Usually I only hear mention of head injuries in football when people say I must have one for supporting Arsenal. The Gunners recently played Wolves and the unnerving sound of David Luiz and Raúl Jiménez’s heads coming together sent shockwaves through the footballing world. We know now that Jiménez is in hospital recovering from a…
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The battle of the EPLs
Recently, news of plans for a European Premier League have emerged, with a financial package of almost £5 billion being assembled to form the potential breakaway competition. Unlike previous proposals for a European Super League, this idea is planned to work alongside the English Premier League. Nevertheless, whether or not the two competitions can work…
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History made: The first all-Black officiating team in the NFL
Monday Night Football on the 24th November saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face off against the Los Angeles Rams. However, it was not the play of the teams that night that will forever go down in NFL history. For the first time in the National Football League’s history, an all-Black officiating crew worked a game….
Sport
Why diving isn’t worth making a song and dance about
Erik Lamela’s theatrical reaction to Anthony Martial’s flick to his face in the Tottenham-Manchester United game in October provides a useful case study for the problems with diving and exaggeration in football. Graeme Souness described Lamela’s display as ‘very Latin’ – a remark for which he was later accused of xenophobic stereotyping. However, I believe…
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Tranquility in Victory: How Mercedes Are Rewriting Formula One’s Record Books
It is hardly surprising that Mercedes’ record-breaking seventh consecutive Constructors’ Title was accompanied by an ongoing curiosity of what makes the Brackley squad unbeaten in Formula One’s new V6 hybrid era. Historically, there has been a tendency to link any sports team’s performance to an individual or a group of individuals in the management. Ferrari’s…
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The men of a thousand faces
If any of the Welsh 2016 European Championship squad are reading this and take issue, my editor can give you my details. Ovie Ejeheri, Arsenal’s highly-rated young goalkeeper has three nations competing for his gloves: England, Nigeria and Uganda. Ovie himself was born in England, yet his father is Nigerian and his mother Ugandan. As…
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Why English football’s system of Very Average Reviews, sorry VAR, needs rethinking
Wednesday 17th April 2019. The 93rd minute. After what can only be described as a mindless back-pass by Christian Eriksen goes wayward to Bernardo Silva, the ball is redirected to Sergio Agüero, who squares the ball to Raheem Sterling, who slots it calmly past Hugo Lloris’ outstretched leg and into the bottom corner. Manchester City…
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Football’s governing bodies must do more to support minority groups
Recently, a Concrete article was produced on the brave display of solidarity shown by San Diego Loyal SC, when they walked off and forfeited a game in protest against a homophobic comment made against their midfielder, Collin Martin, by a member of the opposition. Since then, the accused player, Junior Flemmings – a forward for…
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The key to Jon Jones’ success? Staying positive…
There’s something magical about watching an athlete dominate. Like when Lionel Messi strides up the pitch like there are no defenders there and slots it in the top right corner. When LeBron James jumps over and through 5 guys to destroy a basket. When Usain Bolt literally seemed to dance his way to the finishing…
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