6 Lionel Messi World Cup Jerseys Sold For $7.8 Million

Dec 15 2023

Six jerseys worn by soccer icon Lionel Messi during Argentina’s triumphant campaign in the 2022 World Cup fetched a record-breaking $7.8 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.

The shirts, worn in the final, semi-final, quarter-final, last-16 tie, and two group stage games, marked Messi’s historic journey as the first player in World Cup history to score in every stage of a single tournament.

Argentina clinched victory in the final against France, securing their third World Cup title. Despite falling short of Michael Jordan’s NBA Finals jersey, which holds the record at $10.1 million, Messi’s shirts set the benchmark for sports memorabilia in 2022.

The auctioned jerseys, prominently displayed at Sotheby’s New York headquarters during the two-week online bidding, symbolize a pivotal moment in the career of the sport’s most decorated player.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, scored two crucial goals in the World Cup final. A portion of the auction proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, led by Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital, supported by the Leo Messi Foundation, aiding children with rare diseases.

The successful bid reaffirms Messi’s lasting impact on the sport and the enduring appeal of iconic sports memorabilia.

#MaltaDaily

Premier League: First Female Referee & Black Referee Since 2008

Dec 15 2023

Rebecca Welch is poised to make history as the first woman to referee a Premier League match, having been selected to officiate the Fulham versus Burnley game on Saturday, December 23.

A trailblazer in men’s football, Welch previously made history by becoming the first woman to referee an English Football League (EFL) match in April 2021 and the first to oversee a men’s FA Cup fixture in January 2022.

Additionally, she served as the fourth official in Manchester United’s November victory over Fulham, marking the first instance of a woman taking on this role in the Premier League.

Sam Allison, at 42, will also make history as the first black official to referee a Premier League match since Uriah Rennie in 2008. Allison will preside over the Sheffield United versus Luton game on Boxing Day.

History will be made in the Premier League this Christmas…

Rebecca Welch will become the competition’s first woman referee and Sam Allison the first black official to take charge of a match for 15 years 👇

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 14, 2023

The Premier League officially announced these historic appointments, emphasising the league’s commitment to increasing diversity among officials. Welch, a referee since 2010, has balanced her officiating career with a role in the NHS.

Allison, who transitioned from playing for clubs like Swindon, Bristol City, Bournemouth, and Exeter to a career in refereeing, became a full-time official in 2020, officiating over 100 matches in the Football League. These landmark appointments align with the FA’s initiative to recruit 1,000 new referees from diverse backgrounds in the next three years.

#MaltaDaily

Man Almost Blows Up Apartment To Kill A Single Cockroach

Dec 15 2023

One man in Kumamoto, Japan, learned the hard way that attempting to kill a single cockroach with insecticide can lead to disastrous consequences.

The 54-year-old Japanese citizen, aiming to eradicate the critter, sprayed a substantial amount of insecticide in his apartment, triggering an unexpected explosion that blew out a balcony window and resulted in the man sustaining a minor injury.

The incident, reported early on Sunday, served as a cautionary tale against using insecticides near electrical outlets, as investigations revealed burn marks near the victim’s kotatsu, a Japanese heating table.

This mishap is not an isolated incident, as the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan has received multiple reports linking explosions to insecticide use near electrical outlets.

Similar incidents have been documented in the US, where inappropriate use of pest control substances led to house fires, emphasizing the potential hazards of applying such sprays in certain areas.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, a woman burned her house down while attempting to address a bed bug infestation with rubbing alcohol near an open flame, underscoring the importance of caution when dealing with insecticides.

#MaltaDaily

EU Agreement To Open Ukraine & Moldova Membership Talks

Dec 15 2023

European Union leaders reached an agreement on Thursday to commence formal membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, overcoming earlier threats of a veto from Hungary.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reportedly agreed to be absent from the room during the consensus decision made by the other 26 leaders.

European Council President Charles Michel celebrated the decision on social media, calling it “a clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent.” A senior European official confirmed that the decision was unopposed by any member of the European Council.

However, the following day, Prime Minister Orban blocked €50 billion in EU aid for Ukraine after leaders proceeded with talks on its accession to the EU, sparking a deadlock in a Brussels summit.

Orban’s refusal to approve funding for Ukraine’s government over the next four years prompted the EU’s 26 other leaders to postpone the debate until early next year.

Despite this setback, the EU leaders hailed the opening of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova as a historic moment. The situation on the Ukrainian battlefield remains challenging, with Russian President Putin claiming an increasing troop presence.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of continued Western support for Ukraine to safeguard Europe against further aggression.

#MaltaDaily