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England captain Leah Williamson has said her “World Cup dream is over” after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in Arsenal’s defeat at Man Utd on Wednesday.

Williamson was taken off after collapsing to the ground only 12 minutes into Arsenal’s 1-0 loss at Leigh Sports Village, with her knee appearing to be the source of her discomfort.

The 26-year-old was able to walk off the pitch at Leigh Sports Village stadium in Manchester, with the assistance of two Arsenal physios.

But a scan revealed she had sustained the serious knee injury, which usually takes at least six months to recover from.

Arsenal Women tweeted: “We can confirm that Leah Williamson suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament on Wednesday night,” adding: “We’re all right behind you, @leahcwilliamson“.

Williamson released a statement on social media shortly after the announcement, saying: “Until I have the words to express my feelings properly, I will struggle to verbalise them.

“The noise around the situation is quite loud and I need some quiet to let it all sink in.

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“Unfortunately the World Cup and Champions League dream is over for me and everyone will think that’s the main focus, but it’s the day to day of what I’m about to go through that is the most draining of my thoughts.”

The injury means Williamson is unlikely to lead the the Lionesses at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which runs from 20 July to 20 August.

England manager Sarina Wiegman is due to announce her squad in late May, ahead of England’s opening game against Haiti on 22 July in Brisbane.

The injury came just a fortnight after Williamson led England to the inaugural Finalissima trophy at Wembley, beating Brazil in a penalty shoot-out to land the second piece of silverware since Wiegman named her as captain ahead of last summer’s Euros.

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall initially blamed the Man Utd pitch for Wednesday’s incident and said he was unsure how long Williamson would be unavailable for.

She will undergo surgery in “due course”, Arsenal said.

“Everyone at Arsenal will be supporting Leah closely throughout the journey ahead and we would ask that her privacy is respected at this time,” the club said in a statement.

Double blow for England

England will also be without Williamson's injured Arsenal team-mate Beth Mead Pic: REUTERS
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England will also be without Williamson’s injured Arsenal team-mate Beth Mead Pic: REUTERS

It is a major blow for England, who will also be without Williamson’s injured Arsenal team-mate Beth Mead – top scorer and player of the tournament at Euro 2022 – for the World Cup.

Read more:
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Wiegman said in March, when naming her most-recent squad, that Mead was unlikely to recover from her ACL injury in time to make her World Cup squad.

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor told his pre-match press conference: “It’s not good for Leah or Arsenal or England.

“Best wishes go to Leah, it’ll be a tough moment for her, especially at this stage of the season.”

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Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Enfield – as victim named

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Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Enfield - as victim named

A woman who was stabbed to death in north London has been named by police – as a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Pamela Munro, 45, was found with a stab wound and died at the scene in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday and is in custody, the force added.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela’s death.

“We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated.”

GVs from SN footage on 20/04/2025 at scene of murder on 19/04/2025 of woman at Gainsborough House, Ayley Croft, Enfield in north London.
Ingest 25 NM25 SKY SAF ENFIELD MURDER GVS ENFIELD 2045
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Police at the scene at Ayley Croft in Enfield

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The Met Police has asked anyone with information or who was driving through Ayley Court between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and may have dashcam footage to contact the force.

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‘British man’ dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador – reports

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'British man' dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador - reports

A “British man” has died after being beaten and set on fire by a mob in Ecuador, according to reports by media in the South American country.

According to reports, the man – who has not been officially identified – had been detained by police after being accused of being involved in a fatal shooting.

Ecuadorian news outlet Ecuavisa reported that the man had been taken to a police station Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest.

While there, a group broke into the station and took the man away. He was then set on fire in the street, it is reported, and died from his burns.

Playas del Cuyabeno
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The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province

Another local report, from EXTRA.ec, said that specialist police units had been slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area – which is accessible by river.

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According to reports, police officers at the station apparently decided they could not intervene when the mob arrived out of concerns for their own safety.

It is understood the UK Foreign Office is following up reports about the incident and working with local authorities to confirm the details.

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Three men charged over death of woman struck by van at golf course after police chase

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Three men charged over death of woman struck by van at golf course after police chase

Three men have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a woman who was struck by a van at a golf course following a police pursuit.

Suzanne Cherry died in hospital four days after she was struck by the vehicle on the morning of 11 April.

Two police cars had been following a grey Nissan van in Lichfield, Birmingham, after receiving reports of suspicious activity, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

However, they stopped chasing the van when it went off-road and up an embankment at Aston Wood Golf Club, where it hit Ms Cherry, of Aldridge, Walsall.

West Midlands Police said John McDonald, 51, of Bloxwich, has been charged with manslaughter, assault by beating and failing to stop a vehicle when directed by a constable.

Johnny McDonald, 22, of Dudley, and Brett Delaney, 34, of Darlaston, Walsall, have also been charged with manslaughter.

They are due to appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 21 April.

Three other men who had been arrested have been bailed with conditions.

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Following Ms Cherry’s death, her husband paid tribute to his “beautiful wife” and described how he watched in “helpless horror” during the incident.

“Suzanne leaves a legacy and an unfillable void in the lives of her mother Maureen, her three adult children, two step-children and countless others from her work, her sporting activities and social circle,” he added.

The IOPC continues to investigate the circumstances prior to the crash.

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