Wednesday, 8 July 2026
ICONIC ROADSIDE FAN DIDI THE DEVIL ROBBED AT TOUR DE FRANCE START IN BARCELONA
Ham, cheese, a comb and a toothbrush amongst objects purloined by thieves after devil's van window smashed
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| Image credit: Getty Images) |
On és el diable? Where's the Devil? If sharp-eyed Tour de France TV viewers were wondering why Didi 'The Devil', for over three decades one of the race's most famous and longstanding fans, could not be seen on this year's stage 1 in Barcelona, the answer was that he was standing guard over his campervan, which had been broken into and robbed.
Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia reported on Wednesday that Dieter 'Didi' Senft, the German inventor and designer who has become famous for his Tour roadside alter ego of 'The Devil', had been the victim of a robbery in the city, causing him to miss out on stage 1 completely.
Rather than watch the team time trial, Senft, 74, felt it best to keep watch over his damaged campervan – new and perhaps unsurprisingly, given the occupant, painted black – after the co-pilot's side window was smashed, and then report the incident to police. (He later posted "A big thank you to [impromptu translators] Faline and Greg for interpreting at the police station.")
In some reports, the Catalan thieves' ill-gotten gains from El diable were marginal at best, comprising a mobile mini-fridge full of ham and cheese, a toothbrush and a comb and a loudspeaker.
However, as Senft ruefully posted later on, "much more has already been stolen—and it’s only noon. It’s a rough area here in Barcelona."
Even though his famous toasting fork, used to wave at riders, was not amongst the objects stolen, Senft nonetheless had to miss the whole of stage 1. He later explained he had covered up the hole in the window with a "devilishly elegant red cloth."
With the incident firmly in his rear-view mirror, subsequent social media posts showed Senft had returned safe and sound to the Tour for stages 2 and 3 in the Pyrenees, even feeling relaxed enough to chill his feet by soaking them in a conveniently located mountain river.
Curiously enough, the Pyrenees were where Senft first put in an appearance, on the stage won by former Colombian cycling great Oliverio Rincón with a long breakaway to Andorra, back in 1993.
Then as now, Senft appeared on TV next to fans and yelling wildly at the riders as they passed by on another day of scorching heat – though arguably not as warm as his usual, non-summer, residence.
- Alasdair Fotheringham
TELEGRAPH VIEW GIANNI INFANTINO MUST GO
The Fifa president has further diminished the reputation of an organisation that had already become a byword for sleaze
Millions of England football fans will have woken bleary-eyed today after spending the small hours watching the national team defeat Mexico in the cauldron of their legendary stadium, the Azteca. Now, Norway awaits in the quarter finals as the country begins once again to tempt fate by believing the first World Cup triumph in 60 years is on the cards.
The win this morning was all the more remarkable given that England were reduced to 10 men for a quarter of the game after their defender Jarell Quansah was sent off. The rules dictate that he will miss at least the next game and maybe more for a reckless challenge.
But it would appear these rules are not hard and fast. Folarin Balogun, a US striker rated among the team’s best players, was shown a red card in the host’s last match, yet he will be available to play in the quarter finals against Belgium. Why? Because President Trump contacted Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, and secured his agreement to lift what should be an automatic one-match ban. No reasonable explanation for the move was provided. Mr Trump boasted openly about his influence and thanked Fifa for “reversing a great injustice”.
But if the ban can be lifted for Balogun why not for Quansah? This show of apparent favouritism to the host country is astonishing; others are entitled to demand similar treatment. Moreover, what if Balogun now scores the winner against Belgium?
So far it has been a great tournament with packed stadiums, excellent football and several upsets, not least Brazil’s elimination at the hands of the Norwegians. But this scandal threatens to tarnish what might otherwise have been a signal success for America. Mr Infantino has further diminished the reputation of an organisation that had already become a byword for sleaze under his predecessor Sepp Blatter. He should resign.
- Telegraph View
JORDAN HENDERSON'S DAD REVEALS GRIM DETAILS OF ENGLAND STAR'S INJURY AFTER FREAK ACCIDENT AT WORLD CUP
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| Jordan Henderson suffered a broken arm after slipping off an advertising board (Getty) |
Jordan Henderson’s dad has revealed that the England midfielder’s arm is ‘completely smashed’ following his freak accident after the 3-2 win over Mexico at the World Cup.
England sealed their place in the World Cup quarter-final with a thrilling victory at Azteca Stadium as Jude Bellingham struck twice while Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot.
However, England’s win was overshadowed by Henderson’s injury, which he suffered during the team’s celebrations in the immediate aftermath of the game.
After celebrating with England’s travelling supporters, Henderson slipped while jumping over an advertising board and suffered a broken radius after he landed awkwardly.
The former Liverpool captain, who now plays for Brentford, left the pitch on a stretcher and was given oxygen, while he will now miss the remainder of England’s World Cup campaign as he requires surgery.
Henderson’s father, Brian Henderson, insists the midfielder will remain with England’s squad for the remainder of the tournament, despite being unable to play.
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| Jordan Henderson left the pitch on a stretcher after England’s 3-2 win against Mexico (PA Wire) |
At first I just thought he’d fallen, I thought he’d maybe scraped his wrist,’ Brian told the Daily Mail.
‘I had no idea it was that serious until they were interviewing Harry Kane and a trolley came past with Jordan on it. I could see him on there with oxygen and things.
‘Straight away, I messaged his PA, who was over there, to try and find out what had happened. I was up all night waiting to hear the news. It’s just a waiting game now.
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| Jordan Henderson with his father Brian Henderson after Liverpool’s win in the Champions League final in 2019 (Shutterstock) |
‘It’s his left forearm, he’s just completely smashed it. He’s going to have a cast on and then it depends on what the experts say.
‘He won’t be leaving his teammates. He’ll be there until it’s finished.’
In his first message to fans since the injury, Henderson praised England’s ‘incredible’ display and thanked supporters for their messages.
‘A night to remember that’s for sure!’ Henderson wrote.
‘What an incredible performance against all the different challenges. So proud to be a part of this special team.
‘Thanks for all the support, another big one Saturday.’
Meanwhile, England defender Marc Guehi says Henderson is now in ‘a better place’ after his accident.
‘Hendo’s good,’ Guehi said on England’s Lion’s Den programme on Tuesday.
‘He’s in a better place than he was yesterday.
‘It was obviously scary for him and his family and for everyone else, but we’re just glad that he’s on the road to a speedy recovery.’
- Chris Davie
FIFA CONTINUED CRITICISM OF OFFICIATING HAS ONE MORE AS ALL ARGENTINA MATCH OFFICIALS SELECTED FOR FRANCE VS. MOROCCO
FIFA are facing a new storm with their match officials selection for France’s next match against Morocco causing a stir.
That’s because the referee Facundo Tello, and his three assistants, are all Argentinian.
France are arguably Argentina’s biggest rivals to win the World Cup and many believe it is an outrage that FIFA has selected Tello and co.
COLOMBIA STAR TAKE SWIPE AT FIFA AFTER A PAINFUL WORLD CUP EXIT
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| Colombia fell short against Switzerland but was it a level playing field? (Picture: Getty Images) |
Colombia’s Jhon Arias says teams were not ‘competing on equal terms’ after a painful penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland in the last 16 of the World Cup.
In one of the least memorable games of the tournament, Switzerland edged into the quarter-finals after a goalless draw.
Davinson Sanchez and Cucho Hernandez both missed from the spot for Colombia, allowing Ruben Vargas to score the winning penalty for the Swiss.
They will go on to face Argentina in the quarter-finals, while Colombia head home frustrated with the scheduling of their matches.
Tuesday’s match was in Vancouver after they had beaten Ghana in the last 32 in Kansas City.
Colombia’s group games were held in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Miami, meaning all five matches were in different cities.
In contrast, Switzerland played their first two matches of the World Cup in Santa Clara and Inglewood (both in California), before three games on the spin in Vancouver.
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| Jhon Arias says ‘that’s how this industry works’ (Picture: Getty Images) |
While not wishing to make excuses, Arias pointed out that it was hardly a level playing field.
‘It’s difficult to answer because I could be punished, but that’s how this industry works,’ the former Wolves midfielder said, via ESPN.
‘We don’t all compete on equal terms, but that’s not a new problem. It doesn’t end here, it continues and the trend is for it to get worse. That’s how football works, it’s nothing new. We have to compete wherever we are.
‘Obviously, traveling to three countries affected my physical condition, but that’s not an excuse.’
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| Colombia conceded just one goal at the World Cup (Picture: Getty Images) |
The 28-year-old, who now plays for Palmeiras, also looked at what his country could do differently, in what was a solid World Cup performance, but not what they had hoped for.
‘It’s inexplicable. Unfortunately, we were once again knocked out, and with this bitter taste,’ he said. ‘We had enormous hope and believed we could make it to the final day, but something was missing, because we’re leaving the World Cup prematurely, in the round of 16.
‘With a cool head, we had a good World Cup, but that’s not enough. That’s football. We leave with a bad taste in our mouths, but also with the certainty that there are things we need to adjust and correct. We are on a path that can bring us great achievements in the future, because we already deserve it.
‘We all want the same thing: to win and conquer important titles with the national team, because our people deserve it. They always support us, show confidence, create hope, and in the end we always leave empty-handed.
‘Hopefully this will serve to provoke a change in the national team, because it’s enough that we’ve been at the door and haven’t made it to the last day . I firmly believe that God has great things in store for us, but we still need to do everything humanly possible to get there.’
Switzerland progress to face Argentina on Saturday in Kansas City.
- Phil Haigh
EGYPT COACH HASSAN BLASTS REFEREEING AND TURNS BACK ON WORLD CUP 'UNJUST' DEFEAT
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| Egypt coach Hossam Hassan reacts during the game Buda Mendes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP / Profimedia |
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan will not be watching any more of the World Cup, he said on Tuesday, blaming refereeing errors for his country's heartbreaking elimination from the tournament at the hands of Argentina.
Egypt were 2-0 up with 11 minutes left of their last 16 clash against the holders Argentina, agonisingly close to one of the great World Cup upsets, only to concede three goals in the closing stages and go out.
They were picked apart at the end of the game by a Lionel Messi-inspired comeback, but Hassan insisted his team were better.
"I'm going home and won't be watching any more games from the tournament," he told a press conference.
"What happened to us wasn't fair. We should have had a penalty, a goal was disallowed, and I don't know why it was disallowed."
Egypt netted in the 62nd minute through Mostafa Zico, but a VAR check found there was a foul from the Egyptians in the buildup.
They also claimed a late penalty after a tug on Hamdy Fathy, and their anger was exacerbated by Argentina going down the other end and scoring a 92nd-minute winner.
"Even if the goals came from mistakes, the biggest mistake is not getting what you're entitled to from those responsible for making the decisions," said Hassan, whose press conference was a long litany of complaints.
"I'm the type of person who hates losing. And when it's a defeat that feels unjust like today's, I can only tell the fans not to be upset. We wanted so much to give them more joy," he added.
"But what made me happy was that my players followed the game plan on many occasions and worked very well."
Egypt had been surprisingly attacking early on in the game, a departure from Hassan's usual tactic of playing with a tight defence and looking for counter-attack opportunities.
It helped them take an early lead, but it was the heroics of goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir that ensured they remained in front by halftime.
"I'm very, very satisfied with the effort they put in. Most of our players come from the Egyptian domestic league, while many players in other national teams are based in Europe and live in that professional environment," Hassan added.
"Yet with predominantly local players - besides Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush - we were able to compete with anyone."
- Reuters
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
BELGIUM THRASH HOST USA 4-1 TO REACH FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUARTER-FINALS
SEATTLE – Belgium secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after crushing the United States 4-1 in their Round of 16 clash, eliminating the host nation from the tournament.
Belgium took an early lead in the ninth minute through Charles De Ketelaere. The United States responded in the 31st minute when Tillman found the net to level the score at 1-1. However, Belgium restored their advantage just two minutes later as De Ketelaere scored his second goal of the match, giving his side a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Belgium extended their lead 12 minutes into the second half when Vina Ken capitalized on an error by the American goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Despite trailing by two goals, the United States continued to push forward in search of a comeback, but they were unable to break through Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who produced a series of important saves.
Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku sealed Belgium’s victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time, confirming a convincing 4-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals.
The match followed controversy surrounding US forward Folarin Balogun. Reports said Balogun received a red card during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 and was handed a one-match suspension under FIFA regulations.
Ahead of the Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 7, his suspension was lifted following a recommendation from US President Donald Trump, a decision that sparked controversy.
Despite Balogun’s availability, the United States was unable to avoid elimination.
- Muhammad Mahmood
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ CONDEMNS 'DESPICABLE' PARAGUAYAN SENATOR OVER VILE RACIST RANT AFTER FRANCE WORLD CUP CLASH
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| France edged out Paraguay to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals (Picture: Getty) |
Kylian Mbappe has hit back after Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla targeted him with a sickening racist attack on social media following France’s 1-0 win at the World Cup.
Mbappe’s 70th-minute penalty proved decisive in Saturday’s bad-tempered last-16 clash between Les Bleus, the two-time winners, and one of the surprise packages of this summer’s tournament in Paraguay.
Paraguay’s physical approach drew widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike, with ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart branding the side’s ugly tactics and gamesmanship an ‘absolute disgrace’.
Before a ball had even been kicked, Paraguayan legend Jose Luis Chilabert had caused uproar with some vile remarks in his homeland, in which he claimed his country were essentially facing an ‘African team’ in Philadelphia.
The unsavoury war of words did not cease once France had safely secured their spot in the quarter-finals, and just days after Chilavert’s outburst, it was Amarilla who made headlines for all the wrong reasons with a shocking rant on X, formerly Twitter.
Reacting to a photograph of Mbappe supposedly celebrating in the face of Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, Amarilla, of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, wrote: ‘The brute didn’t even learn to write.
‘Instead of mother’s milk, he sucked on coconuts, and the most educated thing he heard were chimpanzees.
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| Amarilla suggested Mbappe had been raised by ‘chimpanzees’ in a vile social media outburst (Picture: Getty) |
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| Mbappe is the joint-leading goalscorer at the tournament (Picture: Getty |
‘You should’ve shown him the finger, Orlando Gill; I do it in the senate and nothing happens!!!’
Twenty-four hours on from Amarilla’s despicable rant, a defiant Mbappe issued his response, in which he claimed the politician had overshadowed Paraguay’s achievements at the World Cup with her ‘brazen racism’.
‘Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position,’ Mbappe wrote on X.
‘You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition.
Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.
‘I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.
It comes after the French Football Federation released a statement condemning Chilavert’s pre-match remarks, with the former Paraguay goalkeeper labelled a ‘disgrace’.
‘I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist remarks made by Jose Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in our football,’ FFF president Philippe Diallo said.
‘If he was once a great goalkeeper, this man has now fallen into disgrace.’
France – the 2022 runners-up – will resume their campaign versus Morocco at 9pm BST on Thursday, with a match against one of Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the USA awaiting the victor.
Mbappe is the joint-top scorer at this summer’s tournament alongside Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi, having scored seven goals in his five appearances for Les Bleus.
- Tom Olver
Monday, 6 July 2026
WHY MAX VERSTAPPEN DIDN'T SPEAK TO CRISTIAN HORNER AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX
Max Verstappen speaks "weekly" with former boss Christian Horner, but the pair did not meet ahead of the British Grand Prix
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| Verstappen and Horner had their differences at Red Bull |
Max Verstappen has revealed why he didn't speak with Christian Horner ahead of the British Grand Prix, despite the former Red Bull boss making his long-awaited return to the Formula 1 paddock.
The four-time champion has previously spoken of his continued relationship with his former boss since Horner was relieved of his duties at Red Bull one year ago, but this did not extend to a meeting at Silverstone this weekend.
However, this was not due to any underlying or underplayed animosity between the pair, but was more an issue of timing across what is always a busy weekend.
Asked if he had spoken to Horner on Sunday, Verstappen said: “I speak to Christian almost every week. I saw him on the camera walking around, but I haven't had time to meet anyone, to be honest. It’s just been busy.”
Asked if he was willing to share what the pair discuss in their weekly chats, and if it was just 'normal stuff', Verstappen added: “Yeah. Like you do with your friends, or people that you've known for a long time.”
One year on from Horner's removal, and Verstappen appears to be at his lowest point with Red Bull, as he labelled the rear wing of his car "super-dangerous" following a second crash in as many weeks.
Horner's successor as Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies, has vowed to "leave no stone unturned" in searching for the root issue with the wing, and Verstappen said of the initial debrief of his crash: “He came straight into my room, of course, to discuss the problems that we had in the race, to let me know what happened out there, so yeah. But that's normal, we always do that.”
Dismissing this as nothing other than a normal post-race procedure, however, he added: “But we always do that, good or bad.”
- Sam Hall
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