West Ham defender Hawa Cissoko has reflected on the racist abuse she suffered last year and called for social media companies to offer more security online.
Cissoko received a torrent of racism after she was sent off following an altercation with Aston Villa’s Sarah Mayling during a 2-1 defeat in the Women’s Super League on October 15.
It was subsequently reported to the police, but Cissoko believes racist people will “find every opportunity” to be so.
“Yes I was surprised to be honest,” Cissoko admitted of the racism she faced.
“It’s not that I thought the men were lying or that it wasn’t happening to them, but it never happened in women’s football or maybe if it did then the women were quiet. I didn’t expect it would happen to me, especially when the people that did it don’t even watch our games.
“If it was from people who follow the league I would understand a little bit more, but when it was from not even French or English people I was like, ‘you should focus on your own business’.
“I realised, okay some people are just racist and they just find every opportunity to be racist and say whatever they want.
“When I understood this, it was easier to deal with because at the beginning you take things personally, you think they don’t like you when they see you every week, they hate me, but when I realised it was outside of WSL fans, I thought, ‘I don’t care’.
“I know that some people, they send messages because they know that nothing is going to happen even if you tell them you’re going to the police. They know nothing will happen. We need more security and more. I don’t know how they can do it.”
The Government did last week sign off an Online Safety Bill, which is designed to make the internet in Britain safer.
However, Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham received racist abuse earlier this month to further highlight the fight to rid the sport of discrimination still has a long way to go.
Cissoko conceded the best way she found to deal with the racism was to turn off her phone.
She added: “Yeah it’s hard (to receive abuse), but it depends on who you have around you. If you have nice team-mates and your manager supports you and shows you love, respect and the support you need, then it is easier. Obviously I have my family as well.
“On social media I just ignore people because it is not real. Those people, they can say a lot of things on social media but if they met me they would never say this because they would see I am actually a human with a heart and feelings.
“If I turn off my phone, they don’t exist. The most important thing is the relationships I have with my team-mates, my coach and my family.”
Paris-born Cissoko will begin her fourth season with West Ham this weekend and remains eager to change the perception around her.
The France international was sent off twice in the 2021-22 campaign before her notable red card last October.
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“I think some people have made a picture around me as a player that I am aggressive and stuff like that, but if you look, I think I do less fouls than any other defender,” Cissoko pointed out.
“I’m really quite chill and calm. When I go to the referees, I try to be respectful, I speak with a low voice all the time. I have had the same with male and female refs.
“Once I was tackled and I felt like it was a foul and he didn’t and I said, ‘hey, ref, this is a foul!’ And he said, ‘no, just calm down’. This is not the moment to say, ‘calm down’ just ignore me and I will calm down!
“I think it’s just the misunderstanding between players and referees. I think we just need to speak to them. I will understand them more if I speak to and they will understand more.
“I am going to tell you a secret. As players, everyone wants to be a journalist or a coach, but I think after my career I would like to become a referee.
“Maybe I need to start learning with the under 15’s and go to their game and referee, maybe it will change my mind. No top level player in the men’s or women’s game has become a referee. Maybe I can be the first one.”
Maro Itoje has emerged from a difficult period of his career confident that he can reach new levels of performance as England progress deeper into the World Cup.
Itoje revealed during this year’s Six Nations that he had been suffering from an underlying health issue – the details of which are undisclosed – that had impacted his conditioning.
It explained the below-par displays being delivered by one of England’s world-class operators as, although he held his own on the field, he was not the dominant force that had taken the game by storm.
But having benefited from the fitness work completed during squad’s World Cup training camp, there was evidence in his starts against Argentina and Japan that the 28-year-old second row is on the rise once more.
“I don’t think one is ever fully happy, no-one is every fully content with anything, but it’s definitely better being able to express myself physically,” Itoje said.
“During that period where it was a little bit more difficult to do that, it was a little bit more challenging.
“I had issues going on in the background which affected my ability to exercise and perform.
“And once we were able to get all those things aligned, I was able to naturally have a response from the training that I was doing.
“Having a beneficial response from the rigorous activity has allowed me to perform and play better.
“There’s no top player across any sport – whether that’s rugby, football, basketball, whatever – who has a plain sailing career, or a career that goes exactly how they wanted it.
“You can speak of any of the greats and they will probably say ‘I wish I didn’t do that’, or ‘I wish I’d done that differently’.
“I guess that whole period for me was my version of that, where I had something structurally wrong and I didn’t know it was structurally wrong until I was quite deep into it.
“To be able to persevere through that period and finally get a fix for that was great. But I personally still feel there’s a lot more to go and a lot more that I can contribute in a positive manner for this team and in this tournament.”
England have reached the quarter-finals as Pool D winners with a match to spare after Japan toppled Samoa on Thursday night.
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It continues encouraging progress through the World Cup that began with victory over Argentina despite all but three minutes of the match being played with 14 men because of Tom Curry’s red card.
Itoje excelled amid England’s act of defiance against their closest group rivals, who were routed 27-10 in Marseille, but the two-time Lions tourist insists there is more to come.
“It’s funny because people after the game thought I’d played well. I thought I played alright, I don’t think I played as well as what people were telling me,” he said.
“And that’s probably because I know where I can be if I’m properly firing on all cylinders.
“The games have been a step in the right direction for me but I’m not satisfied with that, I think there’s another level for me to get to.
“So hopefully Samoa and by God’s grace the rest of the tournament will be an opportunity for me to express that.”
Europe’s bid to regain the Ryder Cup got off to a dream start as they stormed into a 4-0 lead over a shellshocked United States in Rome.
Captain Luke Donald’s decision to start with foursomes for the first time since 1993, the last US victory on European soil, paid handsome dividends as his side swept an opening session for the first time in the contest’s history.
Roared on by a partisan crowd, the home side never trailed at any point in all four matches and their opponents won just 10 holes all morning.
Aidan O’Brien relies on Emily Dickinson as he bids to win back-to-back runnings of the Qatar Prix du Cadran.
Twelve months ago, the Ballydoyle trainer watched on in delight as his superstar stayer Kyprios produced a performance of absolute domination in the Group One feature over a searching two and a half miles.
An injury-hit campaign has only recently seen Kyprios back on a racecourse and he will not be in Paris on this occasion, instead waiting for the Long Distance Cup on Qipco British Champions Day.
Emily Dickinson steps up to the plate in his absence, with Frankie Dettori in the saddle as Ryan Moore is in Newmarket.
A consistent campaign has seen the daughter of Dubawi finish fourth in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and second to runaway winner Quickthorn in the Goodwood Cup.
“We’ll run Emily Dickinson in the Cadran, she’s in good form,” O’Brien said.
“Obviously, she had a good run in the Gold Cup and we’re pleased with her.
“We think the trip will suit her and any ease in the ground will suit her as well.”
Trueshan’s return to winning ways in the Doncaster Cup was one of the many highlights of the St Leger meeting.
It was just the third run of the year for Alan King’s hugely-popular gelding, who had been off since disappointing in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot back in May, after which he had wind surgery.
He won this race in 2021 and is again partnered by Hollie Doyle before heading to Ascot on Champions Day.
Last year’s Cesarewitch winner Run For Oscar takes his chance for Charles Byrnes, with Skazino, Moon Wolf and Vert Liberte completing the line-up.
Luke Crosbie revealed his pride at bucking the trend to emerge from a public school background and represent Scotland at a Rugby World Cup – but the flanker’s friends will ensure he never lets his success go to his head.
The 26-year-old Edinburgh back-rower grew up in the West Lothian town of West Calder, which is far from a traditional rugby heartland.
Crosbie’s love for the game, which he first got into while at primary school, has taken him to a level whereby – after winning five caps for his country – he is preparing to make his first appearance at a World Cup after being selected to start Saturday’s must-win match against Romania in Lille on Saturday.
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“Looking at my journey to get here, it’s obviously special for me and my family that I’ve come right through,” he said.
“At school, I don’t think there was anyone who played rugby, we didn’t have a rugby team or anything like that.
“To reflect on that and be sitting here at a World Cup is special for me and obviously my family have seen me go through all the stages. I’m just really excited and proud to be here.”
Crosbie knows it is more difficult to make it in professional rugby in Scotland if not educated at a private school. His relatively humble beginnings in the sport, and those close to him, ensure he will always keep his feet on the ground.
“If you want something you have to go for it,” he said, reflecting on his rise. “At school this is what I wanted to do. But not everybody knew you could do this as a job.
“When I went back to school, they said, ‘what do you do for work, though, what’s your job?’ Which is fine, I quite like that.
“None of my friends know much about rugby at all so when I chat to them they don’t know what is going on.
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“It could be the biggest game for Edinburgh or Scotland and they’ll be asking for a night out! And I’m like ‘you’re not following it at all, are you?’ Which is great. But it’s special for me and I’m just proud to be here.”
Crosbie was unavailable for the opening match against South Africa after suffering a rib injury in the build-up. Nonetheless, he has enjoyed his World Cup experience so far and is looking forward to his first outing on Saturday.
“Picking up an injury wasn’t great, but I’m totally fine now and I’m looking forward to the opportunity this weekend,” he said.
“I’m feeling really confident, the performances I have put in at Edinburgh throughout the season have been great. To get in the World Cup squad was great for me and my family.
“The support I get from my family is the same wherever I play. I could be playing a game for Currie at Malleny Park and they would be there.
“I played an Under-20 game in France for Scotland and my dad and uncle drove all the way down to watch my play. It doesn’t matter who I’m playing for, they’re always there supporting me.”
Manchester United winger Antony will return to training and be available for selection as he continues to co-operate with police inquiries into allegations of violence towards women.
The Brazil international was given a leave of absence on September 10, but returned to England earlier this week and attended a voluntary interview with Greater Manchester Police on Thursday, having always strongly denied the accusations.
United have confirmed that the 23-year-old will rejoin training with a view to returning to Erik ten Hag’s side, but he will not involved in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
A club statement read: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has co-operated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.
“As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed.
“This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.
“As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”
Fulham boss Marco Silva expects a “tough game” against Chelsea despite Mauricio Pochettino’s side making a poor start to the season.
Chelsea have taken just five points from their opening six Premier League games and head to Craven Cottage, where they lost 2-0 in January, for a west London derby on Monday.
Silva touched on his relationship with the under-fire Pochettino and the Argentinean’s pedigree as a manager.
“Of course I respect him like I do all the managers but I have a very good relationship with Mauricio,” Silva said.
“I don’t know how many times we’ve played each other in the Premier League but he’s a very good manager.
“Look at what he did at Southampton, then Tottenham and then the spell in France (with Paris St Germain) – with the CV he has he’s come back to England to manage Chelsea, which is a tough job much like many jobs in the Premier League.
“I have huge respect for him, he’s a very good manager and a very good guy and it will be nice to see him again.”
Chelsea fell to a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last week where Malo Gusto and Nicolas Jackson picked up suspensions for Monday’s game.
Silva refused to take confidence from Chelsea’s recent league form – they have not scored in their last three, taking only one point – and highlighted the quality in their squad after a £1 billion-plus revamp since last year.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” he added.
“Chelsea is Chelsea and no-one can underestimate them because the quality is there.
“Of course they haven’t started the way they would of liked to and since Mauricio come in they are trying to get them in a position to fight for titles.
“Against Chelsea it doesn’t matter what they did in the last few games, after the defeat to Villa they reacted and they won against Brighton in the Carabao Cup which is a goal for them (to win).
“Since January they have signed a big number of players who are very good and these things take time.
“Mauricio, the staff and the players will want to keep improving and to react and if we underestimate them it will be the first big mistake.”
Silva highlighted the importance of the derby to Fulham fans.
He said: “We play at home and it’s a derby, a special one for our fans and we want to play for the shirt and make them proud.
“The game is important for our fans, we want to be competitive, fight for the three points and to make their life (Chelsea) difficult as well.”
Mikel Arteta has revealed he could be without as many as eight first-team players when Arsenal travel to face Bournemouth on Saturday.
England pair Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice picked up injuries in the north London derby draw with Tottenham last weekend and since then both William Saliba and Fabio Vieira have suffered setbacks.
Those issues only add to Arteta’s concerns, with forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard missing the derby and Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey having been sidelined for some time.
The PA news agency understands Saka has a good chance of being involved at the Vitality Stadium but Arteta could have a number of selection headaches.
“They are all in the same pool,” he said of the right players who are doubtful.
“We have a few. We have to see and adapt to the situation because that’s a big number.
“Are they fit enough? Have they done enough to be able to be selected tomorrow and that’s the question mark.
“My hope is that everybody is fit and available, because we need them with the amount of games that we have already under the belt in the last two weeks and what is coming in the next seven to 10 days. We need them, so hopefully today we get some good news.
If Arsenal’s line-up on the south coast has an unfamiliar look to it, Arteta need only glance at the home dugout for someone he recognises well.
Bournemouth appointed Andoni Iraola as their new head coach in the summer, the 41-year-old having played in the same childhood team as Arteta as they grew up together in the Basque Country.
“We know each other really well. We played together, we had fantastic times together. We played together in Antiguoko, which is a team in San Sebastian that has produced a lot of players over the years,” said Arteta.
“That’s the beauty of football that 30 years later we are here together in the Premier League as managers. I’m really happy for that.
“He was better technically than everybody else. He used to play as a winger coming inside when he was younger. As he got older in his career, he played as a full-back.
“He would be an incredible inverted full-back today. It would be a dream for any manager to have a player like him. Really intelligent, really skilful.”
Asked if he had been in touch with Iraola since he joined the Cherries, Arteta added: “Yes, I did. He was really excited to come.
“He was really complimentary about the club and the support he was getting with players and staff. He was happy to be part of the league.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has told summer signing Harvey Barnes he will still have a key role this season despite seeing him ruled out until the new year.
The 25-year-old is facing at least three months on the sidelines with the foot injury he suffered during Sunday’s 8-0 Premier League win at Sheffield United, an absence which will rule him out of the group stage of the club’s first Champions League campaign for 20 years.
However, head coach Howe is confident his £38million summer signing from Leicester will still have a significant part to play as the Magpies attempt to cope with a congested fixture schedule.
Asked how England international Barnes had taken the news, Howe said: “He’s a very stable, level lad; he’s a great character.
“Yes, he’s hugely disappointed and frustrated because he wanted to show everybody what he could do here and wanted to contribute.
“He’s very recently a new dad, which is a great moment in his life.
“I always say when these things happen you have to try and draw the positives, and he’ll have the chance to be with his family maybe a bit more than he would have been.
“Things will settle down and then when he comes back, which will quickly be around the corner, he’ll have a big part to play for the rest of the season.”
Barnes was sent for a scan after going down just 12 minutes into the game at Bramall Lane – just his second start for the club – and although that examination confirmed there is no fracture and that surgery is not required to repair damage under his toe, his foot has been placed in a protective boot and his recovery will take some time.
Howe said: “It’s not a fracture. I don’t actually know the right term to use, but it is an unusual injury and they’re a little bit baffled as to how it’s come about and why it’s come about.
“Sometimes as much as you try to find a reason, sometimes there is no reason, it’s just one of those things that happens.
“I think he knew straight away. You could see him go down on the pitch – it’s very unusual to see that. He said he knew straight away that he had a problem.
“It’s come at a shocking time for Harvey because he was just beginning to find his rhythm. He had a good pre-season and was getting to know his team-mates and what’s expected here.
“With so many games coming up, to lose any player is a huge blow for us. We have to deal with it, accept it and wish him a speedy recovery.”
An inspired Jon Rahm led from the front as Europe emphatically drew first blood in their bid to regain the Ryder Cup from the United States in Rome.
Rahm and partner Tyrrell Hatton had acquired the nickname of “Team Angry” due to their fiery nature, but they were all smiles as they stormed to a 4&3 victory over world number one Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns.
The lead was soon doubled as Viktor Hovland and rookie Ludvig Aberg enjoyed victory over Open champion Brian Harman and Max Homa by the same margin at Marco Simone.
And with the home side also ahead in the remaining two matches, captain Luke Donald was on target to oversee a clean sweep of the opening session for the first time in the history of the biennial contest.
Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka were two up with five to play on Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa, with Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood also two up in the fourth match against the top American duo of Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.
Rahm holed from 27 feet for birdie on the third and short range on the fifth, before hitting the pin with his tee shot on the par-three seventh to leave Hatton with a tap-in birdie.
The European pair looked set to lose the 10th until Rahm chipped in for an unlikely par and the Masters champion then drove the green on the short 11th and found the putting surface in two on the par-five 12th.
That led to a conceded eagle and the out-of-sorts American pair were put of their misery on the 15th.
Jos Buttler believes the weight of history suggests India are clear-cut favourites to win the World Cup on home soil despite England’s considerable experience of the conditions.
Staging the showpiece in recent years has come with a distinct advantage as the last three editions – India in 2011, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019 – have all been won by the host nation.
England may be double world champions, but even a side that turbocharged the white-ball formats have fallen short in India, losing keenly contested ODI and T20 series both in early 2017 and spring 2021.
While Buttler is bullish about England’s fortunes, he rates an India side that have won 14 of their last 16 ODI series on their own patch as well as the Asia Cup earlier this month as the team to beat.
“The clear favourites are India,” Buttler told the PA news agency. “You only have to look at the past few World Cups – England won in England, Australia won in Australia and India won in India before that.
“History tells you that it’s quite advantageous to be the home nation and they’re obviously a brilliant team. In their own conditions, India are fantastic. I certainly see them as favourites.
“We’re going out there to try to win a World Cup – we don’t see ourselves as defending champions. It’s very much a new tournament and we know it’s going to be tough because there are some top, top teams.
“But we know we’re a really good team, a dangerous team, we’ve got a lot of experience in the group and we back ourselves.”
England have arrived in Guwahati ahead of three warm-ups which will act as final preparation for the tournament opener against New Zealand – a rematch of the 2019 final – in Ahmedabad next Thursday.
Their 15-strong squad contains eight members of the side that went all the way four years ago, while Gus Atkinson is an outlier as the only one who has not featured in the Indian Premier League.
A number of others including Buttler, an IPL regular since 2016, have substantial knowledge of what to expect in India which England’s limited-overs captain hopes they can exploit.
Speaking to promote England’s official kit supplier Castore extending its ‘summer of sport’ campaign to highlight key occasions such as the World Cup, Buttler said: “It gives you a sense of familiarity.
“A lot of the cricket grounds we’ll play at, guys will have played there and know the surroundings. They will understand the pitches and conditions, more so than if they’d not been there before.
“There’s a lot of other teams that have that advantage as well with guys playing a lot of IPL cricket, it’s been around for quite a few years now so everyone’s accustomed to playing in India in that sense.”
Jofra Archer will be England’s only travelling reserve as he completes his rehabilitation from the latest stress fracture in his right elbow that ruled him out of the entire summer schedule.
He will not be ready to make his return until at least the latter stages of the tournament, raising the prospect of him making a dramatic comeback if injury strikes one of England’s quick bowlers.
While England are cautious over rushing back the bowler who was entrusted with the super over that led to them being crowned world champions for the first time, Buttler is delighted to have Archer in tow.
“He’s someone who will go on and have so much impact for England,” Buttler added. “Everyone is hopeful this will be the end of his injuries and we can see him back on the park more consistently.
“He’s such a superstar, you want to see these guys perform, he’s someone who puts bums on seats.”
:: Jos Buttler was speaking to promote Castore, the official kit suppliers of the England cricket team, investing in an extension to its national brand marketing campaign. For more information, visit https://castore.com
An informative renewal of the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes looks in prospect at Newmarket on Saturday.
Any number of smart prospects take their chance, including Capulet who ran a tremendous race against well-touted stablemate Diego Velazquez at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Festival weekend.
Only half a length separated them in the Group Two KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes, with Capulet taking plenty of pulling up after the line.
Ryan Moore was on the winner that day but takes charge on the Justify colt for this latest Group Two assignment.
“He did it nicely on his debut at Dundalk last month and he obviously improved a good deal when running Diego Velazquez to half a length at Leopardstown last time,” Moore said in his Betfair blog.
“That form looked strong at the time and it looks even better now with the well-beaten fourth, Deepone, coming out and winning the Beresford next time. All of these have the potential to take a big step forward, most notably Ghostwriter maybe, but he deserves to be the favourite as it stands, as the Leopardstown form is the best on offer going into the race.”
Charlie Appleby has not had the headline year he has been accustomed to so far, but hopes are high that Aablan has Classic potential.
The Moulton Paddocks trainer told the Godolphin website: “We felt that Aablan did well to win the Solario Stakes, when seven furlongs looked sharp enough for him, and we are looking forward to seeing him over a mile. He has done well since Sandown and looks a live contender.
“We are hoping that this can propel him onto a bright three-year-old career.”
The aforementioned Ghostwriter is two from two for Clive Cox, and Defiance is another unbeaten contender, representing Roger Varian.
Varian has another strong string to his bow in Al Musmak, a winner in Listed company at Haydock last time out. He renews rivalry with Macduff, who was a length and a half runner-up but lost little in defeat.
There is always one who spoils it for the rest, or two in the case of the first tee at the Ryder Cup.
As Scottie Scheffler stood over his ball and prepared to get the biennial contest under way, one spectator felt that would be the perfect time to puncture the silence with a shout of “You stink Scottie” at the top of his lungs.
Another decided that a fake sneeze was just what was required, but at least kept it relatively quiet and the world number one was able to send his drive high into the blue sky and watch it nestle in the left-hand rough.
The unwelcome reminder of fans heckling Brian Harman on his way to a resounding Open Championship triumph at Royal Liverpool in July were thankfully not repeated for the remaining three matches, with Harman himself partnering Rickie Fowler in match two.
Boos for the American pairs were mixed with applause from both European fans and the contingent of travelling supporters who bravely attempted a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at one point, although none of them should be expecting a recording contract any time soon.
Vice-captain Nicolas Colsaerts couldn’t accept one if it was offered anyway, the Belgian screaming himself hoarse with cries of “Europe” which were bellowed back in kind from the packed grandstand.
He did at least master the timing on the ‘thunderclap’ made popular by Iceland’s football fans during the 2016 European Championship, making sure to leave enough of a gap between each clap before building to a suitable crescendo.
The three Bob MacIntyre fans with one letter of their hero’s first name adorning their blue t-shirts had to make do with a cameo appearance from the left-handed Scot, who had been left out of the opening session.
But the five Swedes in similar attire for rising star Ludvig Aberg were delighted to see their man partnering Viktor Hovland in match two, the FedEx Cup winner providing the first fireworks by holing an audacious chip from the apron of the first green.
The biggest cheers were reserved for the final European pairing of Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy, the latter having famously said “I just can’t wait to get another shot at this” in a tearful interview during the 19-9 thrashing at Whistling Straits.
After two tumultuous years in men’s professional golf, McIlroy had finally got his wish.
World number four Viktor Hovland was proving to be the star for Europe in the early stages of the Ryder Cup in Rome.
In the second match out he chipped in from the fringe to birdie the first and when he holed a 20-footer at the second he and rookie Ludvig Aberg went two up.
The Norwegian almost holed another chip from the front of the third but Europe lost that hole to a Max Homa birdie and then Open champion Brian Harman’s three at the next brought things back to all-square.
Ahead of them Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton were one up after Rahm had holed a putt from off the side of the third green.
They were grateful to world number one Scheffler, who has employed English putting coach Phil Kenyon, at the next however as he missed a four-foot birdie putt to level things up.
Scheffler had almost got the Ryder Cup off to a stunning start after nearly holing his chip for birdie at the opening hole.
The American had the honour of leading off in front of a fervent home crowd surrounding Marco Simone’s first tee and while his drive was less impressive than Jon Rahm’s he made up for his with his second, his team’s third in the foursomes format, but his ball lipped out.
Europe were in a better position on the green thanks to Hatton’s approach but his Spanish team-mate could not sink the putt.
On the outskirts of the Eternal City, just over 13 miles from the original Colosseum built almost 2,000 years ago, the modern-day gladiators emerged from a short, dark tunnel under a grandstand seating almost 5,000.
It is considerably smaller than that which greeted participants in Paris five years ago, where nearly 8,000 golf fans roared their approval for their heroes, but no less intimidating.
Rookie Sam Burns was first to arrive over the players’ bridge, with Europe’s pair sandwiched between him and his’ best friend Scheffler, but the Americans regrouped under the stand.
A decibel-busting welcome was greeted for Rahm and Hatton, who have acquired the moniker ‘Team Angry’ this week due to their similar combustible nature on the course, as they emerged into the steel and plastic amphitheatre.
The sound which greeted them cascaded down from the top of the steeply-pitched 25-metre high grandstand, the exterior of which had been wrapped in images of faux Roman Doric columns to play on the city’s history, and reverberated around the tee.
America’s pair were greeted with chants of ‘Who are you?’, which was somewhat ironic considering Scheffler is world number one.
Thousands had sprinted through the gates to queue in the dark 40 minutes before the scheduled 7.35am start time and while they were not quite baying for blood like their historical counterparts they demanded to be entertained.
Scheffler, as senior partner, took responsibility for the nerve-wracking opening tee shot but found the left rough and Burns could not find the putting surface with his approach.
By contrast Rahm drove into position A on the right of the fairway and Hatton put him in a good position to make birdie from 25 feet but when Scheffler’s chip from the front fringe lipped out.
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