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Covington calls Chimaev a 'quitter' after Strickland stripped him of UFC middleweight title
Colby Covington has dismissed Khamzat Chimaev's weight-cut excuses following his split-decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, arguing the defeat revealed a mental weakness rather than a physical one — and insisting he could expose those same flaws in a future wrestling match.
MMA -
Burnley's £40m damages win over Everton sets precedent that puts Manchester City on notice
An independent commission has ordered Everton to pay Burnley nearly £40 million in damages after ruling the Toffees' PSR breach cost the Clarets their Premier League place in 2021/22 — the first such award in English football and one that casts a long shadow over Manchester City's 115-charge hearing.
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Mourinho signs three-year deal to return as Real Madrid manager for second stint
Real Madrid have confirmed José Mourinho as their new head coach on a three-year contract running until 2029, with the 63-year-old replacing Alvaro Arbeloa after a difficult season that saw the club lose La Liga to Barcelona.
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Mourinho returns to Real Madrid thirteen years later, signed until 2029
Real Madrid officially announced Thursday the appointment of José Mourinho as head coach of the first team, thirteen years after his departure. The Portuguese coach, recruited from Benfica for €15 million, has committed for three seasons, until June 30, 2029.
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FIFA revamps World Cup 2026 anthem ceremony to include full squads and 360-degree fan experience
FIFA has announced a redesigned pre-match ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in which every squad member — not just starters — will gather around the centre circle during national anthems, alongside new stadium-wide visuals and pyrotechnics for later rounds.
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France restructures third and fourth tiers of club rugby from 2027 in sweeping reforms
The Fédération Française de Rugby has approved a major overhaul of its domestic pyramid, expanding the Nationale to 16 teams and merging Nationale 2 with Fédérale 1 to create a 48-club fourth tier from the 2027/28 season.
Rugby -
Argentina reclaim FIFA's top ranking hours before World Cup 2026 kicks off
Defending champions Argentina have moved back to No. 1 in the FIFA world rankings, displacing France, just hours before the 2026 World Cup opens in North America. Spain hold second, England sit fourth, and Morocco reach a record-high seventh.
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Amorim emerges as AC Milan target after Allegri sacked for Champions League failure
AC Milan have dismissed Max Allegri following a collapse that cost them Champions League football for a second consecutive season, with Ruben Amorim, Oliver Glasner, and Matthias Jaissle among the candidates to replace him.
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Tuchel grants England squad a free day in Florida with one firm rule before World Cup begins
Thomas Tuchel has given his 26-man England squad a day off in Florida ahead of their World Cup campaign, allowing players to explore the state freely — on the condition that no one boards a flight before the squad relocates to Kansas City on Saturday.
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Tuchel backs Anderson to thrive amid £100m-plus transfer battle ahead of World Cup
England manager Thomas Tuchel has described Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as the 'full package' and believes the £100m-plus interest from Manchester City is boosting rather than distracting the 22-year-old ahead of the World Cup.
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Bellingham trialled as England's No.9 while Tuchel raises concerns over new World Cup referee rules
Thomas Tuchel tested Jude Bellingham as a centre-forward during England's friendly win over Costa Rica, opening up a new tactical option for the World Cup. The England manager also voiced concerns about stricter refereeing directives that could affect his side at the tournament.
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Mexico City's World Cup metro makeover mocked as 'failed aesthetic' amid infrastructure anger
A lavish renovation of Mexico City's Hidalgo metro station, completed ahead of the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, has sparked widespread ridicule online, with residents arguing the cosmetic overhaul masks deeper structural problems the city has long failed to address.
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Desailly settles it: « Africa's champion is still Senegal », not Morocco
Questioned on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, Marcel Desailly refuses to recognize Morocco's title awarded by default after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final was annulled. For the 1998 World Cup winner, it is Senegal, victorious 1-0 on the pitch on January 18 in Rabat, that remains the true African champion.
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Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs signs with RAF ahead of August debut
Wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs, a 2012 Olympic champion and six-time World Championship gold medalist, has signed with RAF and will make his promotional debut at RAF 12 on Aug. 22 in Cleveland.
MMA -
Koundé suffers thigh issue, but availability for Senegal clash not in doubt
France's right-back sustained a muscular problem during the friendly against Northern Ireland (3-1) last Monday. His participation in the World Cup opener on June 16 against Senegal is not under threat.
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Balerdi set to leave OM: Atlético, Juventus and Roma circle
Despite a contract running until 2028, Olympique de Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi is expected to leave this summer if a satisfactory offer arrives. Atlético Madrid, Juventus, AS Rome and Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested.
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World Cup fever grips Mexico City but protests and political tensions cloud the opening
Mexico City prepares to host the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony and inaugural match against South Africa, but President Claudia Sheinbaum faces mounting protests, political scandals, and security concerns that threaten to overshadow the festivities.
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Christina Unkel: the FIFA referee-turned-lawyer joining ITV's World Cup 2026 coverage
Christina Unkel, a former FIFA referee, qualified litigation lawyer, and Tampa Bay Sun FC president, returns to ITV as a rules analyst and VAR expert for World Cup 2026, having impressed UK audiences during Euro 2024.
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Alpine's penalty review for Gasly's Monaco demotion set for Friday verdict in Barcelona
Alpine's right of review over Pierre Gasly's two five-second pitlane speeding penalties at the Monaco Grand Prix — which dropped him from third to seventh — was deemed admissible on Thursday after new data showed the speed-measuring system had overestimated his car's speed. A verdict is expected Friday morning.
Formula 1 -
Maguire fined for second speeding offence as two Man Utd team-mates face charges
Harry Maguire has been fined £1,000 and handed three penalty points after admitting driving at 37mph in a 30mph zone in Altringham — his second speeding conviction in 2025. Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and striker Matheus Cunha face separate proceedings.
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