May 2018 has ended, so the Sick Phoque Club must now grow by one. The one, of course, being NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He has announced a new policy requiring all players and team personnel to stand during the anthem if they're on the field. Here's some food for thought, Mr Goodell:
With a number such as 18 in it, surely this would be the year that people grow the fudge up and stop using symbols of hate such as the KKK flag (pictured in top-left). That symbol has one place in post-Civil War America and one place only: on top of the General Lee.
Manchester United ended the Premier League campaign with a welcome return to winning ways as a first-half goal from Marcus Rashford proved enough to see off Watford. The day was, of course, dominated by the farewell to Michael Carrick. Both squads lined up at the tunnel before the match to give the Reds’ retiring captain a guard of honour in his final Old Trafford match as a player. It was the 36-year-old’s 464th appearance since his 2006 move from Spurs. There was also a big pre-match standing ovation for David De Gea as he received his Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season, having notched up 18 personal shut-outs. The Spaniard was rested for the game against the Hornets as manager Jose Mourinho made wholesale changes ahead of next Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup final versus Chelsea. He'll need that rest as the FA Cup is now the trophy to focus on. If they get that, next will be the Community Shield. And then we have 2018/19, when there will be a whole new chance to win the Premiership, and hopefully the Champions League as well.
Manchester United acquired the point needed to secure second spot in the Premier League Thursday with a 0-0 draw with West Ham United at the London Stadium. It was a pleasant evening in the capital but there was no shaking the end-of-season feeling surrounding the game, with the Hammers safe from the drop. Indeed, the only real spark came in the closing stages when a flare-up required referee Jon Moss to reach into his pocket for the first time. But seriously, a goal would have been in order.
On a much more positive note, I now have a sponsor for the Ration Challenge - my sister has put NZ$10.60 into the pot. Those participating can do it as soon as they get their ration packs, but I will not be doing it until the official dates of June 17-24 (coincides with World Refugee Week), and besides I only signed up this weekend and have yet to receive my rations. I need to get more sponsors in the next five weeks, so here's the link again if you want in: https://my.rationchallenge.org.nz/scott-gall
That's right, people. Just like my buddy Sir Loin (pictured above), I'm doin' it fo' tha shorteez. And by shorteez, I mean all them Syrian refugees.
So what exactly is "it", I hear you ask? I've just signed up for the Ration Challenge - eating the same rations as a refugee for one week. Just a small amount of rice, lentils, chickpeas, beans, fish, and oil (entire kit pictured).
That's it - no red meat, no coffee, and no alcohol! I'd love your support - will you sponsor me? Just NZ$64 will feed a family of 6 for the next two weeks.
Click here to sponsor: https://my.rationchallenge.org.nz/scott-gall (I'm still using my male name as I haven't legally changed it yet)
Thanks so much!
Your donations will help a family like Asala's, living in a tent in an urban refugee camp on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan, with her husband Ahed and their 13-year-old son Naser. They fled from Syria 6 years ago to escape the bombings. Assala (pictured below with her son) hasn't seen her mother, or her sisters, since then.
Ahed has a back injury and can't work, so Assala has to pick up whatever work she can to help feed her family. The family depend entirely on her small income, and the food rations they've received thanks to the Ration Challenge.
"I feel so happy and relieved that there are good people who can help me and my family with food we can't buy," said Asala.
But it's not just her. The money we raise will provide Syrian refugees with food, medicine, and education. And most importantly, we'll be helping them find the physical and emotional strength they need to cope with the horrors they've suffered, and the hardships of life as a refugee.
By taking the Ration Challenge, I'm also supporting other conflict- and disaster-affected communities, and helping to achieve safety, justice, and dignity through Act for Peace's humanitarian response, sustainable development, and advocacy programs around the world.
Manchester United’s never-say-die streak sealed a late win against Arsenal to wreck Arsene Wenger’s final match at Old Trafford as Gunners boss. Reds manager Jose Mourinho outsmarted his rival as substitute Marouane Fellaini headed in a late winner in front of the Stretford End. The Belgian proved a handful for Arsenal’s defence late on and it proved a masterstroke from Mourinho. United had gone ahead early through Paul Pogba but Fellaini’s winner wiped out a potential point-winner for Henrikh Mkhitaryan who had equalised in the second half. United’s three points confirmed Champions League football again at Old Trafford next season as it rubber-stamped a top-four finish. Old feuds were forgotten prior to kick-off with the club making a classy gesture of a special memento to Wenger, who clearly had one eye on the Europa League semi-final second leg with Atletico Madrid as he made eight changes to his side. But it shouldn't just be about old feuds - it should also be about putting the ball in the back of the net, and I would find an old feud between two teams the perfect place to see who can do more of it.
