number" of tickets for female fans as it called for all restrictions on female attendance to be lifted.

More than 3,500 women bought tickets to the World Cup qualifier against Cambodia - in a 78,000 capacity Azadi Stadium - where they were granted access to a special women's-only section.

Women were previously allowed into the Azadi Stadium to watch a screening of their team playing Spain in the 2018 World Cup. But this was the first time in decades that they had been allowed to watch a game on Tehran's pitch.

The tickets for women reportedly sold out within minutes.

After the game, one female fan posted on twitter: "We had fun for three hours. All of us laughed, some of us cried because we were so happy.

"We had this experience very late in our life but I am so happy for younger girls who came to the stadium today."

FIFA, football's governing body, put pressure on Tehran to meet its commitments to allowing women to attend World Cup qualifiers.

It said that it would "stand firm" in ensuring that women had access to all football matches in Iran.

Joyce Cook, FIFA's head of Education and Social Responsibility, said: "We are firm and committed that all fans have an equal right, including women, to attend matches."

Last year, Saudi Arabia allowed women to attend a football match for the first time as part of an easing of strict rules on gender separation by the ultra-conservative Muslim country.

Iran beat Cambodia 14-0.

Proposals for the redevelopment of Alexander Stadium have been submitted to Birmingham City Council’s planning department for consideration.

At the heart of the wider effort to regenerate Perry Barr, the £70million plan would see the venue become a high-quality venue for diverse sporting, leisure, community and cultural events in the decades to come.

The stadium, in Perry Barr, is set to be the focal point of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, hosting the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as the athletics events.

The redeveloped stadium would increase its permanent seating capacity from 12,700 to 18,000 allowing more than 30,000 during the Games through additional temporary seating.

Post-Games it will be at the centre of a regenerated Perry Barr, which is receiving more than £500million of investment in the coming years, which also includes new housing, improved transport and related upgrades to infrastructure and public space.

The revamped stadium is set to host a range of tenants including the world-famous Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club and Birmingham City University.

The stadium will provide a new home for the university’s sports and exercise students, bringing an exciting new partnership and purpose to the stadium beyond athletics – as well as becoming a focal point for a range of leisure, health, wellbeing and community activities for local residents and the wider general public.

During the summer’s pre-consultation engagement activity more than 120 interested and/or impacted stakeholders and around 2,000 neighbouring residents and businesses were consulted on the proposals.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and provided valuable feedback which has helped shape the final design.

“The application will now be considered by the planning department over the next few months and we welcome further feedback and comments from anyone with an interest in the stadium and its future. This is about creating a destination venue, shaping a legacy beyond the Commonwealth Games.”

To view the stadium plans and offer comments (deadline 7 November 2019), you can visit the Birmingham City Council Planning Portal and search for application number: 2019/07968/PA

It is anticipated a final decision will be taken on the proposals by the city council’s Planning Committee in early 2020.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the new stand will commence in spring 2020, with completion in late 2021 ahead of test events for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The design now being consulted upon will also facilitate the temporary ‘Games overlay’ elements and additional infrastructure needed to deliver the 2022 Games. Further detail regarding the Games overlay will be consulted on at a later date.