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Ronwen Williams: South Africa captain on Yashin Trophy nomination

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Ronwen Williams: South Africa captain on Yashin Trophy nomination


During a stellar 12 months of domestic and international football, South Africa captain Ronwen Williams has been winning awards with regularity – but his latest nomination left him “numb” with disbelief.

The Mamelodi Sundowns stopper has been shortlisted for the Yashin Trophy, which recognises the world’s best goalkeepers as part of the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony.

“I can’t recall if I dropped the phone. I got a knot in my stomach. I literally went numb,” he told BBC Sport Africa, struggling to describe his feelings.

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“When I saw the Ballon d’Or page, I couldn’t believe it.

“I don’t know if I was excited, happy or crying. It was so surreal.

“I have so many feelings and I try not to think about it because it gets me emotional.”

The 32-year-old is the first African-based player to be nominated for the trophy named after former Soviet Union legend Lev Yashin.

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Given that South Africa’s men’s team has largely underachieved on the international stage over the past two decades, Williams hopes his recognition will provide motivation for his compatriots.

“I’ve achieved so much in my career but I don’t think this will ever be replaced,” he said.

“It’s going to open doors for South Africans to start thinking and dreaming bigger. We’ve got the talent and ability but we pull ourselves down.

“I feel like I’ve already won even if I don’t make the top three.”

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Football players strike threat is wrong – say Bayern Munich and Uefa chiefs

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Football players strike threat is wrong - say Bayern Munich and Uefa chiefs


The European Leagues and world players’ union Fifpro will next week submit their legal complaint about Fifa’s expansion of the Club World Cup to the European Commission in Brussels.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin used his speech to also criticise high profile players for using their platform to make an argument that he says only applies to a small minority of professional players globally.

“We must recognise the match calendar has reached full capacity,” said Ceferin. “Limits have been reached.

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“At the same time the impact is very different among clubs and players. Some are over-burdened. The others have spare capacity.

“In fairness to those who are stretched, I stand by what I said two months ago, there is no room for additional matches. But I have to add this, who is complaining? The ones who have the highest salaries and the ones [clubs] with 25 top players. The ones with lower salaries and hardly 11 players are not complaining. They love to play.”

Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi combines his club role with being chairman of the ECA.

PSG will play at the Club World Cup and Al-Khelaifi said he had taken calls from some clubs disappointed at the two per country limit put on the event by Fifa.

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“The players and clubs who are complaining – don’t play,” he said. “I receive complaints about the fact only two clubs are participating from each country. Some want more than two. On the other side they are complaining. You cannot win.

“The calendar has always been an issue. It needs to be solved with all the stakeholders sitting together in an open and transparent way, to see what the best thing is for everybody, not just one set.

“Clubs are financing the ecosystem and salaries are going higher and higher. If we have the same competitions and the same revenues, that is an issue.”



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George Baldock death: ‘Devastated’ Greece players to mark death against England

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George Baldock death: 'Devastated' Greece players to mark death against England


England and Greece players will wear black armbands and hold a period of silence in tribute to George Baldock before Thursday night’s Nations League fixture at Wembley.

The England-born Greece international drowned in a swimming pool at his home in Glyfada, southern Athens, on Wednesday night.

Baldock, who joined Greek side Panathinaikos last summer after seven years with Sheffield United, was capped 12 times by Greece.

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Sources inside the Greece camp told BBC Sport that the players are “devastated” by Baldock’s sudden death.

Greece sources told the BBC that the Greek FA asked about a possible postponement of Thursday’s game, which kicks off at 19:45 BST, but were told by Uefa that there was no room in the busy calendar.

BBC Sport has approached Uefa for comment.

In a joint statement, the Greece players said: “It is impossible to believe that our dear friend and team-mate, George, is no longer with us. Our pain is indescribable.

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“Tonight, we will try to reach the strength of his soul, which is a bright example for us all. Our thoughts are with his family. We will never forget you friend.”

Greece sources said the team found out about their team-mate’s death when returning from training at Wembley on Wednesday night and had “barely slept”.

Many of the players were good friends with Baldock, including Greece captain Anastasios Bakasetas, who also plays for Panathinaikos.

Baldock’s body was found at 22:30 local time (20:30 BST) on Wednesday.

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A police spokesperson said there was no evidence of criminal activity.

Toxicology test results are expected in the coming days while police will also examine CCTV footage.

Baldock started his career at MK Dons in 2009 and played more than 100 times for them.

He had loan spells with several clubs including Northampton and Oxford United, before joining Sheffield United in 2017.

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He made 219 appearances in all competitions for the club, helping them to promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and again in 2023.

Baldock was born in Buckingham but qualified for Greece through his maternal grandmother and was called up for the first time by manager Gus Poyet in May 2022.

He made his debut for the country the following month in a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in Belfast.



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Watch: Leah Williamson on Jamie Johnson FC

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Watch: Leah Williamson on Jamie Johnson FC



Gabriel Holt, aka Andrew from Jamie Johnson FC, had the honour of filming a scene with legendary England captain Leah Williamson in the brand new season of the programme.



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Gareth Southgate plans a year out of football management to ‘rest body and mind’

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Gareth Southgate plans a year out of football management to 'rest body and mind'


Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp announced his return to the game on Wednesday, taking a role as global head of soccer at Red Bull.

“I’m fortunate that there are lots of different opportunities that are presenting themselves. The business side of football is really interesting,” said Southgate.

“I’ve been invited to speak at Harvard and there’s lots of exciting life experiences to have.

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“I’m 54 and want to enjoy and be really motivated for the next 10 to 15 years of my life and the most important thing is to give myself time to make good decisions.”

Southgate says he will not coach another international team and will be careful before returning to the club environment. He previously managed Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009.

“Clubs can only be successful if everything is aligned, right the way through the club,” he said.

“I also know that maybe the smarter people sit in the boardrooms and the coaches are a little bit more dispensable than you think when you are there.

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“As a coach you think you’re the most important person. I sat in every boardroom in our country for eight years and realised you’re only a small piece in this whole thing.”

England face Greece in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday evening.

Lee Carsley, who replaced Southgate as interim manager, has won both of his two fixtures in charge of the Three Lions.



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Clyde: Ian McCall exits as manager ‘by mutual consent’

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Clyde: Ian McCall exits as manager 'by mutual consent'


But, after some promise in their Premier Sports Cup group stage in which they won away to Championship hosts Thistle and became bookmakers’ favourites for the league title, they have gone eight games without a victory.

McCall told Clyde’s website: “I take great pride in having contributed to the club’s success in maintaining its league status last season, particularly from such a challenging position.”

Clyde said they “would like to place on record our huge thanks for his efforts in keeping the club in League 2 last season” as Scally and Kerr “assume responsibility of the team on a caretaker basis while we follow due process to appoint a new manager”.

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Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to The Spartans was Clyde’s fourth draw in a row after four consecutive defeats and they sit second bottom, two points above Edinburgh City.

The former Glasgow-based club also currently share Hamilton Academical’s New Douglas Park as they seek a new home ground after leaving Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld two years ago.



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Wayne Rooney: Plymouth Argyle boss nominated for manager of the the month

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Wayne Rooney: Plymouth Argyle boss nominated for manager of the the month


Wayne Rooney has been nominated for the Championship manager of the month award for the first time since becoming Plymouth Argyle boss.

The former England captain – who took over at Argyle in May – has been recognised for his work in September alongside John Eustace of Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder and Burnley manager Scott Parker.

Rooney led an upturn in form at Home Park last month that saw Argyle beat Championship leaders Sunderland 3-2 before a narrow 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion.

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The club ended the month with a 3-1 home win over relegated Premier League side Luton Town.

The results saw Argyle climb from the relegation places to 13th in the Championship with Rooney claiming his first league wins as boss.

The former Everton and Manchester United striker also led Argyle to victory over Blackburn Rovers last week, but faces FA charges after he was sent off.

Rooney was unhappy with a decision that led to Rovers’ equaliser and is accused of three counts of improper conduct.

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