After being linked with Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso says it’s “not a good time” to talk about his future.
Should Carlo Ancelotti leave Real at the end of the season, the 43-year-old is reportedly a contender.
Alonso is well-known for leading Leverkusen to the German Cup and the Double of a Bundesliga title in his first full season as senior club manager last year.
“I don’t want to discuss rumors and speculation.” What’s happening right now is more important to me than anything else, as I understand that this is happening.
Alonso was “comfortable” at Leverkusen, according to Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro, who stated last week that the pair were already making plans for the coming season.
Alonso stated at a press conference in March that he wanted to stay at Leverkusen despite previous contacts with Real, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich.
The former Liverpool and Spain midfielder won La Liga and the Champions League between 2009 and 2014.
Alonso left after three years with Bayern Munich in 2017 and withdrew as a player.
Prior to spending three years in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team, he began coaching Real Madrid’s Under-14 team the following year.
Leverkusen took over the club in October 2022, taking over from them as second-bottom in the Bundesliga, and leading them to a sixth-place finish.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the definition of a woman and sex in the Equality Act, pop star Sam Smith has issued a powerful message on social media.
Sam Smith has voiced their thoughts on the Supreme Court ruling (Image: Variety via Getty Images)
Sam Smith has issued a powerful message following the Supreme Court ruling the definition of a woman and sex in the Equality Act relates to “a biological woman and biological sex”. The controversial decision has been branded as “erasure” of transgender people by critics.
Five senior judges made the choice to define the terms “women” and “sex” as biological woman and biological sex. It has raised questions over access to single-sex spaces and protections based on sex, especially for trans rights.
Singer Sam, who uses the pronouns they/them and doesn’t identify as a woman, responded to the decision with a powerful message of solidarity. Sam wrote in a social media post, “Trans people exist.
“A world without trans people has never existed and never will. Trans rights are human rights. I am heartbroken for our community. But we cannot and will not be erased. We are real.”
Sam shared a strong message on social media(Image: Instagram)
Continue reading the article.
Sam’s words were echoed by Celebrity Big Brother star Kellie Maloney, who said life will become “very dangerous” for trans people. “This ruling has put a lot of fear in a lot of people,” said Kellie.
The campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS), which mandates 50% female representation on public boards, brought the decision after a lengthy legal battle over the definition of a woman in Scottish legislation.
Its effects are anticipated to be felt throughout Northern Ireland, Wales, and England. GRC-certified transgender people are entitled to sex-based protections, according to the Scottish government, while GRC-certified individuals are only limited to those who were born female.
The issue was whether or not a GRC-certified person who recognized their gender as a woman should be treated as a woman under the 2010 Equality Act.
The decision was made by UK Supreme Court Judge Lord Hodge, who defended the law’s protection against discrimination.
He said, “The Equality Act 2010 unanimously recognizes a biological woman and biological sex. However, we advise against viewing this judgment as a victory for one or more social groups over another.
The government responded, saying that the decision provided clarity in areas like sports clubs, hospitals, and refuges. The decision raises the possibility of additional laws regulating access to facilities, including changing rooms. However, judges emphasized that transgender people’s discrimination protections were not being violated.
A Government spokesman said: “We have always supported the protection of single sex spaces based on biological sex. This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs. Single sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.”
Harry Potter author JK Rowling was among those praising the verdict and in recent years has been very vocal about trans people and their rights. She said on X: “It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. @ForWomenScot I’m so proud to know you.”
Continue reading the article.
The writer continued, “Trans people have lost no rights today, although I doubt some (not all) will be angry that the Supreme Court upheld women’s sex-based rights.”
READ MORE: ‘Life changing’ health app helps ‘morbidly obese’ mum shed almost 3 stone
Liam Cameron claims to have been paid “absolute fortune” for the decision to skip the next ten rounds of Saturday’s rematch with Ben Whittaker.
After Boxxer’s promoters made a mistake on the contract that Cameron received, the light-heavyweight initially agreed to hold a 12-round contest in Birmingham.
Boxxer insisted that the rematch should have been in doubt, so Cameron was paid an undisclosed fee to agree to the new terms because the fight should have been 10 rounds instead.
At Friday’s news conference, Cameron claimed, “They paid me an absolute fortune to get it down] from a 12 round.”
“If I were Ben, I would say I was fighting 12 and have that psychological edge. He might have acted upon my bluff. I could have fought 10 times in a row.
The first fight ended in a bizarre way last October, when both men fell over the ropes and injured Whittaker was unable to continue.
Has Whittaker’s stock dropped since Cameron’s “lotto” win?
Getty Images
Whittaker, 27, won seven fights and won the Olympic silver medal, but some purists thought his flashy demeanor was disrespectful toward his rivals. He quickly became a hit for his showboating and highlight-reel victories.
When many onlookers predicted Cameron would win their first meeting comfortably before it was stopped, the West Bromwich fighter’s stock dropped.
Whittaker, who has won eight professional fights with the one draw, said, “I think that was the best chance to get me and he didn’t.”
He claims to have “got structure” in his training and has since joined coach Andy Lee.
After winning a contract with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions against Whittaker in Saudi Arabia, Cameron feels like he “has won the lottery.”
The 34-year-old Sheffield boxer was depressed and had alcohol issues while receiving a four-year ban for his part due to a 2019 anti-doping violation.
Cameron, who has won 23 fights, lost six, and drawn one, said, “I have grabbed every opportunity I can get.”
Heavyweight Clarke is “fit and firing” and ready to return.
Ebenezer Tetteh and Olympic bronze medalist Frazer Clarke square off against Ebenezer Clarke at BP Pulse Live Arena on the undercard.
After having surgery on his jaw and cheekbone following a first-round stoppage loss to Fabio Wardley in October, Clarke insisted he is “healthy” and that “there is a lot more to come” in his career.
The 33-year-old claimed that she has been hit and injured before.
Following a five-month recovery from knee surgery, England international Lauren Hemp has resumed training.
Hemp, 24, hasn’t played since November 8 but was training with Manchester City on Friday as they geared up for a game against Everton.
One of the key players in the race to recover fully fit in time for England to defend their European Championship title in Switzerland in July is the forward.
When asked about Hemp’s knee problem in November, England manager Sarina Wiegman confirmed that it wasn’t an ACL injury.
Hemp would undoubtedly not have been included in England’s Euros plans if an injury of that magnitude had occurred.
Hemp, who typically plays wing, will now work toward full-match fitness.
It has been a really positive week for us, according to interim Manchester City boss Nick Cushing, despite the difficult injury season.
This week, Lauren Hemp and the team had a great week of training.
Hemp’s return strengthens a City side that has been dealing with injury problems and is set to lose its season.
Hemp had five games to go before suffering with her injury, but she had been one of the top scorers in the Women’s Super League this year. She had scored twice and assisted five times.
After having surgery on a medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury, her England and City team-mate Alex Greenwood is pursuing a recovery and displaying symptoms that are beginning to show in the club’s treatment room.
Alex Greenwood and Aoba Fujino continue to improve, according to Cushing. Rebecca Knaak spent the entire week training and is currently a member of the team.
“It seems like we are quickly progressing, starting to get players back, and adding that much needed depth to our training.” The team will begin to change about their appearance.
Hemp’s progress will have been confirmed in the England training camp, but Chelsea’s announcement on Friday that Lionesses forward Lauren James has “sustained a hamstring injury and will be out for a period of time” was less encouraging.
Redi Tlhabi speaks with Professor Michele Goodwin about the state of reproductive rights right now and in the future.
Immigration, trade, and free speech are the main topics of conversation as Donald Trump begins his second term in office. However, proponents forewarn about a more subtle campaign that targets abortion and reproductive rights.
Critics claim that new policies reflect a renewed push to erode reproductive freedom, especially for women of color, just a few years after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Is the Trump administration wagering a covert assault on American women’s reproductive rights?
In a fiery derby between Hull KR and Hull FC, cadet Cust received the first red card of the Super League season.
After 16 minutes, when league leaders KR were in front through an Oliver Gildart try in the meeting of the top two, the Australian stand-off was sent off for a shoulder barge to Arthur Mourgue’s face.
The Black and Whites’ only option was Jack Ashworth, who appeared to have given them the upper hand as Peta Hiku and Arthur Mourgue appeared to have established a stronghold in the hands of the Robins.
The fact that referees could keep their red cards in their pockets helped the sport and its safety record significantly. There were seven dismissals in this period of the season last year.
Cust, who had been playing for Hull FC for 15 years, shoulder-barged Mourgue’s head as the France full-back fielded a kick behind the posts, leaving the official Luke Moore with no choice.
The Robins were already in front at that point when Mikey Lewis, back from injury, delivered a powerful pass that sent Gildart running clear.
Cust’s rush of blood, which was used by KR after an overload down their left, gave them a huge advantage after more than three-quarters of the game.
As Ashworth ran into Aidan Sezer’s grubby kick before two defenders, Mourgue, who had recovered from a head injury assessment following Cust’s challenge, scampered over for a 12-point half-time lead, gave his side something to cheer for.
The Black and Whites threw the ball around with brilliant abandon in the second half, scoring Briscoe for a superb take and finish, and it was obvious that they were on fire in the second half.
The video ref’s sighting of KR players ripping the ball out made it even more successful for Hull FC to score two points as Rapana made another quick passing move to swerve inside and score.
Hull FC’s efforts soon began to speak, and Rovers pounced as their opponents got tired, even though KR appeared rattled and the home crowd was bouncing.
With James Batchelor back from injury and carving inside to extend the lead, they responded with some champagne rugby of their own, keeping the ball alive.
John Cartwright, the head coach of Hull FC, told BBC Radio Humberside:
When you’re playing 13 on 12, there are a few different circumstances. You should try to stay focused and keep the scoreboard close in the end. It was a fantastic effort to have a chance to win the game in the second half.
There were “a few things that really went against us,” the referee said, “and after the Cade Cust incident, I believe there were some punches thrown, and players were very vocal.”
The kicker was beaten to the ground by Johnny Asiata, who received a penalty 60 yards downfield. When Liam Knight was attempting to pick it up, he was taken off the ball. We were really hurt by both of those incidents.
[On the red card] “I do have a problem with the red card generally because I believe Cade was going for the ball very hard and didn’t have much time to pull out of it.
Willie Peters, the head coach of Hull KR, told BBC Radio Humberside:
Credit FC, they were outstanding, they forced us to the limit, and it was “dead set,” according to Credit FC.
“It pleased me how our players were able to advance beyond our current level in the final 20 minutes.”
People say that losing teaches you a lot of things, and that they also learn a lot from playing games like that.
Pryce, Briscoe, Rapana, D Litten, Martin, Cust, Sezer, Ese ‘ese, Bourouh, Knight, Chamberlain, Hardaker, Asiata, and others.
Ashworth, Balmforth, Eseh, Ashworth, and Aydin are the exchanges.
Sent-off: Cust (16).
Mourgue, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Gildart, Gildart, Gildart, May, Lewis, Sue, J Litten, Waerea-Hargreaves, Batchelor, Hadley, Minchella, and others in Hull KR.
Luckley, Whitbread, Broadbent, and Tanginoa are exchanges.
