Sport

Kate Scott praised for impassioned speech following more racism in Champions League

There continues be incidents in the UK, Europe and across world football.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 19th February 2026

Football pundit and sports presenter Kate Scott has been met with plenty of praise for her ‘expert’ handling of the fallout following more racism in the Champions League this week, delivering an emotional and impassioned speech about discrimination live on TV.

The Manchester-born broadcaster, formerly Kate Abdo, was serving as the host on her usual CBS Sports panel on Tuesday, 17 February, when the story of the playoff game between Benfica and Real Madrid – which included a worldie from Vinicius Jr. – was overshadowed by more allegations of racial abuse.

In case you missed it, Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making racist remarks by both Vini Jr and Kylian Mbappe, but supposedly covered his mouth so as not to be caught on camera; the match was then stopped for more than 11 minutes.

Speaking in the aftermath amid the following European fixtures the next day, the Withington-schooled journalist and University of Salford graduate delivered an eloquent reaction to the controversy with peak professionalism.

Absolutely pitch perfect, and all those involved in preparing the statement should be applauded.

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While Scott herself recognised that it’s a shame we even have to keep talking about issues like these rather than the sheer simplistic beauty of, well, ‘the beautiful game’, her response is an example of the job being done at arguably its very best: factual, ethical, moving and inspiring.

As you can see, Scott goes on to say, “This isn’t Real Madrid versus Benfica – it is right versus wrong. Vini Junior and Kylian Mbappe said that there was repeated racial abuse.

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“Gianluca Prestiani said they misheard, but he covered his mouth to hide what he said from the cameras, and hopefully, we can all agree that if what you are saying on a football pitch is shameful enough to have to hide it from the public, then you’re wrong.”

The Portuguese club, which ultimately lost 1-0 in their first leg at home on the night, have released a statement reaffirming their commitment to “equality, respect, and inclusion” but reiterates that they believe Prestiani and feel he is now the subject of a “defamation campaign”.

Conversely, in a definitive and emphatic closing message, she signs off by adding the following: “The racial diversity on a football pitch in the Champions League is the representation of the global love for this game and the global belonging in this game. This is the very spirit of football.

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“And if you don’t agree, then respectfully, you are the one who doesn’t belong.”

From CBS ‘Golazo’ show being applauded for tackling the subject head-on, to Cross herself being labelled as everything from “a role model” and “a benchmark” to “the best on the planet” in the outpouring of reactions on social media, it’s fair to say they absolutely nailed it.

Sadly, this is one of many recent examples of prejudice being shared publicly across various UEFA tournaments and beyond in recent years, but the only way we can truly help anti-hate initiatives is by continuing to call them out.

We’re glad big names in football like Kate Scott and Pep Guardiola (who reflected on Sir Jim Rattcliffe’s immigration comments), as well as the wider sporting industry, are standing for what’s right when given the opportunity, but we always need more.

In the words of Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, ‘the only thing more powerful than hate is love’.

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You can see the full CBS Sports discussion following the alleged racist incident here.

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Featured Images — CBS Sports Golazo (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester Storm's return to the AO Arena. Credit: Supplied

Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.

And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.

The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.

The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.

Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.

As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.

@elizabeth_ivy

First game at the AO Arena and Jeni BRINGS IT 💪💜⛈️🏒 #manchesterstorm @Manchester Storm #eihl #icehockeyedit

♬ Can’t Stop – Bare Up

This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.

Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a
regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.

It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.

Manchester Storm's return to the AO Arena. Credit: Supplied
Manchester Storm's return to the AO Arena. Credit: Supplied
Manchester Storm's return to the AO Arena. Credit: Supplied

Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.

“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.

“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”

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Featured image: Supplied

Sport

Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.

The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.

If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).

An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.

Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.

He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.

So, what’s on Erling’s list then?

Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.

Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd

First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.

He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.

As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.

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Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”

After all, you can’t please everyone.

Featured Image – Letterboxd (via Facebook)

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