By LIAM MORGAN, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 00:11 BST, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 00:39 BST, 16 July 2026

Micah Richards has revealed he was told of the death of his father, Lincoln, moments before going on air for the BBC‘s coverage of England‘s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina.

Richards, 38, wrote an emotional post on Instagram shortly after the BBC programme ended. He had been working as a pundit for the BBC’s broadcast of the match live from Atlanta and covered the game despite receiving the heartbreaking news.

‘Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away,’ he wrote, alongside a picture from his childhood. 

‘His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon.

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‘He was my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.

‘I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else. I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.

Micah Richards’ father Lincoln, right, has died, the pundit said in an emotional social media post

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Richards revealed he was told of the death of his father just before working as a pundit for the BBC’s coverage

‘Thinking of my siblings and all my wider family today as we remember my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration.’

Richards received a string of messages of support from players and former team-mates.

Ex-Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart, working alongside Richards in Atlanta, wrote: ‘Sending love Meeks … here for you all. RIP Lincoln.’

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Spurs midfielder James Maddison said: ‘Sending love mate.’ 

Jamie Carragher, who works with Richards on Sky Sports and CBS, said: ‘Sending love to you & all the family.’ 

Jill Scott added: ‘Thinking of you and your family Micah.’

Former England and Manchester City star Richards has regularly spoken of the influence of his father, who immigrated to the UK from St. Kitts in the 1960s, in his career.

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‘I grew up in Chapeltown, a rough area of Leeds,’ Richards said in 2007. ‘There was all sorts of stuff – drugs and fighting. There is a point when you are 15 or 16 when you might want to get involved in it. There was definitely a temptation but I stayed grounded.

‘I have been able to deal with all the stuff that has come my way. That’s down to Dad. He’s brought me up well. My Dad is a strong character. He is very principled. He’s a Rastafarian. He has set standards for me.

‘It’s been great to have that sort of person behind me but at the same time I learned how to be my own man. Dad’s always been here for me. He has missed only one game I have ever played in and that was my debut at Arsenal when I wasn’t even been supposed to be in the squad.’

In 2023, Richards described his father as ‘my rock and my hero’ but said their relationship had changed after his dad and mother, Heather, separated. 

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Around 400 workers are due to walk out for a second time in weeks at the bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis’ Scarborough factory in a dispute over wages.

​Alison Hume, the Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said she recognises the concerns being raised by staff who rejected a four per cent offer from the company after “the cost-of-living crisis was compounded by years of sub-par pay increases”.

​The first round of strike action took place from June 25 to July 1, and staff are set to strike again, shutting down the factory’s operations from July 16 to 20.

Union officials have warned that further strikes are possible if the dispute is not resolved.

​Ms Hume said: “I recognise the concerns being raised by employees at Alexander Dennis and understand the strength of feeling among staff during this dispute.

“They play a vital role in making Scarborough a centre of excellence for bus manufacturing, and their voices deserve to be heard.

​“Alexander Dennis is a major employer in Scarborough, supporting hundreds of local livelihoods and playing a vital role in our economy.

“While the company faces intense competition from overseas manufacturers, the workforce, without doubt, remains its greatest asset.”

​The union Unite said that between August 2021 and May 2026, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose by approximately 35.1 per cent and factoring in pay rises increases to date, the wages of workers had fallen 19.8 per cent behind the cost of living.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the MP said her priority was to see a fair resolution that protected jobs and gave people confidence about the future.

Ms Hume added: “I urge the company and the union to continue constructive dialogue and find a solution that works for employees – therefore securing even greater opportunities moving forward for the Scarborough site.

“More broadly, I have consistently pressed for more weight to be given to social value in public procurement decisions. When taxpayers’ money is being spent on new buses, we should be supporting British buses and British jobs.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “These workers have seen their pay plummet in real terms. Enough is enough.

“Alexander Dennis must come back with a pay offer that matches their hard work and commitment. Strikes will not end until that happens.”

A spokesperson for Alexander Dennis previously said it was “one of the top-paying employers in Scarborough” and had made “a very fair and above-inflation offer of a four per cent pay rise”.

They added: “The UK bus manufacturing sector is under intense pressure – costs are rising and half of all new buses now come from overseas. Against this backdrop, it is incredibly disappointing that our offer has been rejected.

“We are committed to working with the union and our team members to bring this matter to a resolution. We do not expect customer deliveries to be affected in the meantime.”

TVD Group launched the purpose-built facility at its headquarters on July 13, designed to showcase complete commercial outdoor AV solutions.

Located outdoors, the centre lets customers and industry professionals experience the technology in lighting conditions and scenarios that reflect real-world use.

Lucia Maguire, managing director of TVD Group, said: “Our original Experience Centre has always been about helping customers visualise what’s possible.

The facility displays a full suite of integrated AV technologies, including weatherproof televisions, outdoor LED walls (Image: Supplied)

“The addition of our outdoor AV experience centre gives customers, consultants and specifiers the opportunity to experience AV technologies operating cohesively in a real-world environment.

“They can compare different solutions, ask technical questions and understand how every element can work together to deliver the best outcome for each project.”

The facility displays a full suite of integrated AV technologies, including weatherproof televisions, outdoor LED walls, professional audio systems, and control solutions, all designed to function seamlessly in external settings.

Visitors can explore how AV infrastructure, networking, control, and mounting systems combine to create impactful and reliable environments for hospitality, leisure, and entertainment.

Designed to be interactive and hands-on, the centre lets users engage with the technology, evaluate visual displays in daylight, test audio coverage, and examine the infrastructure that underpins successful outdoor AV installations.

These elements can help demonstrate how underused external areas can be turned into revenue-generating spaces.

Applications include live sport, entertainment, digital signage, and background music for hospitality and leisure venues.

The centre is open whatever the weather, and is designed for customers, consultants, project specifiers, and commercial end users.

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By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 22:06 BST, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 00:13 BST, 16 July 2026

Wayne Rooney led the criticism of Thomas Tuchel‘s substitutions in England‘s World Cup semi-final defeat after the Three Lions collapsed against Argentina.

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England had taken the lead in the 56th minute through Anthony Gordon, but opted to try and hold on to their advantage rather than add to it.

Tuchel went to a back five that served him so well in the last-16 win over Mexico, with Ezri Konsa coming on for the goal scorer in the 72nd minute to join Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Djed Spence.

They found themselves on the defensive, and Dan Burn was later introduced too when Reece James left the field injured.

England were then heavily under the cosh, and Enzo Fernandez and then Lautaro Martinez scored to break English hearts once again.

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Speaking after the game, an emotional Rooney suggested England were unable to deal with the pressure of going ahead in the game. 

Wayne Rooney admitted Thomas Tuchel’s tactics backfired as England were dumped out of the World Cup

Rooney blamed England’s defeat on the manager’s decision to go defensive early doors

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‘We got ourselves in such a good position and we didn’t know what to do,’ he said on BBC. ‘We sat back, allowed them to come on to us. They put us under pressure and we cracked. As soon as they got the first goal, it was inevitable they’d get the second.

‘When you go on top, you have to stay on top. We go 1-0 up, then sit back, make changes, go five or six at the back. If you allow (Lionel) Messi and Argentina to come onto you, you’re asking for trouble.’

He later added: ‘When we had the ball, we had no outlet. We kept kicking it long.

‘When Tuchel made those changes, the players on the pitch would’ve been thinking, “oh no”. They’d have known what was coming. They would’ve needed a massive amount of luck to see the game out.’

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England had enjoyed success with a defensive set-up against Mexico when they went down to ten men, but faced a tougher task against the world champions.

The likes of Messi were able to get more control of the game, and England suffered the consequences.

Former Three Lions goalkeeper Joe Hart added: ‘They went back to what they did against Mexico and Norway and locked the door. but that freed up Lionel Messi and he absolutely ran the show for the last 15 minutes.

‘As soon as that first goal was scored, and England had made the changes they’d made, it was only going to go one way.’

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Tuchel made defensive changes when the Three Lions were ahead, with his side losing 2-1

Alan Shearer agreed that Tuchel’s changes cost his side in the game, with England struggling to create chances even after they went behind.

The Three Lions will now face France in a third-place play-off on Saturday. 

‘What has worked so many times throughout this tournament, the manager’s decisions and going to that back five, it’s backfired in the last 10 or 15 minutes. It’s been backs to the wall, they’ve not been able to get out at all. They’ve been punished.’

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England captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, said after full-time that ‘trying to hold on’ is ‘not enough at this level’.

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Before the last-four tie, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had said he was “not going to mix” football and politics.

“The reality is that this is a football match. I can’t mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” Scaloni had said.

“It was a very sad period in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it, that’s the reality.

“Things are happening elsewhere in the world, and we criticise the existence of war. We certainly remember those people, of course. But it is a football match – we shouldn’t confuse the two.”

Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel, however, cited a chant which the players sang following their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the last 16 which referenced the Falklands and Argentina greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

“This is not just another match. I’m not going to be politically correct – against the English, it’s always something more,” wrote Villarruel in a post on X., external

“It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last one, and it’s about putting the invaders in their place.

“Long live Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will reclaim what is ours!”

The semi-final, which England lost to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, was held under increased security measures because of the historical tensions between the two nations.

Dwayne Ashley Grimes appeared at a Durham Crown Court plea hearing, via video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton, where he is on remand.

He admitted a charge of burglary of a property in Scott Place, Newton Aycliffe, on June 13.

Car keys were stolen in the burglary as well as the keys to an e-scooter and its charging system.

The defendant also admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking, in being a passenger in a Volvo car taken without consent which was involved in an accident, causing damage to a Seat car.

As Grimes is now a third-strike burglar he falls to be sentenced to the mandatory three-year custodial starting point.

Ralf Xhepa, representing Grimes, asked for a background report to be prepared by the Probation Service prior to sentence being passed.

Mr Xhepa said this was due to the backdrop of serious tragedies which have befallen the defendant’s family in recent years, leading him into the misuse of crack cocaine, which escalated, contributing to the commission of the offences.

He added that the defendant had been seeking help for his mental health prior to being remanded in custody for the offences.

Agreeing to the request, Judge Richard Bennett told Mr Xhepa: “It’s a shame he didn’t indicate a guilty plea when he appeared at the lower court, so he could have been sentenced today, instead of stringing it out.”

Addressing the defendant, the judge told him: “You have pleaded guilty today to these two offences.

“I had intended to sentence you today, and would have, had you had the good sense to plead guilty at the lower court.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

“The fact I’m adjourning for the report shouldn’t give you any hope or expectation that you won’t receive anything other than the mandatory sentence for a third strike burglar.

“We’ll see you again next month, when you will now be sentenced.”

Judge Bennett remanded Grimes, of Whinlatter Place, Newton Aycliffe, to remain in custody pending the sentencing hearing on August 20.

Two firefighters were called to the scene off the B1257 near Helmsley on Wednesday (July 15).

The fire measured around 200m by 100m and was located from High Street to Rievaulx Bank, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

A service spokesperson said the fire had been extinguished by 3.30pm with crews leaving the scene.

“Crews are now leaving this incident, the fire is extinguished and advice has been shared with farmer,” they said at 3.30pm on Wednesday.

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 23:13 BST, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 23:36 BST, 15 July 2026

There were clashes on the streets of Atlanta following England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina on Saturday night.

Fights broke out outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia after the final whistle confirmed the Three Lions’ 2-1 defeat to Lionel Messi‘s side.

Police made multiple arrests as they stepped in to calm the situation, with pictures showing several England fans being detained by armed cops.

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Tensions had already flared inside the stadium after Argentina took a banner from fans which claimed the Falkland Islands belong to the South American nation.

The Falklands conflict had loomed large in the build-up to the semi-final tie, with rival chants about the war featuring in fan zones around the city.

After the match was over, tens of thousands of fans flooded out of the stadium to the surrounding streets, with some disputes boiling over into violence.

England fans branded the behaviour of Argentina’s supporters ‘absolutely disgusting’ and warned that things will ‘kick off, 100 per cent’. 

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Police officers intervene and speak to fans in Atlanta as they try to keep the peace following Argentina’s semi-final victory

Police officers detain an England fan outside the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

A fan in an England shirt is arrested by armed police following clashes after the Three Lions’ semi-final loss to Argentina

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Police officers detain an Argentina fan outside the Atlanta Stadium as tensions flared on the streets of the city

Fans are arrested in Atlanta by armed police looking to separate the two sides

A police officer breaks up an argument between Argentina and England fans outside the Atlanta stadium

Police in London escort an Argentinian fan away from England supporters following the final whistle

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In Bournemouth, police were seen speaking with England fans as they poured out of pubs after the game

American police officers with large guns were seen placing both England and Argentina fans in handcuffs.

One England fan told the Daily Mail: ‘Obviously [we] were upset about the game, walking out the stadium, minding our own business.

‘Some guy, Argentina fan, comes up waving his flag, shoves it in our face, winding us up. You know obviously someone’s going to retaliate, right? But luckily we didn’t retaliate but there’s a lot of animosity.

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‘When Argentina scored, an Argentinian guy next to me took his shirt off, waving it, slapping it in my face, absolutely disgusting.

‘Disgusting behaviour from the Argentinian fans, absolutely disgusting.

‘Tonight there’s not enough cops to police all of this. I’m telling you right now it’s going to kick off later in bars and stuff for sure, 100 per cent.’

Back in the UK, police forces are also bracing for possible unrest between rival groups of fans.

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In London, police were seen attempting to separate rival groups of fans to prevent fights breaking out. 

Thousands flocked into the streets of the city centre from nearby pubs and bars, with video footage showing carnage at famous landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus. 

Officers reportedly had to step in and rescue one Argentina fan from the area after he was mobbed by British supporters. 

This is a breaking news story and is being updated. 

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