The FA has said it will pay any possible fine it’s hit with over Harry Kane wearing the ‘One Love’ armband at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Star striker and England captain Kane is set to wear a multi-coloured armband – which is intended to promote inclusivity, campaign against discrimination, and show support to the LGBTQ+ community – once football’s flagship international tournament kicks-off this Sunday.
He is one of several national team captains expected to wear the armband – along with Wales, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland.
But due to the World Cup host country’s anti-LGBTQ+ views, and with homosexuality illegal in Qatar under Islamic Sharia law, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has told Sky News that they are braced to be punished and will “pay the fine” should it be handed to them.
It comes after the FA sent a request to wear the armband at the tournament two months ago, but, in an interview at the England training camp in Qatar this week, Mr Bullingham revealed that FIFA still “haven’t given us any response”.
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While the armband does not directly referencing anti-LGBT laws, as mentioned, it is intended to promote inclusivity, and FIFA is known for usually prohibiting the addition of unsanctioned slogans on player’s kits during tournaments.
The body even recently urged teams at not to indulge in giving morality lessons at the first World Cup in the Middle East.
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Yet the FA is determined to “show our values”.
England captain Harry Kane will wear the ‘One Love’ armband in Qatar / Credit: The FA
Speaking to Sky News, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham explained: “[FIFA] haven’t given us any response to our letter. I think there’s a possibility that we might be fined. And if we are, then we’ll pay the fine.
“We think it’s really important to show our values… and that’s what we’ll be doing.”
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The FA says it has had assurances LGBTQ+ fans would be safe to attend the World Cup, and would not discriminated against by Qatari authorities, yet Mr Bullingham says it’s saddening to hear that some have decided against making the trip.
“It’s sad for us that quite a few of our LGBTQ fans have decided not to come,” he said.
“I know a lot of our Three Lions Pride members are not coming, and that was frustrating because they didn’t get the information they wanted in time to make their arrangements.”
As well as showing support with the ‘One Love’ armband, the FA says it will use its presence in Qatar to pursue more compensation for families of low-paid workers and help to establish a permanent migrant worker centre – with Mr Bullingham saying he believes there has been “really positive progress” with what’s been achieved over the last four years.
He concluded: “What’s critical for us though, is these last two outstanding issues should be brought through, and we’ll be putting a lot of pressure on FIFA, together with a bunch of other European countries to do that.”
The Three Lions’ first game against Iran is on 21 November, with their second group game against the USA taking place on 25 November.
The final clash of the group stage coming against Wales on 29 November.
Featured Image – England
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You can ‘run and rave’ as part of this new charity-driven social in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
If you’re looking for a fun new way to spend a night out or thinking about getting into running but maybe haven’t quite found the right way in for you just yet, this new Manchester run socialthat starts and ends with a good old-fashioned party might be right up your street.
Run The Streets MCR is a community-led and charity-driven fitness and social event that recently launched in Manchester and has already developed a bit of a cult following in the space of only a couple of months.
The concept is simple: it’s a running social where you can meet new people whilst getting your yards in, just not quite as you know it. Instead of people turning up for a 5k and then heading home, the fun carries on at a host venue where people can keep chatting and mingling whilst having a boogie.
And the best part is that not only is it more of a causally paced, low-pressure jog and crucially social-first, but it’s all for a good cause too.
Started out by East Manchester locals and lifelong mates, Liam Parker-Worsley and Sarah Edwards, (‘Sezzle’ to those who know her among the Manc running circles), Run The Streets started out as a running social concept at its very core but has now become truly bigger than the sum of its parts.
While the ‘run and rave’ idea has been done before, this particular event is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester and after facing some serious obstacles to get it off the ground and plenty of adversity at the very first hurdle – for lack of a less punny phrase – they’ve managed to turn it into a force for good.
After pivoting the model at the start of 2024 to be completely non-profit, the monthly event is now helping bring people together for a good time, from the tarmac to the tiles, all whilst raising money for the likes of The Running Charity (TRC).
Not only do all the proceeds from the super affordable tickets – we’re talking the same price you’d pay for a decent pint in town these days – go straight back into running the next social, but they also help fund the chosen charity for that month.
Be it national causes like TRC, which recently received huge support from the incredible ‘Hardest Geezer‘s run across Africa, or charities strictly local to Manchester, everyone involved is striding towards a goal – quite literally.
Meet the team behind the new non-profit run social in Manchester.
Offering a different kind of night out
Speaking to The Manc, co-creator Sezzle says the mission statement is simple: “Everyone’s welcome and you can meet new people whilst running but at the same time we’re giving back to the community.
“We’re supporting local charities, artists and DJs, as well as local running clubs who want to get involved. Essentially, it’s just about bringing people together, which is what run clubs do, but we’re also in a big city and not everyone wants to go out and just drink at a bar all night.
“You want to keep fit, it’s good for your mental health, but you also still want to be social and enjoy yourself. Run The Streets is that Mancunian through and through but everyone’s invited.”
Sober for five months now, she acknowledged that outlets like this are crucial, insisting: “I don’t want to stop going out and having a good time or meeting new people, so this is a way that you can still go out on a Friday night and enjoy a party atmosphere with no pressure to drink”.
This is what the start of a night in trainers, hi-vis and glow sticks looks like. (Credit: Supplied)
The ‘by Manchester for Manchester’ ethos
Her partner in crime Liam echoed that party-run description, reiterating that whilst people can still get a bit boozy if they like, it’s all about “providing an alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to drink and want to be included but might have felt a little alienated otherwise”.
A fellow Tameside native, he explained how Run The Streets has already partnered with zero-alcohol brands like Clean Break for their inaugural event back in March and now alcohol-free favourite Lucky Saint for their sophomore social this month.
“It’s not about the financial aspect for us”, says Liam, “we only charge for tickets to sustain the event and pay for the talent, hiring spaces and so on… It might be different venues, different charities etc., but as long as we focus on core issues to Manchester with a cultural element that’s important to us, we’re happy with that”.
Sez couldn’t agree more, adding: “At the end of the day, we’re Mancs, we’ve watched the city grow into what it is today. When it comes down to it everyone knows about the Manchester spirit, it’s a hard-working area and there’s such a community to this place – we want to make sure everyone feels welcome.
“We look out for each other. That’s how it’s always been.”
Their recent running event with Matchroom ahead of the Gill vs Barrett fight at AO Arena. (Credit: Run The Streets MCR)
Roots in the running and wider Greater Manchester community
Chatting with Tom Lewis, founder of Manchester’s annual 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness and Chairman for the Run The Street’s official host club, Manchester Road Runners, he said that they became interested because they “really liked the idea of sponsoring different charities every month”.
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Confessing that it felt like “a natural crossover” given MRR’s size and ethos, as well as their own non-profit work with the British Heart Foundation and Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, he said the “overall response from the first event was incredible – everyone just loved it”.
“There were people dancing on the streets as they saw us come past and there were so many videos on social media. That sort of stuff can really help get people into running who wouldn’t necessarily consider it in the first place.”
“I think it’s going to grow really quickly; the first event sold out and I think the next ones will too, definitely. It’s great to see what just a random group of friends can accomplish when we come together.”
Manchester Road Runners is helping bring huge numbers to the event already.
Liam himself couldn’t speak highly enough of the Castlefield-based group, insisting that “me and Sez find a lot of happiness and solace” at MRR.
While they are affiliated with others like KOKO (Keep On Keeping On’s Manchester arm) and Stretford Run Club that they want to help promote, the hope is that events like this might help people who run but don’t attend a club might give them a try in the future.
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Regular ambassador and volunteer at both organisations, Natasha Barclay – who herself is over a year into her own sobriety journey – described the flagship event as “such good fun, really welcoming” and filled with plenty of people who had never even run before.
Nat also urged people not to be scared if they’re first-timers to run socials or running full stop, reassuring that “no one gets left behind; even if you can’t really run, you’ll always make it back, have a good time and meet others in the same boat”.
She went on to add: “Run The Streets MCR is all about giving back to the running community which I think can often get overshadowed by social media and certain brands. The spirit can sometimes get taken out of it but this run social puts its straight back in whilst helping Manchester business and DJs.”
When we asked the guys to sum this whole experience up in three words or less that weren’t ‘rave and run’, they came up with some pretty telling answers too. “Community, soul and fun”, “alternative Friday fun” and our personal favourite: “Simply for Manchester”.
It’s also worth reiterating that these guys have done it completely off their own backs and are doing so on an entirely voluntary basis on top of their full-time jobs, sometimes juggling two or three different roles. It’s been built over countless late nights and dinner hours, all for the love of running and the city.
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The second ever Run The Streets MCR running social and party kicks off this Friday, 26 April from 7pm at Joshua Brooks, with a light 5k around our lovely city centre starting at 7:30pm before heading back to the venue for more tunes, dancing, glowsticks and general good vibes from 8pm onwards.
You can grab the last few remaining tickets HERE and we hope to see a few of you there on the night.
Come rain or shine, there’s always tunes to keep you going.The turnout at the last Run The Streets Manchester social at The Deaf Institute.Credit: Supplied/The Manc Group
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Run The Streets MCR
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Ethan Wheatley reveals what Bruno Fernandes told him after coming on as Man United’s 250th academy graduate
Danny Jones
It was yet another landmark moment for Manchester United’s rich youth heritage this week as the Red Devils made way for the 250th academy player, with 18-year-old Ethan Wheatley making his debut against Sheffield United – and Bruno Fernandes wanted to make it special.
A whirlwind week or two is putting it lightly for young Ethan Wheatley, whose role in the Under 18’s recent League and Cup double earned him not only a call-up to the bench for the FA Cup semi-final this past Sunday but also his first senior appearance at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Wheatley won the league with his side last week, having scored a hattrick in the youth team’s 9-1 win over rivals Liverpool earlier this month, but also managed to bag a brace against Manchester City in the Cup final on Tuesday night – the first time the club has ever lifted the trophy.
Cut to less than 24 hours later and he was named in the matchday squad against The Blades. While he might have only been given a short cameo, he was determined to make it as special as possible. So too was Fernandes, apparently, as Wheatley revealed a simple message from his captain before coming on.
You can see the moment Bruno gives Wheatley a clear instruction seconds after making his debut for United.
Speaking to MUTV after the home side’s 4-2 win over last-placed Sheffield, the Stockport-born striker said everything of what you would expect following his debut: “It’s an honour”, “a dream come true” and so on, but also revealed that man of the match was determined to help him score.
Wheatley said, “Bruno pulled me to the side and told me ‘I’ve got nine minutes to try and get you a goal!” He might not have managed it in the small window he was given but he certainly came close to a chance or two and it was apparent from the stands that he was trying to carve out any opportunity he could.
As for the 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who scored twice and grabbed an assist on the night, he told club media: “[Wheatley] should be really proud of himself. I hope he had his family and friends here today to see him because it’s a moment to not forget. It’s something he will always remember.”
It wasn’t just a special night for the youngster specifically, either, as he was also one of three U18s stars included in the matchday squad alongside Harry Amass and Louis Jackson, meaning that Man United continue to uphold a truly incredible stat when it comes to bringing through youth prospects.
There hasn't been a matchday squad without a Man United academy graduate involved since 1937.
This evening, Ethan Wheatley became the 2⃣5⃣0⃣th academy player to appear for the first team.
It looked as though it might be another chaotic night for the Reds when the visitors opened the scoring in the 35th minute and even managed to regain a 2-1 lead after half-time – especially with memories of the FA Cup drama against Coventry City still so fresh – but they managed to get the job done in the end.
A penalty plus a wonderful ranged finish from Bruno, as well as a much-needed goal for Rasmus Højlund, proved to be enough on top of Harry Maguire’s second headed goal in as many games to see them over the line – a team who were admittedly resigned to relegation months ago.
You can watch the highlights from the game HERE as well as Wheatley, Fernandes and Erik ten Hag’s post-match interviews in full down below:
Emily Sergeant -
18th November 2022 
