When Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was recently recorded refusing to sign a shirt when a man approached his car after a match, he defended himself against the backlash by saying he felt “exposed” and claiming some fans “are not doing it for the right reasons”.
Last year, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola angrily criticised a group of hunters who approached him in a car park near his home, criticising his career choice, saying, “Don’t come again – I won’t tell you again, I know your faces. Do you honestly want to make a living doing this kind of work? What are your dreams?”
The sports memorabilia industry is estimated to be worth billions of pounds per year globally.
underscoring how much wealth professional hunters can make by regularly seeking stars.
Clubs sometimes have to step in and protect players, including preventing professional hunters from working outside the training grounds, providing security staff at nearby petrol stations where hunters know players stop to refuel their cars, and in some cases helping them drive home.
In 2023, Manchester United’s Mason Mount was filmed telling stalkers to stop following him home after doing so for several days in a row.
And earlier this month United defender Noussair Mazraoui was recorded ridiculously half-signing a set of shirts given to him by a stalker who approached him at his car window after training.
“Players get really fed up with it,” says Premier League winner Chris Sutton.
“I’ve faced this many times as a player and as a pundit. They stand outside the BBC studios and ask me to sign 12 number nine shirts together. I questioned this recently and said, ‘You’re going to ruin these online, aren’t you?’
“It is so annoying that its intention is to make money from players and other high-profile people. It is up to the player, the manager or someone like me to make that decision at the moment.
UN special envoy Francesca Albanese says torture in Israel has ‘effectively become state policy’.
Published on 23 March 202
The world has given Israel licence to oppress Palestinians, with life in the occupied Palestinian territory a “continuum of physical and mental suffering”, a UN expert says.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special envoy on the situation of rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, said on Monday that “atrocities have effectively become state policy” in Israel.
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“Israel has effectively been given a licence to oppress Palestinians because the majority of your governments and your ministers have allowed it,” he said in presenting his latest report to the UN Human Rights Council.
“What once operated in the shadows is now carried out openly: a regime of organised humiliation, pain and degradation, sanctioned at the highest political levels,” Albanese said in the report, titled “Torture and genocide”.
“Torture is not limited to cells and interrogation rooms,” the report said.
It says, “Because of mass displacement, blockades, lack of aid and food, unchecked violence from the military and settlers, and constant surveillance and fear, the occupied Palestinian territory has become a place of collective punishment, where the worsening living conditions turn genocidal violence into a form of mass torture that has long-lasting mental and physical effects on the people living there.”
Albanese, a vocal critic of Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank and its genocidal war on Gaza, has faced opposition from Israel and the United States, with calls growing for her to be removed from the special envoy post.
Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023,
have killed at least 72,263 people and injured 171,944 others, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The report found that in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Israeli authorities have arrested more than 18,500 Palestinians, including at least 1,500 children, as of February.
Israel’s mission to the United Nations criticised Albanese’s report and called him an “agent of chaos”.
The mission said in a statement, “Albanis abuses her UN platform to engage in virulent anti-Semitism, including narratives that distort and trivialise the Holocaust. She regularly makes statements supporting terrorist organisations and advocates dangerous extremist narratives designed to undermine the existence of the State of Israel.”
Albanese called on UN member states to “prevent and punish” acts of torture and genocide and to uphold international law.
According to a UN press release, he said, “Its escalating use as part of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people makes this violation all the more serious and inexcusable.”
“If the international community continues to tolerate such actions against Palestinians, the law will lose its meaning.”
There is no end in sight to rising fuel prices, but supplies are “stable,” according to an industry body.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents the majority of UK operators, told Sky News that the price rises that forecourts are facing rose sharply again last week and that supplies to the pumps will continue.
It pointed to data from S&P Global’s Platts division showing diesel continued to be impacted by wholesale increases, which rose by an average of $258 a tonne during the week.
Latest Currency: The market is seeing rate hikes four times this year
image: File Image: PA
The petrol price increased by $2.
Upward pressure on diesel prices is high, as the country imports most of its use, while most petrol is refined domestically.
The Middle East war has increased global competition for diesel by exerting pressure on supply.
Gordon Balmer, executive director of the PRA, said, “There is no suggestion of a shortage. Supply is stable.”
But he added, “(Pump) prices will continue to rise” as retailers buy up their fuel stocks in the coming weeks.
How do attacks on oil plants affect Britain?
Data from RAC Motoring Group on Monday afternoon showed the average price of unleaded has risen more than 14p a litre to 147.19p since the end of February.
Diesel pump costs rose by 29p to 171.17p— the highest price since mid-January 2023.
The RAC predicted late last week that the average price of a litre of unleaded was likely to reach 150p and diesel possibly 180p by Easter.
‘The situation is very serious’: IEA chief on Middle East
Mr Balmer thought averaging around those levels might be seen before then as fuel operators grapple with rising wholesale costs and cannot sell at a loss.
It is also likely that wholesale prices will be slower to reflect the decline in oil costs seen on Monday after Donald Trump expressed hope for an end to hostilities following positive talks with the Iranian side.
The government has indicated it is looking carefully at forecourt margins while exploring ways to help mitigate fresh energy-led price increases that are putting consumers and businesses at risk.
A barrel of Brent crude is currently up 50% this month. The natural gas figure is slightly less than 100%.
Read more: Tehran has responded to the attacks swiftly and strategically Cars and houses burned as Israeli residents rampage in the West Bank
Ministers are urging the government to alleviate the tax burden on fuel sales and energy bills for drivers and families.
On the fuel front, tax generally accounts for about half of the cost of filling up.
As things stand, the 5 paise per litre cut in fuel duty by the previous government will start ending from September.
Confirming his plans on Sunday night for a meeting of the government’s COBRA committee focused on the cost of living, a spokesman said, “As the Chancellor said in Parliament, the extent of the economic impact of the situation in the Middle East will depend on its severity and its duration.
“The Government will be responsive to an uncertain world and will always act responsibly in the national interest.
Former Manchester United man Mason Greenwood faced a sensational 18 minutes of action for Marseille as he underwent a medical before his injury.
Mason Greenwood started a massive brawl in Marseille’s Ligue 1 clash against Lille. (Photo: Anthony Babbard/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Mason Greenwood was thrown to the floor in anger after just 13 minutes of Marseille’s Ligue 1 clash with Lille on Sunday. The former Manchester United star picked up the ball in his half but was cleared by Calvin Verdonk, who was shown a yellow card.
Greenwood didn’t take too kindly to the foul and quickly got up to tackle Lille’s left-back but was body-checked on the floor by Haakon Haraldsson, who rushed to the scene, sparking a mass brawl between more players. Both the latter and Greenwood were booked for their parts in Fracas.
The 24-year-old was only on the pitch for a few minutes after that, as he was replaced by Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri through injury. He opened the scoring for Marseille with a close-range effort just before half-time.
However, second-half goals from Thomas Meunier and late substitute Olivier Giroud saw Lille depart the Stade Vélodrome with all three points. Despite defeats to Champions League qualification rivals, it has been an impressive season for Marseille as they sit third in the table.
Greenwood has been key to their strong form, as he has scored 25 goals in all competitions and provided eight assists in that period. Although he hasn’t played for United in four years, interest remains in how he performs and if transfer suitors take note of his displays.
That’s because United included a sell-on clause when they completed the £26.6 million move for Marseille that entitles them to up to 50 per cent of the profits from a potential sale.
Serie A side Juventus are believed to be interested in signing Greenwood this summer, with £60 million required as the transfer fee required to sign him.
United could therefore take a maximum of £30m from such a move, with less than half the profit, although Marseille is keen for more given his future clause.
Mason Greenwood has been linked with a move to Juventus. (Photo: Dave Winter/Shutterstock)
Former loan club Getafe will also be keeping an eye on Greenwood, as the Spanish club is believed to have negotiated around 20 percent of United’s potential windfall.
Marseille getting Champions League football for next season could impact Greenwood’s future; with the extra funds, he might want to stay.
Under the leadership of Habib Baye, Marseille has now taken over the final guarantee of Champions League qualification following Roberto de Zerbi’s departure. They sit one point ahead of fourth-placed Lyon and now just two ahead of Lille.
Different prices.
Nike and England have unveiled the new home, away, and goalkeeper kits for this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL
England will face Canada in a rematch of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final as part of three fixtures in the WXV Global Series in September.
The Red Roses were crowned world champions for the third time when they defeated Canada 33–13 in front of more than 80,000 people at Twickenham five months earlier.
In September, they are set to host England’s three regions, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
John Mitchell’s side will welcome Australia to CorpAuk Stadium on September 12 before hosting Canada at Exeter’s Sandy Park on September 19.
They will also face six-time World Cup winners New Zealand at Twickenham on September 26.
“We’re eagerly anticipating another match against one of the world’s top teams,” said England and Exeter’s Maddy Faunati about the game against Canada.
Red Roses captain Megan Jones said, “There’s nothing better than a Red Roses versus Black Ferns clash,” while Sale Sharks hooker Amy Cocken said it was “fantastic” to host Australia in the North West.
These fixtures are part of the WXV Global Series, which replaced the WXV Competition and will feature the top 12 teams in the world.
Scotland, Ireland and Wales, along with France, Italy, Japan, South Africa and the United States, are the other teams that qualify as top 12 teams.
Outside World Cup years, teams will play 9–16 Tests in the WXV Global Series, with a maximum of six Tests each September and October.
England will play their first match since their World Cup victory when they begin their Women’s Six Nations defence at home to Ireland on 11 April.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has opened up about his form this season after reaching the World Open final. Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Noh defeated O’Sullivan, who shot 147 in the final. For O’Sullivan next month is the World Snooker Championship.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed he had doubts about attending this year’s Crucible
Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed he will “probably” not be at this year’s World Snooker Championship ahead of his stunning run to Sunday’s final at the World Open.
O’Sullivan has played just one tournament in Britain this season, preferring events in Asia and has largely struggled when he has competed – dropping to 10th in the World Snooker Tour rankings.
He made the final of August’s Saudi Arabia Masters but suffered back-to-back early exits, including a first-round loss at the UK Championships in November, then withdrew from the Masters in London in January.
The 50-year-old German failed to win more than one match at the Masters and World Grand Prix, so he was not expected to be competitive at last week’s World Open.
However, he produced some of his best snooker, including a historic break of 153 against Ryan Day in the quarter-finals, and was beaten in the final by Thailand’s Thepchaiya In-Noah in an incredible performance.
“I can only focus on one day and one week at a time,” O’Sullivan stated.
I’m not playing because my game isn’t good enough to compete. So I’m trying to find it on the practice table and hopefully bring it to the match table.
Ronnie O’Sullivan was beaten by Thepchaya in Noh in a high-quality World Open final
“I’ve had a fantastic year, really. I thought I played really well at the start of the season, which was better than my usual performance, but then I had a dip for a couple of months. January and February weren’t outstanding and I thought, ‘Here we go,’ but I’ve managed to pull it back a bit.
“We’ll just see how it goes. I was not even participating in the World Championships ten days ago due to my fear of underperforming. I thought I’d embarrass myself. But now I’m going, because I can pot some balls. It’s not great; I’m not in a great, great place with it, but I was better than two weeks ago.”
O’Sullivan last won the world championship in 2022 and is still chasing a record-breaking eighth Crucible title, surpassing Stephen Hendry.
The last significant record is Stephen Hendry’s seven world titles in snooker, beating Ronnie O’Sullivan.
‘The Rocket’ will not play another televised tournament before the World Championships in Sheffield from April 18 to May 4 but is maintaining a balanced perspective on his performance in China.
“Everybody played well against me this week, so my game is good enough to beat players who are playing well,” O’Sullivan said.
“I just can’t get the putting angle of some shots. I can play maybe 60-70 per cent of the shots comfortably, but there are other shots that are not in my locker. When someone plays like that, I’m just one-dimensional, really. It limits what I can do and how much pressure I can put on my opponent. It’s just how much pressure I can put on my opponent.”
Overall, I am in a much better place now than I was two weeks ago and during the last three years. However, it can easily break again and soon be in a bad place. I’m just taking each day and week as it comes.”
US President Donald Trump losingers Tehran a concession they are unlikely to accept – but it could also be a ploy to buy time to prepare for an escalation in the war.
US President Donald Trump has registered a huge decline (Image: Getty Images)
Just weeks after this ill-planned, poorly justified and legally dubious conflict, initiated by US President Donald Trump, it seemed that it could turn into another ‘forever war’. Despite Trump’s claims of winning, and despite not needing military help from allies, he has spent the last year being insulted on the world stage, making it seem impossible to know how long the conflict will last.
It would be ‘weeks’; it was beginning to sound like optimism, and it would go down in history as the biggest and most seismic blunder ever realised on the world stage by an American president. But with his massive and humiliating collapse today, Trump has claimed that the US and Iran could be moving closer to “a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East”.
That statement alone, although it is highly questionable, is a major fall for Trump and will not hurt the Iranian regime he has seen firsthand. Adding more chaos to the mix, Iran has reiterated its claim that it is not talking to the US, a claim repeated by Iranian news agencies close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Israeli self-propelled howitzer fired towards southern Lebanon as conflict in the Middle East escalates (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Read more: Trump’s war on Iran could ‘run out of missiles’ in Ukraine. Read more:Donald Trump escalates Iran war with terrifying bunker-buster ‘penetrator’ bomb missions
So, for now, it appears that Donald Trump has offered Tehran an off-ramp, which is something the United States desperately needs to de-escalate. Toning down his threat to destroy “Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure,” he said he would stay for a period of five days.
Footage shows an Iranian ship engulfed in flames near Bandar Abbas following attacks linked to the ongoing US-Israeli campaign. (Image: Instagram)
Trump has tried to bluff his way out of this disaster, sending ground troops and threatening to blow up Iran’s energy infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz is opened. As the war nears its 24th day, he claims victory, but even opening the straits won’t end the crisis.
There is no doubt that the US and Israeli forces have greatly weakened Iran’s military, but the regime remains intact and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has not been resolved. It will likely need to be secured for years and if Trump still launches a ‘boots on the ground’ operation, it will lead to inevitable mission reduction and demand for more forces, ships, warplanes and escalation.
Iran is targeting sites across the region, including the US Embassy headquarters in Baghdad (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
This scenario is a bit like US General William Westmoreland insisting that he could see ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, because his illusions told the US that the US was winning the Vietnam War. He counted the number of Viet Cong deaths as a metric for assessing victory while insisting on sending more troops to the front lines, a perfect example of mission creep and escalation.
Recently the war in Afghanistan lasted almost 20 years because the military and politicians insisted that the country was being transformed, humiliating and defeating the Taliban. Once again, additional troops were deployed, and politicians maintained that human rights were being achieved through the use of force, despite the Taliban establishing shadow governments in every province.
Iranian Red Crescent clears blast debris in Tehran (Image: AP)
Not only that, but the Taliban also told us that they were doing this ten years ago; a senior commander who met me in Pakistan said that everything was already in place in their network. The world can take a sigh of relief that a major tension has stopped for the time being.
However, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to dissipate. An intelligence assessment seen this morning said, “Iran has turned its long coastline on the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz into a strategic asset against the United States and Israel.
“No matter how the strait is reopened—whether through a diplomatic agreement or the threat or use of force— Iran’s regime has established a new normal in the Persian Gulf that positions Tehran to influence the global energy market.”
![Topshot - Correction / A fire burning outside the grounds of the US Embassy headquarters in the fortifications of Baghdad "green area" Following a drone and rocket attack on March 17, 2026, according to security officials. The strikes came hours after air defense forces foiled a rocket attack on the embassy and a fire broke out following a drone strike at a luxury hotel frequented by foreign diplomats in the Green Zone. Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war after long being a proxy battleground between the US and Iran, with attacks targeting Iran-backed groups claiming daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and throughout the region. (Photo by Ahmed Al-Rubayey/AFP via Getty Images) / "wrong mention[s] The metadata of this photo by Ahmed al-Rubayy has been modified in the AFP system as follows: [outside the grounds] instead of [on the grounds]. Please remove the erroneous mention immediately[s] from all your online services and remove it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same is done by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will result in liability on your part for any continued or subsequent use. So we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We apologize for the inconvenience this notification may cause and any further information you may require."](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/article36902968.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200e/0_TOPSHOT-CORRECTION-IRAQ-US-ISRAEL-IRAN-WAR.jpg)
