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Sport's immunity is stripped away to leave real danger | Paul Hayward

South Africa may claim there is no link between events in Angola and their World Cup but the seed of doubt has been sownMuggings, car-jackings, robberies and shootings were all spectres haunting Africa's first World Cup but not politically motivated machine gun attacks, until the continent's other...

You are the Ref

Click to enlarge, and debate the strip below the line. Keith Hackett's official answers appear in Sunday's Observer and here from Monday.Keith Hackett's answers1) The law on encroachment is clear: once you have signalled for a penalty to be taken, if a member of the attacking team other than the...

As football begins, west is warned: don't stereotype whole of Africa

• Doubts remain over Togo's participation after attack• Leaders warn world against 'Afro-pessimism'Thousands of fans descended on ­Angola's national stadium last night for what should have been a moment of national pride, the jamboree that was supposed to be the 27th Africa Cup of...

Sir Alex Ferguson on thin ice in carrying on criticism of referees

• United's manager rails again but may escape FA censure• Referee defends sending-off of Darren FletcherSir Alex Ferguson is expected to escape sanction from the Football Association following his latest outburst against match officials after the Manchester United manager criticised...

Premier League: Birmingham City 1-1 Manchester United

There is more solidarity than rivalry among the expected contenders for the Premier League. They are covering for one another nowadays. Chelsea could only take a ­scoring draw at home to ­Everton last month, but the result has acquired respectability since Arsenal were lucky to get a...

Premier League: Arsenal 2-2 Everton

Talk of Arsenal's shortcomings has become almost cliche. The squad lacks sufficient depth; there are too many players of similar styles; there are too many frailties too easily exposed at the back; and too many key personnel, from Robin van Persie to Cesc Fábregas, are injured. Having passed...

West Ham suitors meet lending banks in ownership talks today

• Club's five main lenders to sound out investors• New owners could be in place next weekThe ownership saga at West Ham United is expected to become clearer after today, when representatives of the consortium of five banks that have loaned money to the Premier League club meet...

'Let's not reach for the stars too soon,' says Birmingham City's Alex McLeish

• Manager stays grounded despite club record unbeaten run• 'There are seven clubs no one else will get near' There can be no better barometer of Birmingham City's progress this season than the disappointment etched on the faces of Alex McLeish's players after the final whistle on...