News
16166 stories
-
Declan Rice's partner Lauren Fryer: childhood sweetheart, online abuse, and World Cup support
Declan Rice and Lauren Fryer have been together since meeting at school in south-west London aged 17. Now parents to son Jude, the couple have kept a low profile despite Fryer facing sustained online abuse that drove her off social media in late 2023.
Football -
Mac Allister's father, roots and dynasty: the family behind Argentina's World Cup semi-finalist
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister faces England in a World Cup semi-final carrying a remarkable family legacy — a father who played alongside Maradona, Irish-Scottish ancestry, and two brothers who are also professional footballers.
Football -
Joe Hart's blackout tattoo: the armour design covering his shoulder, arm and wrist
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart is drawing attention at the 2026 World Cup as a BBC pundit — not just for his analysis, but for the striking blackout tattoo that covers his right shoulder, upper arm and wrist. The piece, completed in summer 2019, was designed by tattoo artist Hanu Mantra.
Football -
Mainoo gifts World Cup semi-final ticket to dementia fundraiser ahead of England vs Argentina
Kobbie Mainoo reached out to Jordan Adams, one of the 'FTD Brothers' who has raised £2 million for dementia research after being told he will develop the disease in his 40s, and handed him a ticket for England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta.
Football -
Record-breaking referee Barrett-Theron steps away from rugby after breast cancer diagnosis
Aimee Barrett-Theron, the most-capped female Test referee in rugby history with 52 internationals, has stepped away from officiating with immediate effect after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The 39-year-old South African says her condition is treatable and she aims to return to the field within months.
Rugby -
Messi targets 2026 World Cup semifinal as retirement question hangs over Argentina icon
Lionel Messi has scored eight goals in six matches at the 2026 World Cup — level with Kylian Mbappé for the tournament lead — as Argentina prepare to face England in the semifinal. The 39-year-old has declined to set a firm retirement date, saying he will play as long as he can contribute.
Football -
Arsenal set to bid for Christos Tzolis after £17m Trossard sale to Besiktas
Arsenal have agreed to sell Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for £17 million, with Club Brugge now bracing for a bid from the Gunners for Greece winger Christos Tzolis, valued at around £30 million.
Football -
Romero's family bond, Argentina outcry and the Spurs wages fuelling his World Cup drive
Cristian Romero faces England in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final carrying the weight of a turbulent Tottenham season, a controversial trip home during their relegation battle, and a fierce determination to win back-to-back world titles with Argentina.
Football -
Croatia demand VAR audio from FIFA over disallowed Gvardiol goal and England half-time controversy
Croatian Football Federation president Marijan Kustic sent a formal letter to FIFA demanding answers over the chip-detected offside that ruled out Josko Gvardiol's equaliser against Portugal, and an 18-minute half-time interval in the group-stage loss to England. Technical director Stipe Pletikosa says FIFA has yet to respond.
Football -
Sedriques Dumas cut from UFC roster after sentencing on weapons and drug charges
Sedriques Dumas has been removed from the UFC roster following a June sentencing in Escambia County, Florida, where he pleaded no-contest to weapons and marijuana possession charges stemming from his April 2025 arrest. The 30-year-old middleweight leaves after nine fights with the promotion.
MMA -
Former England youth international torn as partner Senesi faces Lionesses in World Cup semi-final
AFC Bournemouth defender Kelci Bowers, who represented England at under-19 level, admits she will wear blue and white to tonight's World Cup semi-final after Bournemouth teammate and Argentinian defender Marcos Senesi received a late call-up to face her home nation.
Football -
Alan Shearer returns to BBC punditry for England vs Argentina World Cup semi-final
Alan Shearer will be in the BBC commentary box as England face Argentina in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final, a fixture that stirs deep personal memories for the former striker, who scored in the nations' last meeting at France 98.
Football -
Pablo Pagis leaves Lorient for Paris FC in €15 million transfer
Paris FC is set to sign Pablo Pagis, Lorient's breakout striker, for approximately €15 million excluding bonuses. The 23-year-old, who scored 10 goals in Ligue 1 last season, was also tracked by Lyon, Lens, Strasbourg and Marseille.
Football -
Milan prosecutors clear Serie A referee chief Rocchi of VAR interference charges
Gianluca Rocchi, former head of Serie A and Serie B referees, has been cleared of sports fraud by Milan prosecutors following a months-long investigation into alleged VAR manipulation and biased referee appointments during the 2024-25 season.
Football -
Djed Spence inspires viral Bonnie Tyler chant after England's Norway comeback
England fans have created a Bonnie Tyler-inspired chant for Djed Spence after the defender came off the bench in the 86th minute to help secure a comeback win over Norway and a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Football -
Infantino boos mystery solved as ITV and Fox confirm jeers targeted Jerry Jones
Broadcasters ITV and Fox both clarified that the audible booing heard as FIFA president Gianni Infantino appeared on screen during Spain's 2-0 semi-final win over France in Dallas was actually directed at Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who appeared simultaneously on the stadium's jumbotron.
Football -
Yorke urges Man United to keep Chido Obi as Sesko's back-up rather than chase new signing
Dwight Yorke believes Manchester United already have their solution to the Benjamin Sesko back-up problem in academy forward Chido Obi, arguing the club should integrate the youngster into Michael Carrick's squad rather than spend in the transfer market.
Football -
England fans honour Martin Luther King's legacy in Atlanta ahead of Argentina World Cup semi-final
Hundreds of England supporters visited Martin Luther King's childhood home, church, and museum in Atlanta before the Three Lions' World Cup semi-final against Argentina, paying tribute to the civil rights leader assassinated in 1968.
Football -
Thomas Meunier leaves Lille for Sunderland and the Europa League
Out of contract, Belgian right-back Thomas Meunier has signed with Sunderland until 2028, the Premier League's seventh-place finisher last season. The 34-year-old will discover the Europa League with Régis Le Bris's side.
Football -
Dean Richards unites all-Premiership coaching staff at Doncaster Knights for Championship push
Doncaster Knights director of rugby Dean Richards has recruited Carl Hogg as head coach and Alan Dickens as attack coach, assembling an all-Premiership-pedigree staff as the club targets promotion and a place in an expanded 12-team top flight.
Rugby
Comoros
