Paul MacInnes
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Articles by Paul MacInnes
Rise of the ‘schooligans': how a wave of antisocial behaviour threatens non-league football
It is five past three on Saturday afternoon and the teenage ultras of Hednesford Town are running late. They have arrived in Chester for their team's National League North fixture and have hailed taxis, determined to make their presence felt at the ground. But word appears to have got out about their arrival. As one car turns away from the city's charming half-timbered houses and into narrow residential streets, half a dozen local youths appear, haring round the corner in balaclavas.
Rise of the ‘schooligans’: how a wave of antisocial behaviour threatens non-league football
Hednesford Town fans leave Chester’s stadium after last weekend’s sixth-tier National League North game. Hednesford’s security staff refer to some of their fans as ‘schooligans’. Photograph: Colin McPherson/The Guardian It is five past three on Saturday afternoon and the teenage ultras of Hednesford Town are running late. They have arrived in Chester for their team’s National League North fixture and have hailed taxis, determined to make their presence felt at the ground.
Rise of the ‘schooligans’: how a wave of antisocial behaviour threatens non-league football
It is five past three on Saturday afternoon and the teenage ultras of Hednesford Town are running late. They have arrived in Chester for their team’s National League North fixture and have hailed taxis, determined to make their presence felt at the ground. But word appears to have got out about their arrival. As one car turns away from the city’s charming half-timbered houses and into narrow residential streets, half a dozen local youths appear, haring round the corner in balaclavas.
Kamada’s late leveller rescues point for 10-man Crystal Palace and denies Hoffenheim
Daichi Kamada’s shot squeezes under Oliver Baumann to give Palace a draw. Photograph: Simon Dael/Shutterstock A late, late strike from Daichi Kamada saved Crystal Palace from embarrassment and another round of navel gazing as they snatched a Europa League draw with Hoffenheim against the odds.
Kamada’s late leveller rescues point for 10-man Crystal Palace and denies Hoffenheim Original
Kamada’s late leveller rescues point for 10-man Crystal Palace and denies Hoffenheim Daichi Kamada's shot squeezes under Oliver Baumann to give Palace a draw. Photograph: Simon Dael/Shutterstock A late, late strike from Daichi Kamada saved Crystal Palace from embarrassment and another round of navel gazing as they snatched a Europa League draw with Hoffenheim against the odds.
Lise Klaveness: 'Certainly there are people that can challenge Infantino'
As the rain whips around Oslo's government quarter, Lise Klaveness is shielding herself from the wind, trying to work out tactics. “Of course we cannot probably do everything alone, but we have a voice, we have the right to speak, we have the right to suggest, so let's see,” she says. “We will at least try to be a spearhead.” The president of the Norwegian Football Federation wants to re-engage Fifa, and other governing bodies, on the topic of remedy.
Lise Klaveness: ‘Certainly there are people that can challenge Infantino’
Lise Klaveness thinks her record of vocal criticism of Fifa would harm her chances of running against Gianni Infantino. Photograph: Amanda Pedersen Giske/NTB/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. As the rain whips around Oslo’s government quarter, Lise Klaveness is shielding herself from the wind, trying to work out tactics. “Of course we cannot probably do everything alone, but we have a voice, we have the right to speak, we have the right to suggest, so let’s see,” she says.
Football regulator chair insists he will resign if politically pressured over Manchester City
The chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), David Kogan, has said he will resign if he faces any political pressure on how to respond to Manchester City being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period, insisting “my independence is absolute”. Kogan could remove City's Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) should the damning verdict of an independent commission be upheld at the end of an ongoing appeal process.
Football regulator chair insists he will resign if politically pressured over Manchester City
Football regulator chair insists he will resign if politically pressured over Manchester City Concern had been raised that the proximity of Manchester City's ownership to the Abu Dhabi state could trigger a political intervention by the UK government.
Football regulator chair insists he will resign if politically pressured over Manchester City
Concern had been raised that the proximity of Manchester City’s ownership to the Abu Dhabi state could trigger a political intervention by the UK government.
FIFA reportedly allowed ineligible DR Congo player in 2026 World Cup
FIFA reportedly allowed ineligible DR Congo player in 2026 World Cup 4 MIN READ Sports By Paul MacInnes FIFA, the world football governing body, allowed the Democratic Republic of Congo to compete in this year’s World Cup hosted by Canada, the USA and Mexico, despite reports that an internal investigation found the country fielded an ineligible player in qualifying. The player in question, goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, starred for DR Congo at the tournament, including against England in the last 32.
Bruno Guimarães completes Arsenal comeback to end Leeds' unbeaten run
Arsenal built the foundations of their new success on a desire for competition, an appetite for battle. But what happens when that spirit is insufficient, when your opponents play just as hard as you do? Well, then you bring on Bruno Guimarães and you play even harder. Arsenal had just snatched an equaliser against a dominant Leeds side when Mikel Arteta introduced his key summer signing.
Bruno Guimarães completes Arsenal comeback to end Leeds’ unbeaten run
Arsenal came back from a goal down to defeat strong opponents and reset their form after a lengthy international break. The Gunners were not great against Leeds, and the defence continues to look more vulnerable than last season, but the impact from their bench and the belief that roared through the team after they forced an equaliser suggested they have acquired the resilience of champions.
Bruno Guimarães completes Arsenal comeback to end Leeds’ unbeaten run
Bruno Guimaraes shows his delight after scoring Arsenal’s winner against Leeds. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Arsenal came back from a goal down to defeat strong opponents and reset their form after a lengthy international break.
Fifa reportedly allowed DR Congo into World Cup despite ineligible player in qualifying
Lionel Mpasi played a key role for the Democratic Republic of the Congo at this summer’s World Cup. Photograph: Daniel Becerril/Reuters Fifa allowed the Democratic Republic of the Congo to compete at this summer’s World Cup despite reports suggesting an internal investigation found that the country had fielded an ineligible player in qualifying. The player in question, the goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, starred for his nation at the tournament, including against England in the last 32.
Fifa reportedly allowed DR Congo into World Cup despite ineligible player in qualifying
Lionel Mpasi played a key role for the Democratic Republic of the Congo at this summer's World Cup. Photograph: Daniel Becerril/Reuters
Fifa reportedly allowed DR Congo into World Cup despite ineligible player in qualifying Original
Fifa reportedly allowed DR Congo into World Cup despite ineligible player in qualifying Lionel Mpasi played a key role for the Democratic Republic of the Congo at this summer's World Cup. Photograph: Daniel Becerril/Reuters Fifa allowed the Democratic Republic of the Congo to compete at this summer's World Cup despite reports suggesting an internal investigation found that the country had fielded an ineligible player in qualifying.
UEFA investigating allegation Israel player spat at Ireland coach
Uefa has launched an investigation into claims a member of the Republic of Ireland coaching staff was spat at during the heated Nations League encounter with Israel on Sunday. The European governing body has confirmed that post-match reports submitted by match officials “contained an allegation of an incident in or around the tunnel at half-time” and that it will be the subject of a disciplinary investigation “regarding potential misconducts from player(s)”.
Uefa investigating allegation Israel player spat at Ireland coach
Israel and Ireland met behind closed doors in Serbia on Sunday. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Uefa has launched an investigation into claims a member of the Republic of Ireland coaching staff was spat at during the heated Nations League encounter with Israel on Sunday.
Disguised funding and dishonest witnesses: key findings in Manchester City case Original
The independent commission's "core decision" is a 40-page document which appears to confirm the worst interpretation of Manchester City's behaviour. Central to the finding that the club were guilty of all charges of breaching the Premier League's financial rules is the conclusion that City's lucrative sponsorship arrangements were "shams". When a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, bought the club in 2008 he set out "ambitious plans" for City.
Manchester City guilty over Premier League charges after £900m of ‘sham’ contracts
The Premier League has confirmed Manchester City have been found guilty of all charges of breaching its financial rules over a nine-year period, with the club found to have boosted their income by a staggering amount of more than £900m.
Ireland's comfortable win over Israel cannot dispel controversy
Football and politics are inseparable in the modern world, no matter how many people wish they were not. But whether the beautiful game can ease the ills of our age is another matter. After a week in which the issue of Irish support for the people of Gaza had turned this fixture into a battle of conscience, the outcome of this underwhelming match ultimately felt inconsequential. In the end the result was indeed a walkover, just not because of a boycott.
Republic of Ireland's Gavin Bazunu boycotts Israel match as a person of principle
The Republic of Ireland will fulfil their fixture against Israel in Hungary on Sunday night, but only after lengthy deliberations between the players resulted in a “significant majority” voting to play. The Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, however, will not be involved, after pulling out in protest.
Republic of Ireland’s Gavin Bazunu boycotts Israel match ‘as a person of principle’ Original
Republic of Ireland’s Gavin Bazunu boycotts Israel match ‘as a person of principle’ The Republic of Ireland head coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson (left), and the FAI CEO, David Courell, confer during the delayed press conference. Photograph: Ben McShane/Sportsfile/Getty Images The Republic of Ireland will fulfil their fixture against Israel in Hungary on Sunday night, but only after lengthy deliberations between the players resulted in a "significant majority" voting to play.
Manchester City verdict: What happens next, will club appeal and could they be relegated?
What happens next? Manchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of the 134 disciplinary charges brought against them by the Premier League. In keeping with the history of this explosive case which has been conducted exclusively in private and with every party sworn to secrecy, there is a lot we don't know. We do not even have an official confirmation that the three-person judicial panel has reached a verdict on the case.
Manchester City verdict: what happens next, will club appeal and could they be relegated?
Updated Sat, September 26, 2026 at 7:01 AM UTC There could be a long way to go before we know if the sun truly has set on Manchester City’s era of Premier League dominance.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Manchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of the 134 disciplinary charges brought against them by the Premier League.
Israel's match with Republic of Ireland will be an eerie occasion as political debate rages on
The match is being played in a neutral country and the stands are likely to be empty but Sunday's Nations League fixture between Israel and the Republic of Ireland will nonetheless have the eyes of the world upon it. Since February's draw paired the sides against each other, voices across Irish society have demanded a boycott of the match.
Manchester City found guilty of breaking Premier League's financial fair play rules
Manchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of more than a hundred charges related to breaches of the Premier League's financial rules, throwing English football into turmoil. The serial champions now face the possibility of being relegated from the Premier League, or expelled from the competition altogether, after a verdict in the biggest disciplinary case in the history of the sport was finally delivered.
Everything you need to know about Manchester City’s hearing and charges
; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Everything you need to know about Manchester City’s hearing and charges
Updated Fri, September 25, 2026 at 4:36 PM UTC The hearing into Manchester City’s alleged breaches of competition rules begins on Monday.Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA An independent panel have found Manchester City guilty on almost all of more than a 100 charges of breaking Premier League competition rules between the seasons 2009-10 and 2022-23. The panel found they had acted in bad faith and broken numerous rules over financial fair play.
Everything you need to know about Manchester City’s hearing and charges
What has happened? An independent panel has found Manchester City guilty on almost all of more than a 100 charges of breaking Premier League competition rules between the seasons 2009-10 and 2022-23. The panel found they had acted in bad faith and broken numerous rules over financial fair play. City, meanwhile, say the process is continuing and it is understood the club intend to appeal against the guilty verdict. Was this the result of 'Football Leaks'?
Manchester City found guilty of breaking Premier League’s financial fair play rules
Manchester City face substantial sanctions from the Premier League after an independent panel found they had acted in bad faith and broken numerous rules over financial fair play. The Premier League did not issue a statement but sources confirmed to the Guardian that City had been found guilty on almost all of more than 100 charges. City are surprised at the timing of the news because they say the process is ongoing.
Slip sliding away: football season-ticket holders fear falling down pecking order
Slip sliding away: football season-ticket holders fear falling down pecking order Manchester United fans protest against the banning of season ticket holders, which has worsened an already fractious relationship between club and supporters. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters The document known as "the oldest football season ticket in the world" promises its bearer access to every Burnley home game of the 1884-85 season.
De Zerbi rips into Spurs players after Villa defeat: 'Disappointed, sad and frustrated'
Roberto De Zerbi tore into his failing Tottenham team after their 3-2 defeat by Aston Villa, saying “we can't lose the game in this way”. The Italian headed straight down the tunnel at full time, but was once again forced to endure boos as Tottenham went into the three-week international break without a Premier League victory to their name and just two points on the board.
Aston Villa grab victory despite late Spurs goals as De Zerbi's side are booed off
Spurs have a remarkable ability to find new ways of inflicting pain on their fanbase and they did it again on Saturday, petering out from a strong start into humiliating defeat. On the upside, they did get two goals. They were both late consolations, but beggars can't be choosers. Aston Villa were ruthless after capitalising in first-half added time to take the lead while Spurs were temporarily down to 10 men.
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