'Nothing personal': Macron sides with Australia over England in World Cup / Photo: WILLIAM WEST - AFP
-
India student protests keep up pressure on Modi government
-
In Kazakhstan, emptying villages and overcrowded cities
-
Italian FA chief says in touch with Guardiola over coaching vacancy
-
Hitler's Austrian birthplace transformed into police station
-
Cooler inflation hands new UK PM Burnham an early boost
-
Mideast conflict lifts Brent back above $94, stocks give up gains
-
Bezos holds talks with group interested in buying Liverpool stake: reports
-
Greece broils on year's warmest day as three-day heatwave peaks
-
The student movement in India challenging Modi's government
-
Japan cities 'cruelly hot' for first time
-
Danish fish fossil cliffs set to gain UNESCO status
-
Lithuania moves Red Army graves to leave behind Soviet past
-
In Bulgarian mountains, local doctor still on call at 90
-
OpenAI reports 'unprecedented' autonomous hack by AI agents
-
Australia protests China's 'destabilising' missile test
-
India opposition leader released after protest detention
-
Sydney court dismisses defamation case against film star Rebel Wilson
-
Australia cricket great Warner pleads guilty to drink-driving
-
US tariffs on Brazil take effect as Trump readies fresh flurry
-
US hits Iran, says war cost at $37.5 bn
-
Death toll rises to 13 in Chile's severe storms
-
Tech lifts Asia stocks, Brent crude back above $92
-
24 hours in a Ukrainian hospital, buckling under the toll of war
-
Hitler's Austrian birthplace to become a police station
-
India's domestic workers go online as instant services boom
-
Decomposed body in singer D4vd's car was 'unrecognizable,' court hears
-
From bath to fish market: DJs play to revive Japan neighbourhoods
-
A once wary Hollywood slowly warms to AI
-
Nearly 3,000-year-old human remains unearthed in El Salvador
-
Designing a Tour de France route: a three-year labour of love
-
New Zealand may miss climate targets due to government policies: report
-
Chelsea sign Rogers from Villa for reported UK record fee
-
Hormuz, Malacca and other key straits spawn tensions throughout history
-
'The Dink' sees comedy in US pickleball craze
-
XCF Announces $2.50 Exercise Price Warrant Capital Strategy to Support Operations and Growth
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - July 22
-
Cashmere Valley Bank Reports Increased Quarterly Earnings of $6.9 million, Year to Date Earnings of $12.7 million
-
Eldex Corporation Strengthens Long-Term Scientific Engagement Through Continued Partnership with Bioz
-
Who is the Best Plastic Surgeon in Bellevue, Washington?
-
Top 3 Botox Clinics in Washington
-
At least 53 dead in Guyana capsized ferry disaster
-
Rainout keeps Red Sox MLB win streak at 14 with two games Wednesday
-
Colombia to host office of Trump's anti-cartel alliance: president-elect
-
Zelensky sacks army chief Syrsky after days of protests
-
Trump says US 'not finished' as Iran widens attacks
-
Messi lands in Argentine hometown after World Cup defeat
-
Panthers lose Moton to blood clot as NFL camps open
-
Lipowitz breaks collarbone in Tour de France crash
-
LPGA launches Nanea Cup event next March in Hawaii
-
India opposition leader Gandhi detained after calling for PM resignation
'Nothing personal': Macron sides with Australia over England in World Cup
French President Emmanuel Macron says it's "nothing personal" but he is siding with Australia over England when they meet Wednesday in the Women's World Cup semi-finals.
Macron made his bold diplomatic move after Australia knocked out France in a thrilling 7-6 penalty shoot-out in Brisbane on Saturday to reach the last four for the first time in their history.
Ahead of the match, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had challenged Macron on social media platform X: whichever side lost would barrack for the other team in the semi-finals.
"Nothing personal against our English friends, but a bet is a bet ... Good luck Australia for the semi-finals!", Macron replied after his team's agonising loss.
"Happy to have you cheering on @TheMatildas in the semis," Albanese replied, praising both sides in the France-Australia clash for an "incredible game".
The friendly banter marks a big change from 2021, when the previous Australian government blindsided Macron by tearing up a multi-billion dollar French submarine deal, opting instead for US and British nuclear-powered technology.
England will face the tournament co-hosts at Stadium Australia in Sydney after fighting back from a goal down to beat Colombia 2-1.
E.Hall--AT
