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Tara Warren of the Independent Football Regulator was an executive director at West Ham until DecemberA nonexecutive director of the Independent Football Regulator will not be involved in the inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct against David Sullivan to avoid a conflict of interest over her links to West Ham.Tara Warren was an executive director of West Ham United and the club’s women’s team before joining the football regulator.Sullivan announced his resignation as a director and co-chair of West Ham last Saturday, before the publication of a joint investigation in which seven women accused him of abusing his power and preying on them for sex, in claims that date back to the 1980s and 1990s.However, the 77-year-old remains the club’s largest shareholder, with a 38.8% stake, and the regulator is seeking clarity around the situation before launching a potential investigation. English football’s regulatory body has called the allegations “extremely serious” and has been given statutory powers to force a club owner to divest their shares should they be deemed unsuitable.Sullivan has faced restrictions on his contact with West Ham’s women and youth teams since 2023 because of a safeguarding investigation by the Football Association. He has described the restriction as “meaningless and did not amount to a ban” and that he accepted it “for a quiet life”.West Ham issued a statement on Thursday saying that the safeguarding measures followed the club’s safeguarding policy, as agreed with the FA and the local authority. The club added that “only a very limited number of West Ham United employees were informed of these measures”. The Guardian reported this week that the women’s team were now aware of the restrictions imposed on Sullivan.Warren, who left the club last December, was appointed as a director of the women’s team in February 2023. She joined West Ham as a marketing director in 2009 and became an executive director in 2014. Warren was a close ally of Karren Brady, who stepped down as West Ham’s vice-chair in April.Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, appointed Warren as one of five non-executive directors of the regulator in February. The Guardian asked the Independent Football Regulator and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about a potential conflict of interest and if Warren’s previous links with West Ham would see her recused from any investigation into Sullivan.A spokesperson for the regulator said: “The IFR has robust policies and processes in place to ensure any interests that may conflict with the responsibilities of board members are known and managed accordingly. Where a board member does have a conflict or perceived conflict of interest, they will be recused from any decision making role relating to the matter.”Warren denies being aware of the allegations made against Sullivan before their publication this week. Through his lawyers, Sullivan has denied the allegations against him.Sullivan is believed to be open to selling his stake. Daniel Kretinsky, West Ham’s second largest shareholder, is interested in taking a majority stake. The Czech billionaire could do so by buying the Gold family’s 25% stake.

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Canada claimed their first ever World Cup point as the co-hosts came from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina.For long periods, Canada thought it wasn't their day. After Bosnia led through Jovo Lukic's close-range header from a corner, some wasteful finishing and equally stunning Bosnia-Herzegovina defending frustrated the co-hosts.Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi missed golden first-half chances to score. In the second half, former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac and Nikola Katic both cleared off the line as the pressure from Jesse Marsch's side grew.But Southampton striker Cyle Larin's finish from inside the box - his first touch after coming onto the pitch 121 seconds earlier - sent Toronto into delirium and rescued a point for the co-hosts.Jonathan David is one of Canada's poster boys at this World Cup. After scoring at least 25 goals in each of his final three seasons at Lille, he created a reputation as one of the best strikers in Europe.But now it's time to question whether he should start up front for Canada on current form.He came into the tournament in poor form for new club Juventus, scoring just eight times in 46 games and in this World Cup opener, he looked a player short of confidence.His golden chance in the game saw him fire a big chance straight at the goalkeeper in the first half. He had just 24 touches, the lowest out of all of Canada's starters.What won't help his case is how substitutes Promise David and Cyle Larin - who have had much better club seasons than the Juventus man - looked much sharper after coming off the bench.Both players combined for Larin's equaliser and have put themselves in contention to start Canada's next game - a crucial must-win game against Qatar.Does Jesse Marsch stick with Jonathan David and hope he finds his confidence against Qatar? Or does he go with the sharper and more in-form options?Canada head coach Jesse Marsch on what he said in the final drinks break to push the team to a equaliser:"We felt like we had them. We were starting to push the game. The subs came on and the tempo got higher. We saw that Bosnia were fading. So I told them that: 'we've got them now, it's time to put your foot on the jugular and go for the goal'."I'm disappointed with the first half. We were tentative. We didn't play as aggressively as I would have liked. When we say we want to be aggressive and play intense and hard to play against, we actually [have to] do it."The second half, from the first second we stepped on the pitch, it was different. We have to learn these lessons, we have to learn quick."We still have everything in hand, that's a really big point for us to put ourselves in the group and make sure we're not losing any ground. But we have to make sure the next performance is a reflection and learning point from what we did today."

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJonathan GeddesBBC ScotlandSeconds after Kenny McLean's shot from the halfway line hit the back of the Danish net last November, Andy Munro's children asked him a question."Why are so many people crying?"The Ayrshire dad-of-three may have had a few tears to wipe away himself, and he wasn't the only one.Scotland's 4-2 victory over Denmark booked the first World Cup appearance in 28 years for the men's national team and unleased waves of emotion across the country.Eight months later, and as Scotland prepare to face Haiti in the early hours of Sunday, feverish anticipation appears to be taking hold.From parties of thousands watching in large arenas to school kids setting alarms for the 02:00 BST kick-off, excitement, nerves and dreams linger on every street.Lucy McEwan is a 25-year-old teacher in Glasgow, who plays at amateur level with Linlithgow Rose."People don't really get behind the World Cup unless your country's involved in it, and for the first time in a lot of people's lives we are involved in it," she says."I think everybody's super, super excited. You can see the kids are so hyped up as well about it."Our department actually got the FIFA Panini sticker book this year, and all the kids are coming in, trading their stickers with us."Everyone just seems so excited about it."Lucy says she will be staying up for every game Scotland play, meaning her classes might have a bleary-eyed teacher on Thursday 25 June - the day after Scotland play Brazil in their final Group C match, with a 23:00 kick off.Many pupils might have the same issues too.Andy Munro lives in Dunlop, Ayrshire, and has three children - Harry, 14, Keir, 12 and Adam, 10.All three boys are football fans who worship John McGinn, and none have seen the men's team take part in a World Cup."The timing of the Haiti game is causing some challenges, " he laughs."I think we will go to bed about eight, and then wake up around half one to watch the game - and then the boys are all playing football on Sunday morning too. So we will see how it goes."It's all they're talking about."In Peterhead, pupils at Clerkhill School have made their own World Cup song, written by teacher Diane Pert - who says she put aside her jealousy at having to work while her husband flies to America for the games.They aren't the only ones feeling musical - dozens of singers and bands have released songs to try and capture the national mood.Signs of excitement are everywhere, and not just in the obvious pubs and supermarkets.Chip shops and hairdressers in Glasgow's Anniesland have Saltires draped across windows, banks in Dumfries have inflatable footballs stuck on walls next to cash machines.Bear Scotland, who look after the country's roads, named one of their gritters "Snow Scotland Snow Party", complete with someone dressed up as a kilt-wearing polar bear.Local authorities have got in on the act too, with East Renfrewshire Council re-naming themselves East Robbo-shire Council in honour of Scotland's captain Andy Robertson - who comes from the area.In Dumfries, one of the most colourful shows of support for Scotland is outside Kings coffee shop, with flags fluttering above its outdoor tables.Owner Mark Smith said: "Even as we were installing them, people passing by started cheering, getting excited, even singing football songs."There's definitely a buzz in town. We're hearing people talking about our chances, and reminiscing over past World Cup attempts."While 28 years have passed since the men's team reached France 98, in recent years Steve Clarke's squad have made it to two European Championships and the women's side qualified for the 2019 World Cup.However, interest in 2026 appears to be on another level.JD Sports says it has sold around twice as many Scotland kits as it did for the 2024 European Championships. The strip is currently the retailer's biggest seller in both the UK and the US.Pop-up Scotland shops offering official merchandise can be found in the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling.An employee in Glasgow told the BBC that retro kits were among the biggest sellers, along with a T-shirt saying "We'll Be Coming 26" - popular among Tartan Army members travelling to America.Those not going on a transatlantic trip are instead booking tickets for pubs and other venues, which are expected to be rammed to capacity.Places more used to holding gigs, like SWG3 in Glasgow and the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen, are screening watch parties of matches.The country's biggest venue, the OVO Hydro, is expecting thousands of supporters and says it will have the biggest screen in the country."We have waited almost 30 years for Scotland to return to the biggest stage in world football, and we wanted to put the team on our stage for fans who haven't been able to make the trip across the Atlantic," says chief commercial officer Debbie McWilliams.For pubs the World Cup offers a potential bonanza, after late licencing hours were allowed by nearly all local authorities.Liam Logue runs Greens Sports Bar in Dumfries with his wife Cas and is expecting the pub to be packed with Scotland fans."We've sold 240 tickets - we originally sold 200," he said."Ever since we sold out we've had every man and his dog messaging us, so we probably could have sold another 100."The current feeling is not totally new for some supporters, but rather something which has been missing for years.With the exception of USA 94, Scotland reached every World Cup from 1974 to 1998.For fans who grew up in that era there was an expectation that they would be there, even if the tournaments themselves inevitably proved agonising."I was 18 during France 98, and I decided not to go," recalls Graeme McNay, who lives in Glasgow."I remember thinking to myself that I would definitely go four years later, or the one after that if we did not qualify."You took it for granted Scotland would be at the World Cup. I didn't expect it to be another 28 years!"There was a point when you started to wonder if you'd ever see us there again."Tens of thousands of Scotland fans heading to the US, and the atmosphere has been building in Boston as the Tartan Army sets up camp.Graeme has travelled to America with friends for the Haiti and Morocco games. As someone who can recall the infamous likes of a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in 1990, his excitement is mixed with nerves."I'm a bit of a pessimist so I'm worried we'll trip up against Haiti," he says."It's always the ones you expect to win that end up a banana skin, like Costa Rica or Morocco in 1998."But Steve Clarke will keep us grounded and hopefully we finally get out the group."Optimism is running high elsewhere, though.A worker at the pop-up store in Glasgow recalls a conversation with the parents of one very young child who was "used to Scotland winning all the time now" - a far cry from some of the dark days fans have endured over the last 28 years.And anyone seeking positive vibes need only look a few yards from the national stadium, where adults cried last November as the final whistle went.A mural of Scott McTominany's spectacular overhead kick which opened the scoring against Denmark is painted on a nearby wall.Lindsay Hamilton has run walking tours around the area for several years, taking in the three different places where Hampden Park has been located.In recent weeks though, she has noticed a change."There's been such a buzz around the World Cup, with folk giving their predictions and sharing their own personal stories from all the previous near misses."Other murals of McTominany and McGinn have popped up elsewhere in the country too.For Lindsay, the mural brings back emotions - and like the rest of the country, she is hoping for more to be made this summer."It brings a smile every time you see it."

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBilly Kenber,Investigations correspondent,Hannah PriceandSophie SmithFormer West Ham vice-chair Baroness Brady knew the club's co-owner David Sullivan was banned from contacting the women's and youth teams because of safeguarding concerns, but has defended continuing to work for him for three years, the BBC has learned.Baroness Brady, 57, who is best known for her role on BBC One's The Apprentice, has worked for Sullivan for the best part of four decades, including 16 years as vice-chair at West Ham.In her first response to a BBC Panorama and Times newspaper investigation which revealed that David Sullivan had been accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, lawyers for Baroness Brady said she stayed at West Ham because of the principle of a "presumption of innocence" and denied that it was hypocritical to remain there whilst also being a vocal supporter of women's rights.Her lawyers said she had "no knowledge" of the allegations made in a joint BBC Panorama and Times newspaper investigation published earlier this week, and added she was "not involved in, nor did she witness... [any] of the incidents alleged in the reports".Sullivan has categorically denied all allegations against him.In correspondence from her lawyers to the BBC on Friday evening, she acknowledged that she was made aware that the Football Association had raised concerns about Sullivan when the FA contacted West Ham in July 2023.This followed the FA receiving a complaint about a historic allegation dating back to the 1980s.Brady's lawyers said, though she was aware, she was not involved in the decision made by West Ham in conjunction with the local authority and the FA to impose restrictions on Sullivan's access to the club's women's and youth teams.The lawyers said her role was to "ensure the club's established and robust safeguarding structures, procedures and necessary confidentialities were followed and respected throughout".Brady continued working for the club until April this year when she stepped down abruptly five games before the end of the season.In the letter, her lawyers said she remained at West Ham because Sullivan always denied the allegation and she relied "on the principle of presumption of innocence in continuing to work at the club".Asked by the BBC whether Brady saw any contradiction between her support for women's rights and working for a man who was perceived to present sufficient risk to women and younger people that he was prevented from contacting them at his own football club, her lawyers said there wasn't one."There is no inconsistency or hypocrisy between our client advocating for the protection of women and respecting the confidential safeguarding investigation and process that was being managed by the appropriate safeguarding professionals and statutory authorities," they said.Brady has worked with Sullivan for the best part of four decades. She worked for his Sport newspapers before he named the then-23-year-old managing director of Birmingham City after taking over the club in 1993.After buying West Ham with business partners in 2010, Sullivan installed Baroness Brady as vice-chair and she helped negotiate the club's move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.At the time of her departure, she issued a statement saying it had "been a privilege to work alongside the board, management, players, staff and supporters at West Ham United".Baroness Brady has been a member of the House of Lords since 2014 and has served as one of Lord Sugar's assistants on The Apprentice for 16 years.

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleCatherine LystBBC ScotlandScottish football legend Lou Macari and radio presenter George Bowie are among those to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours.Macari has been made an MBE for services to association football and to homeless people, while Clyde 1 DJ Bowie has received the same honour for services to radio and charity.Bowie, from Greenock, is known for popularising the Eurodance track Bits and Pieces, which became beloved by Scotland football fans as a Hampden goal-scoring song.Macari, who played for Scotland at the 1978 World Cup, began his career at Celtic before making more than 400 appearances for Manchester United.The midfielder was just 17-years-old when he joined Celtic after being spotted while playing for his school team.He quickly became part of the late 1960s reserve side, known as the Quality Street Gang, that also included Kenny Dalglish and Danny McGrain.The now 77-year-old won 24 Scotland caps and later managed clubs including Celtic and Stoke City for almost 20 years.In 2016 he set up a homeless charity, The Macari Foundation, in his home town of Stoke-on-Trent.Meanwhile, Bowie At Breakfast has long been a fixture on Clyde 1, and next April will mark 30 years of the DJ presenting the show live.The 58-year-old, who is also a dance music DJ, has long attended charity events across Scotland without accepting any fee and has helped social groups secure more than £1m in grants.Reflecting on the MBE, he said his 88-year-old mother Betty was overjoyed to hear of his nomination.Bowie added: "I can't describe what this means to her."He described the honour as "amazing" even if others were more deserving and said: "I'm delighted to receive it."Also on the list is Prof Lucina Hackman, from the University of Dundee, who said she was "honoured" to have been given a damehood for services to forensic anthropology.She heads the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification in Dundee where her work has changed the way that mass fatality events in the UK are investigated.Dame Lucina has worked at the university since 2006.She designed, implemented and evaluated training programmes in both forensic anthropology and disaster victim identification (DVI), when no such professional approach existed.This led to her becoming a "go to" adviser for Interpol and other global investigative authorities.Dame Lucina has given evidence in court in relation to trauma analysis, identification, and age estimation.One of her areas of expertise is helping to identify the age of asylum seekers and refugees."My line of work revolves around what are often very difficult and traumatic circumstances, but delivers something which is vital to society," she said."To have that honoured in this way is deeply rewarding."Numerous Scottish academics have been honoured, including Prof Andrew Morris from the University of Edinburgh, who has been given a knighthood in recognition of his services to medical sciences and public health.He is vice-principal of data science and currently leads Health Data Research UK, a biomedical research institute.The academic was previously dean of medicine at the University of Dundee and advised the Scottish government as chief scientist within the health directorate.People working for charities and the voluntary sector have been recognised as well, including James Coles, team leader of Moffat Mountain Rescue Team, who has been made an MBE for services to mountain rescue.Gordon Deans, chairman of Orkney2025, has been given the same honour for services to sport and island communities.Former Scotland rugby international Ian Robertson has been made an OBE for services to rugby union and broadcasting.The former Scotland fly half played in three Calcutta Cup matches and became the BBC's official rugby union correspondent in 1983."With Scotland qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in decades, it is particularly fitting that Scottish footballing legend Lou Macari has been recognised by His Majesty."Macari won 24 caps for Scotland, including in the doomed 1978 Argentina campaign – we all hope for a better result this time."Scotland's vibrant education, science and energy sectors are well represented. I'm particularly pleased to see Scotland's renewables and nuclear energy expertise recognised – as our nation leads our drive to clean power."Alexander added: "The list is a testament to the extraordinary difference that ordinary people make in their communities every day."It recognises those who give so much of themselves in service to others."Scotland is fortunate to have so many remarkable people working quietly and tirelessly to make it a better place, and it is right that we take this moment to celebrate them."Companion of Honour - Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their nameCBE - Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOBE - Officer of the Order of the British EmpireMBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire

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Kevin Sinfield has received a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours while six of England's Euro 2025-winning squad have been made MBEs.Sinfield, the former Leeds Rhinos and England captain, is just the second rugby league figure to be knighted after Billy Boston.Fellow rugby league legend Neil Fox has been upgraded from an MBE to a CBE, while there are OBEs for two-time Ryder Cup-winning captain Luke Donald, former snooker world champion Shaun Murphy and former England rugby union captain Emily Scarratt.The latest Lionesses to be appointed MBEs are Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo, after five of their team-mates were recognised in the New Year list.Former Scotland international Lou Macari has also been made an MBE, for services to football and homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent, along with Gary Street, who coached the England women's rugby union team to World Cup glory in 2014.Meanwhile, ex-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has become an OBE for services to football and charity.Sinfield, 45, led Leeds to seven Super League titles between 2004 and 2015, and has since raised more than £11m to aid research and support families affected by Motor Neurone Disease.The current England rugby union defence coach was inspired by his close friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 aged 41 after a five-year battle with MND."My playing career was everything I could ever have dreamed of as a young man but the last seven years have given me so much inspiration," said Sinfield."The MND community are the very best of us and it has been my privilege to support them and put their battle on the stage it needs."Just four days ago Sinfield announced his seventh and final annual challenge to raise money for MND charities."I am pleased that this honour allows me to continue to raise awareness and I am looking forward to joining up with the '7 in 7' team again in September," he added.Sinfield's first challenge was in December 2020, and he and Burrow were both made CBEs in the New Year Honours list in December 2023.Rob's widow Lindsey said: "On behalf of the whole Burrow family, I would like to congratulate Kevin on his knighthood. We are all delighted for him and I can not think of a more deserving recipient."Kevin did so much for Rob but also the whole MND community. [It] means so much to so many people to have a champion like Kevin in their corner."As Rob used to say, everyone should have a friend like Kevin and so many people will be pleased to see him get this recognition."Sinfield is the third-highest points scorer in British rugby league history, with the 87-year-old Neil Fox the clear leader.Nigel Wood, chairman of the Rugby Football League, said: "Neil's astonishing feats, largely with the glorious Wakefield Trinity side of the 1960s, have stood the test of time in rugby league."'Honoured and humbled' BBC presenter Watson appointed MBESnooker's Shaun Murphy narrowly missed out a second world title last month and has been recognised for his charity work, notably for the Rainbow Children's Hospice in the Midlands."I couldn't believe it, I started shaking," he told BBC Sport. "It had actually gone to our previous address [initially] so we had 24 hours to respond and accept, so I might have missed it."You realise that for your family, who have been on this journey since I started snooker when I was eight, that's as big as it gets. I don't think I've ever heard my mum as happy or as proud."Emily Scarratt has also been made an OBE having retired last year after a second women's Rugby World Cup win."It's a huge honour and incredibly humbling to be named on the King's Birthday Honours list," Scarratt said.Former coach Gary Street, who suffered a stroke in 2024, is regarded as one of the most influential figures in turning the Red Roses into powerhouses of women's rugby.Under his guidance, England won the Six Nations in each of of his first six seasons in charge and ended a 20-year wait to lift their second World Cup in 2014.His wife Helen said: "Gary is incredibly honoured and grateful to receive an MBE. Rugby has given so much to him throughout his life, and we owe a huge debt of thanks to everyone who has been part of that journey."Jess Carter is one of six England footballers to become an MBE and told BBC Sport: "It's amazing to be recognised. I've seen it with a lot of my Lioness team-mates, who've done incredible in the sport and continue to raise awareness of women's football, and sports for everybody really, so it's an honour to be part of that list."England men's Under-21s coach Lee Carsley has also been made an MBE, along with 91-year-old Cliff Jones, who played for Wales at the 1958 World Cup and was a member of Tottenham's double-winning side of 1961, plus flat racing's three-time champion jockey Ryan Moore.Broadcasters Ian Robertson and Garry Richardson have also been recognised with each having spent more than 45 years with the BBC.Lou Macari played for Celtic and Manchester United, and had two spells as Stoke manager before setting up a foundation to help combat homelessness in the city."It's a great honour," the 77-year-old told BBC Sport. "It started 10 years ago and never did I think 10 years later I'd still be doing it, but such is the need for homeless people to get looked after, I'm still there and we'll still be there for a number of years probably from now on."I get more people talking to me now about the homeless situation in this country than about the football, and I don't mind that. I'm delighted that there's still people who are interested."After 24 years as Arsenal's vice-chairman, David Dein founded The Twinning Project in 2018, to forge bonds between football clubs and local prisons with the aim of minimising re-offending."Football is a major part of my life and finding a way to employ it as a force for good within HMPPS (His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service) has been a matter of huge pride," Dein said.Kevin Sinfield (coach, former international and fundraiser), for services to rugby league, rugby union and the MND communityCommanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)Neil Fox MBE (former rugby league international), for services to rugby league and the community in West YorkshireOfficers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)Mel Bound (founder, This Woman Runs), for services to women's community sportDavid Dein (former Arsenal chairman and founder, The Twinning Project), for services to football and charityLuke Donald (golfer), for services to golfDr Clare Halsted (administrator, volunteer and former athlete), for services to fencingShaun Murphy (snooker player), for services to snooker and charityIan Robertson (broadcaster and former Scotland international), for services to rugby union and broadcastingEmily Scarratt (former England international), for services to rugby unionMembers of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)Michelle Agyemang (England international), for services to footballBrenda Bland (former Great Britain team manager), for services to swimmingLee Carsley (coach, England men's Under-21s), for services to footballJess Carter (England international), for services to footballJane Figueiredo (coach, Aquatics GB), for services to divingHannah Hampton (England international), for services to footballJane Harvey (official), for services to tennisLauren James (England international), for services to footballCliff Jones (former Wales international), for services to Welsh footballChloe Kelly (England international), for services to footballLou Macari (founder, Macari Foundation, and former Scotland international), for services to football and homeless people in Stoke-on-TrentRyan Moore (jockey), for services to horse racing and British sportRichard Morris (head, GB Para Badminton), for services to sport and disabled peopleGarry Richardson (broadcaster), for services to sport broadcastingAlessia Russo (England international), for services to footballGary Street (former England women's head coach), for services to rugby unionBrian Walsh (coach), for services to cricket

World Cup News

Steve Clarke’s team start against Haiti in Foxborough with growing optimism of ending their pattern of failure on the biggest stageIt is not only ghosts from Costa Rica, Peru, Iran or Zaire that haunt Scotland as they prepare for a long-awaited World Cup return. Instead, there is a broader pattern of failure that Steve Clarke and his class of 2026 need to extricate the nation from. From 23 games on football’s biggest stage, the Scots have won only four times. The expansion of the World Cup should assist them, a team who now and correctly regard merely qualifying for major tournaments as insufficient.Scotland were unbeaten in 1974 yet took an early path home from West Germany. More than 50 years later, a comfortable win over Haiti should be enough to seal progression to the last 32. It is impossible to shake the notion that Scotland’s World Cup fate is dependent on game one in Boston against a side who lack nothing in national cause. Haiti’s pace and physicality will cause some tartan tremors. Nonetheless, taking on the 83rd-ranked team in the world with history-making on the line is an appetising deal.The past is significant in assessing how Scotland might handle the future. It will barely matter to Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Scott McTominay that 16 June 1990 and a 2-1 success over Sweden marks the last time Scotland tasted World Cup victory, but scars from Euro 2024 are still visible. Scotland landed in Germany adamant lessons had been learned from the previous tournament staging, when tanks were emptied during a draw at Wembley and not replenished by the time Croatia swaggered towards a win at Hampden Park. Rather than display progression, Scotland froze; an opening game thrashing by Germany preceded a decent draw against Switzerland before Clarke and his team exited in meek fashion at the hands of Hungary.In recent days Clarke has dropped his stoical approach. He pined for the World Cup as a player but never took the call. Clarke encountered stress as the European Championships of 2021 and 2024 proved anticlimactic. The manager’s sunny disposition will remain if Haiti are vanquished. Falling short, in what would deliver a grim glance at World Cups of old, will unleash ferocious criticism of Scotland’s manager from way beyond Massachusetts. Now is the time for Scotland to meet huge expectation and move discussion on from the spine-tingling November occasion when qualification was sealed with the 4-2 dismissal of Denmark.“We had that amazing night six months ago but that is gone,” says Kenny McLean, who scored Scotland’s fourth goal from the halfway line. “We are here now and we need to focus on the here and now. We know how special this can be for us. We know we are in a good place to create more memories for us and for the country and our families.“We know it is all about what we do and we think we have everything in place to be as good as we can be and create history. We know that fans are flooding into the country and we know the excitement is there.” Or as a Boston radio station put it on Friday morning: Scots have flooded their city with smiles, kilts and bagpipes. Grim results from the past should not disguise the fact any World Cup is a better place with Scotland in it. Scots are, however, expected to be outnumbered by fans of all three of their Group C opponents. Morocco and Brazil lie in wait post-Haiti.Scotland’s relationship with the World Cup requires counselling. The country opted not to feature in the 1950 edition, when apparently in a huff over losing a home international to England. In 1954 Scotland arrived in Switzerland with only 13 players and little by way of organisation. “We didn’t even have Scotland tracksuits,” said Willie Fernie, part of that squad, afterwards. “We had to bring our own training gear. And what a peculiar lot we looked among the world’s best, with the green of Celtic and the white of Preston and the blue of Dundee contrasting with the beautifully turned out teams of Europe and South America. We looked like liquorice allsorts.” Uruguay duly trounced Scotland 7-0.There was ignorance and arrogance among Scots back then. The same applied in 1990, when Scotland fell to an embarrassing defeat to Costa Rica. Eight years later Scotland slumped to defeat by Morocco in Saint-Étienne and departed the World Cup scene for almost three decades.There is cause for optimism now. Scotland have enjoyed five-star facilities at their training base in North Carolina. They will be armed with information on Haiti, a dangerous but hardly elite opponent. Scotland’s players speak regularly of lingering anger from Germany two years ago, which, it is reasonable to think, will incentivise them in the United States. “There are no excuses,” says McGinn. “We have to give everyone involved huge credit. They’ve put a lot of effort in. We’ve had the luxury of not having a playoff and had time to analyse where is best for us to be successful. We have come to a world-class facility and we have so much to help make us better. Credit has got to go to the manager and the staff. It’s a very professional environment.” It is also one including match winners, McTominay chief among them, with his post-Manchester United career ascent such that a prominent World Cup role feels appropriate.Scotland should not be expected to beat Morocco. Brazil are, well, Brazil. The mission for Clarke is to ensure Scotland are playing with house money after game one. They have to break their own tournament mould and relish the position of favourites. The reward for that is bigger than ever.

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Captain said game helped pass time in training campScotland play 83rd-ranked Haiti on Saturday in BostonAndy Robertson has revealed an unorthodox way Scotland have prepared for their World Cup return, with the captain organising a game of Traitors among the squad during their buildup camp in the United States.Scotland’s meeting with Haiti in Boston is their first World Cup game since 1998. Much has been made of Scotland’s togetherness in the lead up to this tournament. Robertson did not explain who among his teammates was a faithful and who a traitor, but did explain why the game was introduced.“It was something we had done before and decided to do again because we can spend a lot of time in our rooms or on our own,” the 32-year-old said. “It is not easy being away from your family, your kids. It was something to try and get people out of their rooms, give quieter people a voice and give newer players a voice. So those were the ideas behind it.“Whether it has worked or not, I am not sure, but we certainly enjoyed it. That was last week, that is what took up our time after training was done. It is just about trying different ways of making time pass quickly because we knew these two weeks would probably drag. You just want the first game to come. So that, along with other things, helped to just quicken the time. It hasn’t felt too long that we have been away.”Scotland’s preparations for Haiti have been boosted by Scott McTominay’s availability. The midfielder sat out training on Thursday due to a stomach complaint but returned to the field on Friday, with Steve Clarke insisting the Napoli midfielder is in “perfect” condition. The manager, however, moved away from the sense of McTominay being a talisman within his squad.“I think I have 26 superstars here,” Clarke said. “To try and put so much on to one person is not fair. Everything over the last seven years has been the squad, the team, everyone being together and playing their part at certain times. We are delighted with Scott’s abilities and what he brings to the team but another 15 will have to do the same if we are going to have a positive tournament.”Clarke again urged caution in respect of judging Haiti, the 83rd-ranked team in the world. “It is important we respect the opposition,” said the 62-year-old. “We have watched Haiti very closely over the last six months, since the draw was made. We respect their abilities on the pitch.“Since they qualified they have improved the squad by bringing players in that have made them better. We think we know how they are going to play but obviously any team can become different. They have very dynamic players, especially the attacking players, so we have to be careful.”

World Cup News

ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul O'HareBBC ScotlandA desperate Scotland supporter is on a race against time to reach Boston after his US visa was approved on the eve of Scotland's World Cup opening match.Kenny Smith from Inverness was one of the many fans who saw their their Esta travel permits withdrawn without explanation last week.But after his travel was approved at the US embassy in London on Friday morning, airport delays caused him to narrowly miss his connecting flight in Dublin.He will spend the night there and hopes to arrive in Boston at 14:45 EST on Saturday, just hours before kick-off at 21:00 (02:00 BST). "Now it is mission critical," he said.Smith, who is lead singer with folk rock band Torridon, described the turn of events as "unbelievable"."It took ages to get the bags off. I missed my check-in by 15 minutes," he said."I am booked on tomorrow and due to arrive in Boston around 14:45."Smith, who joined the US embassy queue at 07:30, told BBC Scotland News there were several Scotland fans lined up.At the desk the official behind the glass who approved his visa said: "I am so sorry you had to go through this."Smith said: "I could have cried - and I did later. I said 'I could cuddle you just now'."He said a fist bump would do so we fist bumped on the screen and off I went."I have never had a feeling like it in my life. I am going to Boston."Smith said the "rollercoaster" experience since his visa was revoked last week had given him chest pains.The security firm boss said he was failed by the system but finally got a result thanks to the people, including politicians and fellow fans, who rallied to his cause.Smith said: "I can't keep track of the messages. It has been absolutely incredible."He hopes other Scotland fans in the same situation manage to get the green light to travel to the US, which is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico.Smith has been following Scotland home and away since he was 16.He was too young to attend the 1998 World Cup in France and vowed he would be at the next one.But he never imagined it would be almost three decades later.Scotland will face Haiti on the opening match in the Boston Stadium in Foxborough before taking on Morocco at the venue at 23:00 BST next Friday.The final group match in Miami - which kicks off at 23:00 on 24 June - will pit the national side against five-time winners Brazil.Earlier this week a Scotland football fan told BBC Scotland News how he found out an hour before flying that his travel permit had been revoked.Michael Wright ended up having to send his brother through the security gates at Manchester Airport on his own when his visa status switched to "travel not authorised".Other members of the Tartan Army previously told how they could lose out on thousands of pounds in travel costs due to the ESTA changes.In order to travel to America, applicants must complete a form, pay a fee, and receive approval before travel.An approved Esta is usually valid for two years and allows multiple short visits.UK citizens with certain criminal convictions or immigration issues are usually not eligible.In December, the White House said it wanted to make social media checks part of the process of applying for the permissions.Anyone who does not qualify for an Esta has to apply for a US visa instead, but this can be a lengthy progress.