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The White House,<\/strong> issuing a communique to reporters covering April\u2019s global market meltdown over tariffs as US losses hit $6.6tn (\u00a34.9tn) in two days. \u201cThe President won his second round matchup of the Senior Club Championship today in Jupiter, FL, and advances to the Championship Round tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Gianni Infantino<\/strong>, standing in the Oval Office in November while his choice for Fifa\u2019s inaugural peace prize winner floated the idea of bombing World Cup co-hosts Mexico. Infantino: \u201cThe president says what he thinks. He has such an incredible energy.\u201d<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s ice hockey team<\/strong>, responding to calls for restraint before February\u2019s match against the US after Trump called Canada \u201cour 51st State\u201d by starting three fist\u2011fights in the first nine seconds. Canada coach Jon Cooper: \u201cThat was as organic as it gets.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2018As organic as it gets\u2019<\/span> Photograph: Christinne Muschi\/AP<\/p>\n Infantino\u2019s restructured Club World Cup<\/strong>: top clubs competing for a trophy with his name engraved on it twice. Infantino \u2013 who commissioned a Panini gold sticker of himself pre-tournament \u2013 used a Trump Tower press briefing in July to reflect on the mixed response to it all: \u201cWe respect everyone\u2019s opinion. But we can say definitely this Fifa Club World Cup has been a huge, huge, huge success.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span>Cole Palmer: \u2018I knew he was going to be here. But I didn\u2019t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused, yeah.\u2019<\/span> Photograph: David Ramos\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Owner of the year<\/strong>: Monaco-domiciled Sir Jim Ratcliffe, scrapping subsidised staff lunches at Old Trafford because people shouldn\u2019t get something for nothing. \u201cI got a lot of flak, but no one\u2019s ever given me a free lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Player of the year: <\/strong>Cole Palmer, trademarking his \u201cCold Palmer\u201d shiver pose for use on toys, clothes, food, spirits, but not wine after the French winemaker Ch\u00e2teau Palmer blocked it. Palmer: \u201cEveryone knows it\u2019s my celebration. Lots of people might have done it before, but everybody knows it\u2019s mine.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tour of the year:<\/strong> Lionel Messi\u2019s three-day GOAT India tour<\/strong> in December. Fans at Kolkata\u2019s Salt Lake Stadium paid up to \u00a3100 each to watch Messi waving at them, then rioted when they couldn\u2019t see him behind a ring of VIPs. Organiser Satadru Dutta was arrested, and denies wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n And gala of the year:<\/strong> November\u2019s Christmas gala in London, a chance to \u201cmeet and greet Lamine Yamal\u2019s mother<\/strong>\u201d. Tickets ranged from \u00a3130 to \u00a3313 for dinner, champagne and a picture with Sheila. Journalists were told: \u201cNo questions about Yamal.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Among the year\u2019s top content from Evangelos Marinakis\u2019s media team at Forest:<\/p>\n <\/span>Morgan Gibbs-White: relaxed.<\/span> Photograph: @NFFC\/X<\/p>\n Morgan Gibbs-White\u2019s <\/strong>interview in July about his new contract \u2013 making three mentions of \u201cMr Marinakis\u201d in the first 45 seconds while the Forest owner stood just out of shot. \u201cThank you to Mr Marinakis for believing in me.\u201d Marinakis: \u201cMorgan belongs to our family.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n And May\u2019s deconstruction of live TV footage of Marinakis <\/strong>confronting his own manager on the pitch. \u201cThe truth of the matter is there was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others, either on the pitch, or inside the stadium.\u201d Instead: \u201cIn moments like that [Mr Marinakis] demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Manchester United\u2019s<\/strong> open-top bus parade through Kuala Lumpur in May. United\u2019s CEO, Omar Berrada, defended making players do it after their 15th-place finish: \u201cThis was a unique opportunity to deepen relationships with our fans.\u201d<\/p>\n Piotr Szczerek<\/strong>, caught on camera at the US Open tennis in August swiping a young boy\u2019s signed cap. Szczerek, identified online as a company CEO, was filmed reaching for the cap then bagging it after Poland\u2019s Kamil Majchrzak signed it. He said sorry for \u201ca grave mistake\u201d based on \u201cmy misconception\u201d; Majchrzak gave the boy a new one.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2018A grave mistake\u2019. <\/strong><\/span> Photograph: Euro Sport<\/p>\n Halo<\/strong>, Sky Sports\u2019 \u201clil sis\u201d to their main TikTok channel, captioning a Man City goal clip for female fans: \u201cHow the matcha + hot girl walk combo hits.\u201d Sky dropped the project after three days: \u201cWe didn\u2019t get it right.\u201d<\/p>\n Chivas striker Javier Hern\u00e1ndez<\/strong>, issuing a clarification after he was fined by Mexico\u2019s FA in July over his new TikTok series aimed at educating women, which featured key messages including: \u201cWomen, you are failing\u201d; \u201cWomen, allow yourselves to be led by a man\u201d; and: \u201cWomen, embrace your feminine energy: nurturing, caring, receiving, multiplying, cleaning, maintaining the home.\u201d The former Manchester United striker said he \u201cregretted any confusion \u2026 It was never my intention to reduce, hurt, or divide.\u201d<\/p>\n Among those offering feedback on the clips, Mexico\u2019s president, Claudia Sheinbaum<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019m a mother, I\u2019m a grandmother, I\u2019m a housewife. But I\u2019m also the supreme commander of the\u00a0armed forces.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Uefa <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>applying its rulebook to deliver a series of big calls, including paying \u00a310m \u201csolidarity\u201d funds to Russian clubs banned from tournaments while denying the same funds to five Ukrainian clubs. Uefa said the Ukrainian clubs couldn\u2019t have the money due to them being in a \u201czone of military operations\u201d.<\/p>\n The PGA of America<\/strong>, expressing regret in September after the first-tee warm-up act it booked to deliver wholesome Ryder Cup atmosphere was filmed shouting \u201cFuck you Rory\u201d through a megaphone as US fans joined in. Comedian Heather McMahan: \u201cI will take full responsibility and sincerely apologise to Rory and Team Europe\u00a0\u2026 I did not start the chant. I\u00a0would just like that narrative to get out there.\u201d<\/p>\n On screen at October\u2019s figure skating in Chongqing: two Chinese ice dancers<\/strong> waving a toy nuclear missile while waiting for their scores. The International Skating Union censured the pair for using their screen-time to promote China\u2019s new DF-61 intercontinental ballistic weapon: \u201cThis was an inappropriate soft toy\u00a0\u2026 the ISU regrets it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span>Chinese ice dancers under investigation after holding toy missile at event \u2013 video<\/span><\/p>\n Was drawn by Lazio<\/strong>: sacking their eagle mascot trainer Juan Bernab\u00e9 in January for posting pictures of his penile implant surgery online. Officials \u2013 who stood by Bernab\u00e9 in 2022 after he made fascist salutes to fans \u2013 said the posts were too much: \u201cThis violates the ethical values of this club.\u201d<\/p>\n Lazio\u2019s pick to replace Bernab\u00e9 as eagle handler: Giacomo Garruto<\/strong>, who urged media in November to stop obsessing over his own record of problematic pro-Mussolini posts. Garruto said the messages from 2018 \u201cno longer represent me. I\u2019m sorry if anyone felt hurt or upset.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Among those not paying attention in 2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span>\u2018Unintended design issues\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n Major League Baseball<\/strong>, pulling its new range of New Era Overlap caps from sale after fans spotted \u201cunintended design issues\u201d \u2013 the \u201cunique motif\u201d of team logos overlaid on team names resulting in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim\u2019s hat reading \u201cAnaAels\u201d and Houston Astros\u2019 cap reading \u201cAsHos\u201d. MLB: \u201cThis was missed during the product review process.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Great North Run<\/strong> organisers, apologising in September after 60,000 medals were accidentally printed with a map of Sunderland instead of Newcastle. Officials said the design \u201cwas a mistake \u2026 Lots of people looked very closely at it. None of us picked it up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Wimbledon\u2019s<\/strong> new automated line-calling tech, working fine, but only when turned on. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova said a fourth-round game was \u201cstolen\u201d when an official forgot to press the button; organisers said sorry: \u201cWe have made the appropriate changes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Philadelphia\u2019s mayor, Cherelle Parker<\/strong>, expressing regret in January after being filmed rallying Eagles fans before an NFC divisional playoff game by shouting at a press conference: \u201cListen, we got to do this. Let me hear you all say, \u2018E-L-G-S-E-S, Eagles!\u2019 Let\u2019s go Birds.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Brentford under-21\u2019s Iwan Morgan, taking a long throw in May.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n And Martin Brundle<\/strong> on his Singapore Grand Prix gridwalk, almost identifying Lewis Capaldi \u2013 \u201cLewis, wonderful to see you \u2026 Oh, you\u2019re his brother?\u201d \u2013 then turning away as the singer offered a handshake. Brundle apologised for a \u201ccardinal sin on my part\u201d after @LewisCapaldi reposted it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Nigel Farage<\/strong>, <\/strong>who compared the UK to North Korea in September, then urged Sky to sack Gary Neville for criticising flag hangers in October. Farage: \u201cHe\u2019s so detached from reality it\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n Farage<\/strong> also eased up on his keep-politics-out-of-football campaign to launch a new line of Reform UK football tops<\/strong>, including new festive special edition \u00a3349 black shirt, \u201csigned by Nigel himself\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Among this year\u2019s best wrong anthems at big games<\/strong>: organisers in Bulgaria hosting Ireland\u2019s Women\u2019s<\/strong> Under-19 Euros<\/strong> qualifier mistakenly swapping out the Irish anthem for God Save the King; and the PA team at India v Pakistan<\/strong> at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in September failing to cue up the Pakistan anthem, and playing the intro to Jalebi Baby by Tesher and Jason Derulo instead.<\/p>\n Making an impact online in 2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n Best clarification of late-night tweeting: <\/strong>Norwich defender Shane Duffy<\/strong>, revealing in October how he meant no disrespect when he called a fan on X a \u201cknob\u201d and a \u201cgimp\u201d. Duffy: \u201cMy comment came out of frustration, not a lack of respect for supporters. We really value your passion and backing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Least attentive tweeting<\/strong>: Paul Merson, July, taking instructions from his social media team and posting them: \u201cIncredible day @slimmingworld meeting 41 amazing men who have lost a life-changing 330st 2lbs! Please also include #ad.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Strongest club views: <\/strong>Clyde FC, sorry in March after their official X account started retweeting Only Fans content. \u201cWe\u2019re aware of some unfavourable content that was shared early this morning. Needless to say, this content does not reflect the views of the club.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Most over the novelty of it all: <\/strong>Bromley FC\u2019s X admin, appealing for help in August after their second game in seven days was delayed due to an injured official. \u201cHere we go again. If there\u2019s anyone in the crowd who is a qualified referee, please come forward to the nearest steward. This is not a joke. 60\u2019 | #WeAreBromley | 1-0\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n And the best use of a heart emoji: <\/strong>Plymouth manager Miron Muslic<\/strong>, 1 May<\/strong>, tweeting to explain he lost his cool in a press conference because: \u201cI\u2019ve fallen in love with this football club \u2026 I was over-passionate with emotions about our relegation and how much I care for Argyle and the Green Army and how committed I am to the club and its future. I want the best for Argyle. We are all frustrated, but now we will put it right. We are all in this together \u2665.\u201d 28 May:<\/strong> Joins Schalke.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Virgin Media<\/strong>, saying sorry in November after a Welsh language translation error in their S4C TV listings trailed a show featuring Wales hooker Ryan Elias as a show featuring \u201cWales prostitute Ryan Elias\u201d. Virgin: \u201cIt was promptly rectified by our external provider. We apologise for any offence.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span>In the wrong job: Ryan Elias of Wales.<\/span> Photograph: Paul Harding\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Racing 42 coach Patrice Collazo<\/strong>, reflecting on the lessons after his hooker Janick Tarrit was sent off for a diving head-butt in November. \u201cAs a coach you plan for a lot of things; your tactics, your rival\u2019s tactics. But one thing you cannot plan for is stupidity.\u201d Had he spoken to Tarrit? \u201cNo. What\u2019s the point?\u201d<\/p>\n Club<\/strong> Blooming v Real Oruro<\/strong> in the Bolivian Cup in November, featuring 17 post-match red cards and police pepper spraying players and staff. Blooming captain Gabriel Valverde said he regretted his own red because \u201cI probably didn\u2019t set a good example there. This shouldn\u2019t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n Among the year\u2019s bigger votes of confidence:<\/strong><\/p>\n RB Leipzig managing director Marcel Sch\u00e4fer<\/strong>, backing his under-fire coach Marco Rose. 4 Feb: <\/strong>\u201cI\u2019m known in football for not losing my nerve, I\u2019m known for being very patient, and I believe in Marco.\u201d 8 Mar:<\/strong> \u201cThe lack of patience in our industry is always criticised, and maybe rightly so. But we\u2019re completely different at this club.\u201d 30 Mar:<\/strong> Sacks him.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tranmere chair Mark Palios<\/strong>, 6 Feb<\/strong>, telling fans to lay off Nigel Adkins in an open letter. \u201cAs always happens when a club has a bad run it has led to calls from some for the manager to be sacked. But I\u2019ve decided to stick with Nigel. In Nigel we have a manager with huge experience, a record of many successes, and a genuine passion for a club he has supported all his life. I cannot see what is to be gained by gambling.\u201d 26 Feb<\/strong>: Gambles.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n And Reading chair Rob Couhig<\/strong>, 6 Oct<\/strong>, defending manager Noel Hunt against fans\u2019 impatience. \u201cI\u2019ve never considered firing Noel. I don\u2019t believe firing a manager suddenly turns a guy into a better striker or a better defender. I don\u2019t think firing a manager changes anything as long as the players still support him. I don\u2019t believe firing a manager does anything but take pressure off an owner \u2013 and I\u2019m here to take that pressure. If you don\u2019t like what he does, blame me. If you don\u2019t like who we sign, blame me.\u201d 26 Oct:<\/strong> Sacks him.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n 13 Oct: <\/strong>Bracknell Town manager Matt Saunders<\/strong> getting an unexpected 8.4m views for this assessment of his senior players. \u201cI\u2019m not going to let this club be dragged down by players that can\u2019t run, can\u2019t look after their body, want to go and drink after games, it ain\u2019t happening. They don\u2019t want to do the basics well. They don\u2019t want to eat well. They don\u2019t want to live right. I\u2019ve got rid of a lot of them, and I\u2019m going to keep going.\u201d 24 Oct<\/strong>, Bracknell: \u201cThe club wishes Matt all the best for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Making an impact off the pitch this year:<\/strong><\/p>\n NRL side South Sydney\u2019s Reggie Rabbit<\/strong>, saying sorry in March after being filmed shoving a nine-year-old who tried to high-five him. 81-year-old Charlie Gallico, Reggie since 2002, said he had been \u201checkled by boys\u201d but \u201cnothing like this will happen again \u2026 I love this club.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n St Albans\u2019 mascot Sammy the Saint<\/strong>, filmed in November being led out by stewards at Burton \u201clooking unsteady\u201d after falling over a hoarding, having trouble\u00a0balancing and \u201cmaking gestures at fans\u201d. St Albans: \u201cNew protocols will ensure\u00a0this cannot happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n And the Philadelphia Eagles <\/strong>installing <\/strong>a giant inflatable \u201cpositivity rabbit\u201d mascot in the team\u2019s locker room to lift morale and \u201cbring good vibes\u201d after back\u2011to-back defeats. The club axed it four days later after a fresh 22-19 loss. Former captain Jason Kelce: \u201cI have no idea where this fucking rabbit came from.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/span>Sammy the Saint: unsteady.<\/span> Photograph: @AccyForza\/X<\/p>\n Michael van Gerwen<\/strong>, forced to pull out of April\u2019s Premier League Darts quarter-final after trying on a shirt. \u201cMy neck and my back went. It was really, really stupid to be fair. If I tell the story to anyone, they don\u2019t believe me. You know what I mean? It\u2019s fact. I\u2019m never lying. It is what it is. What can you do?\u201d<\/p>\n Being spontaneous in 2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n France flanker Noa Traversier<\/strong>, showboating as he ran in an easy Under-20 Six Nations try against Ireland, grinning left and right, before being tackled from behind.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Magdeburg winger Rayan Ghrieb<\/strong>, celebrating scoring his side\u2019s late second against Hertha by jumping over a hoarding and disappearing into a 9ft concrete ditch. Coach Petrik Sander: \u201cI could say a lot of things now that would not be in the player\u2019s favour. We are glad that he came out of it healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Insect of the year: <\/strong>At August\u2019s BMW Championship in Maryland, a fly landing on Tommy Fleetwood\u2019s putt as it stopped on the lip at the 2nd. The ball dropped for a birdie; Fleetwood ended up tied for fourth, earning \u00a356,000 more than he would have won in fifth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Most laid-back owner: <\/strong>All Blacks utility back Leroy Carter<\/strong>, a late call-up in August, delayed after he put his passport by his bed for safekeeping, where his dog ate it. \u201cIt was a bit of a shambles yesterday. I thought it would happen to me, something like that, so no point getting stressed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Most put out: Spelthorne Sports<\/strong>, hitting back at critics after their Combined Counties Division One game was called off in August after geese \u201ccaked the pitch\u201d. Spelthorne said they tried to clear the waste, and \u201cto have opposition players making derisive comments on social media is not constructive or helpful\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/span>A Quail Hollow bunker turtle, a goat in the Giro d\u2019Italia peleton, Luke Littler eyes the Ally Pally wasp, and Thibaut Courtois tries to catch a rat.<\/span><\/p>\nMost embedded<\/strong><\/h2>\n
And the coolest heads<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Tournament of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Best messaging<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Most viral day out<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Millionaire of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Most male concept of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
And the most male clarification<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Sticklers of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Most overlooked narrative<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Boldest product placement<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Moral red line of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Regrets of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Free speech campaigner of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Tradition of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Worst use of autotranslate<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Most done with it all<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Liveliest post-match handshakes<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Boardroom awards<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Mascot awards<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Worst sports injury<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Celebrations of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Cricket\u2019s least sympathetic non-striker<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Animal awards<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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