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Sergio Aguero: The history of the FA Cup meant it was always a special competition to play in

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Stake’s global representative, Sergio Aguero, reveals his memories of playing in the FA Cup, why it was a special competition for him to win, how Pep Guardiola will keep his players motivated against Peterborough in their fifth round tie, and what this side could achieve this season.

The FA Cup has an amazing history and I am proud to have won the competition 

The FA Cup was always one of my favourite competitions to play in because of its history and because of the many famous players and teams to have won it.

When I was living in Spain and here in Argentina, everyone knew about the competition and its history.

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We came so close to winning the FA Cup in 2013 but were beaten by Wigan in the final. It was hard for us because we had a very good team, Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta all started that game.

But we were all very new to the club and it was only the start of our journey. I think we did okay in the end!

We were back at Wembley for my second FA Cup final in 2019 and that day went much better for us when we beat Watford.

We were so happy to win it and to be a part of FA Cup history was a very proud moment for me.

The tradition of the FA Cup is one of my favourite things about the competition, it was fun to meet Prince William to get my medal after the game and the celebrations with the fans afterwards was so special.

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Everyone says that the FA Cup is magical and it is true, it was always really fun to play in and you felt proud to represent your team in the competition.

The day we played in the FA Cup was

always special because there was so much excitement in the team and the fans were always extra happy to see us play well.

Playing teams in lower divisions in the FA Cup is harder than you think, so Pep will have the City players focused ahead of the Peterborough match 

Not many people know how hard it is to play in the FA Cup. In England, you play a lot of matches and a lot of competitions, but as a player, it’s really exciting because you have the chance to try and win lots of different competitions, and winning finals is something that you are always proud of as a footballer, which means every game is important.

To get to the final you have to play against lots of different teams and some new ones that you might not have ever played against before. Playing against new teams and new players and at new stadiums is always hard because you don’t know 100% what you’re going to be playing against. We watch the teams in the Premier League and Champions League a lot and we all have friends and international teammates that play for them, but when you draw a team in the FA Cup that you don’t regularly get to play against or know too much about, it’s always a difficult experience.

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When we played against a new team or a side in a different division, we were always expected to win, but it’s not as easy as that. Every manager always made sure the preparation for an FA Cup game was exactly the same. The training was the same, we worked hard on our jobs for the match and we went into the game knowing what we had to do, it made no difference if it was the final or first round.

This is exactly what Pep Guardiola will be doing with the team this week. Pep is a winner and he hates to lose, you don’t win the number of trophies he has without this attitude. He will be making sure the Manchester City players are ready for the game against Peterborough in the same way as if it was any other match.

There’s added pressure on Manchester City to win in the FA Cup and Peterborough will look to familiar tactics to beat them 

When you are the team in a higher league and you have to travel to a team in a league below you it is difficult because the crowd are always so excited that their team might cause an upset and get to beat a Premier League team! When you get to the ground you are quickly aware that everyone really wants you to lose – the fans let you know when you arrive. It’s not just the

home crowd that are extra excited to see you lose, but it is everyone watching at home also, we know this and try not to think about it and focus on our job for the day.

We played against Wigan, again, in 2018 in the Cup at their stadium and it was one of the hardest matches. They defended so well and frustrated us, we had all of the possession and so many chances, but they scored late and knocked us out, that’s how it is in knockout football. If Peterborough think that they can win then they should watch that game and do the same as Wigan did.

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Peterborough will be tough for Manchester City because the team has just travelled to Portugal in the Champions League, had a tough game against Tottenham, then they’ll play away in the Premier League threes days before the match and then they have to play Manchester United after the FA Cup game, but the team has so many good players in every position and everyone is used to this way of playing now.

Manchester City are hungry to win every competition 

At Manchester City, we wanted to win everything, every match and every trophy, and that will always be the case at the club now. I think Manchester City are in a great place to win the Premier League again, they also have a good chance in the FA Cup and in the Champions League too, but this might be competitive, but I think it is possible that they win all three. Winning a treble like this would be a huge achievement and they have a team and manager that can do it this season.

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Report affirms Ygam’s leading role in gambling harm prevention

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The latest Ygam impact report reiterates the integral role that the charity plays in preventing gaming and gambling harms among young people.

Between January 2024 to March 2025, Ygam trained nearly 10,000 delegates and reached and estimated 1.3 million children and young people across the UK – the highest reach figure since its inception in 2014. Recognised as the UK’s leading charity dedicated to prevention gambling harms among young people, Ygam has continued to set the standard in the sector.

The charity has significantly strengthened its focus on data, evaluation, and evidence-based practice, commissioning independent evaluations of four of its flagship programmes. These evaluations have generated robust insights into the long-term effectiveness of Ygam’s approach and are helping to shape the future of prevention education across the UK.

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This report brings together a rich body of evidence, including independent evaluations, pre- and post-training feedback, and delegate testimonials – compiled to inform strategic direction and long-term effect.

Ygam’s growing prominence is reflected in its expanding reputation and influence across the youth sector. The charity continues to build strong partnerships with schools, universities, youth organisations, and community groups, ensuring its resources are embedded where they can make the greatest impact. Ygam is now working with esteemed brands including The Scouts, NSPCC, The Children’s Society, TSB Bank, Place2Be, and Barnardo’s.

The charity’s work has also been praised by Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross, who welcomed the publication of the report.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Baroness Twycross, said:  “I welcome this report, which highlights Ygam’s vital role in educating more than one million young people on how to lead safer digital lives.

One of my key priorities as gambling minister is to strengthen protections around those most vulnerable to harmful gambling and I look forward to collaborating with Ygam in future as we continue to build a safer online space for young people.”

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Helen Martin, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive at Ygam, said: “I’m incredibly proud to present this impact report, which highlights Ygam’s leading role in the prevention field and our recognised expertise in safeguarding children and young people. Central to our success is a strong commitment to collaboration and the transformative power of partnership.

I’m delighted with the strides we’ve made in evaluating our work. While our reach figures are impressive, they represent just one facet of the significant impact we are achieving. By investing time and resources in rigorous evaluation, we ensure our programmes are not only evidence-based but also exemplify best-in-class standards and deliver lasting impact.

Our dedication to thorough evaluation, ongoing learning, and reflective practice empowers us to continually enhance our approach and meet the evolving needs of the communities we support. This commitment will continue to reinforce our position as trusted experts in the field.”

Key findings of the Impact Report 2024/2025:

  • 1,324,416 estimated young people reach through delegates trained.
  • 9,448 delegates trained in positions of care and influence over young people, including 3,762 teachers and youth workers.
  • 1 million social media impressions, marking 322% increase from 2023.
  • 97% of delegates would recommend Ygam training to a colleague.
  • 97% of delegates felt better equipped to identify and respond to gambling harms following Ygam training.
  • 50% of teachers and youth workers said they had implemented the Ygam materials in their classroom within 12 months of completing the training.
  • 2,134 volunteer leaders were reached through the Scout Association partnership, safeguarding an estimated 45,000 children and young people.
  • 50 universities visited across the UK.
  • 115,000 estimated university students reach.

This report reinforces the charity’s commitment to independent evaluation, learning, and reflection, which helps to continuously strengthen their our own portfolio and harm prevention efforts across the wider sector.

You can read Ygam’s full Impact Report 2024-5 here.

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Midnite named principal partner of Sheffield United

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  • Midnite to be Blades’ front-of-shirt sponsor for 2025-26 season
  • Lucky season ticket holders will get VIP seat upgrade for every match thanks to Midnite
  • Midnite is among UK’s fastest-growing sportsbooks. 

Midnite, one of the UK’s fastest-growing online sportsbooks, has been named as the principal partner of Sheffield United for the 2025-26 season.

Midnite’s logo will be on the front of Blades shirts for the men’s and women’s adult first teams, training kits and adult replica shirts. It will also be displayed around Bramall Lane, on home match team sheets, the matchday programme and across the club’s social media channels.

The partnership also launches Midnite Premium Seat Upgrade. This will see two lucky season ticket holders drawn at random before each men’s home league game to enjoy a premium match experience in the prestigious Tony Currie Suite.

Midnite and Sheffield United will also collaborate to bring Blades fans closer to their club with a series of unique moments and unprecedented opportunities throughout the season.

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Midnite was the official betting partner of the 2025 World Snooker Championship, held at the Crucible in Sheffield earlier this year.

Jonathan Shaw, Vice President of Growth at Midnite, said: “It’s a privilege for Midnite to become principal partner of Sheffield United for the coming season. The club has a proud history and a strong connection with its supporters and we’re committed to helping make this a memorable season for Blades fans.

“This partnership continues our efforts to grow Midnite as a challenger brand in the UK market, as we look to build our presence and offer a genuine alternative to the established tier-one operators. We’re looking forward to working with the club and its supporters throughout the season.”

Paul Fielder Head of Commercial for Sheffield United Football Club said: “We’re pleased to welcome Midnite as our principal partner for the 2025-26 season. They’ve shown a clear commitment to working with the club and its supporters and we’ve been impressed by their thoughtful and collaborative approach.

“We look forward to developing the partnership over the season and providing Blades fans with some memorable moments along the way.”

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Midnite and Sheffield United’s partnership will operate in accordance with the Gambling Commission’s codes of practice.

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Unlock Top-Tier Deals and Careers: Parimatch joins iGB L!VE 2025

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Parimatch, the global entertainment company, is set to make a significant impact at iGB L!VE 2025, taking place in London from July 2–3. Located at Stand E34, the Parimatch team will welcome industry leaders, potential partners, and top talent to explore a world of premium entertainment opportunities.

iGB L!VE is a cornerstone event in the iGaming calendar. That is why Parimatch is creating a hub for high-value connections with key decision-makers. The stand will be a must-visit destination for attendees seeking access to a top-tier network of C-level executives and the best deals from an Affiliate program operating globally across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The Parimatch Affiliate team will be on hand to discuss the best deals and hottest offers, designed to drive high performance for partners.

The Parimatch experience at Stand E34 is designed to be unforgettable, going beyond performance to build strong alliances and celebrate shared success. Demonstrating a commitment that goes beyond industry standards, Parimatch Affiliates will host an exclusive side event for its top partners: a trip to the Formula 1 race in Silverstone. This ethos will be reflected at the stand through a dynamic atmosphere where insights and energy converge, complete with engaging activities, prize draws, and limited-edition merchandise drops.

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In addition to fostering business objectives, Parimatch is focusing more than ever on its employer brand. The company’s Employer Brand and HR teams will be on-site for open conversations with talented professionals. Visitors can gain direct insights into Parimatch’s vibrant corporate culture, diverse work formats, and significant career opportunities. This provides a transparent look into life at a leading global entertainment company.

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