Sport

Puma and Man Utd star Brandon Williams unveil Worker Bee inspired boots

Puma have launched a new edition of the Future 5.1 football boot inspired by Manchester and the iconic worker bee symbol.

Kate Jackson Kate Jackson - 17th July 2020
Pro:Direct x PUMA City Pack

Puma have launched a new edition of the Future 5.1 football boots inspired by Manchester and the city’s iconic worker bee symbol.

The boots are an exclusive collaboration with Pro:Direct Soccer and will honour the famous work ethic of Mancunian workers both past and present.

All of the other features of the Future 5.1 boots will remain, including the customisable lacing system, but this new edition features a black and yellow theme and ‘MCR’ printed on the sole of the boot alongside a honeycomb pattern.

The boots will also contain the worker bee on the heel of the boot.

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Pro:Direct x PUMA City Pack

The worker bee is an enduring symbol of the city; born out of the Industrial Revolution when Manchester was abuzz with mass production activity.

Man United left-back Brandon Williams has helped launch the boots and the rest of the City Pack collection.

Williams, who is Mancunian born-and-bred, growing up just outside of the city centre, will debut the boots during United’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea this Sunday (19 July), should the 19-year-old feature in the game.

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The City Pack collection also includes a t-shirt and hoodie, as well as a Worker Bee shirt with ‘A City United’ printed on the back of the shirt. The phrase is a reference to the times in which Manchester’s football rivals, United and City, have joined together in times of adversity.

Fancy getting your hands on the collection? Items are available to pre-order on prodirectsoccer.com.

Sport

Richard Keys and Andy Gray to give first UK TV interview since sexism scandal

Danny Jones Danny Jones Richard Keys and Andy Gray Piers Morgan interview

Former Sky Sports presenting duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray are set to give their first UK interview since they were sacked for a number of sexist remarks back in 2011.

Once regular mainstays on the Premier League‘s long-term broadcasting partner, Keys and Gray haven’t made any British media appearances since their high-profile scandal which highlighted the prevailing sexism in football at the time and, sadly, is still underlying throughout large sections of sport today.

Now, after being approached by fellow controversial TV personality Piers Morgan, the punditry pair will be discussing the incident on national television for the first time in more than a decade, as well as reflecting on their careers since then.

Morgan announced his TalkTV exclusive on Monday much to social media’s surprise, marking yet another landmark interview following his blockbuster chat with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Keys and Gray have been consigned to working on the Qatari network beIN SPORTS since 2013 after they went from being among the most well-known sports commentators to two of the most vilified public figures in the early 2010s.

For anyone still unaware even all the years later, the two Sky employees were caught making a number of sexist comments towards then lineswoman, Sian Ellis-Massey, in a leaked audio recording during which Keys remarked: “someone better go down there and explain the offside rule to her”.

Responding to the jibe, Gray responded by saying “Can you believe that, a female linesman… women don’t know the offside rule”, before his partner in crime responded, “the game’s gone mad”.

Ellis-Massey went on to become the UK’s first female referee and remains one of the leading officials in English football, having also adjudicated games in the Europa League and Women’s World Cup.

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To make matter worse, a clip of Keys making similarly inappropriate and offensive remarks while having a conversation with Jamie Redknapp in the Sky Sports studio was also unearthed shortly after, as the lead anchor made a series of crass jokes about sex with the footballer’s former girlfriend.

Speaking in a now infamous BT interview shortly after, Keys insisted that his behaviour was “just banter” and seemed to offer little genuine remorse following the outburst.

Gray has also had little to say about his “unacceptable comments” in the years following, so it’s fair to say a fair few people will be tuning in to watch how the two approach this sit-down.

Andy Gray and Richard Keys’ Piers Morgan Uncensored interview airs at 8pm on TalkTV on Monday, 28 November.

Featured Image — beIN SPORTS/Piers Morgan (via Twitter)

Sport

Marcus Rashford finally responds to ‘idol’ Cristiano Ronaldo’s United departure

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rashford on Ronaldo leaving United

Marcus Rashford has finally responded to the news of former teammate and role model Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United during Sunday’s England press conference.

The 25-year-old was speaking at the Three Lions’ World Cup pre-match presser ahead of their final group game against Wales on Tuesday, but media personnel couldn’t help but ask him about the saga.

Rashford has made no secret of his admiration for the club legend over the years – even modelling his knuckleball free-kick technique after him – and while Ronaldo‘s legacy might no longer be what it once was, he had only positive things to say about playing alongside the sporting icon.

The Man United number ten was just 12 years old and playing in the academy set-up when the Portuguese star first left the club back in 2009.

Rashford on Ronaldo’s exit

“It has been an unbelievable experience to play with him”, Rashford told reporters in Qatar, adding: “He is one of my idols and someone I always looked up to. It’s something I can keep with me forever.”

He went on to wish the all-time leading club and international goalscorer the best for his future and thank him “for the things he’s done for Manchester United.”

Like most fans, Rashford will no doubt be conflicted over the way Ronaldo ended up leaving the club but, as a peer, cannot easily forget what he achieved at the club and throughout his career as a whole.

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The Wythenshawe native is one of few players to have addressed the stormy situation at Old Trafford in recent weeks, with fellow club and countrymen Bruno Fernandes insisting that doesn’t need to “take a side”.

On the other hand, many fans noticed that both Bruno and Diogo Dalot gave CR7 somewhat of a blanking on his arrival at Portugal’s national camp before the start of the tournament.

You can hear Rashford on Ronaldo’s exit in full and his thoughts ahead of England vs Wales in the latest pre-match press conference below:

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Featured Image — England/Cristiano Ronaldo (via Instagram)

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