A 40-year-old man has been charged with five counts of attempted murder after a car mounted a pavement in Nottinghamshire on Saturday, leaving an amateur footballer fighting for his life.
Police confirmed that Duane Anthony is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court in connection with the hit-and-run incident in Arnold town centre.
A red Vauxhall Astra reportedly mounted the kerb at Market Place shortly after 13:00 BST, colliding with a group of pedestrians.
The victims included members of Woodthorpe Park Rangers FC, who had been celebrating the end of their season the previous evening.
Club devastated by town centre collision
One squad member remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries following the crash.
The club’s manager and another teammate are recovering from minor injuries sustained during the incident.
Woodthorpe Park Rangers, who compete in the Nottinghamshire Senior League, released a statement requesting privacy as they come to terms with the event.
The amateur side described their critically injured player as a much-loved individual within the dressing room.
“We are all struggling right now and are asking for privacy and respect so we can get our heads around what has happened.”
“This is a heartbreaking and awful time for our club.”
Police confirm multiple driving offences
Alongside the attempted murder charges, the 40-year-old faces allegations of aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, and driving without valid insurance.
Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that the families of the victims have been updated on the charging decision.
“This was a shocking incident that will have been incredibly distressing for all those involved and anyone who witnessed it happen.”
The senior officer also urged the public to avoid online speculation that could impede the ongoing pursuit of justice.
Authorities have indicated that Counter Terrorism Policing are not treating the collision as a terror-related incident.
Mohamed Salah prefers to remain in European football following his imminent departure from Liverpool this summer, with Fenerbahce reportedly preparing a lucrative £52m three-year contract.
The Egypt international confirmed in March that he will end his trophy-laden, near-decade spell at Anfield.
Speculation surrounding the prolific forward’s next destination has intensified amid reports that his primary goal is to continue competing in a major European league.
Turkish giants launch ambitious move
Representatives for the former Chelsea and Roma attacker have already held meetings with Fenerbahce to discuss a central role in their future sporting project.
The Istanbul-based club are reportedly willing to offer an annual salary of £17.3m to help them secure a first Turkish Super Lig title since 2014.
Such an agreement would rival the financial clout often associated with the Saudi Pro League, a destination the winger has frequently been linked to over the past two years.
Al-Ittihad previously had a £150m bid rejected by the Merseyside club in 2023, but a move to the Middle East no longer appears to be his favoured option.
Global interest in departing legend
Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in the Champions League winner, though the Spanish side’s strict policy on signing older players makes a deal unlikely.
Several prominent Italian sides, including Juventus, Inter Milan and his former employers Roma, are monitoring the situation closely.
A potential reunion with global superstar Lionel Messi at Inter Miami has been suggested, but Major League Soccer’s strict salary cap regulations could prove to be an insurmountable hurdle.
Anfield legacy overshadowed by recent struggles
The Egyptian will leave English football having cemented his status as a modern great under former manager Jurgen Klopp.
His remarkable tenure yielded two Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, one FA Cup and two League Cups.
However, his final season has been marred by a significant dip in form, leading current head coach Arne Slot to omit him from the starting lineup in several recent fixtures.
Marcus Rashford is hoping to secure a permanent £26m transfer to Barcelona following a highly successful loan spell from Manchester United that culminated in a La Liga title.
The English attacker has enjoyed a revitalised campaign in Spain, registering 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for Hansi Flick’s side.
His impressive form was highlighted by a crucial set-piece strike against Real Madrid in an El Clasico victory that mathematically secured the league championship.
The forward has openly expressed a desire to remain at the Catalan club on a long-term basis.
Financial hurdles complicate permanent deal
Barcelona hold a £26m option-to-buy clause, a figure that represents significant value in the current market.
However, well-documented financial constraints mean the Spanish giants may attempt to negotiate a lower fee or explore an additional loan agreement.
Such a temporary move is unlikely to appeal to Manchester United, who prefer a permanent sale to generate immediate transfer funds.
The former Old Trafford favourite remains under contract with his parent club until the end of the 2027-28 season.
A compromise involving a staggered transfer fee or wage adjustments may be required to facilitate the cross-border move.
A timely boost for Tuchel and England
The attacker’s resurgence comes at an opportune moment for England manager Thomas Tuchel as he finalises his World Cup plans.
He is now widely considered a strong favourite to start on the left side of the national team’s attack.
The versatile forward also presents Tuchel with a viable central option should captain Harry Kane suffer an injury.
Approaching his 29th birthday this October, the rejuvenated star appears to be entering his peak physical condition.
Chelsea are aiming to appoint a new head coach before the 2026 World Cup, with Xabi Alonso, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva featuring on a three-man shortlist.
The West London club are stepping up their search for a new manager as they look to finalise an agreement ahead of the upcoming international tournament.
Securing a prompt appointment is viewed as crucial by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy to ensure adequate preparation time for the new domestic campaign.
Premier League pedigree highly valued
All three candidates possess significant experience within the English top flight, aligning with the board’s desire for a proven tactician.
Silva has consistently impressed during his tenure in the capital, establishing his current squad as a stable and attacking force in the division.
Meanwhile, Iraola earned widespread acclaim for his transformative work on the south coast, implementing an aggressive, high-pressing system.
Alonso remains an attractive proposition
The inclusion of Alonso highlights the continued immense stock of the Spanish coach following his historic, title-winning achievements in the Bundesliga.
Luring the highly sought-after tactician back to England would represent a major statement of intent from the two-time Champions League winners.
Reporting on the vacancy, Kaveh Solhekol noted that the Blues are actively accelerating their recruitment process to avoid summer disruptions.
Chelsea are hoping to finalise a deal for their new head coach before the World Cup.
With the global showpiece set to dominate the upcoming schedule, swift negotiations will be required to prevent a protracted and distracting managerial saga.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has provided a major boost ahead of the FA Cup final by delivering a commanding performance in a 1-1 Premier League draw against Liverpool following a nine-month injury absence.
The 23-year-old made his first start of the campaign at Anfield after suffering a devastating anterior cruciate ligament tear during pre-season.
His 90-minute display helped the Blues secure a valuable point to end a difficult week that previously featured a bruising home defeat by Nottingham Forest.
Instant impact and leadership
Despite his extended spell on the sidelines, the England international immediately assumed a vocal leadership role within a fragile defensive unit.
The centre-back recorded the most passes of any visiting player with 73 successful distributions.
He also led the team statistics for defensive contributions, interceptions, clearances, blocked shots and aerial duels won.
“I thought he was exceptional,” said interim head coach Calum McFarlane.
“The first 90 minutes, away at Anfield, when the team aren’t particularly in their best form, to go and put that level of performance in, it doesn’t only show his level of talent and quality, it shows his mentality.”
Defensive stability restored
The former Brighton loanee’s return brought much-needed stability to a backline that has faced severe criticism throughout a turbulent season.
His presence noticeably elevated the performance of defensive partner Wesley Fofana, who had recently struggled for form and lost his place in the side.
“Defensively, apart from conceding early, I thought we were immense,” the returning defender observed following the hard-fought point.
Boosted by his influence, the West London club outran their opponents for the first time in 36 Premier League matches this season.
With a crucial trip to Wembley looming, the timely reintegration of their academy graduate offers significant optimism for the club’s silverware ambitions.
Kansas City has been selected as the official base camp for England, Argentina and the Netherlands ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Despite being the smallest of the 11 American host cities, the Midwestern metropolis has successfully attracted three tournament top seeds.
The global competition runs from 11 June to 19 July, bringing an influx of elite athletes and fervent supporters to America’s heartland.
It marks a significant milestone for a region that missed out on hosting duties when the tournament was last staged in the country in 1994.
Central location and elite facilities
Football has grown exponentially in the decades since that initial snub, with the region now boasting several state-of-the-art training complexes.
The central geographical location of the urban area also makes it an ideal hub for international teams looking to minimise demanding travel schedules across multiple time zones.
Known locally as KC, the city uniquely straddles the two states of Missouri and Kansas at the confluence of two major rivers.
Arrowhead Stadium to host quarter-final
The more populous Missouri side will stage six tournament fixtures, including a highly anticipated quarter-final match.
These games will be held at Arrowhead Stadium, the renowned home venue of the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Reigning world champions Argentina will conduct their training sessions on the quieter Kansas side of the border.
Meanwhile, the Three Lions will be accommodated in a nearby luxury hotel, presenting a stark contrast to their previous base in Qatar.
Culture and hospitality
While the region may lack the vibrant coastal nightlife of Miami or Los Angeles, local officials remain confident that visiting fans will embrace the distinctive Midwestern culture.
The area is globally recognised for its celebrated barbecue culinary scene and historic 18th and Vine jazz district.
“I think you come in and you expect Midwest cows walking down the street.”
Jake Reid, vice-president of the local host committee, believes the reality of the destination will pleasantly surprise international guests.
“But it’s got such a great arts and culture scene, and the people just make you feel welcome.”
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have backed Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice to win the PFA Player of the Year award ahead of David Raya and Bruno Fernandes.
The former England strikers revealed their preference during the latest episode of the Rest is Football podcast.
Co-host Micah Richards originally suggested Gunners goalkeeper Raya should take the honour following a string of crucial performances.
However, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer Shearer quickly disagreed, stating his preference for the combative midfielder.
“Declan Rice for me.”
Lineker echoed the sentiment, admitting a personal bias against selecting shot-stoppers for the prestigious individual accolade.
“Yeah, I think I’d go Declan. I can’t… I just haven’t got it in me to vote for a goalkeeper.”
Arsenal and Manchester United dominate award discussions
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit four points clear of Manchester City at the Premier League summit with two games remaining.
Their title charge has been heavily reliant on defensive solidity, with the Spanish goalkeeper securing his 18th clean sheet of the campaign against West Ham.
A crucial weekend save to deny Mateus Fernandes ensured the north London outfit secured a vital 1-0 victory courtesy of Leandro Trossard.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are on the verge of cementing third place in a remarkable turnaround from their 15th-placed finish last term, despite a recent Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Bruno Fernandes leads the bookmakers’ odds
Despite the podcast hosts’ agreement on Rice, the Red Devils captain remains the betting favourite after recently securing the FWA Player of the Year.
The Portuguese playmaker has been instrumental for the Old Trafford side, registering a staggering 19 assists across the league season.
He requires just one more to equal the all-time Premier League record of 20 with only two fixtures left to play.
Rice is currently listed as the second favourite, while Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva remain firmly in contention.
Further down the betting markets, Bournemouth’s 19-year-old forward Eli Junior Kroupi has emerged as an outside contender after netting 12 league goals in his debut English season.
Former England defender Gary Neville expects Arsenal to be crowned Premier League champions on 19 May after predicting Manchester City will drop crucial points against Bournemouth.
The league leaders currently maintain a five-point advantage over the reigning champions following a vital 1-0 victory against West Ham on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side still hold a vital game in hand over their main title rivals.
Rearranged fixtures create a title twist
That extra fixture has been pushed back due to this weekend’s FA Cup final commitments against Chelsea.
Both challengers are heavily tipped to secure routine victories in their immediate midweek domestic matchups.
The Manchester club host Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening, while the Gunners welcome Burnley to north London.
Speaking on his podcast, the pundit forecast a definitive and unexpected twist during the subsequent round of matches.
“I think City beat Palace, I think Arsenal beat Burnley and I think Arsenal win it, Tuesday night on the 19th of May by City not doing the job at Bournemouth,” Neville stated.
A stumbling block on the south coast
The former Manchester United captain acknowledged the relentless nature of the chasing pack.
“Look, it can happen all sorts of different ways and Manchester City, to be fair have got that ability to go right until the end,” he added.
A gruelling and condensed schedule awaits the cup finalists over the coming week.
Securing a domestic double remains a significant possibility for the defending champions despite the heavy workload.
“But I think this is a hammer blow for City really. They’ve got the game on Wednesday against Palace, they’ve got the cup final against Chelsea on Saturday so they can win a domestic double, which is a big achievement,” Neville explained.
Farewell factor at the Vitality Stadium
The quick turnaround for their crucial league trip down south appears highly problematic for a fatigued squad.
The upcoming clash also marks Andoni Iraola’s final match in charge of the Cherries.
“And then they go to Bournemouth on Tuesday and I think that might be a step too far with how Bournemouth are right now. Being Iraola’s last game at Bournemouth and just the fact that they’re a good side,” he concluded.