THE Sun’s amazing Footie for All campaign has won a prestigious award honouring campaigning journalism.

Our campaign which ran during the last football season in partnership with Tesco handed out grants totalling £300k to hundreds of grassroots kids’ football clubs across Britain.

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We launched our ‘Footie for All Fund’ after a Sun investigation found financial pressures triggered by the Cost of Living Crisis were forcing kids to ditch recreational football.

The initiative was backed by England footballers such as Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, John Stones, and Harry Maguire.

Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp is also a huge advocate of the campaign.

The Sun has officially won the Making a Difference Award, organised by News Media Association (NMA), for the brilliant scheme.

The award highlights how journalism benefits society.

NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: “The Making a Difference shortlist this year has highlighted the exceptional dedication from UK news brands, who have worked tirelessly to inform and engage the public.

“The Sun can take great pride in their achievements.

“The ‘Footie For All Fund,’ serve as prime examples of how journalism can effectively spotlight critical issues, demonstrating to us all the vital role of trusted, independent journalism.

“My congratulations to you.”

Our Footie for All Fund was voted for by members of the public.

It came about when local football clubs told how they’d seen a membership drop as parents struggled to find the cash to pay for their kids sport fees.

Some even said they were tragically forced to stop their child playing sport as they couldn’t find enough money for a bus fare.

Tesco went on to provide us with our grants through its Stronger Starts programme which funds healthy activities for kids.

Celebrities across the country also dropped into regular footballing sessions to see how the funds were being spent.

They noted how good it was to see the difference it has made to the children who could still play.

It was also supported by singer Olly Murs, 40, who visited Crown and Manor football club in Hackney, London.

He said: “In 2024 the cost of living is so high for so many families.

“For the kids to suffer and not be able to come and play football because their parents cannot afford it would be such a tragedy.

“So the fact The Sun and Tesco did this will help families to get their children playing football.

“That’s the good thing about this campaign. The grants are there to ensure no kid gets left behind.”

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Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel, 37, also visited Wapping FC in East London last November.

He greeted 20 excited children who were bounding with enthusiasm when the beloved ex-Chelsea ace went to meet them.

Obi Mikel said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.

“I chose sport, just like these kids, and it completely changed my life. I don’t know what I would have been without football.

“I remember being this age like it was yesterday.

“It’s great to still see kids running around and enjoying themselves. That’s the most important bit.”

Founder Nahimul Islam, 25, started Wapping FC, in Mile End, East London, when he was just 17 to give kids a place to play football and stay out of trouble.

Now more than 250 children are on their books – including 50 girls and 16 players with a range of disabilities.

Nahimul said: “We operate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, and this incredible grant will help us give the boys high-class training and facilities without passing that cost on to mum and dad back home.

“Having someone like Mikel come visit the club is inspirational to our players. It shows them just what is possible.”

One grant recipient Mike Smith, 54, who runs Curzon Ashton FC in Ashton-Under-Lyne promises income is no barrier to playing with the club. They also take children with disabilities.

Mike used the club’s Footie for All grant to start a new girls team.

He said: “Thanks to the funding from The Sun and Tesco we’re able to give girls the opportunity to play and learn new skills.”

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England prop Joe Marler has apologised for a “poorly articulated” social media post before Saturday’s match against New Zealand, where he said the haka “needs binning”.

The 34-year-old called the haka – a pre-match ritual challenge – “ridiculous” in a post on X on Tuesday.

But Marler said on Thursday he “should have done better at explaining things” and was “grateful” for the education he has received since.

“Hey rugby fans. Just wanted to jump on here and say sorry to any New Zealand fans I upset with my poorly articulated tweet earlier in the week,” Marler posted on X. “I meant no malice in asking for it to be binned, just want to see the restrictions lifted to allow for a response without sanction.

“I’m grateful for the education received on how important the haka is to the New Zealand culture and hope others have a better understanding too. Now roll on 3pm on Saturday for a mega rugby occasion. England by six points.”

Marler will not feature in the Autumn Nations Series opener at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, having left the team camp for personal reasons before posting his initial comments.

The Harlequins player deactivated his X account following his initial post, before reactivating it to claim he was “just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture”.

But amid criticism from various political and cultural figures in New Zealand, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said Marler could have chosen his words better.

“The haka for us is a custom – it is part of who we are, it’s our DNA,” added Robertson. “It is not just about the All Blacks, it is about us as a country. It means a lot to us.”

In rugby union, regulations prevent opposing teams crossing the halfway line while New Zealand are performing the Maori war dance.

In 2019, England were fined £2,000 for crossing halfway as they lined up in a V formation to face the haka before their Rugby World Cup semi-final match against New Zealand.

Current England captain Jamie George said Marler had “prodded the bear a little bit” before Saturday’s match, which kicks off at 15:10 GMT.

“Joe and I don’t always agree on everything and we disagree on this topic,” he added.

Diego Lopes has his sights set on Ilia Topuria’s UFC featherweight title, and he’s not afraid to go and take it from him.

Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC), a streaking title contender at 145 pounds, wants to be the next person to challenge Ilia Topuria, and he believes he’s more than deserving to call for a title shot, given the body of work he’s put together in 2024.

“If they asked me what arguments there are for me to be the next one, I say: I’m on a good streak; I’ve beaten three people in the rankings this year; I’m at No. 3, and Topuria has beaten the two fighters that are above me in the rankings,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We’re the new blood of the division, and this is a renewal bout for the division.

“I think for a long time, all the championship fights have either involved Volkanovski or Holloway. This fight will be a renewal. Also, this fight can be done in Spain or anywhere in Latin America and be promoted 100 percent in Spanish for all the Hispanic people. Those are the arguments that I bring to the table.”

Topuria is coming off a historic win at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Not only did he complete his first title defense, but he also became the first man to knock out Max Holloway.

Topuria has put away six of the eight opponents he’s faced in the UFC and has proven he’s one of the most dangerous fighters in the game. Although Lopes respects his craft, the Lobo Gym and Brazilian Warriors product is in no way afraid of his power, and sees Topuria as a good matchup.

“What I bring to the table, simply put, is the power in my hands, definitely, the explosivity in my striking, my volume, and I’d say the main thing is that I don’t fear anyone,” Lopes said. “I don’t fear anyone. Just like he goes to punish, so do I.

“If the fight does go down, it will be a clash, a clash. If he moves forward, he’s going to run into a wall. That’s what I bring. I won’t be backing up, moving side to side, looking to maintain the fight at a distance. I like the clash. I like coming in and clashing. That’s where I feel comfortable, and that’s also his game, so I think the style favors me.”

Lopes told MMA Junkie that he’s open to face Alexander Volkanovski for an interim title in early 2025 if Topuria were to take a break from the sport. However, his ideal scenario is a title shot, which he feels confident can happen next.

“If we’re talking about numbers and results, not to brag, but I think I’m in a good position to ask for the title,” Lopes said. “Before April 10, before UFC 300, I wasn’t in the UFC rankings. However, since, I’ve beaten three ranked fighters, and I’ve positioned myself at No. 3. I think based on merit, I’ve earned the position that I’m in. Topuria just knocked out No. 1 and 2, and I’m No. 3. I think I have arguments to call for this title fight.”

RUBEN AMORIM smiled when Man United’s soon-to-be manager was asked what he likes about the Premier League and said: “Everything”.

One of Europe’s most sought-after young coaches clearly wanted to expand on SunSport’s question here in Lisbon.

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But he found himself in an utterly ridiculous situation before he left the media room at Sporting’s training ground.

Amorim has promised he will be able to talk more freely about his impending job at Old Trafford after Friday’s Primeira Liga match at home to Estrela Amadora.

Yet already, it is clear that this bloke is proper box office.

And it is blindingly obvious he is relishing the chance of getting to grips with English football.

His pre-match press conferences at the club’s training base — the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo — are such a terrific watch that on social media, there is a countdown clock for each of his media briefings.

Entertaining press conferences? Does this remind you of another coach from Portugal?

Indeed, Jose Mourinho was 41 when he announced he was the Special One after arriving at Chelsea.

Amorim will head to Old Trafford even younger, aged 39.

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Mourinho’s birthday is on January 26, while Amorim’s is on January 27, but it looks as though he will follow in his fellow countryman’s footsteps in all sorts of ways.

Even though Amorim has been unable to confirm he is heading to England, his two press conferences since the United news emerged have been fascinating.

He has a twinkle in his eye, a good sense of humour, answers most questions in great detail and is obviously a terrific communicator in perfect English.

He will certainly need those skills at Old Trafford, in both the way he deals with the playing staff, the board members and how he talks to the fans.

Mourinho often used his press conferences — in fact he still does — with a clear plan of what he wants to say.

He releases certain messages to his own players, opponents and the supporters. Amorim is the same.

Erik ten Hag handled himself impressively throughout his time at Manchester United but he was lacking in charisma.

Amorim has an aura, just like Mourinho.

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His career has been on an upwards trajectory so it has been an easy ride so far.

There have certainly been no touchline histrionics like a certain other coach.

It will also be fascinating how he deals with a run of poor results.

Or when he is thrown a curveball, like a star player doing something stupid like going on a booze bender in Belfast.

What is crazy, though, is Sporting president Frederico Varandas has insisted that Amorim stays for the next three games.

Firstly, Friday’s local derby, then Tuesday’s home Champions League game with Manchester City and the trip to Braga on November 10.

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Amorim did not watch United’s win over Leicester on Wednesday because he was studying City in their Carabao Cup defeat at Spurs.

And this City match really is rotten timing for Amorim.

Despite boasting a 100 per cent record in the league, Sporting have also done well in the Champions League and are currently unbeaten in eighth place.

But what happens if Sporting are taken apart by City?

If Amorim engineers a famous win, then this will enhance his burgeoning reputation.

But if Sporting are thrashed 5-0 and Erling Haaland scores another hat-trick, which is hardly out of the question, then United’s fans will be forced to welcome a manager who has just been out-smarted by Pep Guardiola. Not a good start.

Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a high

By Charlie Wyett

RUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.

Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.

Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.

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Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.

The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.

Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.

Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.

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There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.

Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.

Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.

And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.

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So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.

This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.

They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.

In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.

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Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.

There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards.

He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.

While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.

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It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.

But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change.

Amorim often talks about stability and he was asked about the prospect of leaving his comfort zone at yesterday’s press conference.

He was also quizzed about playing a part in his backroom staff enjoying life-changing pay rises by going to Old Trafford.

As for a change in scenery, he said: “I think all coaches need that.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail. Staff? We have very good conditions here.

“Six years ago we were at Casa Pia and we were almost paid to work. It’s not about money.

“When I said staff, staff involves a lot more people. Physiotherapists, wardrobe assistants. Not just the staff you’re referring to.

“It’s hard to find these environments. That was one of the reasons I always wanted to stay here.

“It was the people I work with. Stability.

“I think that in everyone’s life there are times when we’re doing really well, but then we want something more, maybe to prove something more.”

Amorim is about to get that chance.

The problem is that inherits a dysfunctional United squad, and one without an A-lister.

They could do with a player of the stature of the old Red Devils star who now has Sporting’s training ground named after him.

Amorim, though, will be supremely confident he can sort out this mess at Old Trafford.

If he is able to do so, this achievement would be every bit as impressive as what Mourinho managed at Chelsea.

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Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd

WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.

Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.

But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.

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Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.

He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. 

The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.

And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.

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Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.

Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.

United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”

And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.

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For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.

Joaquin Buckley wants his shot at the interim title.

On Thursdays, news broke that welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was forced out of his UFC 310 title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov due to a nasty injury. While nothing is official, reports are that the UFC currently is looking for a replacement opponent for Rakhmonov, perhaps even for an interim welterweight title, and almost immediately Ian Machado Garry threw his hat in the ring for that opportunity.

But not so fast, so says Buckley.

Thursday evening, Buckley released a response video to Garry’s callout of Rakhmonov, dismissing the undefeated Irish star’s claim and suggesting he is better served to “take the throne.”

“Hey look, I’m going to let you finish but I’ve got something to say,” Buckley said while hitting a heavy bag. “Nobody wants to see that fight. People want to see knockouts. People want to see finishes. And that’s exactly what we’re fixing to bring, me versus Shavkat. He’s got 18 finishes, 10 subs, 8 knockouts, and your boy? I’ve got 14 knockouts, and I just knocked out my last two ranked opponents. So what you think I’m fixing to do to this dude?

“UFC, this is the fight y’all have got to make. Like I told y’all, I’m coming to take the throne, and I ain’t playing. Boom!”

Currently ranked No. 9 in the UFC welterweight rankings, Buckley is on a five-fight unbeaten streak since dropping back down to 170 pounds. Most recently he knocked out Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 307 earlier this month.

Garry, meanwhile, is No. 7 in the UFC rankings and most recently won a close decision over Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303 this summer.

UFC 310 takes place on Dec. 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and also features a men’s flyweight title bout between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura.