A man has been arrested after the manager of Potters Bar Town needed medical treatment following an altercation that led to their match against Welling United being postponed.
Both clubs announced less than 40 minutes before the scheduled 15:00 GMT kick-off that the Isthmian League game had been postponed.
Potters Bar said manager Sammy Moore was receiving “appropriate medical care” and being supported by the club.
The Metropolitan Police told BBC Sport they were informed at 13:18 GMT of an incident at Welling’s Park View Road.
“Police were called to Welling Football Club following reports of an altercation between two men,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.
“Officers attended and found a 38-year-old man with injuries to his face.
Potters Bar Town told BBC Sport the game was postponed “following a serious incident involving a member of our management team”.
“Police attended the ground and, following their involvement, the match was unable to proceed,” the club added.
“Our manager is receiving appropriate medical care and the club is supporting him fully.
“The matter has been referred to the relevant authorities, including the league and the FA, and we are seeking formal advice. As this is now subject to ongoing processes, the club will not be making any further comment at this time.
“We thank supporters for their understanding.”
BBC Sport understands the Football Association is looking into the incident.
Announcing the postponement, Welling said: “The club will be making no further comment at this time.
“Further news regarding the rearranged fixture will be communicated in due course.”
Welling United have been contacted by BBC Sport for comment.
Nick Robinson, chair of the Isthmian League, told BBC Sport: “The league is aware of this matter and are awaiting the written reports of the alleged incident.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter at Anfield
244 Comments
Mohamed Salah took everything in at full-time of Liverpool‘s 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton, applauding all four sides of Anfield while home fans serenaded their ‘Egyptian king’ with his familiar song.
By the time he reached the tunnel he was the last player on the pitch, giving a little wave towards the main stand, where his family were sat.
A goodbye perhaps? Only for now, it seems.
Salah will join Egypt in Cairo over the coming days as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations – but the message after manager Arne Slot’s post-match news conference was clear.
A line has been drawn when it comes to team selection.
“There is no issue for me to resolve,” said Slot. “For me, he is now the same as any other player. There is nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds.”
In his outburst at Elland Road last Saturday – where he claimed to have been “thrown under the bus” by the club and had no relationship with his Dutch boss – Salah said this game against Brighton could well be his farewell.
Having been left out of the squad for the midweek Champions League win at Inter Milan, he came off the bench against the Seagulls as a 26th-minute replacement for the injured Joe Gomez.
And the expectation now is very much that the 33-year-old will return to Liverpool next month after international duty.
Talks are still planned between both parties while Salah is away but, a week on from his emotional interview at Leeds, he was all smiles in the mixed zone at Anfield as he walked past the media and was asked for a chat.
5 hours ago
4 hours ago
There was no effort on Salah’s part to speak again or publicly apologise, but Slot gave a clear “yes” when asked if he wanted the frontman back after the Africa Cup of Nations. The understanding is their meeting on Friday was positive.
Asked if Salah wanted to stay, the Reds boss added: “That I think you already know the answer. What has been said between us stays between us. He was in the squad and my first substitution.”
For the fifth game in a row, Salah wasn’t in the starting line-up. But, when defender Gomez was injured, Slot turned to the bench and put on the man who has scored 250 goals for Liverpool in his eight years with the club.
There were no boos. Just applause and appreciation.
Salah didn’t add to that goal tally, but did get the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second on the hour mark.
That took him to 277 goal involvements in 302 Premier League appearances for Liverpool – the most by any player for a single club in the competition, overtaking Wayne Rooney (276) at Manchester United.
A remarkable statistic in itself and a measure of how much he has done for the Reds.
Back in the squad and involved in much of Liverpool’s positive attacking play, former Wales defender Ashley Williams described his performance against Brighton as “like the old Salah”.
Getty Images
Speaking after the game, Ekitike described sharing a pitch with Salah as “a blessing”, adding he was “the kind of player who makes us like to watch football”.
But the French forward and Co won’t now share a pitch with their team-mate until January at the earliest, with Salah potentially missing eight games if Egypt go all the way to the final in Morocco on 18 January.
“I suppose everybody will be leaving Anfield with that feeling of what’s going to happen next with Mo Salah,” ex-Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton said on Final Score. “Is he going to stay or is he going to go? But it’s been a good week for Slot.
“I don’t think it was a goodbye. There were a couple of moments where we you thought, ‘was that a wave or not’, but it just looked like he was applauding the fans like he does every week, and as a lot of the other players did.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how this situation pans out. If you’re a Liverpool fan you want to keep your best players so you’ll be hoping it works out.”
A major plus for Liverpool is that, without Salah starting in any of the past five games, they are still unbeaten and have shown they can cope without the Egyptian talisman.
That in itself will give Slot confidence. But, in the long-term, having a fit and firing Salah can only be a positive for his side.
“I spoke to him yesterday and as I usually never say anything about what we talk about, I am not going to make an exception now,” added Slot.
“But I think actions speak louder than what has been said and he was in the squad again and when I had to make my first substitutions, I brought him in and he performed as every fan including me would like him to.”
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter at Anfield
246 Comments
Mohamed Salah took everything in at full-time of Liverpool‘s 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton, applauding all four sides of Anfield while home fans serenaded their ‘Egyptian king’ with his familiar song.
By the time he reached the tunnel he was the last player on the pitch, giving a little wave towards the main stand, where his family were sat.
A goodbye perhaps? Only for now, it seems.
Salah will join Egypt in Cairo over the coming days as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations – but the message after manager Arne Slot’s post-match news conference was clear.
A line has been drawn when it comes to team selection.
“There is no issue for me to resolve,” said Slot. “For me, he is now the same as any other player. There is nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds.”
In his outburst at Elland Road last Saturday – where he claimed to have been “thrown under the bus” by the club and had no relationship with his Dutch boss – Salah said this game against Brighton could well be his farewell.
Having been left out of the squad for the midweek Champions League win at Inter Milan, he came off the bench against the Seagulls as a 26th-minute replacement for the injured Joe Gomez.
And the expectation now is very much that the 33-year-old will return to Liverpool next month after international duty.
Talks are still planned between both parties while Salah is away but, a week on from his emotional interview at Leeds, he was all smiles in the mixed zone at Anfield as he walked past the media and was asked for a chat.
5 hours ago
4 hours ago
There was no effort on Salah’s part to speak again or publicly apologise, but Slot gave a clear “yes” when asked if he wanted the frontman back after the Africa Cup of Nations. The understanding is their meeting on Friday was positive.
Asked if Salah wanted to stay, the Reds boss added: “That I think you already know the answer. What has been said between us stays between us. He was in the squad and my first substitution.”
For the fifth game in a row, Salah wasn’t in the starting line-up. But, when defender Gomez was injured, Slot turned to the bench and put on the man who has scored 250 goals for Liverpool in his eight years with the club.
There were no boos. Just applause and appreciation.
Salah didn’t add to that goal tally, but did get the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second on the hour mark.
That took him to 277 goal involvements in 302 Premier League appearances for Liverpool – the most by any player for a single club in the competition, overtaking Wayne Rooney (276) at Manchester United.
A remarkable statistic in itself and a measure of how much he has done for the Reds.
Back in the squad and involved in much of Liverpool’s positive attacking play, former Wales defender Ashley Williams described his performance against Brighton as “like the old Salah”.
Getty Images
Speaking after the game, Ekitike described sharing a pitch with Salah as “a blessing”, adding he was “the kind of player who makes us like to watch football”.
But the French forward and Co won’t now share a pitch with their team-mate until January at the earliest, with Salah potentially missing eight games if Egypt go all the way to the final in Morocco on 18 January.
“I suppose everybody will be leaving Anfield with that feeling of what’s going to happen next with Mo Salah,” ex-Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton said on Final Score. “Is he going to stay or is he going to go? But it’s been a good week for Slot.
“I don’t think it was a goodbye. There were a couple of moments where we you thought, ‘was that a wave or not’, but it just looked like he was applauding the fans like he does every week, and as a lot of the other players did.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how this situation pans out. If you’re a Liverpool fan you want to keep your best players so you’ll be hoping it works out.”
A major plus for Liverpool is that, without Salah starting in any of the past five games, they are still unbeaten and have shown they can cope without the Egyptian talisman.
That in itself will give Slot confidence. But, in the long-term, having a fit and firing Salah can only be a positive for his side.
“I spoke to him yesterday and as I usually never say anything about what we talk about, I am not going to make an exception now,” added Slot.
“But I think actions speak louder than what has been said and he was in the squad again and when I had to make my first substitutions, I brought him in and he performed as every fan including me would like him to.”
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Josh Sargent is a target for West Ham, Manchester City are prepared to sell trio to boost January spending, Ibrahima Konate is attracting interest from Europe.
West Ham have added USA and Norwich striker Josh Sargent, 25, to their list of targets for January. (Sun)
Manchester City are prepared to sell Brazil forward Savinho, 21, England full-back Rico Lewis, 21, and Norway midfielder Oscar Bobb, 22, in January to fund their transfer window. (Football Insider)
Liverpool and France defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, has emerged as a target for Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid. (Caught Offside)
Real Madrid are considering a move for 26-year-old Portugal and Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot. (Teamtalk)
Inter Milan are looking at targets to replace Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, 36, next summer and Tottenham’s Italy stopper Guglielmo Vicario, 29, is a leading candidate. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)
Tottenham are looking to accelerate talks over a new deal for Spain full-back Pedro Porro, 26, amid interest from Manchester City. (Teamtalk)
Newcastle will face competition from Tottenham and Aston Villa to sign Manchester City’s 23-year-old English goalkeeper James Trafford. (Football Insider)
England forward Raheem Sterling, 31, might be offered a route out of Chelsea with Leeds and Crystal Palace keen. (Caught Offside)
AC Milan are looking at West Ham’s Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug, 32, as an alternative to Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee, 24, because of objections in the way Manchester United would want to structure a deal. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)
Olympic heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill opens up about retirement from athletics, raising two children, and the body image pressures facing female athletes
View 4 Images
Dame Jessica Ennis Hill is opening up on her time as a competing athlete(Image: Getty Images For MOBO)
Nine years after retiring from elite athletics, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill remains one of Britain’s most adored sporting legends, known for her top performances on the track, not least her 2012 Olympic heptathlon gold.
Nowadays her life looks a bit different, as she works to inspire the next generation of sporting stars while enjoying “taking a step back” to embrace motherhood. In fact, to Reggie, 11, and Olivia, eight, her kids with construction site manager husband Andy Hills, her title means nothing.
Jessica, 39, says: “They don’t really care that I’m ‘Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’. To them I’m just Mum. Kids don’t really evaluate their parents through the lens of career achievements. One day they will, I’m sure!”
For the three-time world champion, it was important to step away from the track on her own terms.
READ MORE: New Look’s £26 gold kitten heels suit any Christmas party outfit and rival £800 Jimmy Choos
She says: “I retired when I wanted to retire. I was ready after the last Olympics [2016]. It was like… starting the next phase of my life.”
Yet the Sheffield native is aware not every athlete has such an easy ride when it comes to retirement. She says: “It can be quite a challenging time. Your whole life has been around training and performing, and then it suddenly stops.
“But thankfully for me, it was a smooth transition, and having my family and support network around me really helped.” And although the roar of the stadium crowds may be behind her, a huge part of her identity will always be tied to sport. Jessica says: “I always loved competing. What started as a hobby when I was a kid became my career, my job, and it was amazing.
“But now it’s nice to sit back a little, enjoy being a parent and explore new opportunities, like inspiring our kids to be healthy, happy, and active.” As a woman who has been scrutinised intensely – she has even been accused of being fat – body image is a topic she approaches with honesty.
She says: “In retirement, your body changes. I’ve had two children, but I’m still active. I love running, strength work, and staying fit. Sport taught me lessons that I carry with me every day.” Jessica is also passionate about passing on this important message to young athletes, particularly girls, and she advocates healthy eating as an ambassador for breakfast brand Weetabix. She advises girls: “Know who you are, be confident, and don’t take too much notice of what other people say. Your body is doing something incredible. Embrace that.”
The star is all too aware of the pressures faced by female athletes. She says: “Being a woman and an athlete can be… challenging. I had my son at the end of my career, and coming back to competing after having a child is a huge barrier.
“Things are improving but women still have more to consider than male athletes in the sports world.” Nevertheless, she is optimistic about the progress women’s sport is making on the world stage. She says: “It’s got so much better. We see amazing female athletes promoted, featured in campaigns. The Lionesses have raised the profile of women’s sport hugely, and athletics has stars like Keely Hodgkinson shining through. “Female sport’s in a really positive place.” Jessica still puts in the miles – this week she joined rugby legend Kevin Sinfield in Sheffield for his 7 in 7 ultramarathon challenge in aid of motor neurone disease charities. But while she loves watching fellow athletes compete in Strictly and I’m a Celeb, she won’t be signing up herself. She admits: “I’m way too scared of spiders to go into the jungle, and dancing every Saturday would terrify me! I’ll happily enjoy it all from the sofa.”
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is a Weetabix all-star and together they are on a mission to give Brits the best possible start to their day and help them achieve their goals – bix by bix.
Saracens went top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby table with a bonus-point win at Exeter, while Aoife Wafer made her long-awaited Harlequins debut in a 22-17 victory over Sale.
In Saturday’s other match, Trailfinders ran in nine tries in a convincing 57-10 win against bottom club Leicester.
Sarries are level on points with defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury, who are on a bye week after starting the campaign with six consecutive bonus-point victories.
They were made to work hard for their win by Exeter, who led 14-5 late in the first half thanks to two tries from Canada centre Alex Tessier.
3 days ago
21 hours ago
At Twickenham Stoop, England full-back Ellie Kildunne scored the first of Quins’ four tries after Scotland international Rhona Lloyd had given the visitors an early lead.
Beth Wilcock, Sarah Parry and Connie Powell secured a try bonus point, although Shona Campbell’s late score set up a nervous finale.
It was announced in May that 22-year-old back row Wafer, the 2025 Women’s Six Nations player of the tournament, would move to Harlequins from Leinster after the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
However, injuries sustained in Ireland’s quarter-final defeat by France in September meant she has had to wait until the seventh round of league fixtures to make her first appearance for her new club.
She came off the bench to play the final 30 minutes.
Quins’ win moved them up to fourth in the table, back above Trailfinders, for whom Vicky Laflin scored two first-half tries in their emphatic victory over Leicester.
