Football minnows’ world cup kicks off

FOOTIE’S ultimate underdogs will go head-to-head this summer.

But even the biggest fan would struggle to recognise some of the teams at the Confederation of Independent Football Associations’ World Football Cup.

The CONIFA tournament for areas and groups FIFA does not recognise will include sides from Yorkshire and the Isle of Man.

The Sweden-based international football federation is for states, de facto states, regions, minority groups and what they call “sportsisolated territories”.

A team from Abkhazia, a disputed territory on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, are the reigning champions.

Among the others hoping to win the tournament, which starts in London on May 31, are Tibet, Barawa – a town in Somalia – and Kabylia, a region of northern Algeria.

Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) kick off the Paddy Powersponsored cup against Canadian and American bioregion, Cascadia at Sutton United’s ground in south London.

CONIFA President PerAnders Blind said: “Both CONIFA and Paddy Power have reputations for doing things differently, and we are excited about collaborating with them to deliver an incredible celebration of football, culture and international understanding in London.”

THE Orkneys have been voted Britain’s best rural place to live for two years running.

The latest survey by Halifax put Rutland in the East Midlands in second place.

It was followed by Wychavon in the West Midlands in third.