‘Born out of quality’: Webb vows to increase match officials from minority groups

* Referees’ body stands by diversity initiatives * Webb believes diverse talent pool will ‘raise standards’ Howard Webb, England’s chief refereeing officer, has vowed to continue increasing the talent pool from under-represented communities in English football’s officiating pathway, rejecting the wider backlash against diversity initiatives. Addressing that historic under-representation has prompted a new direction. In June, the newly named Professional Referees’ Body (Pro Ref), formerly called Professional Game Match Officials, announced that Select Group 1, 2 and its supplementary list had been merged into a new, single Professional Referee Group in the men’s professional game and will largely service the Premier League and the Championship from the start of the 2026-27 season. Pro Ref said it would create flexibility in appointments and help to recognise a wider variety of talented match officials as part of the organisation’s new direction. Continue reading...

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‘Born out of quality’: Webb vows to increase match officials from minority groups

Howard Webb, Pro Ref chief’s refereeing officer, said a more diverse talent pool will likely lead to higher levels of quality and raise standards

theguardian.com

Arsenal exploring deal for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior

The Brazil international is in the final 12 months of his contract and is a prominent target among others for the Premier League champions.

nytimes.com

How Paris became a nexus for Black culture

It’s got Europe’s largest Black population, the world’s second-biggest rap scene and a long literary history. But even as diasporic culture takes hold in Paris, some ask when commercial success will lead to structural change

theguardian.com

The most inclusive World Cup ever? Tell that to Omar Artan, the Somali referee just banned by Trump’s US | Morgan Ofori

This episode feels symbolic of a World Cup where the global game has been sacrificed to Fifa’s cynical money-making – and Trumpian whim, says Morgan Ofori, reporter and subeditor for the Guardian’s Th...

theguardian.com

The most inclusive World Cup ever? Tell that to Omar Artan, the Somali referee just banned by Trump’s US | Morgan Ofori

This episode feels symbolic of a World Cup where the global game has been sacrificed to Fifa’s cynical money-making – and Trumpian whim, says Morgan Ofori, reporter and subeditor for the Guardian’s Th...

theguardian.com

Muslim Arsenal supporters’ group seeks official recognition - Hyphen

Muslim Gooners counts former players Yaya Sanogo and Armand Traoré among its 30,000 followers on social media

hyphenonline.com

How did Arsenal become a home for Black players and fans?

After two decades, long-suffering Gunners fans from across the diaspora have been rewarded with a Premier League win. So why has this sometimes beleaguered team earned such adulation?

theguardian.com

How did Arsenal become a home for Black players and fans?

After two decades, long-suffering Gunners fans from across the diaspora have been rewarded with a Premier League win. So why has this sometimes beleaguered team earned such adulation?

theguardian.com

What it means for Arsenal to end a 22-year title wait: From anger and despair to hope and glory

'Wenger out', the horror injuries, the 8-2 at Old Trafford - it has been a long journey back to the summit for Arsenal and their fans

nytimes.com

What’s behind the worrying rise in anti-LGBTQ+ laws across Africa?

Rooted in colonialism, legislation backed by governments eager for popularity is obstructing real progress for queer minorities

theguardian.com

Kanye West headlining Wireless festival is ‘deeply concerning’, says Keir Starmer

PM says antisemitism is ‘abhorrent’ after booking of West, who has song called Heil Hitler and last year advertised swastika T-shirt Keir Starmer has said it is “deeply concerning” that Kanye West, the US rapper who has made a series of antisemitic comments, is to appear at a British music festival. The prime minister joins others who have criticised Wireless festival for booking the musician, also known as Ye, to headline all three nights of the forthcoming event in London. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

Clyde Best: ‘I got used to racism. I was playing for ever...

Ahead of the release of a film about his life, the inspirational Clyde Best discusses blazing a trail for Black players in England despite the abuse

observer.co.uk

Clyde Best: ‘I got used to racism. I was playing for ever...

Ahead of the release of a film about his life, the inspirational Clyde Best discusses blazing a trail for Black players in England despite the abuse

observer.co.uk

Muslim Leeds fans ‘hurt’ by Elland Road Ramadan booing - Hyphen

Play during Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester City stopped briefly so players could break the fast

hyphenonline.com

‘I really believe in revivals of Black work’: why a director brought back Chadwick Boseman’s play Deep Azure

The late actor’s writing was overshadowed by roles in blockbusters. Now, Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu is giving his play about grief the audience it deserves

theguardian.com

‘I really believe in revivals of Black work’: why a director brought back Chadwick Boseman’s play Deep Azure

The late actor’s writing was overshadowed by roles in blockbusters. Now, Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu is giving his play about grief the audience it deserves

theguardian.com

Full-blown agony: my battle against the mysterious pain of cluster headaches

They can hurt more than broken bones or pancreatitis. But with the right drugs and therapies, relief is possible from this debilitating and often misunderstood condition

theguardian.com

Get Ready for This Year’s Undemocratic, Debt-Ridden, and Mobster-Infused Winter Olympics

ICE thugs in the streets, Mafia meddling, and billions in waste—seems like the Games are off to a great start.

thenation.com

‘When a match is going well, smile’: inside the scheme helping ethnic minority referees

The Core X programme is working to elevate match officials from underrepresented communities into the professional game

theguardian.com

Inside the magic and chaos of the Africa Cup of Nations

While Senegal’s victory in the chaotic final has made the headlines, we look at five other big takeaways from the tournament – from the strong diaspora representation to the floor-filling tunes

theguardian.com

Inside the magic and chaos of the Africa Cup of Nations

While Senegal’s victory in the chaotic final has made the headlines, we look at five other big takeaways from the tournament – from the strong diaspora representation to the floor-filling tunes

theguardian.com

Full-blown agony: my battle against the mysterious pain of cluster headaches

They can hurt more than broken bones or pancreatitis. But with the right drugs and therapies, relief is possible from this debilitating and often misunderstood condition

theguardian.com

Full-blown agony: my battle against the mysterious pain of cluster headaches

They can hurt more than broken bones or pancreatitis. But with the right drugs and therapies, relief is possible from this debilitating and often misunderstood condition

theguardian.com

Full-blown agony: my battle against the mysterious pain of cluster headaches

They can hurt more than broken bones or pancreatitis. But with the right drugs and therapies, relief is possible from this debilitating and often misunderstood condition

theguardian.com