Former NFL players JJ Watt and Pat McAfee will face off at The Soccer Tournament this summer, with both entering teams in the high-profile competition
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McAfee to enter "CONCAFA SC" into tournamentWatt set to play for Burnley, who he ownsChad Johnson will also play in Cary, North CarolinaWHAT HAPPENED?
McAfee is the latest big name in the American sports landscape to announce his participation in TST, the seven-a-side competition scheduled for this summer. He revealed his plans on an episode of the Pat McAfee show, claiming that he will have a "STACKED" roster.
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McAfee revealed his participation in an episode with Watt, his good friend and competitor at the tournament. The former Indianapolis Colts punter is set to reveal the full roster next week.
WHAT MCAFEE SAID
McAfee teased his team on his show on Wednesday afternoon: "On the men's side, you're gonna have company, pal. I have a team in the TST as well. The CONCAFA soccer club will be in TST for $1 million!"
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Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Watt has ventured into the soccer world before. In June 2023, he expressed an interest in entering the tournament. He also hosted Thierry Henry on his show in February, bewildering the Arsenal legend with his mispronunciation of "CONCACAF."
Glasgow Rangers secured their place in the League Cup final for the third time in the previous five seasons yesterday.
Hearts were defeated 3-1 in what first looked like a nervy contest before the Light Blues scored three quick goals in the second half which killed off any hopes the Jambos had of returning to Hampden next month.
Philippe Clement has turned around a club which was on the verge of a full-blown crisis into one which heads into the festive period full of confidence and into a cup final.
The Belgian has asserted his authority straight from the word go, and it looks as though every single player is buying into what he wants to achieve at Ibrox. The club have won four and drawn once across his opening five games, conceding just twice in the process.
One of the most pleasing aspects of Clement’s tenure so far is his ability to bring out the best in players who had previously struggled under Michael Beale.
Although the jury is still out on Sam Lammers, his display against Dundee last week – scoring a stunning long-range effort before grabbing an assist – suggests that he could emerge as a key player for the club.
Glasgow Rangers managerPhilippe Clement.
Cyriel Dessers is another one who looked lost and isolated whenever Beale deployed him up front, yet he scored a confidence-boosting goal against the Dens Park side last week too and if Clement builds their confidence up, they could make the grade at the Ibrox side.
The most surprising redemption arc however is that of Scott Wright, as his Rangers career appeared to be in tatters just a few short months ago under Beale.
How close Scott Wright came to leaving
Following a season in which Wright made 34 appearances across all competitions, yet registered just two assists, his future looked bleak.
Beale was on the verge of completing a major summer rebuilding job and with the likes of Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield all departing Ibrox for nothing after their contracts expired, it looked as though Wright could be next.
Rangers winger Scott Wright.
In mid-July, it appeared as though Beale was close to moving Wright on as he was spotted at the airport preparing to fly to Turkey to seal a move to Pendikspor.
The Light Blues had reportedly accepted a bid in the region of £500k from the Turkish side for the winger and given his lack of attacking input during the 2022/23 season, it looked like a decent move for both parties.
The deal collapsed however and just three weeks later, Beale admitted that the Scot wasn’t going to be leaving in the summer transfer window and was a part of his plans for the current season.
He was even included in the squad for the Champions League qualifiers against Servette, and it looked as though he was ready to stay and fight for his place in the first team.
Scott Wright’s statistics under Beale
Despite remaining in Glasgow, Wright didn’t exactly get the chance to show Beale he was up for saving his career, playing a grand total of just 97 minutes across four matches.
He failed to score or register an assist during his brief spell on the pitch and combined with Beale’s lack of identity, the Gers endured a poor start to the season.
2023/24
10
1
2022/23
34
0
2021/22
37
7
2020/21
13
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
With just under two years left on his contract, it was clear Beale didn’t trust him that much and a move in January looked inevitable.
Clement’s arrival has changed all that however as the former Club Brugge manager has given every single player a clean slate from which to impress and Wright has evidently taken this opportunity with both hands judging by his recent performances.
Scott Wright's stats under Philippe Clement
Wright has featured in all five matches so far under the Belgian and this confidence boost could only be a good thing heading into the most hectic few months of the calendar.
Following a start against Hibs and a substitute appearance against Hearts in successive weeks – making two key passes and creating a big chance against the Easter Road side – Wright was rewarded with a spot in the starting XI against Dundee last week.
Games Played
5
Shots per game
1.4
Key passes per game
1.2
Pass Success
80%
Tackles per game
1.6
Ball recoveries per game
3.2
Dribble Success
60%
Ground duels won
57%
Stats via Sofascore.
The 26-year-old looked lively in spells during a match which was heavily delayed as he managed to make three key passes and take 51 touches, proving he was keen to get involved as often as possible.
He even had a part to play in Danilo’s goal, and it was arguably his most impressive display of the season, showing how much Clement had given him in regard to confidence.
While the former Aberdeen gem dropped to the bench against Hearts in the League Cup semi-final on the weekend, it was clear the 49-year-old was saving him as an impact sub in the second half in case things weren’t going their way.
Todd Cantwell came off at half-time and was replaced by Wright, and it didn’t take the winger long to make an impression.
James Tavernier had opened the scoring on the 50th minute via a penalty, but just five minutes later, Wright was once again the scourge for Hearts at Hampden.
18 months ago, he scored the second goal of the 2022 Scottish Cup final to wrap up the win for Rangers, and on Sunday, the player netted his first goal since that final against the same opposition.
Call it fate, but Wright took his effort well and gave the Gers a two goal lead with just over half an hour to go, and the tie eventually finished 3-1 to the Glasgow side.
Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie praised him, saying: “Scott Wright's made such a good impact from the bench, just bringing pace to play and driving forward with the ball. Wins a free-kick at the edge of the box moments ago when it looked like he'd break through.”
The 5 foot 10 gem certainly looks rejuvenated since Beale left and Clement has given him a platform to showcase exactly what he can do.
Whether he is in his long-term plans for the club doesn’t matter at this point in time. All that matters is that Wright continues these impressive displays and helps the Gers win some silverware this term. For the time being, he is one of the big success stories from Clement's reign.
The ACA called it “hugely significant” that the cultural review had apportioned significant blame on Cricket Australia for events surrounding the ball-tampering
ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-20181:56
ACA will be ‘relentless’ in aiming to overturn player bans
The Australian Cricketers Association has reiterated its call for the bans of Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft to be lifted in the light of the findings of the cultural reviews into Australian cricket.The Longstaff review said the events of Newlands were not a one-off and were caused by the pervading culture of Cricket Australia which the players association called “hugely significant.”Smith and Warner are currently serving a one-year ban while Bancroft was sanctioned for nine months for the ball-tampering scandal in March.”What the Longstaff Review reveals is that Cricket Australia itself must also take a share of responsibility for what happened in South Africa,” Greg Dyer, the ACA president, said. “Yes, this moment of madness was ‘individual’ but now there is evidence and independent verification of system failure as well. This is hugely significant.”With this new information common sense, common decency, basic fairness, proportionality and natural justice demand that the punishment is reduced. The players have already lost time in the game, chances to play for Australia, endured public humiliation and faced massive financial penalties.”My message to Cricket Australia is a simple one: these contrite men have been punished enough. Let these contrite men play.”I add that the ACA will be relentless in pursuing this end.”Finally, I also offer a message to the Australian public on behalf of the ACA. In short, Australia’s cricket players ‘get it.’ We assure you. The players ‘get it.’ The players understand.”A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “We have seen the Australian Cricketers’ Association press conference and note they will be making a submission to the CA Board in the next 48 hours. We look forward to engaging directly with the ACA in a positive and constructive manner in the best interests of the game.”Speaking in the wake of the publication of the reviews, CA chairman David Peever said there was no chance of the punishments being rescinded.”Sanctions were carried out and imposed by the board after a very full and thoughtful process. So the sanctions stand,” Peever said.On Tuesday, the new CA CEO Kevin Roberts also indicated there would be no early route back for the trio, citing the appeals path that was open to the players when the sanctions were handed down.”There’s no provision to review the sanctions,” Roberts told . “There’s an appeals mechanism which was available to the players before the sanctions were finalized. I really empathise with each of the three players and have chatted with them in recent weeks. They are experiencing a challenging time. They made a serious mistake. I’m getting as many people saying to me the sanctions are too harsh as those who say they aren’t harsh enough. We want to keep supporting the players.”
The curious case of the disparity between Pakistan’s T20I and ODI form would have Benjamin Button perplexed. While Pakistan’s T20I form over the last two years has defied logic, their ODI record against the stronger teams is almost the other side of that coin. Against Australia, South Africa, India, New Zealand and England over that same period, Pakistan have lost 17 out of 21 ODIs. Three of the four wins came in that mind-boggling run to the Champions Trophy final, which, as far as 50-over cricket is concerned, is beginning to look like the exception to the rule.Against New Zealand, a side traditionally considered whipping boys for them, Pakistan have now lost 11 ODIs on the bounce, stretching back to when Kane Williamson’s men were last on these shores. New Zealand are worlds removed from the side Pakistan were so successful against through much of the 90s and 2000s, but such a lengthy unbroken streak is bound to leave psychological scars. Coming off the back of an ordinary Asia Cup, this is an especially difficult series to begin building towards the 2019 World Cup, even if Pakistan do so off the back of a perfect T20I scoreline against the same opposition.Pakistan have controlled the middle overs superbly in T20Is of late, but they will have to demonstrate the same mastery in the longer format to start seeing more success. While Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan can asphyxiate a side in T20Is due to the pressure for quick runs, New Zealand will be far more content with rotating the strike in the ODIs and keeping wickets in tact for a big finish. How the spinners can adapt to that may shape the direction of the upcoming three games in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.New Zealand’s backroom staff will be drumming these numbers into their head to wash away the T20I memories. In a squad that seems to be just the right mix of experience and youth, there are plenty of players whose games would translate very well to Abu Dhabi’s surface.New Zealand have won both the ODI series they’ve played against Pakistan since the latter relocated permanently to the Emirates. They will also be bolstered by the return of Trent Boult, who was away on paternity leave for the T20I series.With Williamson, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham at the top of the order, they have both destructors and constructors, and should Tim Southee and Boult struggle to get much swing or seam movement, Lockie Ferguson can try his luck with sheer pace. Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel will have slightly more time to settle on their lines and lengths. They are a well-balanced side, and will be confident of making it a dozen in a row against Sarfraz Ahmed’s men.
Form guide
New Zealand LWLLW Pakistan LLWLW
In the spotlight
Sarfraz Ahmed’s status as Pakistan captain has received a fair bit of attention in the past week, with newly appointed committee chairman Mohsin Khan suggesting Sarfraz be relieved of his duties in at least one format. It provoked mass media coverage and speculation about his role intensified. And while there’s no imminent danger of him losing the armband, the scrutiny around his personal performances will be significant. Sarfraz has rarely been called upon in pressure situations while Pakistan beat weaker teams like Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka over the past year, and when he has been required – as was the case in the Asia Cup – he hasn’t quite got his side over the line. The last time he scored over 15 runs in a match that Pakistan won came all the way back in the Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka. In a series against a fiercely competitive New Zealand side, Pakistan cannot afford to be carrying any passengers, least of all their captain.In his short international career so far, nearly all of Colin de Grandhomme’s highlights have come against Pakistan. It is a fact most Pakistanis haven’t missed, and there has been much self-deprecating humour surrounding it. One meme depicted de Grandhomme transforming into Gary Sobers when facing Pakistan. The history behind that is he has turned in astonishing performances with both bat and ball against Sarfraz’s men. On debut, he took 6 for 41 on the first day in Christchurch in 2016 to help his side beat Pakistan. Earlier this year, he dug New Zealand out of a hole in a tricky ODI chase against the same side, smashing an unbeaten 74 off 40 balls to take New Zealand home comfortably. Whatever it is, he seems to like playing against Pakistan, and Sarfraz Ahmed will be uniquely aware of the threat he poses.
Team news
It’s a bit of a toss-up to see who Pakistan leave out, given how well both T20I series went, and the successful reintroduction of both Mohammad Hafeez and Imad Wasim since the Asia Cup. An abundance of options can sometimes befuddle a team’s thought process, but it’s hardly the worst problem to have.Pakistan (probable XI): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5, Mohammad Hafeez 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Shadab Khan, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Shaheen Afridi/Usman Shinwari/Junaid KhanNew Zealand have come into this ODI series with several all-round options of their own. They also have no less than four out-and-out seamers to choose from, and therefore aren’t short of decisions to make either.New Zealand (probable XI): 1 Colin Munro 2 Tom Latham 3 Kane Williamson 4 Colin de Grandhomme 5 Ross Taylor 6 Henry Nicholls 7 Todd Astle 8 Tim Southee/Trent Boult 9 Lockie Ferguson 10 Ajaz Patel 11 Ish Sodhi
Pitch and conditions
The afternoon start means dew could be a factor in the second innings, but since it remains uncomfortably hot during the day, teams may find it easier to field at night, as several of them did during the Asia Cup.
Stats and trivia
Tom Latham has a significantly better record playing away from home as compared to when he bats in New Zealand. In 29 ODIs away from home, he averages 45, with three hundreds. At home, that drops down to 23, with just one three-figure score.
In 42 matches at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, only two have seen scores in excess of 300. Both were scored by Pakistan, once against Sri Lanka in 2007, and against West Indies in 2016.
Sunderland are close to unveiling the signing of an exciting teenage talent, with a fresh report claiming that he has verbally reached a pre-contract agreement.
Sunderland transfer news
The Championship side have recently confirmed the arrival of Leicester City’s former goalkeeper Kelechi Chibueze until the end of the season with an option to extend his stay for a further year, and they are continuing to assess their options in the market ahead of January.
The Black Cats are known to have been interested in Manchester United forward Amad Diallo for a second spell having become a fan favourite during his time on loan last season, but with reports suggesting that they are expected to miss out on his signature next year, Tony Mowbray will have to divert his attention elsewhere.
Amad Diallo for Sunderland
The Stadium of Light outfit appear to have set their sights on Chelsea’s former central midfielder Ivan Struk who, having already left the club in the capital, is free to move to his next destination.
The Ukrainian, who is just 16 years of age, will be aware that two of the manager’s existing squad members are also from his country in the form of Nazariy Rusyn and Timur Tuterov, and if the following update is to be believed, he is about to become the third player from his nation to sign on the dotted line at the start of next year.
Sunderland agree deal to sign Ivan Struk
According to The Sunderland Echo, Struk has reached a pre-contract agreement to join Sunderland and he’s already got some minutes under his belt too, having played for one of the club's youth sides.
“Sunderland have reached a pre-contract agreement with Ivan Struk to sign with the club, The Echo understands. The 16-year-old cannot yet sign full-time terms at Sunderland until January but has agreed a pre-scholarship with the Black Cats.
"The deal has not yet been officially announced by the club given that the agreement cannot be formalised until January, though the player has featured for Sunderland's under-18s.”
Ivan Struk profiled
Struk started his career having come from a footballing family and is actually the third generation to take to the pitch, with his father Igor Struk having played for Chortkiv Krystal and Ternopil Nyva while his grandfather, Ivan Snr, for Kristall and Ivano-Frankivsk Spartak, as per Sunderland Nation.
With the up-and-coming prospect having already been handed some game time with the U18s, it’s clear to see that members of the club’s coaching staff are aware of the bags of potential that he has to offer and want to get him involved with the action as soon as possible.
As a result of Struk only being 16, Sunderland are likely to place him in the academy initially, but should he impress during his performances, there’s no reason as to why Mowbray won’t want to hand him a chance in the first-team in the future should the right opportunity present itself.
PCB and CA mulling pushing ODI series from March to April, with World Cup in mind, even while Pakistan push for games in Pakistan
Daniel Brettig19-Nov-2018Steven Smith and David Warner may return to international cricket as soon as a matter of hours after their bans are lifted at the end of March, after it was revealed that Pakistan’s board is open to the concept of shifting its ODI series with Australia into April ahead of next year’s World Cup.As Cricket Australia’s (CA) Board deliberates on whether to make any alterations to the bans imposed on Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft, possibly freeing them up to play Sheffield Shield matches ahead of the time originally stipulated in their suspensions, ESPNcricinfo has learned that the PCB would be eager to see the ODI series played in April, rather than the late March dates currently pencilled in.Such a shift would aid both teams in terms of World-Cup preparation, with squads due to be finalised and submitted to the ICC by April 23. But it would also allow Smith and Warner to play under the terms of their penalty.A clue as to the possibility was raised last week when CA’s interim team-performance manager Belinda Clark released the governing body’s position on player availability for the IPL, which stated “Players who are participating in the One Day International series versus Pakistan will not be released until its conclusion”.Earlier discussions between the two boards are believed to have taken place against a backdrop of CA concern over interfering with the IPL “window”, but this now appears to have changed. The PCB, with none of its players considered for the IPL due to political tensions between Pakistan and India, will have a full ODI complement available to play in April.One of the other factors in discussion is the PCB’s eagerness for more teams to break the nearly decade-long dearth of international matches in Pakistan. There is hope on the PCB side that CA would consider playing at least part of this five-match series in Pakistan, before the remainder of the fixtures take place in the UAE. The PCB’s new chairman Ehsan Mani made his feelings clear during Australia’s recent Test series against Pakistan.”Obviously they rely on the [Australian] High Commission’s advice, but a lot of it is a matter of perception,” Mani said. “I am yet to meet people who, once they’ve been to Pakistan, have any concerns about going there. On the sidelines, we’ve certainly raised this with them, that they should consider this.”It will certainly happen sooner or later. It’s a matter of comfort levels. We are getting PSL matches played in Pakistan, foreign players are coming for that. We’ve had a couple of other teams come and play, but I really want Australia, New Zealand, England to come. One thing we need to explain to Cricket Australia properly is that where we are planning to host the matches is away from troubled areas.”The bans on Smith, Warner and Bancroft have polarised views for some months, and the Australian Cricketers Association submission to CA about reducing their terms has forced the Board, its interim chairman Earl Eddings and new chief executive Kevin Roberts to consider the state of play.Should Smith and Warner be given dispensation to return to Shield ranks for the final four rounds of the season, ahead of the expiry of their 12-month bans, there is a sense that Bancroft, too, should be afforded similar treatment. To do so would require him to be made available for the next two rounds of Shield matches, meaning a decision either way would need to be reached this week.Nathan Lyon expressed hope that the trio would be allowed to return to domestic ranks before the end of the home summer. “Always want to see them playing Shield cricket, I think the whole of Australia would like to see them playing Shield cricket,” Lyon said in Canberra. “It’s up to the powers that be to make that decision, and no matter what decision they make, we’ll respect that.”I actually think the way Steve and Davey are going about it, they’ve been absolutely incredible and what they’re doing for grade cricket in Sydney has been exceptional. I actually take my hat off to them.”Should they be allowed to play in the Shield, Smith and Warner in particular would be able to build a legitimate case for inclusion in the ODI team to face Pakistan via their performances. In turn, participation in the ODI series would also mean the selectors and coach Justin Langer could see them in action, and observe their behaviour in the context of a touring team, before making a final call as to the composition of the World-Cup squad.
Aston Villa are flourishing in the Premier League this campaign and now look set to receive some exciting off-field news in the West Midlands, according to a report.
Aston Villa's campaign so far…
Looking at the complexion of their season so far, Aston Villa have given an encouraging account of themselves that has made a top-four finish a realistic aim for Unai Emery's side this term, though there is still a lot of football left to play in 2023/24. The Villans sit fifth in the Premier League standings, having taken 25 points from their first 12 fixtures and scoring the second-most goals in the division, only being bettered by champion Manchester City.
Nevertheless, the Birmingham-based outfit will face a difficult test this weekend as they travel to face Ange Postecoglou's impressive Tottenham Hotspur in N17 in a game that promises to be a mouthwatering clash between two sides who prefer to operate on the front foot.
BBC Sport have indicated that Emery could be given a boost ahead of the clash after news that Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey returned to training following a re-aggravation of a broken metatarsal injury that has kept the 22-year-old out since September.
Former club captain Tyrone Mings has also issued a positive update regarding his own injury status, cited by Birmingham Live, as he stated on social media platform Instagram: "I know you didn’t think you were getting rid of me that easy. This one is a thank you for all your messages. I’ll keep you updated."
England international Mings has been ruled out for the foreseeable future with a serious knee injury and has since been involved in stringent rehabilitation processes while being absent from first-term activity.
Off the field, it now appears that Aston Villa and NSWE are closing in on an exciting off-field agreement involving another club, widening their reach across the globe.
Aston Villa close to Real Union agreement
According to reports in Spain via Birmingham Live, Aston Villa are closing in on an off-field agreement with Spanish third-tier club Real Union, who are owned by Villans boss Emery.
Igor Emery, who is the brother of Unai, is the president of Real Union and has claimed that an off-field deal is now "close" between the two clubs with Birmingham Live describing it as an exciting move. The purpose of a supposed partnership hasn't yet been fully established, though a four-year deal is believed to be on the table in what would be a "sporting collaboration" that would provide "economic endowment" for the Basque outfit rather than Real Union being incorporated into the V Sports network.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
The Villans have already recently begun a strategic partnership with Japanese giants Vissel Kobe in the last few months, which will see close collaboration with both clubs regarding player development and the sharing of ideas and practices with the ultimate goal of more Japanese players plying their trade in European football and potentially Aston Villa in the future.
Aston Villa eyeing move for "underestimated" ace Monchi has signed before
Villa are becoming known for their ambition in the transfer market under Emery…
BySean Markus Clifford Nov 20, 2023
In what is an encouraging update for all involved, Aston Villa look to be trying to elevate their stature within the global game as their stock continues to rise on the field.
Pela primeira vez após a saída de Luxemburgo, o treinador do Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira, fez comentários relativos às limitações do elenco. Segundo o português, que, diferentemente de seu antecessor, não questionou a capacidade técnica dos jogadores, o plantel palestrino está reduzido, devido à saídas e lesões de atletas do setor de meio campo.
Abel Ferreira em dez atos e a revolução no Palmeiras
– O problema tem a ver com o elenco extremamente reduzido. Uma boa equipa, já falei várias vezes, temos tido dor de cabeça para compor nosso meio campo. Felipe fora, Ramires saiu. Temos que valorizar que estamos nas três competições. Vamos lutar, quando cheguei disse que nossa preocupação sempre é o próximo jogo.
Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro
Desde a chegada do técnico, o Alviverde fechou três contratações, duas defensivas (Kuscevic e Alan Empereur) e uma ofensiva (Breno Lopes). Sendo assim, com a perda de dois atletas e sem chegadas, Abel Ferreira conta com poucas opções de meias no elenco.
O Palmeiras entra em campo novamente na próxima quarta-feira (23), às 21h30 (horário de Brasília), contra o América-MG, pela primeira partida da semifinal da Copa do Brasil.
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Chelsea manager Emma Hayes read a Robert Frost poem in an extraordinary press conference, in response to her feud with Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall.
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Managers clashed in Conti Cup final
Hayes appeared to push Arsenal boss
Two have since traded barbs
WHAT HAPPENED?
After the final whistle of the Conti Cup final, Hayes and Eidevall clashed, with the Blues boss appearing to push her counterpart. Hayes subsequently claimed that the Arsenal manager had been showing "male aggression" during the final, something that Eidevall strenuously denied, claiming her "irresponsible" comments "cast a dark shadow" over the Gunners' victory.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Speaking ahead of Chelsea's game against Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Womens' FA Cup, Hayes admitted that she spoke to her son after the game, and was told that she should have been put in "time out" for pushing Eidevall, but she also invoked the words of poet Robert Frost in a bizarre monologue.
WHAT HAYES SAID
Hayes started by referring to her conversation with her son, saying: “My son said to me after the game: 'Mummy, when you push someone in school, you’re asked to go and take time out'.
“I said to him: 'You can’t meet aggression with aggression'. All you can do is tell the teacher and explain why something is unfair. You cannot meet aggression with aggression. I thought it was a good conversation with my son after the final.”
She then claimed that she would be speaking to Eidevall before she takes up her post with the United States women's national team: “We don’t play Arsenal, we don’t have each other’s phone number, but I am sure when I become the boss of the USA, we will have conversations. I’ve had a fantastic break, explained an important analogy I shared with my son; my focus is on moving forward.”
Then she referenced Frost, adding: "So when at times the mob is swayed, To carry praise or blame too far, We may choose something like a star, To stay our minds on and be staid."
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WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea remain in contention for a treble. They play United in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend and later this month will play Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Blues are also second in the Women's Super League, three points behind Manchester City but with a game in hand.