They have seen it all down the years in Block 109, one of the Kop’s most boisterous pockets, and they know when they have seen enough.

It is why the pre-match chatter, following one of the noisiest weeks Liverpool have experienced in modern times, was to the point.

Mohamed Salah is an icon and revered as much as any player to wear a red shirt but that doesn’t provide an exemption from admonishment.

‘Clive Myrie was talking about it on News at 10 last night,’ said one season-ticket holder, who has had a seat in this part of the stadium since 1995. ‘Mo Salah on BBC News at 10? Not BBC Sport, actual BBC News! Honest to God! It’s been unbelievable.

‘Look, I love him but here one thing matters: it’s the name on the front of the shirt, not the one on the back. This is Liverpool.’

But this is a Liverpool team caught in a maelstrom. They say loose lips sink ships and you clearly haven’t been watching if you don’t think Salah’s incendiary sermon at Elland Road hasn’t led water to gush into this particular hull; what a task it has been to stop it capsizing.

The Kop was in full voice but there were no real complaints when Salah started on the bench 

Salah in full flight is still a sight to behold and his ‘Egyptian King’ song was heard again

Salah spent two minutes walking around the stands, acknowledging the support he received. It looked like he was contrite 

When the equilibrium is threatened, the locals do not like it and the bewilderment Salah had caused was obvious, as those who meet up every other Saturday sifted through his words and dissected what it all meant.

‘Thrown under the bus for four hundred grand a week? I wish someone would throw me under a bus for four hundred grand a week!’ said one man, bursting with incredulity.

His mate offered a reasoned take, replying: ‘But it’s not like he hasn’t had a chance this season, is it? If he had been on the bench from the start, you could say, “all right, something is going on here”. But we all know he hadn’t been playing well.’

No, he hadn’t. So when he was brought back into the squad for Brighton’s visit, but not into the team, there wasn’t a murmur of discontent.

After a week in which he had led bulletins and back pages and been central to debates in bakers and barbers, it was time to focus on Liverpool.

Salah started on the bench again but there were no histrionics this time by the winger

There was no singing for the Egyptian as the game started with a bang, Hugo Ekitike getting the early goal that was so crucial to settling nerves. The young Frenchman was serenaded, as was Joe Gomez, who provided the assist.

Then came the unexpected turn of events. Gomez sank to his haunches, succumbing to another injury, and Arne Slot looked at the bench and summoned Salah to the fray.

It wouldn’t have been in his plans to do this but needs must and on he went, his first action almost leading to a second goal.

‘F*****g ’ell, ’as he turned over a new leaf?!’ came an exclamation from row 24. ‘Why has he passed? He’s never passed from there in his life!’

It was the kind of quick-witted remark that has been the bedrock of this place through time. They are sharp but they also know what good football looks like and they saw Salah play his most unselfish 64 minutes of the campaign, passing, running and pressing for a team that needed to win.

There would be an assist for Ekitike, too, and a significant one at that as it was his 277th goal involvement for Liverpool, the most for a single club in Premier League history, carrying him past Wayne Rooney.

No surprise, then, his name was sung from the rafters as it was again at the end when he spent two minutes walking around the stands, acknowledging the support he received. It looked like he was contrite, the vibe being more ‘see you soon’ than ‘goodbye’ but we’ll see how it all unfolds.

Back in the mixed zone, a little while later, Salah made another appearance. He couldn’t walk past without being asked if he wanted to share his thoughts for two minutes?

‘Oh God!’ he said, putting his hands to his head and chuckling, as microphones were pointed in his direction. ‘Two weeks in a row? Oh no!’

It was the correct decision. On the Kop, they wanted the noise Salah had caused to stop. This time, saying nothing was the right thing to do. 

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Liverpool legend, Michael Owen, has lamented the imminent absence of the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey from the Fulham team in the period they will be joining their national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.

He believes that Fulham will struggle without the trio as Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle opens the team’s camp iin Cairo on Sunday.

The trio, who have been so impressive for the English Premier league side this season, were pivotal in Fulham’s 3-2 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Iwobi has played all 16 games in the Premier League for Fulham this season, while Bassey has started 15.

Chukwueze has also become regular since joining from AC Milan on loan and Owen feels that their absence will leave Fulham navigating a congested fixture list with fewer  options.

“It’s really interesting. Some teams are going to struggle more than others, or be more depleted than others,” Owen said on Premier League Productions.

“Obviously, Fulham are losing three players; that’s going to hit them hard, but there are worse-off teams in the league.”

Should Nigeria make it to the final of the competition this years, Chukwueze, Bassey and Iwobi will miss as much as eight games for Fulham.

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Dutch coach Jo Bonfrere has exclusively told Completesports.com that the Super Eagles, as a team, are not bad but urgently need better coaching to stand a realistic chance of success at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in Morocco on 21 December 2025.

Bonfrere spoke from his country home in the Netherlands on Saturday, 13 December, questioning the rationale behind Nigeria’s decision to appoint a coach from Mali.

Super Eagles Coaching Choice Questioned by Bonfrere

“I don’t hate Mali. I don’t look down on them as a nation. But football-wise, where is Mali?” Bonfrere queried rhetorically.

Also Read: Chelle’s Mandate Is To Reach AFCON 2025 Final; I Had No Say In Super Eagles Final 28-Man Squad –Gusau

“I remember when a Nigerian — the late Stephen Keshi — was coaching Mali. Now Nigeria goes down to hire a coach from Mali.”

Super Eagles: NFF Blamed for Wrong Appointment

According to the former Olympic gold medallist, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must take responsibility for the Eagles’ struggles.

“It’s the fault of the Federation (Nigeria Football Federation, NFF). When you look for a coach, you look for quality and experience.

“That is why the Super Eagles will not go to the World Cup. The Federation caused it by hiring the wrong coach,” Bonfrere stated.

Super Eagles Have Africa’s Best Players — Bonfrere

Bonfrere insisted that the Nigeria possesses elite talent capable of dominating African football if properly managed.

“Look, the Super Eagles are good. They have the best players in Africa and some of the best in Europe, but they need better coaching to win the AFCON,” he submitted.

Eagles’ World Cup Absence ‘Too Painful’

The 79-year-old — who led Nigeria’s U23 side, the Dream Team, to gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games — lamented that the NFF’s poor coaching decision cost young Nigerian players the chance to shine on the world’s biggest stage.

Also Read: AFCON 2025: Chelle, Super Eagles Backroom Staff, Uzoho Arrive Egypt

“Now Victor Osimhen will not go to the World Cup. That is too bad. The world always looked forward to seeing Nigeria at the World Cup,” he said.

Super Eagles Must Improve Coaching Ahead of AFCON 2025

With AFCON 2025 fast approaching, Bonfrere stressed that coaching quality will determine Nigeria’s fate.

“Now AFCON is coming, and I say the players need good coaching to stand a chance. The players are good, but the coaching has to be better for the Super Eagles to win,” added the AFCON 2000 silver medallist.

By Sab Osuji

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It really is the most wonderful time of the year. The sleigh bells are ringing, Santa’s on his way – and the darts have arrived.

The festivities of the PDC World Darts Championship commenced on Thursday, and millions will be tuning to see whether Luke Littler can defend his title at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace over the coming weeks.

With crowds in fancy dress chanting about Yaya and Kolo Toure as the the 180s rain down to the sound of Planet Funk’s Chase the Sun, the tournament has become as much a part of Christmas as mince pies and mistletoe. 

This year’s edition promises to be as exciting as ever, with stars such as Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith stepping up to the oche into the New Year.

And cheering them on from the family corner of the crowd are the partners who share their lives with the stars away from the TV cameras and the carnival atmosphere.

From former walk-on girls to childhood sweethearts, Daily Mail Sport takes a closer look at the wives and girlfriends behind the players.

Luke Littler is defending his World Darts Championship after winning last year’s competition

One famous darts star is married to a former walk-on girl and has been with her since 2015

Luke Littler – Faith Millar

What better place to start than with the reigning world champion and his beautician girlfriend Faith Millar?

Despite initially insisting they were merely friends, the 18-year-old went public with the relationship in July this year and was spotted kissing Millar, 19, during the World Matchplay event in Blackpool.

And that seemed to work just the charm for Littler, who went on to become the youngest player to complete darts’ prestigious Triple Crown after beating James Wade in the final.

Not only has ‘The Nuke’ struck up a relationship with Millar in 2025, the world champion also passed his driving test at his first attempt in November – and his new girlfriend publicly took to social media to congratulate him. 

‘Woooohoooo passenger princess now,’ Millar wrote, followed by a laughing face emoji.

Littler had previously been in a relationship with beauty consultant Eloise Milburn, who had cheered him on as he made his way in the sport, but reportedly ended the relationship in July last year due to his hectic schedule.

Reigning world champion Luke Littler is in a relationship with beautician girlfriend Faith Millar

Littler insisted they were just friends but was spotted kissing Millar in Blackpool this July

Littler is said to have broken up with his ex Eloise Milburn last year due to his hectic schedule

However, the darts sensation did venture back into love life with Millar and earlier this year admitted he had to warn her about trolls targeting their relationship.

Speaking on DartStream Live, he said: ‘Obviously, at the start of last year, I was always looking at the comments. And she’s been having a look [at the] negativity.

‘But I just said “They’re jealous. They wanna ruin us. Just don’t look at it and just focus on what we’ve got”.’

Luke Humphries – Kayley Jones

‘Cool Hand Luke’ may have lost his world championship title at last year’s event – but away from the darts board he remained as composed as ever as he proposed to his girlfriend Kayley Jones.

The Reading-born star had been in a long-term relationship with Jones and decided to pop the question in a ‘perfect moment’ overlooking the New York City skyline in May 2024.

The pair shared the news on Instagram at the time, posting several pictures of Humphries down on one knee, and several members of the sporting world took to the social media platform to congratulate the couple. 

Kayley – unlike some of the other darts world WAGs – keeps a low profile on social media and largely uses the platform to showcase Luke’s achievements, trips abroad and the two children they raise together.

But she is expected to be in attendance throughout Humphries’ participation in the World Championship as the 30-year-old attempts to reclaim his title.

Former world champion Luke Humphries celebrated his engagement to Kayley Jones last May

The 30-year-old proposed to his long-term partner above the New York skyline last year

The pair spend family time together with Humphries’ step-daughter Grace, born in 2013, and their son Rowan Ellis, born on October 9, 2022. 

When Rowan was born, Humphries posted on Facebook: ‘Absolutely overwhelmed to welcome mine and Kayley Marie’s son into the world last night at 10.09pm, weighing 7 pounds 9 and a half!

‘Absolutely in awe off how amazing Kayley was, going through it all. She was incredibly strong throughout labour and am so proud of her.’

Michael Smith – Dagmara Smith

Michael Smith is known as a family man and has enjoyed a blossoming love with his long-term partner, Dagmara Smith, who is three years younger than him.

Polish-born Dagmara married Smith, from St Helens, back in 2019, and along with their two kids, is often seen in attendance at his events.

She previously played darts at a regional level and was there for Smith’s famous victory over Van Gerwen where he hit a nine-dart finish in the 2023 final – but only after she insisted.

Smith, 35, who described Dagmara as his ‘personal chef’ in one Instagram post, told the Live Darts YouTube channel before that final: ‘They’ll (my family) be here. She’s already said she’s coming.

‘I said she’s not allowed and then she swore at me and said “I’m coming”. Just watching their faces, I know their faces will be even brighter and bigger if I do get that trophy.’

The ‘Bully Boy’ is one of several players who are extremely superstitious ahead of the World Championship, but Dagmara will be keen to support her husband every step of the way.

Michael Smith is known as a family man and has been married to wife Dagmara since 2019

Raymond van Barneveld – Julia Evans

Darts icon Raymond van Barneveld tied the knot with Julia Evans – who is 18 years his junior – in 2023, with the British woman becoming his second wife.

‘Barney’, 58, was previously married to Silvia for 25 years but they split in January 2019 amid marriage difficulties and the armed burglary of their family home in the Netherlands.

Reports claimed the five-time world champion broke up with Silvia to get with Julia, who is an avid fan of darts, with the couple meeting when the Dutchman was competing at a tournament in Southampton.

After previously working for Transport for London (TfL), Evans is now Van Barneveld’s assistant manager. 

Her LinkedIn page highlights ‘organising meetings’ and ‘managing his calendar’ among the roles of her job. 

Their wedding took place in Cyprus in September 2023 and they have now been together for six years. 

Raymond van Barneveld is married to British woman Julia Evans, who is a huge darts fan

Van Barneveld and Evans married in 2023 and she now works as his assistant manager

Gerwyn Price – Bethan Price 

There are few figures in darts quite as polarising as Gerwyn Price, but away from the fanfare he is loved-up with his childhood sweetheart, Bethan. 

The pair have been together since they were 17, after meeting in the village of Markham, Wales, which had a population of just 1,495 people at the last census. 

‘The Iceman’ is advised on the business side of his profession by his wife, who is a sports manager and helps to handle his day-to-day operations, endorsement deals and media relations.

The former rugby player, 40, married Bethan in 2018 and is regularly seen travelling to and from events with his partner, whom he shares two children with.

Gerwyn Price is married to childhood sweetheart Bethan after they met in their teenage years

Bethan advises him on business matters and they are often travelling to events together

Peter Wright – Joanne Wright

As far as partners go in playing an integral part in success, Peter Wright’s wife Joanne has a starring role to play as the former world champion’s hairdresser.

‘Snakebite’, 55, is one of the most-loved players on the circuit – most notably because of his crazy haircuts that have previously seen him appear as the Grinch at Ally Pally.

Joanne is the mastermind behind Wright’s iconic trims and each year she manages to successfully stun the crowd who adore his style.

The pair met when Wright was a pot washer in a Warner’s holiday camp kitchen at the age of 22, while Joanne was working as a waitress at the same venue.

It was there that their romance blossomed and Joanne supported her husband through his first year as a professional player, where he just £1,200 in prize money before going on to become one of the world’s best.

The two-time world champion will be showcasing a myriad of crazy hair creations at the tournament, while any winnings will also be managed by his wife who is responsible for their finances. 

Peter Wright’s wife has a starring role to play as the former world champion’s hairdresser

Joanne and Peter are long-term partners after meeting when the darts star was just 22

James Wade – Sammi Marsh-Wade

James Wade has been competing in PDC events since 2004 – and while he has had less success in recent years, he is still widely regarded as one of the greatest darts players of all time.

Despite previously admitting that Christmas is a ‘s***’ time to play in the PDC’s biggest event, the 42-year-old will once again be given a hero’s welcome at the Ally Pally, such is his longevity in the game.

He married former walk-on girl and model Sammi Marsh-Wade in 2015 and the couple have two children together.

Wade, who has a reported net worth of more than £3million, has repeatedly faced accusations Sammi was only with him for the money.

However, he has always denied this and once said: ‘All the doubters had to shut up when they realised we were so strong – she is my rock.’

James Wade married former glamour model and walk-on girl Sammi Marsh-Wade in 2015

The couple have two young children together and Wade has described Sammi as his ‘rock’

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Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho will look to win his first title with Celtic on Sunday (today), DAILY POST reports.

The Hoops will take on Rangers in the final of the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park.

Iheanacho won the League Cup during his time with Manchester City, as well as the FA Cup and FA Community Shield with Leicester City.

The 29-year-old now has another chance to win a club laurel.

The forward returned to action in Celtic’s UEFA Europa League defeat to AS Roma on Thursday after spending around two months on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.

Celtic will also be desperate to end their barren run after losing their last two games.

The Hoops have defeated St Mirren twice this season.

Wilfried Nancy’s side have won the Scottish Cup 42 times in the past.

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Stanley Nwabali has arrived the Super Eagles’ Renaissance Hotels, Cairo, Egypt ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Nwabali’s arrived was confirmed by the Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe.

The Chippa United first choice is the second player to arrive camp after Francis Uzoho touched down at past 2am local time Sunday morning.

The Super Eagles camp officially opened on Sunday, 14th of December and all the coaches and back room staff have arrived.

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Few people go through life ever feeling the need to suck on a raw chicken but, in rather seductive fashion, Patrice Evra is one of them. 

Let me take you back to November 2018. A consequential month for humankind. The Brexit draft plan was approved. NASA’s Voyager 2 reached interstellar space. And Evra released one of the most sickening videos on the internet.

There’s no way to dress it up – not even with copious amounts of gravy. Evra’s culinary adventure quite simply stunned the nation. Shocking and sultry in equal measure, yes. Hygienic? No chance. But perhaps that’s no surprise; Manchester United haven’t exactly been famed on that front recently. 

Evra regrets it to this day.

What is this video, you ask? I’ll explain – but only on the condition that you promise not to try this at home, at least not until you’ve cooked your chicken anyway. We’re not savages. 

Basically, it’s a minute of Evra kissing and licking and sucking and biting and spanking a raw chicken. All while staring down the camera with a gaze steamy enough to melt a snowman. 

Patrice Evra went viral for sucking, slapping, and licking a chicken for Thanksgiving in 2018

The former Manchester United full-back provocatively sucked the poultry as Kirko Bangz’s 2015 remix to Trey Songz’s Slow Motion blared in the background

‘I love this game!’ Evra cries at the climax of the video. ‘Happy Thanksgiving everyone!’ The only thing viewers were thankful for was that the video was over. 

And yet, by some irresistible magic, people watched it again. And again. And again. The public could not tear their eyes away. Was Christmas about to be ruined? Would, God forbid, impressionable young adults across the nation take after Evra’s habits for their first attempt at making a Christmas dinner? 

Evra apologised the following day. ‘I went too far when I sucked the toes of the chicken,’ the then-West Ham star admitted in a new video, all while slurping on his thumb. ‘It was a little bit nasty.’ 

Then followed a bizarre, tongue-in-cheek rant. It’s best his tongue stayed there. ‘Now people are wishing salmonella on me,’ he said. ‘I know salmon, but apparently salmonella is when a girl kisses you, you can die straight away or have diarrhoea for 10 years.

‘And what about the vegan people? I see vegan people in my garden crawling, eating all the grass. I didn’t say anything! They eat everything: the flowers, the grass, even the tree now. We need trees. I love this game!’

Now, now. We should take this in context. Evra, a Manchester United legend with 20 career trophies to his name, has always been a slapstick chap. He’s known for being a tad eccentric. This was nothing more than a joke in a time when footballers weren’t quite as controlled on social media. 

So we shouldn’t mock too heavily. We all have actions we regret. Some just don’t involve lifeless chickens. 

Last year, Evra denied he had ever licked the inanimate egg-layer (we’ll need VAR on that one, Patrice) but admitted that he ‘regrets’ it.

For about eight seconds, Evra picked up the chicken by its legs and smacked it on its tail numerous times

He then placed the chicken down and seductively bites the chicken’s breast. After taking one last nibble, Evra laughs and shouts his catchphrase: ‘I love this game!’

‘I just slapped the chicken, I didn’t lick it – look at the video, I didn’t lick the chicken!’ e protested on the Stick to Football podcast.

‘When I did that video, it was Thanksgiving in America, but I don’t care about Thanksgiving, so I was making a joke about it, you know, “When you eat your chicken, you fall in love with it.” It was sexual.

‘It was crazy because it also affected my son because at school, they were like, “Your dad eats raw chicken,” or whatever. So, of course I regret that video, but in that moment, I was that crazy.

‘I remember, I was in Switzerland, and there was a lady with her husband, and she looked at me like, “I know you!” And her husband says, “Of course you know him, it’s Patrice Evra.” And she said, “No, I’ve seen him somewhere… that guy was licking a chicken!”‘

A worldwide impact, then. But maybe there was something behind this. It turns out that the Frenchman already had a history with poultry. 

Believe it or not, Evra, who won five Premier League titles and a Champions League with United, believes his move to Old Trafford in 2006 may never have happened were it not for chicken. 

In 2005, a foot injury on France under-21s duty had him sweating over his future. 

Speaking to the Players’ Tribune, the former left-back recalls how he could barely walk after suffering the issue. Then somebody had an idea. 

Evra says that playing with a chicken in his boots helped his foot heal – and led to him signing for Manchester United in 2006

Evra admitted that he ‘regrets’ the chicken video but explained how it was just a joke 

‘Someone from the club staff said, “Why don’t you just go old school? Just slide a chicken down the boot,”‘ he said. 

‘It sounded crazy but, you know me, I’m open minded. So I went to my local butcher. The butcher said, “What do you want?” 

‘I said, “A piece of chicken. But just a tiny one. I’m gonna put it in my boot”.

‘He just laughed. I went home with the chicken. I ordered new boots: one in size 42.5, the other in size 44. I passed the ball. Oh. That felt OK. Painful, but OK. So I ended up playing with chicken in my boot for four months.

‘I didn’t train with it – my mother would never have forgiven me for wasting food – but before every game I would visit the butcher. “Morning, Patrice. The usual, yeah?”

‘The chicken enabled me to play so well that, in January 2006, I was signed by Manchester United.’

Now you know. Chicken launched Evra’s Man United career. Maybe we can’t blame him for such an enthusiastic act 12 years later.  

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Renowned American wrestler, John Cena, has retired after his final match on Saturday, December 14, 2025.

Th development was confirmed in a statement by World Wrestling Entertainment.

Cena’s retirement will bring to a close a 20-year in-ring career that placed him at the centre of the company’s global expansion.

The farewell bout will see the American wrestler face GUNTHER at Saturday Night’s Main Event, following the conclusion of the Last Time Is Now tournament.

The tournament, designed to determine Cena’s final opponent, ended with GUNTHER securing victory to set up a meeting between two wrestlers whose careers reflect different eras and approaches within WWE.

While Cena is known for a power-driven style and long-standing connection with fans, GUNTHER has built his reputation on technical discipline and physical intensity.

Ahead of the match, the Austrian wrestler made it clear that sentiment would not influence his approach, indicating that he intends to deliver a decisive performance rather than allow a ceremonial ending.

The bout will mark Cena’s final in-ring appearance after a career that included 16 recognised world championship reigns and years as one of WWE’s most prominent figures. Over two decades, he headlined major events, including multiple WrestleManias, and later expanded his profile beyond wrestling into film and television.

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Ekiti Queens have reacted to their banishment to the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta for their next three home fixtures by the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL.

The club were also fined 2.5 million naira for fans trouble at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium in Ado Ekiti last Wednesday.

Ekiti United stated that the ruling ignored the central issue raised in their petition, which detailed a pattern of poor officiating during the matchday three fixture with Edo Queens.

They pointed that the referee Aliyu Aminat failed to meet the professional standards expected in the league.

Assistant referees Ogunronbi Ruth and Williams O. Veronica, along with match commissioner Olajide Caroline, were also cited for their handling of key moments.

Ekiti Queens argue that the league’s refusal to examine this evidence raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability and fairness within the competition.

DAILY POST reports that Ekiti Queens suffered a 1-0 defeat to Edo Queens in the game.

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Former Lleyton Hewitt coach Roger Rasheed has described the “battle of the sexes exhibition clash between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka as quite insulting.

The spectacle, due to take place on December 28 in Dubai, will feature modified rules and has drawn comparisons to the famous 1973 clash between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

Reacting to the development, Rasheed in a chat with ABC Sport‘s Summer Grandstand program, stated that the exhibition clash is bringing no value to tennis.

Read Also:Wolves Boss Lauds Arokodare, Teammates Despite Defeat To Arsenal

“I’m not a fan of it, to be honest,” Rasheed said.

“I think it’s a lose-lose for the women’s side … I actually think it’s quite insulting, to be perfectly honest.

“I don’t see where there’s one minute, one second of win for the number one player in the world.

“If you are looking after Sabalenka commercially, is this a place where you want to be?”

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