Floored! The moment female 'sexism row' referee was flattened by football player...

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Full force: Assistant referee Sian Massey feels the power of Cardiff City player Kevin McNaughton's shoulder as she is hurled out of his way


This is the moment that the female linesman at the centre of a sexism row is violently knocked to the ground by a Cardiff City football player.

Defender Kevin McNaughton is seen running to keep the ball in play when he appears to drop his shoulder and steer himself into Sian Massey.

She is hit with such force that her head snaps back and she is flung across the pitch.

Ungentlemanly McNaughton simply gets up and walks away without even checking to see if she is injured, let alone help her up or apologise.


Kevin McNaughton stops the ball from going over the line, just where Sian Massey was standing


Some viewers have demanded that he should say sorry for his actions. However his agent has said he does not need to apologise for anything.

Massey was at the centre of a row over comments made by Andy Gray and Richard Keys who said that women 'don't know the offside rule', ultimately leading to them losing their jobs at Sky Sports.

Video footage from Monday's match between Cardiff City and Middlesbrough shows McNaughton running for the ball to try to keep it in play, but he was blocked by opposing player Rhys Williams.

He manages to stop the ball from going over the line but then continues running at full pelt, and looks like he swerves, hurtling into Miss Massey.


She is flung along the pitch a couple of metres by the force of the 'collision'


She takes the full brute force of his shoulder barge and is sent flying to the ground without an apology or offer of help back to her feet.

Fortunately, Miss Massey takes the event in good humour and is seen smiling as she gets back up off the ground.

The football crowd cheered as she falls to the ground but, keeping her composure and professionalism, she gets back up and even gives a goal kick before having a chuckle with referee Graham Scott.


Massey is flung to the ground but McNaughton runs off without as much as an apology


Some have speculated on YouTube that the actions appear to be deliberate. One user said: 'He changes direction. It's deliberate and disgusting. The fact that he just trots off makes it more obvious.'

Another said: 'He makes the challenge on the Boro player and then deliberately side steps and increases his speed into the path of Sian Massey before using his body weight to barge her over.

'She's lucky not to have any broken bones.'


She sees the funny side of the incident, however, and shares a chuckle with referee Graham Scott


A club spokesman said: 'Kevin didn't do it on purpose - he was trying to get the ball.'

John Viola, McNaughton's agent, said the allegations were 'absolute nonsense'.

He added: 'He is not that type of guy, he is the nicest player you would ever meet in your life so anyone suggesting he did it on purpose is crazy.'

When asked why he didn't stop to help her back to her feet or apologise he said: 'He was concentrating on the game. He is a focused footballer.

'I don't know (if he will be contacting her to apologise), I'm abroad at the moment and I haven't spoken to him about that.'


Knockdown: Cardiff City player Kevin McNaughton has been accused by some fans of running into assistant referee Sian Massey on purpose



The referee was brought to the nation's attention after sexist remarks by Andy Gray, left, and Richard Keys - leading to them losing their jobs at Sky Sports


Cardiff city player knocks over female linesman!!



source: dailymail

Shakira and boyfriend's PDA as they cheer his team to victory

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Affectionate: Shakira and Gerard Pique share a passionate kiss in Barcelona, Spain, today where his Barcelona thrashed Osasuna 2-0


Shakira and her footballer boyfriend share a series of passionate kisses as they watched his team steam to victory today.

The very affectionate couple were spotted putting on a touchy feely show in the stands in Spain, where Gerard Pique's Barcelona teammates thrashed Osasuna 2-0.


Pique was not playing today, but a short bench at Camp Nou Stadium meant he had to sit in the spectator area.


Eyes not quite on the ball: Gerard enjoys being showered with affection by his pop star girlfriend while keeping a tentative eye on the match


Not that he was complaining.

The 24-year-old sportsman could barely wipe the grin off his face as his Columbian girlfriend, 34, showered him with affection.

Just days ago she was seen consoling Pique following Barcelona's defeat against bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey Cup Final.


Happy couple: The Columbian singer only revealed she was dating the sportsman last month


Cheers: Shakira applauds after Barcelona's Lionel Messi's goal against Osasuna


Joy: Barcelona's players celebrate David Villa's goal


But thanks to goals from his teammates Lionel Messi and David Villa, things went much better for Barcelona today for the La Liga match.

Columbian singer Shakira only revealed she was dating the soccer ace last month, but they have proved how close they are on a number of occasions since then.

She confirmed her relationship with Pique last month when she posted a picture of the two of them on her Twitter account with the caption, 'I present to you my sunshine'.

source: dailymail

Don't be sad, you have ME! Shakira comforts footballer boyfriend Gerard Pique

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Look of love: Shakira looked heartbroken as her Barcelona footballer boyfriend Gerard Pique headed to the stands to see her after his defeat against Real Madrid last night


As a professional footballer, there's nothing more crushing than losing a cup final.

And if you play for Barcelona, defeat at the hands of your bitterest rivals Real Madrid only heightens the disappointment.

Luckily, for one player, there was a fine consolation prize waiting in the stands at Madrid.

Gerard Pique, 24 , was the lucky man in question, and his commiseration came at the hands of his stunning girlfriend Shakira, 34, who also just happens to be a pop superstar.


Fit of Pique: Gerard rushes straight to Shakira's arms after his team lost the game in a 1-0 defeat


Pique was dejected after Barcelona were narrowly beaten to the Copa Del Rey, the King's Cup, in last night's game, which was played in Valencia.

It was a tight match, with Christian Ronaldo's extra-time goal being enough to separate the two rivals.

Downcast faces peered over the famous burgundy and blue strip as the result started to sink in, but lucky Pique headed to the stands.

There he climbed through fans and headed straight towards the pop sensation, who looked devastated for her boyfriend.


Comfort: It was some consolation for Pique to have his girlfriend on hand


They shared a look of understanding and sympathy, before Shakira stretched her arms towards her toy-boy.

She the clasped him to her, holding his neck as she stroked his face.
They didn't care who was watching, but the crowd looked on fondly.


Columbian singer Shakira only revealed she was dating the soccer ace last month, but they have proved how close they are on a number of occasions since then.

She confirmed her relationship with Pique last month when she posted a picture of the two of them on her Twitter account with the caption, 'I present to you my sunshine'.


Loser: Pique in action against Madrid's Sami Khedira in the game that Real won in extra time


Real Madrid's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas celebrates with the trophy after winning the Spanish Cup final against fierce rivals Barcelona

source: dailymail

Megan Fox slips into Daisy Dukes to support husband Brian Austin Green

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Proud wife: Megan Fox was happy to support husband Brian Austin Green at the Long Beach Grand Prix Celebrity Pro Race, today in Long Beach, California


Doting wife Megan Fox was all smiles as she watched husband Brian Austin Green compete in the Long Beach Grand Prix Celebrity Pro Race today in Southern California.

Casually dressed in a green t-shirt and tattered, cut-off shorts, Megan tried to blend in, but stood out the rest of the crowd with her flowing hair, svelte figure and high heeled sandals.

The Jennifer's Body actress smiled at fans and gawkers alike, as she was escorted to her seat in her very short shorts.


Friendly: Megan chatted with other fans as they watched the racing competition unfold
A few minutes later she was spotted chatting with other excited fans, as they watched the competition race into action.


Brian, who recently appeared on several episodes of Desperate Housewives, is an avid racer and last year finished third place competition.

Megan's weekend at the track comes after she received an apology from her Passion Play co-star Mickey Rourke earlier this week.


Ready for the competition: Brian Austin Green, who finished third in the competition last year, has been working to improve his race time


On Tuesday night while at a party, Rourke criticized her talents and their movie together in an interview with New York Magazine's Vulture entertainment blog.

Rourke called the movie 'terrible' and when asked about Megan, Vulture reported that the Oscar nominated actor 'smirked.'

A day later Rourke reached out to the blog to clarify his derisive remarks.

'When I talked to you, I was at a party. It was loud and crowded, I was in a sh**ty mood, ' Rourke said.

He continued, 'I don't know why I said that stupid sh*t... I love Megan. My bad.'


Family Affair: Kevin Jonas, who took part in the competition, was joined by brothers Nick and Frankie Jonas


Megan, who has remained mum about Rourke's embarrassing slip of the tongue, remained upbeat today as she attended the race in Southern California.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, a three day auto racing competition which started yesterday, features professional race car drivers and draws thousands of fans.

But today, the competition was open to celebrity racers, with a portion of the money raised going towards scholarships to help local high school students pay for college.


Suited up: A roster of celebrities including actors Djimon Hounsou and Brian Austin Green, Rules of Engagement actress Megyn Price


Other celebrities taking part included a mix actors, professional athletes and singers.

Before the competition started, Kevin Jonas was spotted wearing his racing uniform and posing for pictures with brothers Nick and Frankie Jonas.

Blood Diamond actor Djimon Hounsou and Malcom in the Middle star Frankie Muniz also took part in the competition.


And they're off: Thousands of excited fans gathered to watch the races today in Long Beach


Picturesque: The weather in Long Beach this weekend was picture perfect with the temperature around 80 degrees Fahrenheit


source: dailymail

'I genuinely enjoy getting dressed up and being girly': Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Sexy: Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton looks stunning in tiny leotards and knee-high socks in ES magazine


She's the champion track cyclist whose hoping to achieve stardom when she competes in the London 2010 Olympics.

But sport isn't the only thing on Victoria Pendleton's mind, as she proved when she posed for a sexy new photoshoot for the Evening Standard's ES magazine.

The 30-year-old athlete dons tiny leotards and knee-high socks as she shows off her incredibly toned figure while pulling off some incredibly alluring poses on a bicycle in the new pictures.

And, in the accompanying interview, Pendleton insists she never used to feel pressurised into hiding her femininity, but now is proud to be a girly girl.


Athletic: Victoria admits she is a real girly girl and loves getting dressed up for any occasion


She told the magazine: 'It's a very strong stereotype, women in sport. When I first started racing internationally I would look at the girls and think, "My gosh, do I have to cut my hair off and get really big to show I'm committed?" There were a lot of doubters. People would say, "She's too small, too puny, too girly, why does she straighten her hair? She doesn't take it seriously."

'Well, because I have to sit in my room for hours before I compete, there's nothing else to do. You're not even supposed to move. So I get my eyeliner perfectly straight or do my hair.

'A lot of people assume I fulfill the role of a girly girl because I have to do it in order to be noticed but that's not it. I genuinely enjoy a good dress-up and always have done. I wouldn't want to change that for the world.'


Success: Pendleton is hoping to recreate her success at the London Olympics next year

Now the pressure is on for Victoria to perform well at the London Olympics next year - a prospect that is more than a little daunting for the athlete.

She said: 'It scares me more than it excites me, to be honest; the added pressure of home turf and higher expectations.

'But there are a lot of girly girls in the GB camp now, sitting at the dinner table going, "Ooh, that's a nice nail polish". It's a nice environment, and completely different from when I started.'


source: dailymail

Boris Becker tries to steal the spotlight from his stunning wife Lilly at the Laureus World Sports Awards with his athletic prowess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b-2m_K1UYcendofvid


[starttext]


By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Still got it: A redfaced Boris shows off his athletic prowess as he performs chin ups for the clapping audience


Arriving on the red carpet of the Laureus World Sports Awards tonight, all eyes were on Boris Becker's stunning wife Sharlely 'Lilly' Kerssenberg in her dazzling gold gown.

But once inside the venue, the German tennis ace managed to steal the spotlight by showing off his athletic prowess.

The retired sportsman, 43, showed he's still in good shape as he performed some chin-ups on a metal bar to the delight of the star-studded crowd at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

However, his Dutch wife Lilly, 34, was definitely the belle of the ball in her shimmering silver and bronze floor-length strapless gown.

The fitted dress demonstrated she had got her model figure back exactly a year after giving birth to her first child - and Boris's fourth - Amadeus.

Perhaps in a bid to keep up with his nine-years-younger wife, Becker admitted undergoing a facelift recently.


Nice set of wheels: The couple pose in front of a Mercedes Benz as they arrive at the bash


He told Daybreak in November: 'I also had a facelift recently and I coloured my hair, so...

'I turned 43 this week, and winning Wimbledon was 25 years ago, and I do feel very much like I'm 43 right now.'

As a member of the Laureus Sports Academy panel, Becker attends the ceremony every year and helps choose the winners.

The big winners this year were Spain with both tennis player Rafael Nadal and their World Cup football picking up Sportsman Of The Year and Team Of The Year respectively.


Strike a pose: Spanish actress Elsa Pataky - soon to be seen in the next Fast And The Furious sequel - showed off her curves in a mocha dress


French footballer Zinedine Zidane, who attended with his wife Veronique, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

However, one winner, U.S. Alpine skier Lindsay Vonn, could not make the event to pick up her Sportswoman of the Year because she is currently participating in the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Germany.

Vonn won the Olympic Downhill Gold medal at the Vancouver Winter Games in February 2010 just days after injuring her shin.


That's entertainment: Host Kevin Spacey holds one of the awards (left), while Irish pop star Ronan Keating belts out a number


Brave: Spacey played a game of table tennis on stage with Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal


The ceremony was hosted by Hollywood star Kevin Spacey, who enjoyed a spot of table tennis with the Wimbledon champion Nadal.

Entertainment was provided by Irish pop star Ronan Keating, who looked dapper in a black suit.

Aside from Lilly, other glamour at the predominantly-male awards was provided by British Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes and Spanish actresses Paz Vega and Elsa Pataky.


Sports stars and their WAGS: Italian jockey Frankie Dettori and his wife Catherine (left) and French football star Zinedine Zidane and his wife Veronique (right)


Triumphant: (L-R) Nadal with his Sportsman Of The Year trophy, American surfer Kelly Slater with his World Action Sportsperson of the Year and Zidane with his Lifetime Achievement honour





Rafael Nadal - Laureus World Sports Awards




source: dailymail [endtext]

PICTURE SPECIAL: Abbey Clancy joins stunning line-up of international WAGs to launch World Cup kits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17_4KcB3Bwendofvid
[starttext]
By Tom Bellwood

Abbey days: Clancy sports the rather nifty England design


We thought the WAGs were banned for the World Cup? It would appear not.
England boss Fabio Capello wants all distractions removed for the forthcoming tournament in South Africa - but when they look this good, we'd rather they were there

As the big tournament approaches, Umbro has designed shirts to celebrate each of the seven nations who have become world champions.

And with a stroke of genius they have asked the likes of Peter Crouch's fiancee Abbey Clancy and an array of other lovelies to model the gear ahead of the launch


Tidy kit: Representing Italy is Alice Bregoli (left), the girlfriend of Alberto Gilardino, while Uruguay is modelled by Diego Forlan's wife Zaira Nara


And as you can see they're all absolute dazzlers - we're talking about the shirts, of course..

Each kit has a redesigned national badge, which Umbro tell us have been designed by 'mixture of graffiti artists, cartoonists, tattoo designers, record label owners' and blah, blah, blah.


Getting shirty: Gael Clichy's wife Charlene Suric (left) shows off the France design, while Luli Fernandez - girlfriend of Pablo Mouche - wears the Argentina kit

The launch of the kits mirrors a promotion Umbro lead way back in the 60s - but we reckon the current crop of shirts and models will stand the test of time.

The stunning shots of the World Champions Collection were taken by Rankin who said: 'The girls in the campaign all look stunning and they were a pleasure to work with. I’m extremely pleased with the results.'
We couldn't agree more.


On to a winner: Marcell Jansen's wife Julia Godicke in the Germany colours, with Susana Werner - Julio Cesar's other half - in the famous yellow of Brazil
[endtext]

Tiger Woods cheered and applauded by fans as he makes golfing return at the U.S. Masters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut8rXPzospkendofvid
[starttext]
By Daily Mail Reporter

Shamed golfer Tiger Woods was watched by over 1,000 people as he made his golfing return today


Tiger Woods has been cheered and applauded by fans after making his return to the golf circuit following a five-month absence.

The sportsman waved to the crowd as he walked confidently onto the golf course for the U.S. Masters in Augusta, Georgia, wearing a Nike striped t-shirt and a navy blue baseball cap.

All eyes were on the shamed golfer, who was making his first official appearance since revelations of his numerous extra-marital affairs first emerged last November, who finished two shots off the lead at four under par after an impressive first round.


Tiger waves to the gallery on the first tee during the first round of the Masters


Tiger had said previously he was 'nervous' about the reception he would receive, adding: 'It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there!'

But today he said: 'All day the crowd reaction was unbelievable. I haven't heard the people cheer that loud in all my years here and it really helped, especially when you're missing a few putts.

'I took the practice very seriously, I was trying really hard for weeks on end. I wouldn't say I was more aggressive, but the golf course was a little bit more there to be had today, the tees were up.

'I just tried to stay focused and keep plodding along, try not to give any shots away. I would think a couple under par would have been a very good start.'

Bookmakers have made Tiger the 5 to 1 favourite to win his fifth Masters green jacket.

Tiger Woods looked confident as he teed off at the Masters tournament this evening


Tiger with fellow golfer Matt Kucher at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia


Scottish golfer Sam Torrance, who was corresponding on Tiger's comeback on BBC News, said: 'I don't think I have ever seen a crowd like that on the first day. He's great Tiger, and we want him out there playing, showing us what he can do.'

The only interruption for Tiger came when an aeroplane flew over the course pulling a banner reading 'Tiger: Did you mean bootyism?' - a reference to Woods' claim that part of the reason for his troubles was that he left his faith, Buddhism.

Some people in the stands laughed and pulled out binoculars to get a closer look.

Later, another banner said: 'Sex Addict? Yeah. Right. Sure. Me, Too.'


The crowd of spectators watch intently as Tiger takes his first shot


Tiger gets instructions from caddie Steve Williams before teeing off


Tiger's comeback has also been criticised by Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, one of golf's leading officials, who condemned the sportsman for the double life he was leading.

'It is simply not the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here,' Mr Payne said in a surprisingly frank dressing-down of Tiger at the annual state of the Masters news conference yesterday.

'It is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children.


Tiger's golfing comeback was uninterrupted apart from a small plane flying over the course with this banner attached


Tiger tips his cap to the crowd as he walks up the 18th green


'Is there a way forward? I hope yes. But certainly, his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change.'

And Mr Payne isn't the only person to be against Tiger's return to the golf course.

His wife Elin, who has not been seen with her husband since allegations first broke of his affairs in November, is said to have refused to attend the Masters tournament because she is furious that Tiger has decided to make his comeback so quickly after the controversy surrounding their marriage.


Tiger's wife Elin Nordegren is said to have refused to attend the Masters because she is angry the sportsman is returning to golf so soon

A source told U.S. gossip website RadarOnline.com: 'There’s a reason why Elin didn’t go to the tournament and it’s simple.

'She thinks he’s breaking his promise to her by returning to golf so soon. And as every day goes by she gets a little angrier.

'Not only did she refuse his request



Creepy: Shamed golfer Tiger Woods listens to his late father speaking to him from beyond the grave in a bizarre new Nike advert


The wheels were set in motion for Tiger's comeback yesterday, when Nike released a an advert featuring the voice of the sportsman's late father Earl.

In the television ad, shot recently at Tiger's home course in Florida, the shamed golfer listens to Earl asking questions apparently about his return to golf following his sex scandal.

'Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything,' Earl says as the camera slowly zooms in on Tiger.

Filmed in black and white, the advert has the bizarre quality of a dream. Tiger appears upset, and the slow zooming of the camera is punctuated with flashes of light - hinting at the frantic clicking of the media's cameras.

The 30-second spot aired on the Golf Channel and ESPN yesterday and was to run until shortly after the star tees-off this evening.

A Nike spokesman said the new commercial portrays the ongoing influence Earl has on his son's life.

'We support Tiger and his family as he returns to competitive golf,' Derek Kent said.

'The ad addresses his time away from the game using the powerful words of his father.'
[endtext]

Wayne Rooney is driving Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson crazy to put him on the bench for crunch Bayern Munich tie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG6Y_icxn9sendofvid
[starttext]
By Simon Jones and Ian Ladyman

Please pick me, Sir: Wayne Rooney is desperate to be picked to play Bayern


Wayne Rooney is pleading with Sir Alex Ferguson to pick him as a substitute for Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.

The Manchester United striker has made rapid progress since suffering an ankle injury last week and is desperate to play some part in the second leg of the quarter-final tie, which United trail 2-1.

Ferguson has forbidden Rooney to drive for fear it could hinder recovery and the striker, driven by Michael Carrick, trained alone and still seemed troubled by the ankle.

Ferguson does not expect Rooney, 24, to return just yet but conceded his striker will drive him crazy with requests to be included against Bayern.


Raring to go: But Fergie does not want goal hero Rooney to rush back from injury


Ferguson said: ‘We’ve made some good progress with the lad but I’m not prepared to take the risk if he’s not 100 per cent fit. We’re looking at the Manchester City game (on April 17) or maybe Blackburn (Sunday) as a sub, possibly.

‘I don’t think he’ll be on the bench for this one — but he may try and persuade me!’


[endtext]