Fed-up voters used the Twitter hashtag #bahhumbug to moan about the political clash coming in midst of Christmas parties and school nativity plays.

On current trends, Britain's output should be 'a quarter larger than the French economy' by 2034, the Centre for Economics and Business Research's (CEBR) predictions found.

SIMON WALTERS: Brainbox Cummings holds Whitehall's army of Sir Humphrey-style mandarins in total contempt. He wants to replace them with a team of 'weirdos, misfits, true wild cards and artists.'

Nicola Sturgeon has ordered officials to keep the European Union flag flying over the Scottish government headquarters after the UK leaves the bloc on Friday.

Liverpool Under 23 coach Neil Critchley is set for the biggest night of his career by taking charge of the first-team's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa next month. 

Morgan, 30, has been fighting for equal pay from the U.S. Soccer Federation. She said being pregnant for her daughter has reaffirmed her drive for equal pay.

Although Karim Benzema is looking to switch allegiances after being snubbed for the French national team once again, it appears he won't be going to play for Algeria. 

Mike Riley hopes to use Arsene Wenger's new role to help push through law changes that will improve VAR - although he says the Premier League is still at odds with the rest of the world about how to use it.

Gareth Southgate's England are 5/1 favourites to win Euro 2020 after being paired with Croatia and Czech Republic in Saturday's draw.

Anthony Taylor will take charge of Saturday's Manchester derby at the Etihad stadium despite coming from a town only six miles away from Old Trafford.

Van Basten, 55, was working as an analyst for Fox Sports two weekends ago when he was caught on mic saying the German phrase for 'hail victory' that became notorious for its use at Nazi rallies.

CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD IN PARIS: Lyon defender Lucy Bronze has insisted she has her heart set on winning a major tournament with England, not a Ballon d'Or, after finishing second.

Frank Lampard has been given the go-ahead to launch a January spending spree that will primarily focus on home-grown players after Chelsea's transfer ban was lifted.

Manchester City are considering a bid to sign Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, but face competition from Chelsea who intend to bring their academy graduate back to Stamford Bridge.

FIFA has been told to take legal action to claw back the two million Swiss francs that was 'unduly' paid by Sepp Blatter to Michel Platini in 2011, following a review by its Governance Committee.

FIFA has filed civil claims in Swiss courts against ex-president Sepp Blatter and ex-vice president Michel Platini as it pushes a bid to recover the two million Swiss francs 'unduly' paid to Platini in 2011.

MARTIN SAMUEL IN DOHA, QATAR: Late to the World Cup, late to the European Cup, it is no surprise that the Club World Cup continues to be regarded contemptuously by some back home.

Liverpool are one step away from making the Club World Cup final for the sixth time with Monterrey standing in their way. Sportsmail's Jordan Seward will provide LIVE UPDATES from Qatar.

David Beckham was among the crowd watching Liverpool take on Monterrey at the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Qatar on Wednesday.

MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM: By the time it came to the 85th minute Jurgen Klopp had seen enough. So on came Firmino for Origi.

EXCLUSIVE BY DOMINIC KING IN DOHA: Liverpool were left dismayed by the over-zealous actions of FIFA officials who prevented their squad from celebrating with their fans in Doha.

Bahrain international Sayed Baqer has been banned for 10 matches for a racist gesture during a World Cup qualifier.

Champions League holders Liverpool overcame Monterrey 2-1 on December 18 thanks to Roberto Firmino's injury-time winner, before they went on to beat Flamengo in the final.

UEFA have been left in a potentially embarrassing position after executive committee member and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was charged in connection with a bribery investigation

Premier League referees David Coote and Andy Madley have passed a fitness test at the second attempt to become members of the FIFA International List.

Frank Lampard is planning to make drastic changes to his squad this summer and reports sugggest he is plotting a summer move for highly-regarded Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.

The ongoing pandemic has heavily disrupted the football calendar, with countless domestic competitions postponed and Euro 2020 having been pushed back until next year.

West Ham forward Michail Antonio committed the ultimate Hammers sin by wearing a Tottenham Hotspur shirt after losing to defender Ryan Sessegnon on FIFA 20 last week. 

The two-time World Player of the Year was released from jail yesterday and placed under house arrest after reportedly paying a £1.3million bond but could be removed from the latest edition of FIFA.

Sepp Blatter was being investigated into matters over selling World Cup TV rights too cheaply. Prosecutors are set to drop the case, but are still probing an alleged £1.8m payment to Michel Platini.

A whistleblower who lost her job in football for speaking up against corruption in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process, has called on FIFA to apologise for their wrong-doing.

IAN LADYMAN: Barely a month into football's current state of inertia and the head of FIFA has arrived with a basketful of meaningless platitudes to make us all feel better. 'Health must come better.'

FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani has admitted that priority will be given to domestic football over the international game when it is safe to continue playing again.

Gareth Southgate has been warned that England could have to play three matches in two-week international breaks next season as part of FIFA's plan to revive the global calendar.

FIFA is refusing to give up on resolving a corruption case relating to Germany's successful 2006 World Cup bid, despite a trial in Switzerland ending due to a statute of limitations.

Rizzoli, the Italian official who took charge of the 2014 World Cup final and is now a referee designator for Serie A, said one change could be five subs instead of the usual three.

DOMINIC SANDBROOK: Have you ever wondered what a perfect storm looks like? Just take a look at Britain's universities. Crippled by corruption and greed they stand on the brink of disaster.

Shirley Maclaren is one of 135 Australians on the Holland America Line Zaandam ship stranded in the Pacific Ocean off Central America, where four passengers have died from coronavirus.

Queenslander Karla Lake contracted the deadly virus while celebrating her 75th birthday with her husband Graeme on the virus-stricken Ruby Cruise cruise ship before it docked in Sydney.

The 49-year-old was arrested on Monday night and spent the night behind bars.

The 75-year-old politician told Daily Mail Australia the region would be easy to isolate and said doing so could save the lives of a million vulnerable Australians.

The 222 Australian citizens and 28 New Zealand nationals and permanent residents are scheduled to arrive in Brisbane on Thursday.

Sarah Greig and her two sons returned from a trip to Jakarta on Sunday, and were immediately shuttled to the Novotel hotel in Brisbane.

The producer of children's program Bluey was left red-faced when his bare feet were revealed during an appearance on Channel Ten's The Project. 

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the Court of Appeal in Brisbane there had been a miscarriage of justice because an interpreter was not present throughout his trial.

Emergency services rushed to a home in Sunnybank Hills, in Brisbane's south on Monday night, after receiving reports of a domestic violence incident.

Fans have slammed Carly and Andrew for abruptly quitting House Rules: High Stakes once they discovered they weren't guaranteed to get a free home renovation. 

The mother, 31, was parked at the corner of Brightview Road and Grove Street in Glenore Grove, Queensland, at 6am on Tuesday when the incident happened.

WARNING: Graphic footage has emerged of the horrifying moment a man was shot dead by police after he allegedly doused himself in fuel in a McDonald's car park south of Brisbane.

Christopher Lee Burns was seen reading the Bible loudly and aggressively by police on February 12 in Maryborough, Queensland before punching another man later that day.