FIDE VICE PRESIDENT GEORGIOS MAKROPOULOS HAS PASSED AWAY

 

FIDE is deeply saddened by the passing of Georgios Makropoulos, FIDE Vice President, Honorary President of the Greek Chess Federation, International Master, seven-time Greek Champion, and one of the most influential figures in international chess administration over the past four decades.

Born on September 29, 1953, Makropoulos was among Greece’s leading players in the 1970s and 1980s. He won the Greek Championship seven times between 1971 and 1985, represented his country at three Chess Olympiads and the European Team Championship, and earned the International Master title in 1979.

His contribution to chess, however, extended far beyond the board. Few people have been as closely involved in the development and governance of international chess across such a long and transformative period. Georgios Makropoulos devoted much of his life to chess. His knowledge, experience, energy and commitment left a lasting mark on FIDE and on generations of people across the global chess community.

FIDE extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the Greek chess community.

His contribution to our game will be remembered with gratitude and respect.

Rest in peace, Georgios.

- FIDE

ONE PHOTOGH, DECADES OF FORMULA 1 HISTORY

Last weekend’s Historic French Grand Prix became far more than a celebration of classic machinery — it felt like a reunion of the sport’s soul.

Legends from multiple generations gathered together in a moment dripping with nostalgia, from Alain Prost, Mika Häkkinen and Jacques Villeneuve to David Coulthard, Jean Alesi and Mark Webber, among others.

There was emotion everywhere at Circuit Paul Ricard. Pierre Gasly climbed into Jean-Pierre Jabouille’s iconic 1979 Renault RS10, reliving a landmark chapter of French motorsport history with Jabouille’s son, Victor, watching on.

©X/pierregasly

At 82 years old, Jacques Laffite also rolled back the years aboard the Ligier JS11/15 that carried him to victory at Hockenheim nearly five decades ago.

And perhaps most touching of all, the sons of Niki Lauda and Patrick Depailler took to the track in the very cars raced by their fathers – a reminder that Formula 1’s greatest stories never truly fade.

©GP de France Historique/Morgan Mathurin

- Fi.com

BALLON D'OR | 1979 RANKINGS

 

RIP: CONDOLENCES FLOOD IN FOR TWO DECEASED BOKS

REACTION: Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union. expressed condolences to the families and friends of two deceased Springboks

Springbok flank Johannes Hermanus Hugo Coetzee, better known as Jan Boland, passed away on Friday morning following illness.

Bok fullback Bevin Fortuin passed away on Thursday, at the age of 46.

Coetzee, who was born on 20 January 1945, made his international debut against the British & Irish Lions in Cape Town in 1974 at the age of 29, and played in a total of six Tests until 1976, when he started in all four Tests against the All Blacks on their tour of South Africa.

Rated as one of the best fetchers of his time, Coetzee was a stalwart of Stellenbosch University, and he played in 127 matches for Western Province between 1967 to 1979. He also represented the Junior Springboks, SA XV, Gazelles and SA Universities.

“To lose a member of the South African rugby family is never easy and Jan Boland’s passing is indeed a very sad day for us all,” Alexander said.

“He was much more than a hard-working flank and a legend of Western Province rugby, Jan Boland was a gentleman whose grace, humility and quiet strength left an indelible mark.

“Off the pitch, his life was rich and varied. After retiring from rugby, he became a successful winemaker and leaves behind a legacy of excellence in the wine industry.

“He was recognised not just for his technical and entrepreneurial achievements, but for his generosity, especially in sharing knowledge and uplifting those around him, and he also very passionate about support for workers in the agricultural sector.

“Above all, Jan Boland embodied values we all hold dear: humility, perseverance, and respect. He served his community and his craft, and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who experienced his kindness and inspiration – may you find solace in the memories of a great man.”

* Fortuin, who was born on 6 February 1979, played two Tests for the Springboks, against Ireland in Dublin in 2006, and against Australia in Sydney in 2007.

Provincially, he represented the SWD Eagles in 122 games between 2000 and 2010, and from 2005 to 2009, he played 79 times in the colours of the Cheetahs, including making 22 Super Rugby appearances.

Fortuin also played for the Emerging Springboks, SA U21s, and the Southern Kings.

After hanging up his boots, Fortuin ploughed back into the game with a long coaching career, working most recently as head coach of Gold Cup side Northam Rhinos.

“It is with deep sorrow and profound respect that we mourn the passing of Bevin Fortuin, a man whose life embodied integrity, humility and unwavering dedication to the game of rugby and the communities it uplifted,” said Mr Alexander.

“Bevin was more than a gifted player and coach; he was a mentor, a leader and a beacon of hope for many young athletes who saw in him the possibility of greatness grounded in grace. His contributions to South African rugby, both on and off the field, were marked by quiet strength and a deep sense of purpose. He carried the jersey with pride, and he wore his humanity even prouder.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who were fortunate to walk alongside him, may you find comfort in the legacy he leaves behind: one of service, excellence and compassion. His memory will live on in every try scored, every young player inspired and every community he touched.

“Bevin Fortuin’s name will forever be etched in the story of South African rugby – not only as a player, but as a man who gave his heart to the game and to the people it serves. May he rest in peace and may his spirit continue to guide us.”

- Sam Smith

MALAWI WON THE EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN CHALLENGE CUP IN 1979

 

Malawi's top striker of the late-70s, Kinah Phiri and reserve goalkeeper Dennis Saidi, displayed the East and Central Africa Challenge Cup to admiring home fans, during a lap of honor at the Kamuzu Sports Institute in 1979, after they retained the title with a dramatic comeback 3-2 extra-time victory over hosts, Kenya in the final.

 #Champions #Malawi #Kenya #ChallengeCup #1979

RARE PHOTO OF SQUASH LEGEND JAHANGIR KHAN WITH FRANK DONNELLY IN AUSTRALIA | 1979 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

1979 World Amateur Championships in Australia and a young Jahangir Khan has just beaten Frank Donnelly 3-0 in the semi final... this image taken just as they had got their breath back in the changing room after the match.....don't think this image will have ever have been published....

ARGENTINA LEGEND AND WORLD CUP WINNER MAKES HIS STANCE CLEAR IN THE MESSI-MARADONA DEBATE

Mario Kempes, the legendary striker and 1978 World Cup champion with Argentina, offered his candid opinion on the heated debate between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

© Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesDiego Maradona conducts warm up exercises with forward Lionel Messi ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Nigeria.

Mario Alberto Kempes, one of the most iconic players in Argentina’s history, was instrumental in leading his country to its first-ever World Cup title in 1978. As a respected voice in Argentine soccer, Kempes’s opinions carry significant weight, especially when it comes to assessing the legacies of those who have donned the famous Albiceleste jersey, more specifically, the debate between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

In one of his most controversial statements, Kempes delivered a stinging comparison between the two Argentine legends. His comments, made during a 2021 interview with ESPN following Argentina’s Copa America triumph in Brazil, downplayed Messi’s achievements in favor of Maradona‘s legacy.

“If Messi wants to be better than Maradona, he won’t achieve it, even if he wins four World Cups in a row,” Kempes declared bluntly. “He’ll always fall short, just one step below Diego. That’s impossible to change”.

“No matter what Messi wins, he’ll never compare to what Diego accomplished,” he continued. “The Maradona loyalists will never allow Messi to surpass him. Messi will never be better than Maradona. Let’s face it, Messi’s time (to be better than Maradona) has come and gone”.

Diego Maradona gestures to Lionel Messi during to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Round of Sixteen match between Argentina and Mexico. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

However, just months after Kempes’s controversial remarks, Messi silenced critics by leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar. With many goals and standout performances throughout the tournament, Messi firmly etched his name into the history books, securing his status as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

Messi vs. Maradona: The numbers behind the legends

Lionel Messi has played 191 matches for Argentina as of late 2024, scoring 112 goals to become the nation’s all-time leading scorer. His trophy cabinet is nothing short of extraordinary, boasting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, two Copa América titles (2021 and 2024), the 2022 Finalissima, the 2005 U20 World Cup, and the 2008 Olympic gold medal in Beijing.

In contrast, Diego Maradona played 91 matches for Argentina, scoring 34 goals. His silverware includes three titles with the national team: the 1979 U20 World Cup in Japan, the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, and the 1993 Artemio Franchi Cup.

While both players have achieved historic milestones for Argentina, the debate rages on, fueled by contrasting eras and the incomparable magic each brought to the pitch. For fans, the Messi-Maradona debate is more than statistics—it’s a clash of legends who transcended the sport.

- Gianni Taina

A. FUNERAL AND A REUNION IN 24 HOURS: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SYRACUSE'S 1975 FINAL FOUR TEAM MEANT A LITTLE MORE RUDY HACKETT

Rudy Hackett waves to the crowd during a ceremony in honor of Syracuse's 1975 Final Four team at halftime of the Orange's game against Boston College on Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com) N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. – You get to a certain age and the occasions are rare when you get to reunite with old classmates or the friends of your youth. Most often those occasions are reunions and funerals.

Rudy Hackett experienced both this past weekend.

Hackett, the former Syracuse basketball star, returned to Syracuse University on Saturday along with several of his teammates off the 1974-75 team. On the 50th anniversary of their Final Four appearance, the first in SU basketball history, the ‘75 team’s coaches and players were recognized at halftime of Syracuse’s game against Boston College at the JMA Wireless Dome.

But before Hackett walked onto the dome’s court to the cheers of Syracuse fans, many of whom weren’t alive when he and his teammates knocked off LaSalle, North Carolina and Kansas State to punch their ticket to the 1975 Final Four, he had another occasion to see old friends.

Syracuse’s most forgotten team celebrates 50th anniversary of 1975 Final Four

A funeral for a former teammate.

On Friday, Hackett traveled back to his childhood home of Mt. Vernon, New York, to pay his respects to Gus Williams, the former NBA player who had teamed up with Hackett at Mt. Vernon High School.

A funeral and a reunion less than 24 hours apart.

“Last night at that funeral, there were so many people there that I grew up with that I would probably never see again in my life,’’ Hackett said Saturday. “They were part of my life. Part of that growing up part of my life and Gus’s life. And you wonder, why does it take death for us to have that opportunity to say ‘Thank you’ to each other?’’

Syracuse's 1974-1975 team was honored on the 50th anniversary of their Final Four appearance at halftime of Saturday's game at the JMA Wireless Dome. N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.comN. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com

After high school, Hackett went to Syracuse, while Williams went cross-country to the University of Southern California. They were both taken in the NBA’s draft in 1975. Hackett spent two years in the NBA. Williams would be a two-time NBA All-Star and part of Seattle’s 1979 championship team.

“His funeral made me realize that people really do appreciate what you did in your life,’’ Hackett said. “We should thank those people while they’re still alive and we’re still alive.’’

Less than 24 hours later, Hackett had that opportunity.

He got to see his former coach, Roy Danforth, now 89 years old and still wielding a sharp sense of humor. In talking about the 1975 team, Danforth jabbed at then-freshman Marty Byrnes: “Marty always said if I had played him more, we would have won the whole thing.’’

In addition to Danforth, there were eight other players from the 1975 team present at Saturday’s game, along with assistant coach Tom Green.

“We came up here tonight to celebrate our team,’’ Hackett said. “A lot of us are getting up in age. We don’t even know when we’ll all be together again in this large of a group. A lot of us are having those thoughts. Will we be able to ever do this again?’’

In the days leading up to Saturday’s game, Hackett and a few of his teammates wondered how many in the crowd would remember them.

But as they were introduced during the halftime ceremony, the fans responded with a standing ovation that clearly meant a lot to the group.

“I appreciate the love that we’re getting through all this,’’ Hackett said. “But it wasn’t so much them thanking us as it was us thanking them. We appreciate them and the fans that supported back when we were playing at Syracuse.’’

Although it’s been 50 years since Hackett and his teammates pulled off three straight heart-stopping wins on the way to the Final Four in San Diego, only two members of that team, Larry Arrington and Bob Parker, have died.

Some members of the ‘75 team live in the Syracuse area, including Jim Lee, Chris Sease, Steve Shaw and Kevin King. Jim Williams, the little point guard, lives in his hometown of Buffalo.

Byrnes, who nearly died of Covid during the pandemic’s out-break back in 2020, came from Wisconsin. Earnie Seibert, the starting center on the ‘75 team, couldn’t make it due to a medical procedure, but his daughter Erica stepped in for his father.

“I was struck that after 50 years, we still had so many guys here,’’ Hackett said.

Roy Danforth,the head coach of Syracuse's 1975 Final Four team, waves to the crowd during the halftime ceremony in honor of the team. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com)N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com

So on Saturday, after watching the current Orange down Boston College in a triple-overtime thriller, Hackett and his teammates gathered privately at the Hotel Syracuse’s Eleven Waters restaurant.

They ate a lot. Drank a little. Shared stories. Speeches were made. Some long. Some short. Some, like Bill DeMarle’s, were hilarious.

No one seemed to want to leave even as the snow blanketed the streets of downtown Syracuse.

“Seeing the team and being together,’’ Hackett said. “It reminds me of the love that we had for each other and how we developed as a team. We would like that to be our legacy too; not only is individuals, but as a team.’’

A funeral and a reunion all in 24 hours.

“We celebrated Gus’s life yesterday,’’ Hackett said. “Yeah, it was sad, but it was a celebration, too. We celebrated life again today. You realize how special these times are and you appreciate being able to spend time again with those special people.’’

- Mike Waters

THE RHINE DERBIES EXPLAINED: BORUSSIA MÖNCHENGLADBACH, COLOGNE, BAYER LEVERKUSEN AND FORTUNA DÜSSELDORF

Bayer Leverkusen versus Borussia Mönchengladbach is just one of the big Rhine derby rivalries. - © DFL/Getty Images/Alexander Scheuber

Rhine rivals Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Cologne and Fortuna Düsseldorf duel for regional supremacy in north-west Germany as well as points when derby day comes around each season.

bundesliga.com snuggles into the footballing hotbed of North Rhine-Westphalia and the major derby rivalries that mean these fixtures are among the biggest games of any season for the fans — and players — of the four major clubs.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - Cologne 

First derby: 11 May 1950, Düsseldorf 0-1 Cologne (Oberliga West)

First Bundesliga derby: 29 October 1966, Düsseldorf 1-3 Cologne

First Bundesliga 2 derby: 19 October 1998, Cologne 1-0 Düsseldorf

Most recent derby: 21 September 2024, Cologne 2-2 Düsseldorf

Bundesliga derbies: 46, Cologne leads with 22 wins, 14 draws, 10 defeats

Bundesliga 2 derbies: 5, Cologne leads with 2 wins, 2 draw, 1 defeat

Distance between clubs: 26.8 miles as the crow flies.

This rivalry does actually have real history to it. And we mean "history". It dates back to the Middle Ages when Cologne - a former Roman colony - was already a well-established cathedral city and Düsseldorf - 'dorf' means 'village' in German - was no more than its name. Many of the farmers from around the village fought for the Duke of Brabant against the archbishop of Cologne in 1288 in what became known as the Slaughter of Worringen, and it all started there. We said there would be history...

Fortunately, now the fighting is limited to on the rink between the cities' two ice hockey teams, who will have four derbies this season. The football teams met frequently too between the 1960s and 1990s, but since the turn of the millennium, their yo-yoing between divisions means encounters have been much more scarce.

Düsseldorf and Cologne have a long-standing rivalry that goes well beyond the boundaries of the football pitch. - IMAGO/Moritz Mueller
 

Düsseldorf are very much second-best in terms of derby wins. They did get a draw in the last meeting between these two in September of last year, but historically the Billy Goats have held the upper hand.

Former Germany international forward Klaus Allofs, who won Euro '80, is the best-known player to have featured for both clubs. Born in Düsseldorf, he won two DFB Cups and finished runner-up in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1978/79. He then spent six years in Cologne (1981-87), winning another DFB Cup and a UEFA Cup runners-up medal in 1985/86. He returned as coach of Fortuna for the 1998/99 season, but was fired before the end of the campaign. He came back to Düsseldorf over two decades later in 2020 to take a role in the club's management.

Cologne - Bayer Leverkusen

First derby: 4 November 1951, Cologne 0-2 Leverkusen (Oberliga West)

First Bundesliga derby: 15 September 1979, Leverkusen 1-1 Cologne

Most recent derby: 3 March 2024, Cologne 0-2 Leverkusen 

Bundesliga derbies: 72, Leverkusen lead the series with 29 wins, 25 draws, 18 defeats

Distance between clubs: 9.3 miles as the crow flies

This derby does not have the history of the rivalry between Cologne and Mönchengladbach simply because Leverkusen were only first promoted to the Bundesliga in 1979. Suffocating geographical proximity between the two clubs and cities, however, means there are all the ingredients for a fiercely passionate derby atmosphere when the pair meet.

It is just a short train ride from the Domstadt — the Cathedral City — of Cologne to the town that gained its name from the 19th-century industrialist Carl Leverkus - and is home to the Bayer pharmaceutical company. The journey is one that has been made regularly by fans of both clubs since their first Bundesliga meeting in 1979.

While Cologne fans have been known to mock their neighbours' functional and much smaller stadium as a 'car park', Leverkusen — home to some 160,000 people — can certainly boast of having had the better football team over the last four decades than the million-strong city on their doorstep.

Cologne fans will rightly point out they were the very first Bundesliga champions in 1963 and that they also won it in 1977/78, but Leverkusen's historic unbeaten romp to the 2023/24 title may just trump that.

Die Werkself — the Factory Eleven, in reference to Bayer's creation and ownership of the club — have also finished league runners-up five times, racked up over 100 UEFA Champions League/European Cup appearances, more than 50 in the UEFA Europa League and claimed continental silverware in the shape of the 1987/88 UEFA Cup. They were also Champions League runners-up in 2001/02 and 2023/24 Europa League runners-up, the only game they lost in an incredible domestic double-winning campaign.

They have derby bragging rights too. They have the better head-to-head record by some margin, and achieved a near-14-year unbeaten run against the Billy Goats (if you're wondering, 'What's with that nickname?', see below) between November 1997 and April 2011.

This derby also generally provides excitement on the pitch. Indeed, only five times in their 72 Bundesliga meetings to date have the pair served up a goalless draw - and despite Leverkusen's better overall record, Cologne won in Leverkusen in both 2021/22 and 2022/23.

The highest-scoring encounter to date came in May 1985 when future FIFA World Cup winner Pierre Littbarski scored twice to help Cologne into a 3-2 half-time lead. They then went 4-2 up only for Herbert Waas to find the net twice to secure a point for Leverkusen, and ensure both sets of fans went home with smiles.

Despite the division, some players have crossed the divide. Patrick Helmes was born in Cologne and started and ended his professional career with his hometown club, but in between, the 13-time Germany international striker had a three-year spell at Leverkusen (2008-11).

More recently, Florian Wirtz — born in the Cologne suburb of Pulheim — spent 10 years at his hometown club's youth academy before making the switch to Leverkusen, where he has developed into a record-breaking bona fide Bundesliga star.

Cologne - Borussia Mönchengladbach

First derby: 10 September 1950, Cologne 6-2 Gladbach (Oberliga West)

First Bundesliga derby: 20 November 1965, Mönchengladbach 2-3 Cologne

Most recent derby: 9 March 2024, Gladbach 3-3 Cologne

Bundesliga derbies: 98, Gladbach lead the series with 52 wins, 18 draws, 28 defeats

Distance between clubs: 35.4 miles

Although Mönchengladbach is not situated on the Rhine like the other two, this one is considered 'the big one' in terms of local rivalry. Why? History. This time it's 100% football history, and the man who wrote much of it for both teams and one of German football's greatest figures, Hennes Weisweiler.

Just after Cologne claimed the inaugural Bundesliga title, one of their former players, Weisweiler, took charge of second-tier Gladbach. And to give you an indication of what he then did simply search for the BORUSSIA-PARK address and you'll find it's located at Hennes Weisweiler Allee 1.

That's because he took a team of young local talents such as Günter Netzer and Jupp Heynckes to the summit of German — and very nearly European — football in a ludicrously successful period in the 1970s, a decade in which the club won the Bundesliga title five times.

But he's also a legend in Cologne. Why else do you think the club mascot — yes, the goat — is named Hennes?

After leaving Gladbach in 1975 following a legendary 11-year stint, Weisweiler coached Barcelona briefly before taking over as Cologne boss in 1976. Over the next four years, he worked his magic again, taking an unheralded team to the domestic double in 1977/78 as well as to a European Cup semi-final.

Players have made the switch too. Part of that great Gladbach side and now club vice-president, Rainer Bonhof, captained Cologne later in his career while Hans-Georg Dreßen transferred back and forth no fewer than four times, and — after injury cut short his career at 26 — later became assistant coach with Borussia. "There was never any problem," he said of his treatment by opposing fans. "Neither in Gladbach, nor in Cologne."

That was certainly a good thing for Weisweiler and some of his players who were treated by dentist Franz Wichelhaus. 'Who?!' you cry. Wichelhaus was the very first player to be transferred between the two clubs in 1953 in the pre-Bundesliga days. He couldn't make the breakthrough in Cologne and so moved to Mönchengladbach where he became team captain before switching to the profession he had studied for after his playing career.

Leverkusen - Mönchengladbach

First derby: 19 October 1952, Leverkusen 2-2 Gladbach (Oberliga West)

First Bundesliga derby: 15 December 1979, Leverkusen 0-0 Gladbach

Most recent derby: 18 January 2025, Leverkusen 3-1 Gladbach

Bundesliga derbies: 86, Leverkusen lead the series with 36 wins, 28 draws, 22 defeats

Distance between clubs: 26 miles

Almost certainly one of the reasons both Cologne and Mönchengladbach fans treat Leverkusen as their 'little' Rhine derby neighbours is that the Bayer-built outfit have got the better of both of them throughout their Bundesliga history.

Leverkusen are now unbeaten in 11 top-flight outings against the Foals, following up a frustrating goalless draw at home last term with wins at home and away this term.

Even if Leverkusen won the 2023/24 double, the club is still playing catch-up in the silverware stakes. Gladbach fans can console themselves with a weighty haul of five Bundesliga titles, three DFB Cups, two UEFA Cups, and — like Leverkusen in 2001/02 — European Cup runners-up.

That was in the 1976/77 final, however, and the last of Gladbach's Bundesliga titles came in that same year — two years before Leverkusen even played their first German top-flight game.

With only a DFB Cup and Bundesliga 2 title added to the trophy cabinet since the pair first met with top-flight points up for grabs, Gladbach fans have not got much to goad their neighbours about now. 

While fans would not dream of doing so, players have crossed the divide.

Christoph Kramer joined Leverkusen aged eight and went on to play for the first team before really making the breakthrough at Bundesliga level during a two-year loan spell at Mönchengladbach between 2013 and 2015. He returned to Leverkusen for a season, but the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner made the switch to Gladbach permanent in 2016, making 288 competitive appearances before an emotional departure in summer 2024.

The transfer traffic has gone in the opposite direction too. Walter Posner played just two Bundesliga games for Mönchengladbach — that was enough to get him a 1974/75 title winner's medal — but featured in 134 for Leverkusen over a nine-year spell.

Hopefully Heiko Herrlich got a return ticket when he left Leverkusen after winning the 1992/93 DFB Cup to join Mönchengladbach. He won another DFB Cup there before playing for Borussia Dortmund, but he came back to the BayArena as coach between summer 2017 and December 2018.

 - Bundesliga.com

MANCHESTER UNITED HIT A HISTORIC LOW

MANCHESTER, England -- There has been a simmering discontent at Manchester United for a while now, but at Old Trafford on Monday night the dial was turned up to near mutiny in a loss to Newcastle United.

With just 30 minutes gone and Man United already 2-0 down, Joshua Zirkzee was substituted by head coach Ruben Amorim. Any of the 11 players could have been replaced -- they were all that bad in a shocking first half hour -- but it was Zirkzee who bore the brunt from the irate supporters in the stands.

When Zirkzee's number went up, there were loud cheers around the stadium. The Dutchman, only signed from Bologna in the summer, grabbed his coat and jogged down the tunnel to scattered jeers. He emerged again moments later to take his place on the bench. When the half-time whistle blew, there were boos from all four sides of Old Trafford. There were more at full-time, although by then a large number of the fans who turned up had long since decided it was time to go home.

It's now four straight defeats for Man United and six in their past eight games. For the first time since the 1978-79 season, they've lost three consecutive league games at Old Trafford. Three Premier League defeats in a row mean they will start 2025 in 14th, just seven points above the drop zone.

Man United's woes have reached the point where Amorim is being asked about the possibility of relegation.

"It is really hard on everybody and you can feel it," Amorim said after the 2-0 loss. "We show some improvement in the first games especially against [Manchester] City and Tottenham but we are losing that because of the lack of training and belief after so many losses. It is a really tough moment for everybody.

"It is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games. I think our club needs a shock and we have to understand that."

There was little shock that Newcastle were by far the better team and deserved to win their first league game at Old Trafford for more than a decade. Man United managed to calm some of the anger with a more competent second-half performance, but by then the damage had already been done.

Alexander Isak scored for the sixth game in a row after just four minutes to make it 1-0. Before 20 minutes had elapsed, Joelinton made it 2-0. It could have been much worse. Isak had a goal ruled out through offside, and Sandro Tonali hit the post when he should have scored.

Only then did Zirkzee come off. He was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo and Man United finally turned up to play. By half-time, Newcastle had taken 11 shots at André Onana's goal. As the game drifted towards its conclusion, the travelling Newcastle fans sang, "You're getting sacked in the morning," at Amorim.

After the initial optimism of his arrival to replace Erik ten Hag in November, it has been a bruising December for the Portuguese coach with Premier League defeats to Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves and now Newcastle. Man United haven't lost five league games in a calendar month since 1962.

Throw in the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham and it's six losses in all competitions, a low point not seen since September 1930. For the first time in more than 100 years, a Manchester United manager has lost five of their first eight league games.

Casemiro, left, and Harry Maguire react with anguish in Manchester United's latest loss on Monday, this time to Newcastle United in Premier League play. Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

The question, though, is whether it's Amorim or the players who should be shouldering the blame. For now, Amorim is refusing to criticise his squad despite further evidence week after week that the majority are not good enough.

He's routinely peppered with questions about his 3-4-3 system and whether he will -- eventually -- have to adapt. But his formation had nothing to do with Isak having a free header six yards out after getting in between Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez to head past Onana.

It had nothing to do with Joelinton bulldozing Martinez out of the way to head in the second. It had nothing to do with all the missed tackles and missed passes.

"I am responsible," said Amorim. "I don't like to arrive here and make excuses. I think people are tired of excuses in this club. I never watch a coach winning games by not protecting the players. What I have to say to the players I say in the dressing room. "I have to sell my idea. If I change all the time it is going to be even worse. It is a very difficult moment and we have to fight for the next game and to also have a performance."

Writing in his programme notes ahead of the game, Amorim said he had "no doubt" that the run of miserable form "will not last forever." It is, however, unlikely to end immediately with United scheduled to visit runaway leaders Liverpool next weekend.

Defeat at Anfield would send Amorim and his players deeper into the mire. The anger is already deepening, the mood worsening by the day.

Even for a club that has made a habit of lurching from crisis to crisis, United are reaching new levels of despair.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

FORMER SNOOKER WORLD CHAMPION TERRY GRIFFITH DIES AGED 77 FOLLOWING LONG BATTLE WITH DEMENTIA - AS WORLD NUMBER ONE JUDD TRUMP LEADS

• Snooker icon famously won at Crucible in 1979 in second professional tournament

• He went on to win Masters and UK Championship to complete career Triple Crown 

• Griffiths then became an esteemed coach working with the game's top players

Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77 after a long battle with dementia.

The legendary Welshman famously won at the Crucible in 1979 as a qualifier in just his second professional tournament.

The Welshman won a career Triple Crown before moving into coaching upon his retirement

Griffiths went on to win the Masters and UK Championship to complete a career Triple Crown before becoming an esteemed coach and working with some of the game's top players, including Mark Williams and Mark Allen.

'It is incredibly sad news,' said Judd Trump after winning the UK Championship in York on Sunday night. 'He is a legend of the game.

'Terry was a very witty guy. Whenever I was at the Welsh Open, he would come over and make a joke. I had a good connection with him.

'It is hard to connect with some of the older generation but he was someone I felt I could get along with. It is a sad day for Welsh sport.'

World No3 Allen posted on social media: 'What a legend of a man who helped shape my career and life both on and off the table. Absolutely heart broken. He wasn't just a coach, he was family.'

Griffiths pictured alongside Dennis Taylor during the the Embassy World Professional snooker championship in Sheffield

Shaun Murphy, who in 2005 became the only man since Griffiths to win a world title as a qualifier, said: 'Just hearing the news that Terry Griffiths has passed away. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones 

The World Snooker Tour's official X account posted: 'We are deeply saddened tonight to hear that Terry Griffiths, a former World Champion and all-time snooker great, has passed away at the age of 77.

'Our sincere condolences to Terry's family and many friends. He was loved and respected by everyone in the sport.'

The Welsh Billiards and Snooker Association said: 'We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of WBSA President Terry Griffiths OBE. 

'We send our deepest condolences to Terry's family. 

'RIP Griff.'

Griffiths pictured at the Embassy World Snooker championships at Sheffield Crucible Theatre

BBC Wales journalist Sue Charles added: 'Sad to say goodbye to a Llanelli legend. My dad Phil, was in school with Terry Griffiths. 

'One of his favourite tales was that they’d both occasionally skipped school to play snooker, which worked out much better for one than the other! Farewell Terry, forever a world champion.' 

The WPBSA posted on X: 'This evening we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our 1979 world snooker champion Terry Griffiths OBE at the age of 77. All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.'

Griffiths's memorable win in 1979 was only the second time a qualifier had won snooker's premier competition after Alex Higgins achieved the feat seven years prior. 

After his final appearance at the Crucible in 1997, Griffiths commentated on major matches for the BBC.

He was awarded an OBE for services to snooker in 2007. 

LAKERS TO HONOR EX-COACH PAT RILEY WITH STATUE OUTSIDE ARENA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers will honor former coach Pat Riley with a statue outside their downtown arena.

The Lakers announced Monday that they have commissioned a statue to stand in Star Plaza immortalizing the coach who won four championships with the "Showtime" Lakers of the 1980s. Riley also won championship rings with the Lakers as a player and an assistant coach.

Riley, 79, has been part of the Miami Heat as a coach and executive for the past three decades, but his NBA roots are planted firmly with the Lakers. He played for Los Angeles from 1970 to 1975, and he was a team broadcaster before becoming Paul Westhead's assistant in 1979.

He took over as head coach in 1981 and led the Lakers through one of the most dynamic eras for any team in NBA history. With Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leading an exciting team with a groundbreaking fast-break offense, the Lakers went 533-194 (.733) in Riley's tenure and added 102 playoff victories over nine mostly outstanding seasons.

"Pat is a Lakers icon," Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement. "His professionalism, commitment to his craft and game preparation paved the way for the coaching we see across the league today. My dad recognized Pat's obsession and ability to take talented players and coalesce them into a championship team. The style of basketball Pat and the Lakers created in the 80s is still the blueprint for the organization today: an entertaining and winning team."

Current Lakers coach JJ Redick, whom some within the organization have likened to Riley for his intensity and sharp presentation, lauded the decision on Monday.

"Deserved," Redick said, adding that he watched the Hulu documentary "Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers," which features interviews with Riley, as part of his preparation for the season. "He's a legend in the game of basketball. And obviously did a lot for this franchise. ... So I'm very happy for him. Well deserved."

Riley will become the eighth Lakers luminary to be honored with a statue in Star Plaza, which has become a popular tourist attraction. The others are Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and broadcaster Chick Hearn.

Riley went on to coach the New York Knicks for four seasons before becoming the Heat's team president and coach in 1995. He has remained Miami's president ever since, and he won another NBA title in 2006 during his two stints as the Heat's head coach.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin contributed to this story.

- ESPN News Services

FRENCH OPEN AND WIMBLEDON WINNER IN SAME YEAR

 Carlos Alcaraz: The Newest Phenom on Grass and Clay! 🌟🎾

#CarlosAlcaraz #NovakDjokovic #RogerFederer #RafaelNadal #Wimbledon #Tennis #ATP

'I WANT TO PLAY FOR ARSENAL': WHEN DIEGO MARADONA ALMOST MOVED TO HIGHBURY

Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60. Worshipped like a God in Naples, fondly remembered in Barcelona and a hero in his native Argentina, he very nearly lit up Highbury too. Dan Mountney tells the tale of when one of the greatest to ever play the game

The year was 1979, and Arsenal boss Terry Neill was eyeing a teenage Argentine prodigy making waves in his homeland.

Jet black hair, a diminutive stature at just 5ft 5in but with legs built like tree trunks, a 19-year-old Diego Maradona was mesmerising the crowds at Argentinos Juniors with his quick feet, vision, close control and eye for goal.

After making his debut in 1976, the playmaker had netted 19 goals in 1977 Primera Division season, followed by 26 in both 1978 and 1979. Neill very much liked what he saw and made his move.

It would have been a major transfer coup for the Gunners with a number of clubs already monitoring the highly-rated teenager, but the club were clearly being ambitious having also lined up a move for Glenn Hoddle from rivals Tottenham.

Neither transfer would materialise.

"Hoddle rejected the chance to move to Highbury after having reservations about crossing the north London divide, while a move for Maradona fell through.

"When I was 19 they tried to buy me and another player from Argentinos Juniors – around the time Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles signed for Tottenham," said the Argentine in a 2008 interview.

"But it didn’t happen. I sometimes wonder what might have happened."

Neill wasn't done in his pursuit of the mercurial Maradona, and he would try his luck again three years later.

During the intervening years, Arsenal had hit a bump. 1980 saw the Gunners lose two finals in the space of four days as they lost to West Ham in the FA Cup final and then Valencia in the Cup Winners' Cup showpiece.

They also sold and then failed to replace Franck Stapleton and Liam Brady, with results taking a turn for the worst as Highbury attendances often fell below 20,000.

It was clear they needed a spark, so back they went for Maradona in March 1982.

As for the Argentine, he'd left Argentinos Juniors in 1980 after 116 goals in 166 games to join Boca Juniors, rejecting a host of offers in the process. 28 goals in 40 games followed for Buenos Aires-based giants, and so did attention from Europe.

Former Sheffield United boss Harry Haslam helped broker Arsenal's move. During his time as manager at Bramall Lane, Haslam had tried to sign Maradona as a 17-year-old in 1978 after spotting him on a scouting trip, but the Yorkshire club failed to stump up the £200,000 fee.

A £4m deal was agreed between The Gunners and Boca, but then the problems started.

Argentinos Juniors were still owed the first £1m instalment of Maradona's transfer to Boca. They took them to court to get it too, with a judge ruling Boca couldn't sell the player until the money had been paid.

Then the deal ran into problems in the House of Commons. Tom Lorney, Labour MP for Bradford, demanded Sports Minister Neil MacFarlane open an inquiry into the deal to help curb the 'excessive fees' being paid by football clubs.

Arsenal had found a way around this issue though, and planned to pay the transfer fee using sponsorship - much like they had planned to do in the 1970s when heavily linked with a move for Johan Cruyff.

The final blow to Arsenal's hopes of signing Maradona came from the FA who vowed to block any move.

A newspaper report from March 1982 read: "Diego Maradona, the £4million Argentina superstar admitted last night: 'I want to play for Arsenal'.

"Maradona, who is reported to earn a staggering £7,500 a week with Boca Juniors, broke his silence on a possible move to Highbury which had been set up by former Luton and Sheffield United manager Harry Haslam.

"Haslam has been acting as an Arsenal spy in South America but as he travelled back to London with his report the Football Association vowed to block any move by Arsenal to bring Maradona to England.

"League secretary Graham Kelly confirmed that the Management Committee didn't want foreign players from outside the EEC being granted a work permit for two years."

Sadly for Gooners, the move never happened. Vladimir Petrovic was signed from Red Star Belgrade instead and although he became a cult hero amongst the Highbury faithful, supporters can only dream of what Maradona would have done in the famous red and white.

If Arsenal's move had progressed any further it would have hit a further stumbling block, with the UK and Argentina going to war in the Falklands at the beginning of April 1982, just 11 days after the newspaper reports on his possible arrival.

Instead, Maradona would join Barcelona that summer in a world-record £5m deal and the rest is history. He would go onto to become one of the greatest of all-time, representing the likes of Napoli and Sevilla while also winning the 1986 World Cup with Argentina.

What can be said for certain is that for all his controversies and misdemeanours, Maradona was the star of his generation and will forever be remembered as one of football's greats. For some, he is even the greatest.

The thoughts of everyone at the Gooner Fanzine go out to Diego's family and friends at this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Diego Maradona. A true icon.

BASEBALL LEGEND WILLIE MAYS, ALL-ROUND GREAT OF AMERICA'S PASTIME, DIES AT 93

Willie Mays, star outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, arrives on Feb. 4, 1962 at a San Francisco public playground equipped for a workout on his own. Mays, who recently signed a Giants contract for an estimated $90,000 largest in Giants history, said he wanted to limber up some as spring training is just around the corner. Robert Houston/Associated Press 1982

 

 Willie Mays, the Hall of Fame centerfielder whose all-around skills made him one of greatest baseball players of all time, died on Tuesday at the age of 93, Major League Baseball announced.

Mays, who brought an explosive exuberance to the game in his peak years, died of heart failure, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Mays played 23 seasons for the New York Giants, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets, from 1951 through 1973.

In his prime, he could do it all on the baseball field. Mays was the epitome of what came to be known as a "five-tool player" - meaning he was exceptional at hitting for average, hitting for power, fielding, throwing and baserunning.

But Mays' talent was only part of what made him a superstar. He also played with a verve and passion that were discernible even to spectators in the cheap seats. He was known for playing stickball with kids on the streets of Harlem, near the former Polo Grounds where he played.

In the real games, fans delighted when Mays would sprint with such speed and fury that he would run out from under his hat as he stole a base or chased down a flyball to deep centerfield.

His snag of a fly ball in the 1954 World Series, sprinting with his back toward home plate some 460 feet away, is known simply as The Catch.

"He could do everything and do it better than anyone else, (and) with a joyous grace," wrote New York Times sports columnist Arthur Daley.

Mays, known as "The Say Hey Kid" because of his standard greeting, was ranked second on The Sporting News' 1998 list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players - behind Babe Ruth and ahead of Ty Cobb.

Baseball-Reference.com ranks him fifth all time using the modern statistic Wins Above Replacement, which measures a player's overall value, behind Ruth, pitchers Walter Johnson and Cy Young, and his godson Barry Bonds.

Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility, won the Most Valuable Player award twice and was named to the all-star team 24 times, a record shared only with Hank Aaron and Stan Musial.

When he retired, Mays held third place on the all-time home run list with 660, behind Aaron at 755 and Ruth with 714. He was also the first ballplayer to hit 300 homers and steal 300 bases.

Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born in the gritty steel town of Westfield, Alabama, on May 6, 1931, during the segregation era and was inspired early to play ball by his father and an uncle, he said.

"My uncle would say every day, 'You're going to be a baseball player. You're going to be a baseball player, and we're gonna see to that,'" he said. "At 10, I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15, I was playing professional ball with the Birmingham Black Barons, so I really came very quickly in all sports."

Mays joined the New York Giants of the National League early in the 1951 season, four years after Jackie Robinson had integrated Major League Baseball. He failed to get a hit in his first 12 trips to the plate before smacking his first, a home run off future Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn.

Mays went on to win Rookie of the Year honors in 1951 with a .274 average, helping the Giants come from 13 games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers before his team won the pennant on a legendary home run by Bobby Thomson. Mays, then 20 years old, was on deck when Thomson hit his home run, later telling reporters he was so nervous he prayed he would not come to bat.

Mays missed most of the 1952 season and all of 1953 while serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, spending much of his service time playing for the Army baseball team.

He returned to the Giants in 1954 and won the first of his two Most Valuable Player awards as he paced the Giants to a four-game World Series sweep of the Cleveland Indians. In the first game of that series, Mays pulled off The Catch, which remains one of the most memorable plays in baseball history.

At New York's Polo Grounds, the Indians' Vic Wertz hit a shot to deep centerfield. Mays turned, sprinted toward the wall, made a graceful over-the-shoulder catch and then immediately whirled around and made a perfect throw that kept two Cleveland baserunners from advancing.

"I was a guy, when I first came up, I believed I could catch any ball that stayed in the ballpark," Mays told an interviewer years later. "I guess I was kind of a cocky kid, knowing that if the ball went up, I could catch it."

In 1958, the Giants moved to San Francisco, where Mays was not quite so beloved. Fans crowding into tiny Seals Stadium, the Giants' first home, instead embraced rookie sensations Orlando Cepeda and Willie McCovey as their own.

"Mays never was to San Francisco what he was to New York," wrote sportswriter Dick Young. "When the Giants moved to California, the San Francisco fans saw Mays as 'of' New York."

The Giants moved into cavernous and windy Candlestick Park in 1960, robbing Mays of many home runs that would have gone out in a more typical ballpark.

But Mays still possessed extraordinary skills and in 1962, carried the Giants to another playoff win over the Dodgers and into the World Series.

The series was a seven-game spellbinder won by the New York Yankees when Bobby Richardson speared a line drive for the final out of the game with Mays on second base, representing what would have been the winning run.

By the late 1960s, Mays was slowing down. In May 1972, he was traded to the New York Mets and made a final World Series appearance in 1973, his last season, when the Mets lost to the Oakland Athletics in seven games. He retired later that year.

In his book "Willie's Time," baseball writer and historian Charles Einstein wrote:

"The lights were hot and the cameras rolled and you knew Willie was there because you heard that laugh. Came The Automatic Question: 'Who was the greatest player you ever saw?' His answer was prompt enough: 'I thought I was.' There was merriment in his eyes as he looked around the room. 'I hope I didn't say that wrong.'"

- Reuters 

M. ALLEN | SAFARI RALLY 1979

 

BRITAIN'S FIRST MILLION POUND PLAYER FRANCIS DIES OF HEART ATTACK

Action Images 

Former England forward Trevor Francis, Britain's first one million pound ($1.28 million) player, has died at the age of 69 after suffering a heart attack, his family said on Monday.

Francis started his career at Birmingham City in 1970 before spells at several clubs, notably Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Francis hit the headlines when he was transferred from Birmingham to Forest in 1979 for one million pounds, scoring the winner in that year's European Cup final against Malmo.

DON REINHOUDT: LEGENDARY STRONGMAN DEAD ... 1979 WORLD STRONGEST MAN WINNER

 

Legendary strongman Don Reinhoudt, winner of the 1979 World's Strongest Man competition and perennial powerlifting champ, has died at the age of 78.

According to police, Don was involved in a car crash on Monday in upstate New York. Further details are not yet clear.

TAIFA STARS 🇹🇿 VS. ZAMBIA 🇿🇲 | STARS VS. KK 11| AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS | 1976

 

HOCKEY NHL VIDEO GAME EVOLUTION | 1979-2023