Ben Hooke

If I'm Keir Starmer, I'm at least waiting to see if England win the World Cup.

These guys really are just dicking about with football

Shambles

@Ankaman616 I'm convinced that ITV had a bumper/ident where David Luiz sung "Braaaaazil" in 2014 but have not seen it since. I'm certain I'm not imagining it. Would honestly pay to see it on YT.

Now I just need the BBC to upload all of their World Cup montages proper. Woodkid from 2014. The District 9 closer from 2010. Drown me in nostalgic football comforts.

The BBC are steadily releasing highlights from old World Cup games on their Youtube channel. Going back to watch Germany 7-1 Brazil from 2014. The game is still remarkable. The commentary is outstanding. youtu.be/QRmzG6djmh4?si…

@DannyLee___ I was there for the Baguette Bar 🪦

@benhooke____ Done it? You left at lunch most days….

Having done it, I can't tell you how many actual roles are piled into this role: programme editor, cameraman, videographer, video editor, press office and more. 7 days a week. Callum did the role extremely well in very tough circumstances. And clearly cared. Shameful. #STFC

REINSTATE US IMMEDIATELY

@ReubenPinder @TheAthleticFC Mark Noble

What would be the funniest call-up to be confirmed?

🚨🎙️Thierry Henry on Southampton expelled for spying drama against Middlesbrough: “I have to be honest, this is a difficult one. Spying on another team’s training is wrong. Full stop. It crosses a line, it undermines the trust that should exist between clubs, and I understand why Middlesbrough are furious and why the EFL felt they had to act strongly. Integrity matters in this game. At the same time, I find myself questioning whether expulsion from the play-offs is the right punishment. It feels… heavy. Almost like using a sledgehammer when a precise scalpel was needed. Let’s be clear: this wasn’t match-fixing or doping. It was analysts pushing boundaries for tactical information, something that, sadly, has happened in different forms across the game for years. Marcelo Bielsa did it openly at Derby and Leeds, admitted it, and people called him a genius, not a criminal. Drones, analysts in trees, whatever, in the modern game with data and marginal gains everywhere, clubs push boundaries. Southampton admitted it, yes, and they deserve punishment. A heavy fine, points deduction, maybe even a ban for the staff involved. But kicking the entire club out after they earned their place on the pitch? That punishes players, coaches, and fans who had nothing to do with one or two analysts doing something stupid. What troubles me most is the collateral damage. The players who battled through a tough Championship season after relegation, who went to extra time and scored that late goal to beat Middlesbrough on the pitch, they earned their place in the final through merit. Now that achievement is being erased because of actions taken by a small number of staff members. That feels disproportionate to me. A significant fine, a points deduction for next season, and sanctions against the individuals responsible, those would be strong, meaningful punishments that address the breach without nullifying an entire season’s competitive work. Sport has to balance two things: protecting fairness and recognising that human error and ambition sometimes lead people astray. If every rules breach in high-stakes moments leads to rewriting results, we risk turning the disciplinary process into something more powerful than the football itself. I’ve sat in dressing rooms where we prepared meticulously for opponents. Everyone does. The difference is getting caught. I hope Southampton appeal and that the final decision finds a better equilibrium. Middlesbrough deserve respect, they were wronged but the players of Southampton also deserve not to have their legitimate efforts wiped away. Football is emotional, passionate, and imperfect. The response to this should reflect wisdom as much as outrage. We need clearer rules going forward so incidents like this become rare, but we must be careful not to let one mistake destroy what was built legitimately on the grass.

@ReubenPinder Always liked you

This is insanity

I would argue if Middlesbrough don't want there sessions looked at/spied on, they should buy a bigger fence.

Okay now that James Corden is saying it, it should definitely happen 🙄

@LeeThompson84 £70

@benhooke____ What is the face value of the tickets?

I've got two tickets for tomorrow's game if anyone is looking still #SaintsFC

@LeeThompson84 £70 each. Safe standing.

@benhooke____ How much?

@LeeThompson84 Yes

@benhooke____ In the saints end?

Angel Di Maria has won everything - with club and with country. World Cup winner, two-time Copa America champion. He's won the Champions League with Real Madrid, La Liga, Ligue 1 with PSG and the Primera Liga with Benfica. He's also an Olympic gold medallist among many other honours. Born in the same city as friend and team-mate Lionel Messi, his journey has taken him from his hometown club - a decision made by his mother - to the "national team" at Real Madrid. He's played alongside all of the modern greats - Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Messi and more - and made a habit of being a key player in great sides - helping Real Madrid achieve La Decima and relieving the heavy weight of the "back pack" on Argentina's shoulders with victory in Qatar. In this exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated FC, El Fideo sits down to discuss his achievements, as well as his beginnings as a player, how his Mum and Dad sacrificed to help him achieve his dream, scoring in the World Cup final and his troubles with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. This is the story of the other boy from Rosario who reached the top of the beautiful game. Full video out now.

I will not get bored of Tonda Eckert sending our goalkeeper forward for last-minute corners IN MATCHES WE'RE DRAWING

@SI_FootballClub Southampton 2-2 Leicester. 2002/03. Marian Pahars double.

What's the first game you're watching in the Premier League archive?