What Donegal's Michael Murphy has in common with Darth Vader as he comes under fire
They aren't referring to his football ability because even the most anti-Donegal fan on the planet could logically argue that the flying forward has been anything but outstanding on the pitch in the 2025 season.
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The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Record tally of abuse episodes at football games reported last season, survey shows
A record number of reports of abuse at football matches were made during the 2024-25 season, with complaints of sexism and misogyny driving the increase, according to new data from Kick It Out. The anti-discrimination organisation has published its annual survey, with figures showing there were 1,398 reports of discriminatory behaviour made over the previous 12 months, up from 1,332 the year before. While the top line has remained roughly static, albeit having more than doubled since the 2021-22 total of 610, the makeup of those complaints has shifted. According to Kick It Out's data, reports of sexism and misogyny rose by 67% on the year before, up from 115 to 192. Reports of online sexism rose by 72% while reports related to misogyny in youth football doubled. Within stadiums, 18 reports of sexist chanting at matches were recorded, almost equalling the total from the previous four seasons combined. The uptick in reporting is likely in part down to greater awareness, both of the tools available to combat abuse and of the women's game itself. Kick It Out partnered with Women In Football last year to call for a crackdown on sexist behaviour and for incidents to be incorporated into official police statistics. The rise in popularity in women's football has been dogged by a growth in people criticising its validity, especially on social media. Ableist abuse also rose substantially last season, increasing by 45% on the year, but there was a small decline in homophobic abuse. Reports of racism also fell overall, though Kick it Out says racism remains 'prevalent' online, and the number of incidents reported in the professional game increased from 223 to 245. 'What we're seeing now is that fans aren't just reporting abuse, they're demanding action,' Samuel Okafor, the chief executive of Kick It Out, said. 'There's been a clear shift this season in how people are calling out sexist behaviour, both online and in stadiums, and asking football to treat it as seriously as any other form of hate. 'At the same time, it's clear that online platforms are still falling short. The volume of abuse remains high, and too often those responsible face no consequences. Fans are doing their part by speaking up. It's now up to football authorities, tech companies and government to show they're listening, and to act.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Individuals who experience or witness discrimination at football matches, at whatever level, are encouraged to report the incident. Reports to Kick It Out can be made online, via email or through the organisation's app.
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Nine Chelsea players banished from club's official website
Chelsea are keen to offload at least nine more players before the transfer window slams shut and they have left the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell off the club website Nine Chelsea players have been left off the club's official website ahead of the new season, with former England star Raheem Sterling among them. Sterling and eight other Blues stars do not have a profile or photo in the senior section of the website. Chelsea have offloaded eight first-team players so far this summer, including Noni Madueke, Joao Felix and Kepa Arrizabalaga, and plenty more departures are expected before the transfer window slams shut. Sterling is one of several unwanted players that the Blues are keen to ship out and they have made it clear that he has no future at Stamford Bridge by leaving him off the website. Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu are also absent, with the pair closing in on moves to Burnley. Academy graduate Alfie Gilchrist is another player who does not appear on the website, having spent last season out on loan at Sheffield United. The 21-year-old defender is reportedly attracting interest from clubs in the Championship and Saudi Arabia. Ben Chilwell, who joined Chelsea from Leicester for around £45million in 2020, has also been omitted after being frozen out by Enzo Maresca. Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka and David Datro Fofana are the other absentees. Interestingly, Mykhailo Mudryk does appear on the website, although he is the only player pictured in last season's kit. Mudryk is currently facing a potential four-year ban after he was charged by the FA over Anti-Doping Rule Violations. The winger failed a drugs test last November and has been out of action since, although Mudryk denies knowingly using a banned substance. "I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance," Mudryk said at the time. "This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened. "I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can." With Mudryk currently sidelined and Madueke and Felix having been sold, Chelsea have strengthened their options out wide with the additions of Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund and Estevao Willian from Palmeiras.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
‘We've holidayed with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce – she showed her true colours with us'
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were joined by two well-known sports broadcasters Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson on a recent holiday, and the pair have revealed what it's like to vacation with them NFL reporters Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson have lifted the lid on their holiday escapades with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. The pop icon and Kansas City Chiefs tight-end, both 35, have dominated headlines ever since they went public with their romance in September 2023. Despite Swift's presence at the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February – where she faced boos from the crowd – and Kelce's surprise appearance on stage during Swift's blockbuster Era's Tour in London, the pair have kept quiet about their high-profile relationship lately. However, Andrews and Thompson couldn't resist telling all on their podcast 'Calm Down with Erin and Charissa', after Kelce shared snaps on Instagram featuring the two broadcasters with himself and Swift. "I will say this: she's everything that I'd ever hoped and dreamed that she could've been and more," Thompson said about Swift. "For those of you who have listened to this podcast for the five years that we have had it, you'll know our great affinity for Taylor, pre-Travis. We advocated for her to give him a chance – that clearly worked out! They are so happy and adorable." In a snapshot shared by the three-time Super Bowl champion, Andrews and Thompson were seen enjoying a snowy getaway with their other halves, alongside Kelce and the 'Anti-Hero' hit-maker. Thompson couldn't help but sing praises for the 'Love Story' songstress, reports OK! "That's one of my favourite photos from the trip that we all took together. And I'll echo it! She's [Swift] a 20 out of 20. She is so much fun," Thompson said. Delving into the details of how their group holiday came to be, she said: "When the opportunity came about for all of us to spend time together and go on vacation, we were elated to have time with them. But also, in general, to see what she was all about." One picture posted by Kelce showed him and Swift laughing in the snow, while another showed the couple on an ice rink. Thompson then revealed they were keeping their cards close to the chest on what went down on the trip in a bid to keep a veil of privacy in-place for Swift and Kelce. "Their lives are so public so it was very important for Erin and I not to say anything," she added. "It's important for us to let them dictate the narrative on things they do in their personal life. "I'm not going to elaborate too much on it other than saying that she is a dream and I adore her and I'm so happy that they make each other happy." Andrews echoed the sentiment, emphasising their commitment to safeguarding their friends' privacy: "We're so protective of them and their privacy and what they deserve, so that's why we never said anything or planned on saying anything. "We love them, we are happy for them and we are happy to report back that, yes, the long awaited meeting did happen and it exceeded expectations because she is as advertised and a whole lot more." Swift is currently recharging after an astonishing tour that saw the 35-year-old traverse the globe with her three-hour, hit-powered show that ran from March 2023 to December 2024. Kelce, meanwhile, took some time to regroup after his Chiefs team were humiliated in Super Bowl LIX by a Jalen Hurts-inspired Eagles. He initially claimed he would think about his future but later revealed he is to stay on for one more NFL season as tight-end for the Chiefs, with the star previously saying he would play "until the wheels fall off", with the new season getting underway in September.
