News

England fan hit with death threats after taking ‘vile’ Diego Maradona flag to Italy game in Naples

The flag has been branded as 'disgusting' throughout the football world.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th March 2023

An England fan who travelled to Naples to watch their game against Italy had his ticket ripped up by the FA and is now facing death threats for his offensive flag mocking the death of Diego Maradona.

The Three Lions supporter, whose identity has not been confirmed for his own safety, travelled to the Italian city rich in football heritage ahead of England‘s Euro 2024 qualifier and following an image that appeared on social media prior to the match, has been slammed for “vile” behaviour.

As depicted in several photos, the fan brought a custom flag featuring the St George’s Cross and the words “Diego’s in a box” split across the four white quadrants. Maradona is regularly the subject of England chants due to his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 1986 World Cup.

Following its circulation online, not only did the Football Association swiftly decide to cancel the man’s ticket but perhaps most concerningly, Napoli and Italy fans have been threatening him and trying to locate his whereabouts, with some even going so far as to seemingly place a bounty on his head.

The middle caption roughly translates to: ‘1000 euros for this c***’s life’

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England and the FA have slammed the fan and warned that further punishment is being considered as part of the investigation into the incident, including a potential permanent ban.

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Speaking in a statement, they wrote: “We strongly condemn the actions of the individual who travelled to Naples with a flag that had a highly offensive message on it. We immediately took steps to have their tickets cancelled before the match. The matter will be reviewed further when we return to England.”

The love for Maradona in Italy and Naples, specifically, is beyond measure — akin to his and Messi’s legacy in their home country of Argentina, having helped football club Napoli to their two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia trophy, an Italian Super Cup and their only European honour (UEFA Cup) from 1984 to 1991.

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A god across the region, his contribution to the club and local culture was so massive that they went on to retire his number 10 shirt, so the offensiveness of his flag mocking Maradona’s death in 2020 goes without saying. It also left a stain on what was a historic night for England and their captain, in particular.

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Featured Image — @CM67_/@1Vermithor (via Twitter)

News

Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

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