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Daily Mail
2 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Discrimination in football reached record high during 2024-25 season, damning Kick It Out report reveals
Kick It Out received almost 1,400 reports of discrimination during the 2024-25 season, the anti-discrimination charity has revealed. There were 1,398 reports of abuse, which is a new record high, up from 1,332 in the 2023-24 campaign. The data shows a rise in sexism, transphobia, and faith-based abuse, with racism remaining the most reported form of discrimination. There was a big spike in sexism and misogyny, with the number of complaints rising by 67 per cent, with a rise also in youth football. Kick It Out chief executive Samuel Okafor said: 'These figures show that discrimination remains deeply embedded across the game, but the rise in abuse in youth football should be a wake-up call. 'No one should be facing hostility simply for taking part. 'What we're seeing now is that fans aren't just reporting abuse, they're demanding action. 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.'
Daily Mail
4 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Barcelona give update on registration of six players - with Marcus Rashford among stars sweating on being available for start of LaLiga season
Barcelona are reportedly confident the club will be able to register six players, including Marcus Rashford, ahead of the new LaLiga season. Rashford joined Barcelona last month on a season-long loan deal from Man United, with the Catalan giants having the option to turn the move permanent for around £30m. The reigning LaLiga champions, however, have faced difficulties in registering players with the league due to their ongoing financial situation. Barcelona struggled to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor last season, with the pair initially given temporary licences which were revoked by LaLiga during the January transfer window. The club were temporarily granted permission to have the licences reinstated following an appeal, but the saga dragged on throughout the 2025-26 season. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed confidence that Rashford will be among six stars registered prior to the season. 'It's progressing well,' Laporta told ESPN. 'We're doing our job and we're confident that we'll be able to register everyone.' When asked about the situation, Rashford added 'It's something for the club to sort out. I believe they are going to get it sorted. 'I just focus on training and be ready for the start of the season.' Spanish newspaper Sport state that Barcelona are hopeful of being able to register Rashford and five other players once a new sponsorship agreement and raising of £87m through the sale of 475 VIP seats at the Camp Nou is ratified. Rashford and fellow new signing Joan Garcia are reportedly Barcelona's priorities to be registered for the new season, along with Wojciech Szczesny. Szczesny would need to be re-registered after signing a new deal when his short-term contract expired. Barcelona then plan to give first team squad numbers to three other players, including new signing Roony Bardghji. The Swedish youngster will reportedly be registered when space becomes available after the three priority players. Gerard Martín and Marc Bernal would then complete Barcelona's registrations for the new season. Barcelona, it is claimed, want to seal the registrations with LaLiga ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy, which will take place on Sunday. Hansi Flick's side will officially begin the new LaLiga season on August 16 against Mallorca, giving them just 11 days to register new players.
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Welcome to Chelsea, finally! Brazilian wonderkid Estevao arrives ONE YEAR on from signing for the west London side - and after scoring against the Blues at the Club World Cup
Chelsea announced the long-awaited transfer of Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian - one year on from signing the former Palmeiras starlet. The Blues have enjoyed another prolific summer in the transfer market, with attacking signings Joao Pedro and Liam Delap showing immediate promise as part of the squad's triumphant Club World Cup run. Enzo Maresca 's side have since added players including Borussia Dortmund 's Jamie Gittens and talented Ajax defender Jorrel Hato to their ranks ahead of the start of the Premier League season. But as the west London side continue to manage incomings and outgoings in the window, Estevao's arrival at Cobham stands out, with Chelsea having snapped up the winger for £28million in June 2024. Estevao's deal such that he continued the 2024-25 season with his Brazilian side, even meeting his new club in last month's Club World Cup - and scoring against them in the 2-1 defeat in the quarter finals - waiting to join Chelsea until he turned 18. But Blues fans finally had the chance to see their new player in club colours on Tuesday afternoon, with the team finally announcing their latest signing in a post which posed the teenager as a life-size figurine. As fans flocked to social media to share their delight in the news, Estevao himself was brimming with excitement in a brief interview shared with the club's website. 'I am very happy, it feels very rewarding to represent Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world,' Estevao said. 'I am very happy and I hope to help the team in the best way possible. 'I had almost a year and a half to wait until I arrived here. But it has been a year and a half that I have worked hard and have done my best to get here in the best shape possible. 'I am very, very excited. It is a new experience in my life, a new stage. I am looking forward to it and hope that it will go as well as possible.' Estevao previously spoke to some of his Chelsea team-mates in the wake of Palmeiras' defeat, through his compatriot-turned-translator, fellow new signing Dario Essugo. Essugo helped decipher Cole Palmer's request that Estevao spend some time with team-mates to-be after their victory, but the 18-year-old explained later that he had politely declined. 'I had to ask Essugo what Cole had said to me,' said Estevao. 'He laughed a bit before translating, telling me "Cole said he's excited for you and want you to come with us after the game".' 'I wanted to stay some more time with my team pals,' he added. 'I came here with them. And I should go back to Brazil with them. My heart is broken because only we know how hard we worked. 'But I leave with pride. And I am happy to have a giant club as Chelsea opening its doors to me. 'I just wanted to show my new fans in England who I am. That it is all. I hope to learn. I am sure I come to London to evolve, and to make history there too.' Palmer made a point of embracing Estevao and swapping shirts with him after the final whistle, despite the language barrier. 'I told Estevao we are excited for you to join but he didn't understand a single word I said,' Palmer said. Maresca was certainly impressed by his new recruit's performance, noting after the final whistle that his 'huge talent' was undeniable. 'The only thing now is when you come from South America or another part of the world to Europe, you need to adapt,' Maresca added. 'We are going to help him to adapt, and first of all to enjoy football.' Chelsea supporters that Estevao lives up to his seismic hype, with the club having fought off advances from Barcelona, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to land his signature. Nicknamed 'Messinho' early on in his career, Estevao has most frequently earned comparisons to Neymar Jnr, who has described him as a 'genius'. Last year, Estevao became the youngest player in history to be named ESPN Brazil's Player of the Year, and he has since joined up with the national team, making five appearances for the Selecao.
