Sport

Morocco fans shut down the streets of Rusholme while celebrating remarkable win against Spain

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 7th December 2022

Morocco fans living in Manchester were understandably ecstatic following their incredible win over Spain in the World Cup and their celebrations ended up spilling onto the streets of Rusholme.

The North African nation who currently sit as the world no. 22 in the FIFA ranking stunned almost everyone watching their round of 16 tie against Spain, who for many were considered among the favourites to win the tournament, as they beat them 3-0 on penalties.

After some serious heroics from the keeper commonly known as ‘Bono’, Spanish-born wingback Achraf Hakimi sealed the win with an audacious Panenka penalty to send Morocco into the quarters.

And this is how those on the streets of Rusholme reacted:

As you can see, large stretches of the Curry Mile were brought to a standstill as Morocco fans danced in the streets, sounding out chants and waving flags following their historic victory.

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Besides beating the same team who smacked Costa Rica for seven just a couple of games prior, they also became the first Arab nation to ever make it to the final eight of the World Cup. Record-breakers.

Although the scenes were obviously joyous, the jubilation did lead to a series of impromptu roadblocks.

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As you can see in the images above, the roaming fans caused some significant delays and it took some time for traffic in the area to normalise.

Morocco will now play Portugal in the quarter-finals on Friday, 9 December. Could we be in for another shock result against another night’s high-scoring side?

As for the Three Lions, their game against France kicks off at 7pm on Saturday. Here are a fair few places you can watch it:

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The best places to watch the World Cup in Manchester

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Featured Image — @ab_haji20/@CoProduce_MH/@ShamoonHafez(via Twitter)

Sport

A former Manchester City player has been sworn in as the new president of Georgia

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ex-Man City player now new President of Georgia

The country of Georgia is currently wrapped up more than 30 days of civil unrest and in the midst of it all is their new President, who also happens to be a former Manchester City player.

Yes, having been sworn into office on Sunday, 29 December, ex-Man City forward Mikheil Kavelashvili is now the President of the Eastern European nation, though the role is more of a ceremonial head of state.

Kavelashvili, now 53, only spent a fairly short spell at the club between 1996 and 1997, which was also their first year in the old First Division (now known as the Championship) after being relegated from the Premier League.

Kavelashvili is one of just four Georgian players to ever represent City, including Georgi Kinladze, Murtaz Shelia and Kakhaber Tskhadadze.

The former Man City man was appointed the President of Georgia last week.

The striker only made 28 appearances for the Blues in total, netting just three goals, but one of those did come against United in the Manchester derby towards the latter end of the 95/96 season. Fast forward about 30 years and now he’s a political figurehead.

All that being said, his appointment hasn’t exactly been a welcome one and for many, he isn’t even considered a legitimate choice for the job.

Serious protests over problematic politics

Kavelashvili is a former MP as well as a retired professional footballer but, as you can see in the video above, the ex-Man City player isn’t seen as a proper politician by a good chunk of the Georgian population.

For starters, outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili has technically refused to step down and although she has now left the presidential residence, she gave a defiant speech claiming she is still the “only legitimate president”.

As mentioned, the Prime Minister and the ruling party hold most of the real power given that its constitution is that of a parliamentary republic with separation between the two leading roles.

Kavelashvili was selected by said ruling party, Georgian Dream, but the decision has been boycotted by the four main opposition groups and the vast majority of the nation. Not only is he seen as an insufficiently qualified pick but allegations of election fraud and ‘EU-turning’ have sparked outrage.

Oddly enough, he’s not even the first former Man City player to turn his hand to politics, as one-time left-winger and forward George Weah was also elected the President of Liberia back in 2017, before ultimately conceding power as a much less popular figure than he started by November 2023.

With New Year’s morning marking 34 consecutive days of protests, the people claim Georgian Dream rigged the parliamentary elections and are trying to distance themselves from the West.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also announced that Georgia’s application to the European Union would be delayed by another four years, meaning it won’t be until 2028 that negotiations with the continental governing body can even begin, despite being stated as a goal of their revised constitution since 2017.

As per Reuters, Kobakhidze claims that EU membership could damage Georgia’s economy but the overwhelming consensus and concern among the Caucasus is that the far-right associated party are looking to strengthen ties with Russia, who still control about 20% of Georgian territory.

Protests, both peaceful and violent, continue to rage on across Georgia and by whatever strange butterfly effect, a larger forgotten former Man City player who scored just a handful of goals in one has found himself the president at the heart of it all.

Perhaps this particular demonstration in the capital of Tbilisi sums up the general sentiment towards him:

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Featured Images — Channel 4 (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Real Madrid reportedly weighing up a move for Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot

Danny Jones Danny Jones Real Madrid interested in signing Diogo Dalot from Man United

Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot this January transfer window.

The Portuguese player is a consistent name in new manager and fellow compatriot Ruben Amorim‘s starting XI but has been playing out of position on the left flank pretty much non-stop due to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s continued injury issues.

However, with Madrid looking to urgently sign a new fullback to fill in for a crucial absentee of their own in Dani Carvajal, a few names have been shortlisted as cover.

Although Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is being linked most heavily, the Premier League leaders have rejected the La Liga giants’ advances thus far and it is believed that Dalot could be second choice.

As per The i Paper sport writer, Peter Hall, the 25-year-old right-back is one of a few players being eyed up by Carlo Ancelotti’s side if Los Blancos fail to sweet-talk Alexander-Arnold.

The Liverpool and England international has long been admired by the club along with most big European teams over the past few years, but Merseyside’s homegrown talent – known for his incredible vision, passing range and strength on set pieces – has seemingly been playing down transfer talk.

With Carvajal confirmed to be out for the season following surgery on a ruptured cruciate ligament, Madrid need to sign a back-up this month, and given that Trent is currently on track for his second league title, any chance they stand probably wouldn’t even come close to materialising until the summer.

Taking that into account, the Madrid board will likely have to look elsewhere for a right-back for now and with Dalot having played a wing-back both at United and on loan at Milan as well as an out-and-out winger during his youth at Porto, he could is considered a good utility fit in the meantime.

The outlet goes on to claim that they are plotting a potential £50 million move for the attack-minded defender should if/when their pursit of Alexander-Arnold ends.

As for whether United would be willing to let him go given how short they are in defence and that position, specifically, that remains to be seen. Known for his characteristic beating of the badge with his fist towards the fans each game, it’s also worth noting that Dalot seems fairly at home in Manchester.

He recently visited the Classic Football Shirts shop in Northern Quarter for an episode of Ellis Platten’s Away Days.

Another element that could factor into whether or not this transfer link goes anywhere is Man United’s own financial position and fissures in the squad at present.

It’s been well publicised that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Group have little to no budget set aside to make any singing in January after the money spent during Erik ten Hag’s tenure.

In fact, the billionaire is continue his spree of cost-cutting measures around Old Trafford and Carrington, having upped remaining tickets prices for this season, made over 250 staff redundant and even targeted the United Foundation most recently, cutting funding for what is a crucial charity arm in the community.

None of these decision have proved particualry popular; on the other hand, the sale of Dalot for the fee reported could not only help keep in line with PSR (profit and sustainability rules) but could maybe even help fund a move for, say, a new full-back or two.

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Alternatively, there have been calls from fans to sign yet another another forward in light of their evident lack of goals this season – namely a former player of Amorim, in particular.

Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres is one of the most in-form goalscorers on the planet right now and were his former coach given the opportunity to snap him up, he surely wouldn’t hesitate – not that the 26-year-old is adding any fuel to the fire.

Once again, though, serious funds would need to be gathered in order to make a move for the Swedish striker and even the supposed £50 for Dalot would only be a dent in the final figure.

What about you, Reds: would you accept an offer from Madrid for Dalot; would you reinvest it straight back into the squad and, if so, whereabouts on the pitch?

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Featured Images — NBC Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

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