Fergie 🏳️‍🌈

🏳️‍🌈 he/him | 🐀 | banner courtesy of me and @spoonshark

[Joe @electionsjoe]

The entire establishment deserves what is coming

[Chelsea FC @ChelseaFC]

He chose Chelsea.

[Telegraph Football @TeleFootball]

'Enzo Fernández became only the sixth player to be sent off in a World Cup final (and the third Argentine) and truly, nobody deserved it more.

'This is the man who, in 2024, was mired in a racism controversy when he broadcast a video on Instagram Live showing himself and Argentina team-mates singing a discriminatory chant about France’s players, mocking their African heritage and throwing in a few homophobic slurs.

'The Chelsea co-captain further endeared himself to his adopted land before the final, insisting that he had respect for the English “because everybody who cleans and cooks in our house is English”.'

But in a profoundly chastening final for Argentina, where they were not so much outplayed as emasculated, @oliverbrown_tel says he received his comeuppance at last 👇
https://t.co/eoJIH6jjIw

[Falkland Islands @falklands_utd]

🇪🇸💅😘

[Politics UK @PolitlcsUK]

It wasn't to be… but if you are a victim of domestic abuse tonight, call the following number:

0808 2000 247

[Steve Brusatte @SteveBrusatte]

Gus the T. rex fetched $50.1 million at auction, a new record price for a dinosaur

If this is how much dinosaurs cost now, how can museums afford them?

Where does that leave science & education? Will the public still have opportunities to be inspired?

https://t.co/uqkwV1nXQF

[England @England]

One step from the final.

[Shamu (COMMISSIONS OPEN) 🫍 @Shamu_blackfish]

To say I'm devastated is an absolute understatement. Sam Niel was one of the very few celebrities I looked up to.
Not only was he iconic, he was genuinely an amazing human being.

Rest easy Sam, we'll miss you greatly.

[Film Updates @FilmUpdates]

Sam Neill has sadly passed away at the age of 78.

[JPH @jessyjph]

Agassi happily chatting on commentary about the dinner he went for with Zverev last year is a prime example of all of this

[Noah Kahan @NoahKahan]

Angry Birds Rio always bummed me out. Just never felt quite right destroying a Brazilian community like that

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Ken Bates saved Chelsea. Not only back in 1982 when Bates rescued the club from potential oblivion. But still now, even following the sad news of his passing aged 94, Bates’ legacy continues to protect Chelsea. He created the CPO, Chelsea Pitch Owners, which safeguards the future of the stadium.

Bates achieved much in an extraordinary life. He fought to protect the FA Cup, fought for the new Wembley to be built, stabilised Leeds United and fought for smaller clubs but his greatest legacy revolves around Chelsea. Combative, controversial, loyal and principled in his way, Bates was driven by a desire to prove himself, to make something of himself, to take on the establishment in its varied forms.

Much of this drive stemmed from memories of growing up without parents (his mother died, his father disappeared and he was raised by his grandparents) and frustration at a childhood disability destroying his dream of making it as a footballer at Arsenal. He'd been a good attacker.

It was April 2 1982, when Bates rescued Chelsea. He spoke to the club bankers who’d run out of patience. “We have two cheques here,” the bank told Bates. “One is for the share of the (FA Cup) gate which has to go to the FA. And one is the players’ wages. Which one can we bounce?”

He came in, invested money to tide the club over and started cutting costs. Entering the Bridge boardroom for the first time pre-match, Bates was shocked to see the number of guests, the feast laid on, even a cigar box being passed around at a club losing £12,000 a week. Chelsea even had a club chauffeur. Not for long.

Bates’ cost-cutting was brutal but vital. Chelsea recovered, fought off property developers through Bates’ strength of personality, established themselves as a force in the Premier League and became more involved in European competition. Bates loved Chelsea. He loved entertainers. His favourite was Gianfranco Zola because the Italian played with a smile, dribbled and lit up stadiums and fans’ lives.

Even after selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003, taking over Leeds where his cost-cutting (and Chelsea past) alienated many fans, and then living in retirement with his beloved Suzannah in Monaco, Bates would try and return to watch matches at the Bridge. He kept a flat full of mementos nearby.

On the sideboard was a framed copy of Bates’ CPO share. One day while Chelsea chairman, a fan shouted about the possibility of “your grandson sells the land for houses”. Bates’ initial reaction was, typically, “You ungrateful bastard”.

But he realised that was a very real threat – the Bridge was prime London land. Developers craved it. So Bates created the CPO; it now numbers 13,000 fans owning 23,000 individual shares (Thomas Tuchel has one) and a large majority would be required to vote for any change in use of the pitch. And they aren’t for change. As Bates intended.

We last spoke on May 18. Ken sounded frail but was typically opinionated on the footballing issues of the day. Bates had his difficult side, vendettas and views, but he was passionate about family, football and Chelsea FC. RIP, Ken.

[Chelsea FC @ChelseaFC]

Ken Bates – 1931-2026.

[Alan Shearer @alanshearer]

Either both are fouls or neither is a foul. But they’re not going to re-referee they told us. #itsshit

[Mike Bassett @mike__bassett]

We’re better than the Mexicans!!!!!!

[England @England]

One of the greatest #ThreeLions performance at a @FIFAWorldCup 👏

[Falkland Islands @falklands_utd]

From one small Atlantic island to another: good luck Cape Verde.

Purely island solidarity, obviously. 🇫🇰🇨🇻

[Joe @electionsjoe]

Bingo

[Eric Lee @EricLeeAtty]

SCOTUS came within 2 votes of allowing the president to effectively overturn the 14th Amendment. Anything less than 9-0 on birthright citizenship would have been a scandal in earlier period. A significant decision today, but far, far too close a vote.

[Looking for Growth @lfg_uk]

The legal maximum for transporting cattle is 30ºc.

The Central line hit 39.4ºc. Heatstroke can occur with a body temperature of 40ºc.

Is this what we should expect from our public services?