Trump, Juventus and thinly veiled contempt
While the dimwits who think politics should have no place in football will view Fifa's non-stance as a victory, it is difficult to imagine what they made of Wednesday's delegation of Juventus representatives at the Oval Office, where assorted players, staff and suits were forced to stand behind Donald Trump as he briefed his favoured correspondents on a possible attack on Iran, a bizarre soliloquy regarding the bodycount in the American Civil War and how 'bigly' the crowd at Juve's Copa Gianni match against Al Ain would be a few hours later. With Gianni Infantino gazing adoringly from his basket in the corner, the 47th president of the United States of America also tried unsuccessfully to bait some or all of his visitors into making transphobic comments.
Showing all the enthusiasm and joie de vivre of captives in a hostage video, a group of players including USA USA USA internationals Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah looked on with a mixture of thinly veiled contempt and … no, just thinly veiled contempt. Speaking after Juve's win over Al Ain later that evening, Weah stated that he and his teammates had been forced into participating in this tawdry photo op by their employers. 'It was all a surprise to me, honestly,' he sighed. 'They told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go. I was caught by surprise, honestly. It was a bit weird. When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it's kind of like … I just want to play football, man.' Previously an outspoken critic of Trump's disregard for black people among his myriad other shortcomings, McKennie stayed silent on this occasion but, if looks could kill, the midfielder would almost certainly have been bundled out of the office by the president's secret service detail.
Elsewhere in Copa Gianni, Manchester City got their campaign off to a winning start against Wydad AC despite losing Rico Lewis to a late red card that simultaneously looked very harsh and entirely justified, while Merseyside's most famous Hispanophone made his eagerly awaited debut for his new side in their draw with Al-Hilal. 'It's an incredible day for me to make my Real Madrid debut,' cheered Trent Alexander-Arnold in his post-match interview, speaking in his native tongue on this occasion, presumably out of fear any Ice goons lurking nearby would be so impressed by his proficiency in Spanish that he might end in the back of a van being ferried to a detention centre.
'Many question why our national team is in this situation and why there is a lack of talent, one reason being the losses due to piracy. All the money that is lost every year is not invested in the youth teams and in the growth of our young players, a major issue that has led our national team to face many difficulties … We are already far behind the Premier League and La Liga. If we continue like this, we will finish behind the Germans and we will end up being at the bottom of the table [of Europe's top five leagues] together with the French' – Serie A chief suit Luigi De Siervo reckons pesky Italian fire sticks are the reason for the Azzurri's decline, along with sticking in a drive-by on Ligue 1. In other news, Gennaro Gattuso has been presented as the national team's latest manager.
I struggle to see how Burnley could have been dealt a rough hand by the giant super-computer at Premier League HQ (yesterday's Football Daily). Admittedly I've not counted up every fixture next season, but I'm pretty sure they'll play the other teams twice just like everyone else' – Simon Riley.
I'm a bit behind on reading Football Daily so I've only just seen the photo of Phil Parkes from Monday's Memory Lane (full email edition). It's quite the throwback to a simpler time – you'd never catch any club, let alone one as well-versed in C0ckney rhyming slang as West Ham, letting one of their players pose with a pony, in case anyone saw it as the perfect analogy for how they've been playing under Graham Potter' – Ed Taylor.
Re: yesterday's Quote of the Day. Daniel Levy says: 'We've won a European trophy but it's not enough.' Turn his TV off. Few solid players left but it's not enough. Few leaders that'll really step but it's not enough. Say Spurs bigger than myself but it's not enough. Am I getting on Mr Levy's ... Yeah, somebody gotta do it' – Daniel Stauss.
Please send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today's winner of our letter o' the day competition is … Daniel Stauss, who gets some Football Weekly merch. We'll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here.
Welcome back to hell, and listen to Emma Powell read Rob Smyth's Forgotten Story of Manchester United v Galatasaray in 1993.
Sheffield United without Chris Wilder? Even when he was managing Middlesbrough or Watford, and Paul Heckingbottom was in charge, the club still felt like Wilder's. His second spell, including a relegation battle fought in vain, and May's Championship playoff final lost so narrowly to Sunderland, was not as successful as the first, but the 100% Blade departs as club legend, a manager on the level of a Neil Warnock, a Dave Bassett, a Harry Haslam. One of the final straws came when the club's new, Stateside consortium owners asked Wilder to use AI scouting methods. That was always unlikely to fly. The end soon came. 'Leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life,' sobbed Wilder. The new man? Rubén Sellés, who you may remember as the manager of crisis clubs Southampton, Reading and Hull. 'We need to embrace data and new technologies, but the most important thing is not to forget the football essence,' he roared.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé has been admitted to hospital with acute gastroenteritis, where the club say he will 'undergo a series of tests and follow the appropriate course of treatment'.
The Tripoli derby between Al-Ahly and Al-Ittihad in the Libyan Premier League has had to be suspended after fans stormed the pitch, with the referee and other supporters being injured. Al-Ittihad's bus was set on fire, the club said in a statement, while Al-Ahly blamed what it called a 'provocative act' by one of Al-Ittihad players for the trouble.
The presence of banned performance-enhancing substance meldonium, found in Mykhailo Mudryk's system, and confirmed by a B sample, could lead to a four-year ban. 'As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time,' tooted an FA statement.
England's brave boys are through to the quarter-finals of the European U-21 Championship, despite losing 2-1 to Germany. Slovenia's defeat to the Czech Republic means Lee Carsley's kids limped through to face Spain on Saturday.
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson has revealed her 23-strong lineup for Euro 2025 on top of Yr Wyddfa in Snowdonia, and it includes Sophie Ingle after she recovered in time from ACL-knack.
Hernán Crespo is back in the game, baby, as São Paulo coach for a second time.
Gerhard Struber is back in the game, baby, as Bristol City head coach.
New Chelsea striker Liam Delap and Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly lead the list for the PFA young player of the year award. Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez, former Cherries defender Dean Huijsen, Arsenal winger Ethan Nwaneri and Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers complete the six, with Phil Foden and James Milner cruelly overlooked for this year's gong.
New Spurs boss Thomas Frank intends to build on Ange Postecoglou's Bigger Vase triumph and turn them into 'serial winners'.
And to the Fun and Games in South America Dept, where Brazilian Série D outfit Humaitá have set a new club record after just seven paying fans turned up for their 2-2 draw against Manauara.
There's a treat for you in the latest edition of our sister email, a big interview with Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord courtesy of Tom Garry.
Get it launched! Football Daily's campaign for real football is happening. Get it in the mixer, feed off the knock-downs? Sadly not. We're going to see longer passing mostly, writes Ali Tweedale, because teams have worked out that playing out from the back gives opponents more chances.
A proper plan is needed for those left behind as Copa Gianni gifts its riches, writes Nick Ames.
How the USMNT values diversity, even in the Trump era. By Sanjay Sujanthakumar.
And the Rumour Mill picks over the latest gossip, including chatter relating to the future of Viktor Gyökeres.
Gabriel Batistuta skips clear of a sliding Lizardo Garrido during Argentina's final-round stalemate with Chile during the Copa América in July 1991. The rain poured and poured in Santiago, where Argentina returned two days later to beat Colombia 2-1 and top the standings, sealing glory.
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The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
Federal agents will be out 24/7 on patrol in Washington, the White House says
As a wary Washington waited, the White House promised a ramp-up of National Guard troops and federal officers on the streets of the nation's capital around the clock starting Wednesday, days after President Donald Trump 's unprecedented announcement that his administration would take over the city's police department for at least a month. The city's Democratic mayor and police chief framed the influx as a plus for public safety, though they said there are few hard measures for what a successful end to the operation might look like. The Republican president has said crime in the city was at emergency levels that only such federal intervention could fix even as District of Columbia leaders pointed to statistics showing violent crime at a 30-year low after a sharp rise two years ago. For two days, small groups of federal officers have been visible in scattered areas of the city. That is about to change, the administration says. A 'significantly higher' presence of guard members was expected Wednesday night, and federal agents will be out 24/7 rather than largely at night, according to the White House. Hundreds of federal law enforcement and city police officers who patrolled the streets Tuesday night made 43 arrests, compared with about two dozen the night before. In one neighborhood, officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI could be seen along with the U.S. Park Police searching the car of a motorist parked just outside a legal parking area to eat takeout and drop off a friend. Two blocks away, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers gathered in a parking lot before driving off on patrol. In other parts of the city, including those with popular nightlife hot spots, federal patrols were harder to find. At the National Mall, there was little law enforcement activity aside from Park Police cruisers pulling over a taxi driver near the Washington Monument. Unlike in other U.S. states and cities, the law gives Trump the power to take over Washington's police for up to 30 days. Extending his power over the city for longer would require approval from Congress, and that could be tough in the face of Democratic resistance. A variety of infractions are targeted The arrests made by 1,450 federal and local officers across the city included those for suspicion of driving under the influence, unlawful entry, as well as a warrant for assault with a deadly weapon, according to the White House. Seven illegal firearms were seized. Unlike in other U.S. states and cities, the law gives Trump the power to take over Washington's police for up to a month. Extending Trump's power over the city for longer would require approval from Congress, and that could be tough in the face of Democratic resistance. The president has full command of the National Guard, but as of Tuesday evening, guard members had yet to be assigned a specific mission, according to an official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. As many as 800 troops were expected to be mobilized in a support role to law enforcement, though exactly what form remains to be determined. The push also includes clearing out encampments for people who are homeless, Trump has said. U.S. Park Police have removed dozens of tents since March, and plan to take out two more this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said. People are offered the chance to go to shelters and get addiction treatment, if needed, but those who refuse could be fined or jailed, she said. City officials said they are making more shelter space available and increasing their outreach. Violent crime has dropped in the district The federal effort comes even after a drop in violent crime in the nation's capital, a trend that experts have seen in cities across the U.S. since an increase during the coronavirus pandemic. On average, the level of violence Washington remains mostly higher than averages in three dozen cities analyzed by the nonprofit Council on Criminal Justice, said the group's president and CEO, Adam Gelb. Police Chief Pamela Smith said during an interview with the local Fox affiliate that the city's Metro Police Department has been down nearly 800 officers. She said the increased number of federal agents on the streets would help fill that gap, at least for now. Mayor Muriel Bowser said city officials did not get any specific goals for the surge during a meeting with Trump's attorney general, Pam Bondi, and other top federal law enforcement officials Tuesday. But, she said, "I think they regard it as a success to have more presence and take more guns off the street, and we do too.' She had previously called Trump's moves 'unsettling and unprecedented' while pointing out he was within a president's legal rights regarding the district, which is the seat of American government but is not a state. For some residents, the increased presence of law enforcement and National Guard troops is nerve-wracking. 'I've seen them right here at the subway ... they had my street where I live at blocked off yesterday, actually,' Washington native Sheina Taylor said. 'It's more fearful now because even though you're a law-abiding citizen, here in D.C., you don't know, especially because I'm African American." ___ Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin and Will Weissert, photographer Jacquelyn Martin and video journalist River Zhang contributed to this report.
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Donald Trump warns Putin there will be 'VERY severe consequences' if Russia does not stop the war in Ukraine
Donald Trump has warned Vladimir Putin 'there will be very severe consequences' if Russia does not agree to stop the war in Ukraine after their meeting on Friday. The US President took a tougher tone against the dictator yesterday saying he was yet to be convinced he would be able to persuade Putin to stop killing civilians. European leaders also said Mr Trump had agreed to make an immediate ceasefire at the start of negotiations a priority - something that will be painful for Moscow which is gaining territory by the day. In more encouraging news for Ukraine, the US President said tomorrow is only 'setting the table' for a second meeting where Volodymyr Zelensky will be present. Mr Trump cautioned that if he 'doesn't get the answers' he needs on Friday 'then we're not going to have a second meeting'. Asked if Russia will face consequences in that scenario, Mr Trump said: 'Yes, they will. There will be consequences.' Asked if that would be sanctions or tariffs, Trump said: 'I don't have to say. There will be very severe consequences.' But he hoped that there would be a 'quick second meeting' following the summit between Putin, Zelensky 'and myself if they'd like to have me there'. Trump said he hoped that there would be a 'quick second meeting' following the summit between Putin, Zelensky 'and myself if they'd like to have me there' In more encouraging news for Ukraine, the US President said tomorrow is only 'setting the table' for a second meeting where Volodymyr Zelensky will be present Describing the purpose of Alaska, Mr Trump said it was 'to find out where we are and what we are doing' before a 'more productive meeting' with Ukraine present. It is hoped that this second summit would take place in a neutral European country. Yesterday it emerged Mr Trump is planning to offer Putin access to rare earth minerals to incentivise him to end the war including opening up Alaska's natural resources to Moscow and lifting some sanctions. It may also include giving Russia access to the rare earth minerals in the Ukrainian territories under their occupation, the Telegraph reported. JD Vance yesterday said the US President had vowed that they would 'bring peace to Europe' in a speech at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. He channelled the spirit of how America and Britain had brought peace by victory in World War Two after spending the week with Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House in Kent. Describing what he and Mr Lammy had discussed, the Vice President said: 'What we did is we worked on one of our most important shared security goals in Europe, which is the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine. 'The President of the United States came in six months ago, and I just talked to him right before I came on the stage, and he said very simply that we are going to make it our mission as an administration to bring peace to Europe once again.' It marked a successful day of European diplomacy after Mr Trump's deeply concerning press conference on Monday where he appeared to blame Mr Zelensky for the war and take a softer stance against Putin. EU leaders scrambled to hold a virtual summit with the US President and the Ukrainian leader yesterday which Mr Trump said he 'would rate a 10'. Afterwards Mr Zelensky, who dialled in from Berlin where he was meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, described the talks as 'constructive and good'. He said that 'Trump supported us today' and that leaders around the world are unified towards reaching 'peace in Ukraine'. Mr Zelensky also warned leaders that Putin 'is bluffing' that sanctions 'do not matter to him and are ineffective' as they are in fact 'hitting Russia's war economy hard'. Chancellor Merz reiterated to Mr Trump that they must apply more 'pressure' on Putin if there is no movement towards peace. He said the US president 'knows this position and agrees with it'. Chancellor Merz also stressed that a ceasefire must come at the beginning of negotiations - and that Mr Trump 'also wants to make this one of his priorities'. Sir Keir Starmer, who was also present on the call, said the 'coalition of the willing' is ready to deploy a 'reassurance force' when the moment arises. In more encouraging signs, Mr Vance joined a call for the coalition of the willing for the first time yesterday, dialling in from RAF Fairford before Mr Trump also joined. It marks a significant turn around since the Vice President disparagingly dismissed the peacekeeping proposal in March as '20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years'. Sir Keir said yesterday: 'For three-and-a-bit years this conflict has been going on and we haven't got anywhere near the prospect of actually a viable solution, a viable way of bringing it to a ceasefire - and now we do have that chance because of the work that the president has put in.'
Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
MIKEY SMITH: I was there for JD Vance's air base speech - he did the most Donald Trump thing ever
JD Vance took an afternoon out from partying with Thomas Skinner and breakfasting with Nigel Farage to say hi to US military personnel stationed here in the UK. And I went along too RAF Fairford is honestly the closest you can come to being in America without getting on a plane. At least until they finally get round to building Universal Studios in Bedford. The cafe takes dollars. Many of the transports around the base are left hand drive. And oh yeah, the troops are American. So JD Vance took an afternoon out from partying with Thomas Skinner and breakfasting with Nigel Farage to say hi to US military personnel stationed here in the UK. And I went along too. Understandably, given the security concerns at both a military base and a Vice Presidential visit, we arrived several hours ahead of Vance's speech. So there was plenty of time to look up the massive plane he was to speak in front of - a U-2 spy plane, of the type currently flying surveillance missions over Russia. And plenty of time to enjoy the soundtrack of the day - a lengthy playlist taking in the Village People's Macho Man, Elton's Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting and ABBA's Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man after Midnight). In fact the playlist was so camp macho that one wonders if it was put together by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth himself. Before the VP's arrival, a senior officer took to the stage to remind those present that serving personnel are not allowed to express political opinions while in uniform. A perfectly sensible idea - and to their credit, one stuck to scrupulously by every single person any of us spoke to. But she needn't have worried. There was very little politics to come from JD. Unlike his boss, Vance turned up for the speech precisely on schedule. And again, unlike the Donald, his remarks were brief and largely uncontroversial. Aside from that one line where he said peace in Ukraine would be possible because the "bad guys" are afraid of the American wasn't super clear about which side he considered to be the bad guys. And then I saw it. The most Donald Trump thing I've ever seen someone who wasn't Donald Trump do - and I've seen Lee Greenwood sing God Bless the USA live at a military parade. While Vance was happily - and generously - chatting and shaking hands with the men and women who lined up for a meet and greet, two or three senior officers showed up with giant boxes. And in those boxes were hundreds and hundreds of McDonalds burgers. If I'm not mistaken, Quarterpounders with Cheese. Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. There were so many free cheeseburgers being handed out by the VP and his guys that they could have fed every man woman and child in the room for at least a couple of days. The logistics of the seemingly unending stream of griddled beef alone boggled the mind. Presumably they were a bit cold given the nearest McDonalds is a fair old drive away - and there were more sandwiches on offer than a normal sized branch. But the troops seemed grateful. And so ended another weird day in JD Vance's increasingly weird trip to the UK. Presumably tomorrow he'll spend the day playing golf with the remaining Chuckle brother, or get a personal guided tour of Madame Tussauds. At this point, little would surprise me.
