Premier League
JURGEN KLOPP, PEP GUARDIOLA COMMEND ‘HEADS-UP CAMPAIGN’ AHEAD OF COMMUNITY SHIELD MATCH
Sunday’s FA Community Shield clash between Liverpool and Manchester City will kick-off the Heads Up campaign and a season of activities aimed at driving the biggest ever conversation on mental health.
Launched with Heads Together and spearheaded by The FA president, The Duke of Cambridge, the initiative will harness the influence and popularity of football to help show the nation that we all have mental health and it’s just as important as physical health.
According to The FA, rival managers Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have both commended the campaign as they prepare to face each other again ahead of the new term.
“It’s so important, all over the world as well,” said Klopp, whose Liverpool side are in the Shield after finishing second behind Premier League and Emirates FA Cup winners City.
“I’m not an expert, but it seems to me to be an illness that doesn’t discriminate. It effects all ages, all genders, all backgrounds, all incomes and wealths, all nationalities.
“It’s a big issue but an issue where we can find a solution. People can seek help and the help is there. If this game helps more people realise that it’s something any one of us could suffer that’s good – because people should not feel embarrassed about illness.
“It’s very much an issue in professional sport as well as the other walks of life. As a coach and manager, I care about all issues that affect my players and staff. As a husband, parent and friend, I care about the issues of the people in my personal life.
“I do know as a society we have to keep pushing the message that asking for help when you need it is the most important step you can take.”
Guardiola was equally wholesome in his praise for the campaign, as he brings his team back to Wembley following their Emirates FA Cup Final victory over Watford in May.
“There’s no doubt there is a stigma that still exists
when we talk about mental health and that needs to change,” said the
former Barcelona boss.
“I want to live in a society where mental health is considered as
important as physical health, and initiatives like Heads Up are a great way of
achieving that.
“I hope everyone takes time to think about those close to them who have
suffered in silence, and let’s try and find a way of making the conversation
around mental health more open and honest. It’s the only way we will move
forward.
“Everyone at Manchester City backs the Heads Up campaign and I want to
personally thank the FA and the Heads Together charity led by The Duke of
Cambridge for the work you are doing.”
The launch moment will be marked during Sunday’s pre-match ceremony, when a short film by The Duke of Cambridge will introduce Heads Up and encourage both sets of fans to join in the singing of the clubs’ anthems, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and ‘Blue Moon’.
The singing will be led by two community choirs – iChoir from Liverpool and Bee Vocal from Manchester – who were both created to support mental wellbeing and to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
The campaign will strive to raise awareness, spark conversation and signpost support for those in need, with a crisis text support service established.
If a fan wants immediate support they can also text ‘HeadsUp’ to 85258 to connect with a trained crisis volunteer, who will chat to them by text message, sharing only what feels comfortable, and help them through the moment, working together on a plan for longer-term support.
This service is available 24/7 and free to text from most mobile networks. It is run by ‘Shout’ and powered by Crisis Text Line.
England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
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Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
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Premier League
Manchester United climb to third in Premier League table with come-from-behind win over Palace
Manchester United produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2–1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with captain Bruno Fernandes inspiring the turnaround that lifted the hosts into third place in the Premier League standings.
Trailing inside four minutes after a dominant start by Palace, United responded through a Fernandes penalty before his pinpoint free-kick was headed home by Benjamin Sesko to seal victory against the 10-man visitors.
The win extended interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run to seven matches since taking charge in mid-January. United now have 51 points from 28 games and are unbeaten since the January 5 dismissal of Ruben Amorim, climbing into third for the first time since May 2023. Palace remain 14th on 35 points.
“It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “There are a lot of games to go still, and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”
Palace, under Oliver Glasner, were electric in the opening half hour, capitalising on sluggish United play. Defender Maxence Lacroix powered home a header from a corner after muscling past Leny Yoro, scoring the earliest goal United have conceded this season.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage when Daniel Munoz latched onto an Ismaila Sarr through ball, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a crucial save.
United gradually found their rhythm before the break. Sesko forced Dean Henderson into action with a header from a Fernandes cross, and the Palace keeper also tipped a Fernandes free kick over the bar.
The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. Following a lengthy VAR review, Lacroix was shown a red card, reducing Palace to 10 men.
Eight minutes later, Fernandes’ delivery again proved decisive as Sesko rose highest to nod home the winning goal.
United pushed for a third, with Casemiro’s volley drawing a diving save from Henderson and substitute Amad Diallo testing the keeper from distance in stoppage time. Joshua Zirkzee saw efforts blocked, while Kobbie Mainoo’s fierce strike drifted narrowly wide.
Carrick praised his team’s resilience. “The biggest thing for us to take from the game is really the first time that we have been in that situation going in at halftime,” he said. “Being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and belief… to then come back as we did in the second half is the biggest thing for me today.”
Palace pressed late but could not find an equaliser. Glasner admitted his side had let the game slip. “It feels like there was more possible today. A great first 30 minutes, but the red card changed it completely. The second goal just happened too quickly.”
For United, the victory reinforces growing belief under Carrick that a top-four finish—and a return to Europe’s elite competition—is firmly within reach.
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