HEROES & VILLAINS
TROMSO IL
Having already taken a leading role in the protests against the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Norwegian club made another statement highlighting their human rights concerns with their latest kit release. Designed in collaboration with Amnesty International, the new shirt is the first in the world to feature a QR code that, when scanned, will direct users to a website that details the working conditions in Qatar. Malcolm Bidali, a former migrant worker who was arrested in Qatar, helped promote the shirt.
BRENTFORD
The Premier League club have announced that they will be keeping this season’s home kit for another year. The practice of releasing new strips every season has been widely criticised, for its impact on both the environment and fans’ pockets. “Fans have told us that they would be in favour of the savings,” said club CEO Jon Varney. The hope is that Brentford’s decision will set a new trend among other clubs.
SERBIA
As if their dramatic late win against Portugal wasn’t heroic enough, Serbia’s players then donated their entire win bonus to charity. Before the game, Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic promised the players €1m if they secured their place in Qatar but, after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 90th-minute winner, the players chose instead to send the money to help treat sick children.
LEAM RICHARDSON
The Wigan manager was widely praised for saving one of his players’ lives after performing CPR during training. After striker Charlie Wyke suffered a cardiac arrest, Richardson acted quickly, allowing club doctor Jonathan Tobin (who also helped resuscitate Fabrice Muamba in 2012) to fully resuscitate the 28-year-old. After Euro 2020, charity Resuscitation Council UK urged people to learn how to perform CPR.
FPF
The Portuguese Football Federation came under fire after a league match between Belenenses and Benfica descended into complete farce. Despite a COVID outbreak for the hosts that forced them to field just nine players, including goalkeeper Joao Monteiro in midfield, no FPF decision was forthcoming on a postponement. After Benfica had taken a 7-0 half-time lead, the match was abandoned in the second half as injuries reduced Belenenses to six players.
MARKUS ANFANG
The German resigned from his role as Werder Bremen coach after allegations he used a forged coronavirus vaccination certificate. In an official statement released by the club, Anfang said: “Because of the extreme stress caused to the club, the team, my family and myself, I have decided to immediately step down from my role.”
MOHAMED ABOUTRIKA
Kick It Out condemned Qatari broadcasters beIN Sport after pundit Aboutrika embarked on a homophobic tirade about the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, describing homosexuality as “against human nature.” beIN insisted in a statement that they “represent, champion and support people, causes and interests of every single background, language and cultural heritage.”
LYON FANS
The Ligue 1 club have been forced to install protective nets around the stadium after Marseille’s Dimitri Payet was struck on the head by home fans in November, after which the game was abandoned. Lyon installed the netting at the Groupama Stadium “reluctantly” in order to protect players. Payet was also at the centre of a pitch invasion at Nice, and has met with fans of his own club to remind them of the costs of throwing projectiles at players.