Denmark's Shirty Protest 💩

Good Afternoon football fans,

Today we bring you...

• News from the international break 🗺️

• Denmark’s shirty protest 💩

• Derby Weekend 🥊

Headlines from the International Break 🗺️

Here's some stories that you may have missed over the international break:

• Through standard affiliate practices, Football League clubs have been taking a cut of gamblers’ losses with SkyBet further highlighting the need for more regulation when it comes to football sponsorships and betting companies. We suggest following The Big Step online, a campaign to end all gambling advertising & sponsorship in football, led by people harmed by gambling.

• Uefa are already planning to abandon their plans for a 32-team European Championship (this would mean that only 12 countries in Europe wouldn’t be competing in the tournament) so we can now expect 24 teams for Euro 2028.

• Two weeks ago, German police raided the residence of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov as he is suspected of tax evasion and money laundering. Usmanov was a long-time associate and partner of Everton owner Farhad Moshiri until earlier this year where they cut ties due to the ongoing sanctions put on Usmanov because of the war in Ukraine.

• Algeria and Morocco have always had a strained relationship (sharing a 2,000 km border, since independence from French colonial rule) and now a complaint from Morocco's Ministry of Culture demanded that the Algerian national team kit is changed due to cultural appropriation and "an attempt to steal a form of Moroccan cultural heritage and use it outside its context". Adidas said the design was inspired by the Mechouar Palace in Algeria. Hard to hate on the kit tho.

Denmark’s Shirty Protest 💩

Whilst superficial in its nature, Denmark and Hummel have provided us with the most impactful public stand against the Qatar World Cup with their shirty protest toning down all the details on their kits, citing not wanting to be “visible during a tournament that has cost thousands of people their lives”.

As with all corporate stands, not everyone was convinced. Opinions ranged from PR stunt to sell more shirts (likely to happen), virtue signalling (anything positive someone does is anyway) to genuine approval…

@Sportingintel said:

It certainly ruffled some feathers with Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy hitting back at Hummel, denying the company's claims.

“We dispute Hummel’s claim that this tournament has cost thousands of people their lives”.Last year the Guardian revealed that 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since World Cup awarded.

This is all off the back of a British travel industry executive, hired to boost Qatar’s tourism trade for the World Cup, dying in unexplained circumstances after telling friends that he had been detained and tortured by the country’s secret police.

The Times have a detailed thread on the situation which says that this all came about after the above-mentioned executive was arrested in October 2019 after he resigned and was considering a job offer from a Saudi travel firm.

One ex-colleague claimed his resignation was regarded as a “massive insult”.We mentioned last week the people taking a stand against the tournament and the people collecting a check.

• Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy’s full statement can be read here.

• Amnesty International Report - Qatar: Thousands of migrant worker deaths remain uninvestigated

• Sport’s Pro Media: How Hummel’s Denmark kit will keep human rights in the conversation during the Qatar World Cup by Sam Carp

Premier League Table 🏆

Today's Games ⚽

Derby weekend brings us both, the North London Derby, and the smaller Manchester Derby, where once upon a time Manchester United fans wanted to get beat by City in order for Liverpool to lose the title.

We start at the Emirates where Arsenal (1st) still have some points to prove since their loss to United, with critics not convinced with the performances that have held them up at the top of the table early on in the season. Spurs (3rd), with an equally impressive start, have the opportunity to leapfrog Arsenal into 1st space with a win at the Emirates today. Both teams have benefitted this season from their new Brazilian recruits with Jesus contributing to 7 G/A and Richarlison’s work rate being a main driving force for Spurs’ early success this season in the Prem and in Europe.

After a slow start, Bournemouth have taken 5 points from their last 3 games since parting ways with Scott Parker. Brentford (9th) on the other hand, in their second season in the Premier League, have the look and feel of a club that’s been in the Premier League for decades. Games like this will decide if they can make themselves top-10 contenders.

Graham Potter takes charge of his first Prem game for Chelsea (7th) this afternoon against Palace (16th). Potter is looking to usher in a new era of relationships between the club owners and the club coach. Only Jose Mourinho, twice, has ever got beyond the two-year milestone at Chelsea since Roman Abramovich took over the club.

Given the Newcastle takeover, and Fulham’s recent history in the Premier League, Fulham (6th) would not have expected to find themselves above Newcastle and in the top 6 in October. The on-form Mitrovic (6 goals in 7 games) and impressive performances all season mean they’ve rightfully earned that spot. Newcastle (10th), not sitting on their laurels, confirmed the signing of Garang Kuol, the highly rated 18-year-old Australia international, who will join in January from Central Coast Mariners.

Klopp is likely to have a strengthened squad with Konate potentially back in the line-up today. Liverpool (8th) are already playing catch-up and will see today’s game against Brighton (4th) as the perfect opportunity to gain some points on City who play United tomorrow. Robert De Zerbi takes his first game in charge in the Prem. The coach, described as “a little genius” received helping hands from Guardiola and Bielsa in his coaching journey. He’s going to need help from everywhere to keep Brighton on the path that Potter set them on. Everton (13th) have been fined £300,000 for their pitch invasion at the end of last season against Crystal Palace. They take on Southampton (14th) at St Mary’s.

West Ham (18th), who have recently hired Mark Noble to take on the Sporting Director role from January, take on Wolves (17th), whose fans will look forward to the opportunity to see Diego Costa causing trouble up front.

• Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Sunday's Games ⚽

United (5th), off the back of a POTM winner and a MOTM award, will be looking to continue their four match winning run against their noisy neighbours.

Jonathan Liew discusses how although City and United grab the attention, that region of the country has a rich tapestry of footballing heritage slowly being eroded.

David Ornstein joined Rio Ferdinand’s podcast to discuss the Manchester Derby including the Harry Maguire issue, Man City vs Man Utd recruitment, Sancho form & #Qatar2022 hopes, Pep Guardiola status and future.

Jesse Marsch has settled well at Leeds (11th) since keeping them up last season. Two wins, two draws, and two losses in his first 6 games is a ratio that will comfortably keep the Yorkshire club up this season. Aston Villa (15th) and Steven Gerrard were under continuous pressure prior to their victory against Southampton on the previous matchday. A win against Leeds can put them in the top 10 and drastically change the narrative around the club.

Competition Time 🎁

The competition winner for September will be emailed this evening. Don't forget to share (below) the WU with friends to increase your chances for October's competition

As always, thanks for reading.

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