Former Senegal striker Demba Ba has been named as the new sporting director of French Ligue 1 club Le Havre.
The 41-year-old, whose playing career included stints in the Premier League with West Ham, Newcastle. Chelsea, arrives from Ligue 2 side Dunkerque where he served for the past three years as deputy president.
He succeeds Mathieu Bodmer. who walked out of the club on the eve of the final matchday of the just-completed season with Le Havre finishing 14th. Bodmer has moved to third division side Caen, which is owned by France captain Kylian Mbappé.
A couple of emails from Scotland fans have landed in my inbox, as per request.
“I don’t think the narrowness of the Haiti win makes any odds. It would always have been a suicidal policy to hope to get through on three points and. dare I say, a team that aims that low doesn’t really deserve to go through (Portugal 2016). We always needed another point. A tough call, but not impossible. Morocco are very reliant on speed. They have a number of fine sprinters. are at their most dangerous when using that pace to attack from deep. We have to stop them doing that – sit deep. two holding midfielders, McTominay ready to slip back into the centre of a five-man defence when necessary, with Gannon-Doak as the escape route to barely deserved counter-attack glory. Would be nice.” Craig Ward
“Scotland sneak a win; Haiti hold Brazil to a draw. Scotland win the group before a ball’s kicked in the Brazil game. Easy.” Derek
Here’s some more info from that article Will shared about two World Cup being played in ‘severe heat’. according to experts:
double quotation mark Saudi Arabia’s game against Uruguay in Miami had the most severe heat conditions in the analysis of the first 24 matches of the World Cup, ie each team’s first game, in the tournament being held across the US, Mexico. Canada. The second most severe heat conditions of the first 24 matches in stadiums without AC were in Sweden v Tunisia in Monterrey.
These games, despite being evening kick-offs, were played amid wet-bulb temperatures of 28C (82F) or above, according to temperature. humidity data for the place and time of the games.
Scotland fans in Boston = in good spirits / bringing the vibes / making friends. Delete as appropriate, or keep all three.
As Scotland fans descend on Boston, what do we think to their chances against Morocco, the reigning Afcon champions (of sorts). World Cup semi-finalists from 2022? The win over Haiti was necessary in a tough group,. another point would be like gold dust in almost assuring Steve Clarke of a historic place in the knockout stages, leaving the Brazil game as a complete free hit.
Even a narrow defeat to Morocco may be enough,. finishing third in a group on three points seems like a dicey place to be. Scotland fans, feel free to drop us an email and we’ll get the pre-match chatter properly going.
Cheers Will. When he told me he’d posted an article about fans the one below wasn’t what I had in mind … it is quite warm today. in fairness.
Thank you very much for joining me on this fine day. Dominic Booth will run you the next few hours of fun.
Get your quiz on as you desperately look at the clock in the hope the weekend has arrived.
Ed Aarons has been speaking to England fans about their costly devotion to the national team.
double quotation mark The cost is astronomical – I’ve been scared to look at my bank balance in the mornings. We bought a round of six beers last night and it cost north of $100. But the vibe has been great and the Americans have really bought into the whole thing. The atmosphere was unbelievable in Los Angeles. I’m going home to work to pay off what I’ve spent out here.
A lot of talk will be about Brazil going into their game against Haiti later. this is a huge occasion for the Haitians. They only lost by a single goal against Scotland. are growing as a group, so will embrace the challenge of facing one of the World Cups most historic nations.
Can Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor help cause a shock?
It is very muggy today, so I am off to read this article to cool me down.
If the lifestyle department are reading this, I am very happy to do some review articles on fans, wines, cars. … well … anything.
Two of the first round of matches at the World Cup were played at a level of severe heat that a football players’ union has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games. a Guardian analysis has found.
The former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has left PSG to join London City Lionesses. She sat down with our very own Tom Garry to discuss why it was time to leave Paris, the lure of her new club. when she will know it is time to stop.
double quotation mark I had an amazing time in Paris for two years, in a really special city, but last year I was sort of swaying more. more coming home.
I bumped into my former neighbour during a lunchtime sojourn. A proud Scot, he is driving back home from Manchester to Scotland tonight to watch the match. You have to applaud the commitment.
Going back to Craig Bellamy … it is understandable that Burnley are keen on appointing their former assistant. Last I heard, he was eager to see his contract through with Wales and take them to a major tournament. It would surprise me if he were to leave for a Championship job at this stage. stranger things have happened in football.
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti is set to resist the temptation to start Endrick in Saturday’s World Cup Group C match with Haiti in Philadelphia.
The five-time winners were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their tournament opener last Saturday. a lack of creativity has sparked a wave of support for Real Madrid attacker Endrick, who was an unused substitute in the fixture.
Endrick, 19, featured under Ancelotti at Real Madrid. has scored four goals already for his nation, but is not in line to start against Haiti.
Ancelotti told a press conference: “l’ll bring Endrick on at the right moment. We’ll have to wait a little while. He’ll be important in this World Cup. For me personally, Endrick is an extraordinary talent. Brazil will make the most of his qualities in this World Cup and in the next one too.”
Ancelotti has been calmness personified since criticism was aimed in his direction after the 1-1 draw with Morocco, where Brentford forward Igor Thiago fired a blank. fellow attackers Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta and Matheus Cunha failed to shine.
“The result against Morocco wasn’t good but we need to offer constructive criticism,” Ancelotti said. “You don’t win the World Cup in the first match. We have to find a solution. The players’ self-criticism was positive. We’ve been working over the last few days to sort this out and I think we will. Whether sooner or later, we’ll sort it out. I remain confident that the team will be competitive in this World Cup.” PA Media
Thanks Martin. This will be a huge hour for everyone!
That is the end of my stint for the week, I will be back on Monday. And now, as promised, the triumphant return of Will Unwin.
In non-World Cup news, chiefly because of that play-off penalty heartbreak against Bosnia. Herzegovina, PA reports it understands that Championship club Burnley have contacted the Football Association of Wales to discuss the possibility of appointing Craig Bellamy as their manager. He previously worked at Turf Moor as assistant boss to Vincent Kompany.
As scorching temperatures beat down on World Cup soccer games across North America, climate activists – including former. current professional athletes – are calling for Fifa and other professional sporting organizations to cut ties with the oil and gas industry.
“Sport, especially football, has the power to influence. inspire billions of people,” said David Wheeler, an English former professional footballer, who supports the campaign. “Fifa should be harnessing that power to do good.”
This coming Sunday, protesters will demonstrate at or near four 2026 World Cup stadiums. seven other major sporting arenas, chanting and holding signs calling for an end to fossil fuel sponsorships. The protesters’ key target is Saudi Aramco. the exclusive energy sponsor for this year’s tournament, which is also the world’s largest corporate carbon emitter.
Guardian journalist Pablo Iglesias Maurer captured the US manager Mauricio Pochettino taking a video appearing to look for spies at his team’s training ground. “I wanted to see. because you know, we’re in an era of, how you says: spy,” he told reporters at his pre-match press conference before their second group-stage match against Australia. You can watch the video here.
It is not as good as a duck, admittedly,. this is a superb bit of football cosplay from a Mexican fan.
Good afternoon/morning/evening etc, always a bit weird to take over a live blog. realise that anything I write has already been upstaged by a duck. Also being upstaged in this World Cup so far – the BBC, by ITV. In terms of ratings anyway.
Viewing figures obtained by the Guardian from Barb. which measures audience numbers, show the commercial channel had four of the five highest TV audiences, topped by England’s 4-2 win over Croatia. The BBC will likely catch up at some point. as it gambled in pre-tournament negotiations by opting to have more first-pick games in the knockout stages. There is more number crunching here …
Thank you for joining me for this glorious first stint. Martin Belam will fill in for the next hour before my triumphant return.
What has happened thus far today?
The Scotland love affair with Boston continues tonight
Ismael Kone’s horrific leg break
Rodrygo writes about how social media comments impact players
Iran to lodge complaint with Fifa over ‘restrictions imposed’
Igor Thiago did not have the best of times in Brazil’s draw with Morocco first time out. Will Carlo Ancelotti keep faith with the Brentford striker?
There was plenty of uncertainty over the availability of Côte d’Ivoire’s Elye Wahi for the match against Germany on Saturday. he has been allowed to travel, despite being at the centre of a spot-fixing scandal.
After a double in USA’s opening match, Folarin Balogun will be desperate to add to his tally. get back to the top of the scoring chart.
The Socceroos have their barista travelling with them. It sounds like an April Fools to be but the lad looks convincing.
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A photo of Vinícius Júnior celebrating a goal with one fist in the air was mounted near the entrance of the art exhibition. right next to an acrylic piece of a woman’s dreadlocks suspended in air as she heads a soccer ball.
A replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy was encased in glass nearby, surrounded by images, paintings. flags that document generations of African soccer dreams and stories. All of it is part of an exhibition celebrating Africa’s deep connection to soccer during the World Cup.
“This is what art is about,” said Alfonso D. Brooks, founder of AfriKin, a foundation showcasing African and diaspora art. “Art has always been a platform to foster peace. understanding and give voice to those that can’t speak for themselves. “This is the necessary part we feel the need to do with AfriKin.”
Brooks — a longtime sound engineer turned art curator — spent about six months putting together the exhibition, titled “Art. the Beautiful Game: Africa on the World Stage,” which opened in Miami ahead of the start of the World Cup. The collection by more than 50 artists from 25 nations traces soccer’s role in the continent’s history. while celebrating some of the game’s most influential figures from the late Pelé to French star Kylian Mbappé. AP
If you would like a look behind the curtain here at the Guardian. I will be carrying on here for another hour due to illness. And they say nurses have it tough.
Former Leipzig coach Ole Werner is unhappy he wasn’t given the chance to say goodbye to staff after his surprise dismissal from the club.
Leipzig fired Werner. his assistant coaches Tom Cichon and Patrick Kohlmann on Wednesday after what many would consider a successful debut season – third place in the Bundesliga for Champions League.
“Ole did a great job, he led us to the Champions League,. we also have to look forward,” said Red Bull head of soccer Jürgen Klopp, who made the decision with Leipzig supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff.
Werner responded with a letter to the players, staff. fans of Leipzig on LinkedIn, saying “unfortunately the timing of this decision makes it impossible for me to say goodbye to all of you in person.”
The 38-year-old coach looked back on what he called a “very positive” time in which he’d been asked to “give the team a new look in terms of its demeanor. style of play, while establishing a new, sustainable hierarchy within the dressing room.” He said he made many changes and thinks “together we succeeded in fulfilling this mandate.”
With 20 wins. five draws from 34 rounds of the Bundesliga, Werner gained more points than any other coach at Leipzig. Werner thanked Leipzig’s sporting director Marcel Schäfer in his letter, but made no mention of Klopp or Mintzlaff.
Leipzig has been linked with a move for Mallorca coach Martin Demichelis as Werner’s successor. Werner was also fired from his previous job at Werder Bremen after he refused to extend his contract with the club. AP
Lionel Messi’s father is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness. his family asked the media for “humanity” on Thursday amid rumours about Jorge Messi’s health while his son competes at the World Cup. “Jorge is going through a health situation,” the Messi family said in a statement.
The Tartan Army has taken over Providence, Rhode Island,. with it have secured an unofficial mascot in the form of Dawn the Duck.
Dawn has joint bagpipes and marching on the streets, resplendent in a gold chain and Scottish flag.
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