Dutch full-back on relief of winning the Double and needing a ‘sense of normality’ while in the spotlight Kerstin Casparij loves football, especially Champions League nights under the lights, but perspective is important too. “I would say football is my most important secondary thing in life, and I’ve found that such...
Liberals like Messi but authoritarians prefer Ronaldo: how politics shapes sporting choices | Sean Ingle
Sport has long been regarded as great unifier but there is evidence that this era of hyper-partisanship may change that Over the weekend, President Trump floated his latest wild idea: that the man behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Power Slap, the ethically dubious “sport” where competitors take turns smacking...
Michael Carrick facing Manchester United axe amid review by Jason Wilcox
Director of football in discussions with Omar Berrada Pochettino and Howe on radar as possible replacements Manchester United are moving towards sacking Michael Carrick, though no final decision has been made by Jason Wilcox, the director of football, who is leading the review after the head coach was given the...
Ultimate 1-50: the male footballers best associated with each squad number
Who is football’s most legendary No 9? Has there ever been a legendary No 28? And why exactly does Mario Balotelli love wearing No 45 so much? Here’s our list and the stories behind it The relationship between players and numbers is a long-established one filled with memories and fascinating...
Starwatch: Count these stars to find out how dark the sky is where you are
Great Square of Pegasus’s four corners are widely visible, but its inner stars provide a useful indicator of darkness This week, we are going to locate the Great Square of Pegasus and count stars to see how dark your sky is. The chart shows the view looking south from London...
Medical breakthrough offers hope to people with same stiff person syndrome as Céline Dion
Some patients with autoimmune condition in the trial have been able to return to work and resume hobbies Doctors have made a potentially significant breakthrough in the hunt for a treatment for stiff person syndrome, the autoimmune condition that affects the singer Céline Dion. Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a...