REPORTS WE COULDN’T MAKE UP
1 New record for old-timer
At 51 years of age, George Weah became the oldest man to play international football – on the same day that his teenage son, Timothy Weah, was capped by the USA.
Weah senior, a former World Footballer of the Year, is now president of Liberia and he made a shock return to action as his country lost 2-1 to Nigeria in a friendly that had been arranged to mark the retirement of the number 14 shirt that he famously wore during his career.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Timothy was in the starting line-up as the United States beat Mexico 1-0.
2 Harry’s too Hot to Handle
The man behind Watford’s mascot, Harry the Hornet, resigned from the role after being strongly criticised by Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
Speaking before the two sides met at Vicarage Road in the Premier League this season, Hodgson took issue with what he called Harry’s “disgraceful” provocation of Wilfried Zaha in 2016.
Zaha, who has been an unpopular figure with Watford fans since winning the decisive penalty in the 2013 Championship play-off, was mocked by the Watford mascot, who dived in front of him after the final whistle last season.
Harry, aka Gareth Evans, says: “I have officially stepped away from being the match-day mascot at Watford.
“My decision. Proud of what I have achieved, the memories made and the experiences I’ve had. I was privileged and now heavy hearted also. Love you Harry!”
3 A different kind of draw
There were a couple of very odd pairings in a Scottish Challenge Cup third round draw – neither featuring a club from Scotland.
This season’s competition is open to guest teams from the top tiers in Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, as well as English clubs from the National League, which is one tier below the Football League.
Third-round pairings include Connah’s Quay Nomads (Wal) v Coleraine (NI) and Bohemians (NI) v Sutton United (Eng).
4 Basic error
Bordeaux’s Toma Basic is unable to play in his side’s Europa League group games because the French club forgot to include him in their squad list.
Signed from Hajduk Split in August, the 21-year-old was the victim of what club president Stephane Martin called “an administrative error”.
5 sofa, so good
Holland’s Wesley Sneijder ended his 15-year, 134-cap international career sat on a sofa, in the middle of the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, watching TV with his wife and family.
The 34-year-old midfielder played 62 minutes of his country’s 2-1 victory over Peru and then returned to the pitch after the game had finished to watch pre-recorded messages from former team-mates and coaches.