It seems the BBC have made a pretty embarrassing mistake after using images of former Manchester City player Pablo Zabaleta while covering the ongoing scandal surrounding the Women’s World Cup and the Spanish FA’s president, Luis Rubiales.
There are calls for Rubiales to resign from his post after he kissed Spanish women’s team player Jenni Hermoso, who has since come out to insist was nonconsensual, not to mention various other instances of inappropriate behaviour by individuals around the national team set-up having come to light.
With the controversy casting a dark cloud over what was an otherwise magnificent moment for both the country — this being their maiden Women’s World Cup title — and our Lionesses, who made it to their first-ever final in the competition, the BBC is one of countless global outlets covering the story.
Dear @BBCNews you have mistakenly added footage of ex Man City full back Pablo Zabaleta in your piece about Rubiales tonight. You need to make a correction immediately. pic.twitter.com/U3A4g1rGp9
As you can see in the clip shared by comedian Omid Djalili, it features several seconds of the former Man City and Argentina defender, who was in attendance for the final on 20 August, walking past a row of cameras as the narration continues to discuss the under-fire FA boss.
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Having been shared countless times on social media already, despite the editors at the BBC failing to notice this was not the same person, virtually everyone online (football fan or not) quickly recognised the fairly obvious blunder.
In fact, besides sharing no real similarities other than a bald head, Zabaleta is also wearing an entirely different suit and tie, yet no one working on the broadcast seemed to clock the disparity between him and the now-suspended Spanish FA president before the programme went out.
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The retired defender is yet to respond to the moment of mistaken identity but many have suggested, humorously or not, that he has grounds to sue for defamation of character — though that does seem like an unlikely turn of events.
The BBC have since responded following the mistake, with a spokesperson writing in a statement: “A production error meant we showed the wrong image in an earlier broadcast. This has now been rectified.”
As for the actual Rubiales, with pressure mounting over his position within the Spanish football federation, the nation’s governing body has now activated its sexual violence protocoland the 46-year-old is now facing a preliminary sex abuse investigation by domestic prosecutors.
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Meanwhile, figures across the world of women’s football and the sport, in general, are standing in solidarity with 33-year-old Hermoso and the rest of the Spanish women’s team as more evidence of misconduct continues to be revealed.
Unfortunately, one figure who still remains part of the Spanish national squad is their equally controversial manager, Jorge Vilda, who even before being filmed seemingly cupping a female coach’s breast during the tournament, had been the subject of numerous protests over the past year. Now they’re bigger than ever.
Huge protests in central Madrid tonight showing support and solidarity with Jenni Hermoso, and demanding change. #SeAcabó. Enough is enough.https://t.co/sMLpa9bhBj
Featured Image — BBC News/Pablo Zabaleta (via Instagram)
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Four jailed for over 70 years for ‘daylight murder’ of Withington teen Kyle Hackland
Emily Sergeant
Four teenagers have been collectively sentenced to more than 70 years for the murder of another teenager in Withington last year.
Kyle Hackland, who was just 17 at the time, was brutally stabbed in broad daylight in Withington at around midday back on Tuesday 22 November 2022, and went on to sadly pass away in hospital as a result of his injuries – which were described as “catastrophic”.
He was described as “kind and well-mannered young boy who never failed to say “love you” as he walked out the door” in a tribute paid by his loving family at the time.
Detective Superintendent Neil Jones, of GMP South Manchester Division, said at the time that the force understood the incident would “cause distress and concern to the community and across Manchester”, but assured the public it was an isolated incident and there was no wider threat.
Several men were subsequently charged in connection with the incident nearly two weeks later on 7 December, and were remanded in custody while awaiting trial.
And now, after the trial at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court has finally concluded yesterday (Tuesday 3 October), and accumulative sentences of more than 70 years were handed out, all four men have been publicly named.
They have been named as Yousef Sesay (24/11/2004), Lewis Ludford (05/12/2004), Tafari Kosey-Smith (26/06/2006), and Alfie Benson (30/03/2006).
#JAILED | Four teenagers have today been sentenced to over 70 years for the daylight murder of Kyle Hackland.
Kyle, who was 17 at the time, was stabbed to death in a premediated revenge attack in #Withington back in mid-November 2022.
Sesay was sentenced to 22 years, Ludford for 21 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article), and Kosey-Smith for 19 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article), after all were found guilty of murder.
Benson has been jailed for 12 years (with two years concurrent for burglary offences) after being found guilty of manslaughter.
Kyle lost his life in what the court heard this week was “a pre-mediated revenge attack”, and was “brutally attacked with knives” by the four teenagers during the “violent assault” in broad daylight.
Yousef SesayLewis LudfordAlfie BensonTafari Kosey-SmithFour jailed for over 70 years for ‘daylight murder’ of Withington teen Kyle Hackland / Credit: GMP
“This is another heartbreaking example of how carrying a knife can have devastating consequences in a matter of seconds,” said Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Moores, after the trial concluded yesterday.
“Our thoughts as a force are once again with Kyle’s loved ones, who will have to continue to live with the pain, but hopefully this can be eased in some way with the conviction of his killers.
“Officers in our Major Incident Team have worked tirelessly to bring justice, and, in our role, we are reminding any young person willing to carry a knife to put it down and think twice before doing so.
“It is not worth it and can ultimately cost yours and other people’s lives.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Manchester drag artist addresses Tories being ‘thrown out’ of Gay Village bar
Daisy Jackson
A Manchester drag artist has addressed a news story which claimed Tories had been ‘thrown out’ of the New Union Hotel, a bar in the Gay Village.
Albie Amankona, an LGBT+ Conservatives board member, told GB News that a group of Conservative members were asked to leave the establishment on Princess Street.
The Conservative Party are in town this week for the Conservative Party Conference, which has seen huge barriers put up around Manchester Central.
And according to Mr Amankona, their post-conference celebrations took a turn after they were ‘thrown out’ of the beloved Gay Village bar.
He added: “A drag act was on making rude and derogatory comments about Conservatives and Suella Braverman, making them feel very uncomfortable.”
He also reported that ‘some of the other patrons in this venue were being rude, aggressive and unkind’.
Another party member stated: “I was one of the people thrown out of this bar – for no other reason than being a @Conservatives. I’m a proud gay man and a proud Conservative. No one should be treated like this @LGBTCons.”
But now a drag artist who frequents the stage of the New Union has clapped back at GB News for ‘broadcasting a story filled with lies and damaging allegations’.
According to Lara Stoned, the allegedly ‘unkind’ actions were some patrons ‘chanting “Trans Rights”.’
They also said that the group of Tories ‘threw an object’ at a New Union staff member.
they were in fact politely asked to leave when they arrived, but then continued to be disrespectful, aggressive and dangerous to the staff AND customers of the establishment. anyone who challenges the rights of my community is not welcome in my home. https://t.co/HOgC4u0WDa
Lara Stoned posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “@GBNEWS How DARE you broadcast a story filled with lies and damaging allegations towards the community within Manchester.
“Don’t you realise those kind of remarks HINDER and THREATEN the livelihood of self employed queer performers and queer venues. Shame on you.”
They added: “They were in fact politely asked to leave when they arrived, but then continued to be disrespectful, aggressive and dangerous to the staff AND customers of the establishment. Anyone who challenges the rights of my community is not welcome in my home.”
And Manchester’s New Union Hotel has received a flurry of support from people since the alleged incident took place.
Danny Jones -
29th August 2023 
