Duncan Hawksworth

An incredible 52-year journey comes to an end. Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season. First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have worked on it over the years and, of course, the audience. The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s football coverage for decades, providing fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. But changing audience behaviours mean fans are now increasingly consuming football content in different ways and we need to respond appropriately as we face difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent. Fans are accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand viewing and as viewing habits continue to evolve, it is right that BBC Sport adapts how it brings football coverage to the widest audiences across television, radio, online and to its extensive social platforms. BBC Sport boasts a strong football rights portfolio and is set to significantly expand its digital output this year growing content across BBC platforms, as well as a bold new slate of exclusive shows on YouTube. Featuring fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content tailored for digital audiences, the expansion will bring fans closer to the game than ever before delivering more high-quality, accessible and engaging football coverage at scale. We will release further details on these plans in the coming months.

𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧! He agrees with Anthony Taylor’s decision not to send Gabriel off for an apparent headbutt on Haaland. “In no way, shape, or form was it violent conduct, because he didn’t headbutt him.” Jay Bothroyd challenged: “But the action was violent. If he headbutts him then, does he get a red card?” Gallagher: “But he didn’t.” Jay: “Yeah, but what if he does?” Gallagher: “I am dealing with what happened.” Jay: “So, are you saying that if I go to headbutt someone but miss, it’s not violent?” Dermot: “No. What I am saying to you—” Jay: “If I go to punch someone and miss, is that not violent?” I loved Mr. Dermot’s reaction afterward! 😂

Paedophile David Johnson, 35, was caught watching child abuse videos on a train from Stafford to London, with an indecent image set as his phone wallpaper. A horrified passenger spotted him and alerted British Transport Police. He was arrested at Euston station. Johnson had nearly 200 indecent images, including 105 Category A (the most serious). He also pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communication with a child and arranging/facilitating a child sex offence. Jailed for two years and three months at Inner London Crown Court, plus a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders register for a decade. Just two years is a joke... Sickening. Caught red-handed.