QUIDDITCH leagues are set to rename the fictional sport in a bid to ...distance... themselves from Harry Potter creator JK Rowling. The US Quidditch (USQ) and Major League Quidditch (MLQ) announced they will choose a new name for their real-life version of the broomstick-based sport following the controversy.
Facebook/United States QuidditchThe leagues will rename the sport to ...distance' themselves from JK Rowling '/ ' Non-magic players of the sport, made famous by Rowling's Harry Potter series, play in teams of seven on a hockey pitch, while holding a ...broom... between their legs. The ...muggle... version of the game \- which features flying and enchanted balls in the Hogwarts universe \- is played all over the world including on Clapham Common in London. But now two American leagues will drop the name ...Quidditch.... In a joint statement, a spokesperson for the USQ and MLQ said: ...The leagues are hoping a name change can help them continue to distance themselves from the works of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter book series, who has increasingly come under scrutiny for her anti-trans positions in recent years. ...Our sport has developed a reputation as one of the most progressive sports in the world on gender equality and inclusivity, in part thanks to its gender maximum rule, which stipulates that a team may not have more than four players of the same gender on the field at a time. ...Both organizations feel it is imperative to live up to this reputation in all aspects of their operations and believe this move is a step in that direction.... Most read in The Sun CLOSING DOWN Plans being made for '2-week lockdown' but PM vows not to shut country down COVID DEATH Il Divo star Carlos MarÃn dies in hospital from Covid aged 53 Who's your daddy? Call the Midwife star Daniel Laurie is the son of an EastEnders legend FUMING? Strictly viewers have the same complaint after Rose and Giovanni crowned winners 'NO GUARANTEES' Brits COULD be hit by miserable Xmas lockdown, warns Sajid Javid SLIGHT XMAS Abrupt Covid crackdown planned after Boxing Day as Omicron surge threatens NHS But the move also allows the leagues to pursue more broadcast and sponsorship opportunities because the sport's name is trademarked by Warner Brothers Studios \- which makes the Harry Potter films. It comes after the outspoken Brit author sparked fury in the transgender community for comments she made about women's safety. She was accused of transphobia last summer when replying to an article with the headline: "Opinion: Creating a more equal post Covid-19 world for people who menstruate." She tweeted: "'People who menstruate'. I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" Her remarks led to an angry backlash, including criticism from Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Eddie Redmayne. Rowling, 56, has refused to back down following the eruption of the row. The author vowed not to be silenced by trans activists \- telling them: "I've received so many death threats I could paper the house." 
Instagram/@mlquidditchThe sport is played in real-life all over the world '/ ' 
AFPThe author has refused to back down amid the controversy '/ ' 
Warner BrosThe sport is played on broomsticks with enchanted balls in the Potter-verse '/ ' We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The US Sun team? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS Source:
Real-life Quidditch league to change name of sport to distance from JK Rowling transgender row
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December 19, 2021
UK Politics | Real-life Quidditch league to change name of sport to distance from JK Rowling transgender row
QUIDDITCH leagues are set to rename the fictiona...
ALAMYThe transfer of Townsend was widely criticised in the summer, but he has turned out to be one of Everton's most important players this season '/ ' They find themselves 14th and are heading into the game off the back of a loss to league newcomers Brentford. The Toffees are also enduring a horrid seven-game run without a win. Liverpool, on the other hand, have won 4-0 in their last two Prem outings and would relish the chance to inflict more damage on their local rival. And if Liverpool do run riot at Goodison Park, the loud boos heard after the full-time whistle at the Brentford Community Stadium will be oh so louder. A trashing at the hands of Liverpool could, in fact, push Rafa beyond the point of return with the Everton fans, considering the frosty welcoming he received in the summer. There is, however, a model Everton COULD emulate to give themselves a chance of defeating Jurgen Klopp's title-chasing Reds. LATEST FOOTBALL OFFERS SUPER £60 Get £60 in Paddy Power FREE BETS when you stake £10 on Premier League football BET BOOST Get £50 in free bets when you stake £10 on Premier League football this week BIG OFFER Get £60 in FREE BETS when you stake £10 on Premier League football with 888Sport Free bets! The best free bets and sign up offers available from our bookmaker partners EPIC DOWNTIME 
IS your downtime as epic as it could be? You can get 50 free spins at PokerStars Casino. Boom. Click HERE for all the details. T&Cs apply. 18+ Play responsibly. BeGambleAware.org But it'll mean taking notes from an old friend... David Moyes. That's right. Everton will have to take notes from old boss Moyes... set-up he used to see off Liverpool at the London Stadium. West Ham are the only team to beat Liverpool this season across all competitions. It was a tactical masterclass. The Hammers' set-pieces played a key part in two of their three goals. Striker Michail Antonio helped pin Alisson to his goal-line, allowing the likes of Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma, Tomas Soucek or Craig Dawson to attack the ball. But what ultimately won West Ham the game was their unmatched work rate. And luckily for Everton, there's a lot of similarities between the two clubs, from the players all the way up to the managers. Benitez is no stranger to using a 4-2-3-1. He often deployed it during his time at Liverpool, and clubs he managed across Europe. 
ALAMYMoyes took West Ham from relegation candidates to chasing a top-four finish '/ ' How can Everton beat Liverpool? Everton's full-back's and centre-back's aren't dissimilar to West Ham's. Both Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne have excellent delivery, similar to Aaron Cresswell and Valdimir Coufal. Michael Keane combined with either Ben Godfrey or the imposing Yerry Mina offers solid defensive dominance in the air \- which is key to Moyes' set-up. Everton need to force the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah as wide as possible inside their defensive third. Everton's midfield two should be Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure. Allan will be key in breaking up play and relentlessly pressing the ball when out of possession. Whereas Doucoure possesses great ball-carrying ability and is strong in a tackle. He also has an eye for goal which helps. The midfield two will also have to be quick to shut down Thiago in particular, who is now starting to show his quality on a consistent basis. 
Everton will need a solid defensive base to shut out Liverpool Benitez will also need four willing runners to operate in front of the solid defensive base. Andros Townsend would be a nailed on starter in this set-up, and could rotate across the three behind the striker. Summer signing Demarai Gray could play the inside forward role, showing this season he's not shy to have a shot on goal. The 25-year-old has three goals to his name in the league this term. Academy graduate Anthony Gordon could start. His good ball control and speed will be key when in transition. Richarlison will play up front in Dominic Calvert-Lewin's absence, and his pace will be key to running the channels. Alternatively, Benitez could use a 4-3-3 and look to flood the midfield area. He has Fabian Delph at his disposal, who possesses good quality on the ball, is strong in a tackle and works hard. Delph could form a strong, hard-working midfield three alongside Allan and Doucoure. 
Alternatively, Everton could look to overload the midfield Salomon Rondon could start up front as the big hold-up man. Richarlison could then be played out wide to add more pace on the left flank. Townsend seems to be popular with Benitez, so he would man the right-hand side. 
Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals 
Getty - ContributorLionel Messi has now won seven Ballons d'Or \- Ronaldo has five '/ ' Ronaldo hit back with a fiery statement on Instagram, saying Ferre ...lied' to ...promote his publication'. France Football are the organisers behind the star-studded awards night. The five-time winner did not attend the ceremony that saw arch-rival Messi collect his SEVENTH trophy, two ahead of Ronaldo. When quizzed by Morgan on what records he wanted to set before retiring, Ronaldo told ITV in 2019: ...The most golden balls in the history of football. ...I will love it and I think I deserve it. Messi is a fantastic guy and a fantastic player, but I think after I have six, or seven, or eight then I'll be more above him.... After Ferre made his statement on what Ronaldo allegedly told him, the Manchester United star released a a feisty statement. Most read in Football JOB FOR ROB Italy's Mancini 'a shock Man Utd manager target and interested in Prem return' 'FEARSOME STRENGTH' Liverpool and Arsenal legend Ray Kennedy dies aged 70 after illness GREAL CLOSE Grealish was 'really close' to Man Utd move which sparked £100m release clause WORKING IT OUT Man Utd's Rangnick blocked from automatic visa as work below required level RIP SKY BLUES HERO Tributes paid to Coventry FA Cup legend John Sillett who has died at 85 KYL-ER BLOW Mbappe looks furious after coming NINTH in Ballon d'Or as Messi bags crown No7 JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply) The United star wrote: ...Today's outcome explains why Pascal Ferre's statements last week, when he said that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Ballons d'Or than Lionel Messi. ...Pascal Ferre lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for. ...It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d'Or. ...And he lied again today, justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.... The biggest ambition of my career is to leave my name written in golden letters in the history of world football. Cristiano RonaldoOn Career Legacy Ronaldo's statement continued: ...I always want to congratulate those who win, within the sportsmanship and fair-play that have guided my career since the beginning, and I do it because I'm never against anyone. ...I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent, I win for myself and for those who love me. I don't win against anyone. ...The biggest ambition of my career is to win national and international titles for the clubs I represent and for the national team in my country. ...The biggest ambition of my career is to be a good example for all those who are or want to be professional footballers. ...The biggest ambition of my career is to leave my name written in golden letters in the history of world football. ...I will end by saying that my focus is already on Manchester United's next game and on everything that, together with my team-mates and our fans, we can still achieve this season. ...The rest? The rest is just the rest…... 
Lionel Messi has won an incredible SEVENTH Ballon d'Or crown 
ReutersThe Manchester United forward opted to skip this year's event '/ ' The win makes it a record seven nods for the Aregentinian maestro as the world's best player. He was the victor at the 2010 awards too \- actually held in January 2011 \- when Ronaldo last missed out on the podium. Ahead of him in fifth was ex-Manchester United flop Diego Forlan \- by then banging in goals for Atletico Madrid \- and Real Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas. But what else was going on in the world over a decade ago as 2010 ticked over in 2011? SunSport dusted off the history books to take a look. Most read in Football JOB FOR ROB Italy's Mancini 'a shock Man Utd manager target and interested in Prem return' 'FEARSOME STRENGTH' Liverpool and Arsenal legend Ray Kennedy dies aged 70 after illness GREAL CLOSE Grealish was 'really close' to Man Utd move which sparked £100m release clause WORKING IT OUT Man Utd's Rangnick blocked from automatic visa as work below required level RIP SKY BLUES HERO Tributes paid to Coventry FA Cup legend John Sillett who has died at 85 KYL-ER BLOW Mbappe looks furious after coming NINTH in Ballon d'Or as Messi bags crown No7 PREMIER LEAGUE THROWBACKS A scroll back through the Premier League archives shows the stunning turnover in top flight clubs over the past decade. Blackpool were in the Prem for the first time in the league's 18-year history having won promotion via the play-offs in May 2010. They didn't last long though and were relegated after a solitary season at the top of the English football pyramid. West Ham and Birmingham were the other two to go down, while the likes of Wigan, Blackburn, Bolton, Stoke and Sunderland survived before facing the drop in later years. 
Action Images - ReutersBlackpool celebrated promotion to the Premier League '/ ' LEARNER DRIVERS Back before the days of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes' recent dominance, Sebastian Vettel was the hottest property in F1. The Red Bull driver became the sport's youngest ever champion with victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2010. His triumph came after a thrilling four-way title battle as team-mate Mark Webber, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, and Hamilton \- then at McLaren \- could have all won it at the season finale. 
Action Images - ReutersA young Sebastian Vettel beat two famous faces to the F1 title '/ ' UPSET STOMACHS A controversial Commonwealth Games wrapped up a couple of months before Ronaldo's forgettable Ballon d'Dor ceremony. The 2010 event in Delhi was hamstrung by problems \- including complaints swimmers were falling ill in the pools and fears athletes' village wasn't fit to host its elite residents. When the action did get underway, Australia waltzed away with top spot in the medals table. England finished third, with Scotland in 10th. 
AFPTom Daley took gold at the Delhi Commonwealth Games '/ ' COMIC TIMING Comedy bid a fond farewell to one of its favourite sons as Sir Norman Wisdom passed away in late 2010. The Bafta-winner was famed for slapstick roles in the 1950s and 60s and became a star in far-flung corners of the world \- including Albania, where his were the only Western movies permitted. After a pivot away from the silver screen to telly and Broadway, Wisdom lived to the grand age of 95 before dying peacefully on the Isle of Man. 
GettyNorman Wisdom passed away aged 95 '/ ' BEST PICTURE Talking of cinema \- a film about a tricky speech was the big winner at that year's Oscars. The King's Speech won Best Picture at the 83rd Academy Awards, held in February 2011 to honour the year 2010 in film. The less-regal Toy Story 3 was the highest-grossing movie of the year, while wizarding fans were treated to the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows \- the saga's epic finale. 
AlamyThe King's Speech picked up Best Picture at the Oscars '/ ' TECH TITANS The iPad was almost a year old by the time the 2010 Ballon d'Or was dished out. The late Steve Jobs launched Apple's first tablet in January 2010, followed by the iPhone 4 six months later. 
ReutersSteve Jobs debuted the first ever iPad in 2010 '/ ' POLITICAL POWERS The year 2010 saw a seismic shift in British politics after David Cameron put the final nail in the New Labour coffin.Gordon Brown was in charge until May before he was booted out by the Conservative golden boy and his new coalition chums, the Lib Dems. With Cameron and Clegg palling up in the No.10 rose garden, a bloody Labour leadership contest followed. Ed Miliband sensationally knifed his brother for the party's top job. 
Getty Images - GettyDavid Cameron and Nick Clegg launched their coalition '/ ' SAILING INTO THE SUNSET The Royal Navy's HMS Ark Royal returned home to Portsmouth from her final voyage before being decommissioned in December 2010. Military bosses announced the amphibious warfare ship HMS Albion as the Navy's next flagship \- until the vast new HMS Queen Elizabeth took over in January this year. 
HandoutHMS Ark Royal was scrapped, leaving Britain without an aircraft carrier '/ ' DIRECTION CARDS Solo crooner Matt Cardle won the seventh series of the X-Factor \- a year in which the singing competition produced some huge stars. Chart-favourites Rebecca Ferguson and Cher Lloyd appeared alongside Cardle in the final. But it was the coming together of five young lads to form One Direction that most Brits will remember from the 2010 series. 
PA:Press AssociationOne Direction were born in the X Factor's seventh series '/ ' CHAMPION JOCKEY While Ronaldo missed out on recognition at the Ballon d'Or, one of racing's biggest stars reigned supreme in Britain. Tony McCoy was named Sports Personality of the Year after claiming over 40% of the public vote. The gong capped a stunning 12 months for the then-36-year-old, who won the Grand National for the first time in his career riding Don't Push It. 
PA:Press AssociationTony McCoy and Don't Push It won the Grand National '/ ' 
EPAJurgen Klopp cannot work out how Salah only managed to finish seventh in the Ballon d'Or rankings '/ ' Chelsea duo Jorginho and N'Golo Kante also made the top five, either side of Karim Benzema in fourth. Five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo finished sixth, with Salah behind him despite a remarkable start to the 2021-22 season. And Klopp was rather taken aback by just how far down the Egyptian was in the rankings. Speaking ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton on Wednesday night, he said: ...I was surprised about his 'Salah's ' position. ...Journalists vote for the Ballon d'Or so… if you think he should be higher up, you should convince your colleagues! ...You can always give it to Lionel Messi for the career he's had, but if you don't give it to Robert Lewandowski this time, then he will never get it. Most read in Football JOB FOR ROB Italy's Mancini 'a shock Man Utd manager target and interested in Prem return' 'FEARSOME STRENGTH' Liverpool and Arsenal legend Ray Kennedy dies aged 70 after illness GREAL CLOSE Grealish was 'really close' to Man Utd move which sparked £100m release clause WORKING IT OUT Man Utd's Rangnick blocked from automatic visa as work below required level RIP SKY BLUES HERO Tributes paid to Coventry FA Cup legend John Sillett who has died at 85 KYL-ER BLOW Mbappe looks furious after coming NINTH in Ballon d'Or as Messi bags crown No7 ...And Mo should have been higher up, definitely.... When asked about Salah and Lewandowski after winning the award yet again, Messi said: ...Salah will have opportunities in the years to come. ...Both players 'Salah and Lewandowski ' are at their best at the moment and will have more chances to win it.... Propping up the rest of the top 10 behind Salah were Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and Paris Saint-Germain pair Kylian Mbappe and Gianluigi Donnarumma. Salah was the fourth-highest ranking Premier League player behind Jorginho, Kante and Ronaldo. No other Liverpool players made it into the top 30. FREE BETS: GET THE LATEST BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS AND FREE BETS Raheem Sterling was the best-placed England player in 15th, narrowly ahead of Mason Mount in 19th and Harry Kane in 21st. Donnarumma scooped the Yashin Trophy for best keeper, with Lewandowski claiming the inaugural Striker of the Year gong. Chelsea were named the Club of the Year as their men's side won the Champions League while their women's team claimed the Women's Super League title and finished runners-up behind Barcelona in the Women's Champions League. 
