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VAR controversy, FIFA probe and Messi furore dominate 2026 World Cup round of 16

Argentina edged Egypt 3-2 in a chaotic last-16 tie marred by disputed VAR calls and post-match rigging claims from scorer Mostafa Ziko, while FIFA opened an investigation into racist abuse of streamer IShowSpeed and clashed with UEFA over Folarin Balogun's overturned ban.

Football Jul 8
Sonnen warns McGregor's only realistic path past Holloway at UFC 329 is a first-round knockout

Chael Sonnen has outlined a bleak outlook for Conor McGregor ahead of his UFC 329 welterweight rematch with Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas, arguing that an early knockout is the Irishman's only realistic route to victory.

MMA Jul 8
Lightning and 44C heat index threaten to disrupt England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami

Lightning strikes forecast for Saturday in Miami could trigger a shelter-in-place order at Hard Rock Stadium, while temperatures of 33C with a real-feel of 44C and 59% humidity threaten to sap players in England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway.

Football Jul 8
FIFA suspend two US officials as Balogun red-card row draws Rooney's 'absolute disgrace' verdict

Two United States football officials, team manager Sam Zapatka and US Soccer vice president of security Frank Pannell, were quietly banned by FIFA following the USA's 4-1 World Cup exit to Belgium — a defeat already overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's reinstated suspension.

Football Jul 8
Masvidal warns McGregor's five-year layoff could cost him against Holloway at UFC 329

Jorge Masvidal says Conor McGregor's five-year absence from the UFC could prove decisive when he rematches Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas — but only if McGregor failed to stay disciplined during his time away.

MMA Jul 8
Argentine referee for France-Morocco: the Blues refuse to be distracted

FIFA has appointed Argentine Facundo Tello to referee the quarter-final between France and Morocco at the 2026 World Cup. A choice that revives Franco-Argentine tensions since the 2022 final, but which French players dismiss outright.

Football Jul 8
Sititi admits fitness wake-up call as All Blacks embrace Rennie's high-tempo game plan

Wallace Sititi confessed his lungs were burning after 27 minutes off the bench in New Zealand's two-point win over France, as the All Blacks adapt to Dave Rennie's faster, more expansive style of play.

Rugby Jul 8
Pimblett dismisses St. Denis as a lesser threat than Gaethje ahead of UFC 329

Paddy Pimblett insists Benoit St. Denis lacks the chin and cardio to replicate what Justin Gaethje did to him in January, predicting a finish — by choke or knockout — at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas.

MMA Jul 8
City face goalkeeper dilemma as Trafford exit looms and Donnarumma stays No.1

Manchester City are bracing for the likely departure of James Trafford this summer, leaving them without the formidable two-goalkeeper depth that served them well across all competitions last season.

Football Jul 8
Fernandes clocked fastest sprint times at United after COVID lockdown training

Bruno Fernandes recorded some of the highest top speeds at Manchester United following the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, defying expectations after months of remote training. The United captain will miss the start of pre-season after Portugal's World Cup exit against Spain.

Football Jul 8
Egyptian Press Accuses Referees of Robbing Match Against Argentina

Following Egypt's elimination by Argentina, major Egyptian newspapers Al-Ahram and Al-Masry Al-Youm unanimously denounce biased refereeing, highlighting a penalty not called in the 72nd minute and what they describe as selective use of VAR.

Football Jul 8
United target Tchouameni as Scott spurns Bournemouth contract to fuel £85m chase

Manchester United are pursuing Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouameni, valued at £85m, while Bournemouth's Alex Scott has rejected multiple contract offers from the Cherries, keeping a potential Old Trafford move alive.

Football Jul 8
Paraguayan senator doubles down on racist remarks against Mbappé

Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla reiterated her attacks on Kylian Mbappé during a press conference on Tuesday, refusing to retract openly racist statements that prompted the French Football Federation to file a complaint and triggered a judicial investigation in Paris.

Football Jul 8
Only three survivors from 2022: France's XI against Morocco completely transformed

Four years after their World Cup semi-final in Qatar, France and Morocco meet in the quarter-finals in Boston on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Retirements, emerging talent and injuries have profoundly reshaped Didier Deschamps' starting XI.

Football Jul 8
Gullit, Thiago Silva and the free signings that shaped Chelsea across three decades

Despite spending roughly £1.5 billion under their current ownership, Chelsea have a long history of shrewd free-agent recruitment. From Ruud Gullit's FA Cup triumph to Thiago Silva's four-season stint, the Blues have landed world-class talent at no transfer cost.

Football Jul 8
Muhammad warns Holloway to wrestle McGregor early and survive the UFC 329 opener

Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad says Max Holloway must initiate grappling in the opening minutes of his UFC 329 main event against Conor McGregor, warning that the returning Irishman's knockout power and unknown conditioning make the first three to four minutes the most dangerous phase of the fight.

MMA Jul 8
Premier League revenue hits £6.8bn in 2024/25, doubling La Liga and dwarfing Serie A

The Premier League generated £6.8bn in revenue during 2024/25, an 8% rise that leaves La Liga (£3.5bn) and Serie A (£2.56bn) far behind, according to the Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance. Matchday income exceeded £1bn for the first time, though pre-tax losses surged to £948m.

Football Jul 8
From Caicedo's £115m snub to Guehi's late collapse: Liverpool's costliest failed transfers

Liverpool have seen several high-profile transfer pursuits unravel at the worst possible moments, including Moises Caicedo choosing Chelsea for £115m and Marc Guehi's completed medical ultimately leading nowhere.

Football Jul 8
FA weighs Quansah red card appeal as Trump's Balogun intervention opens disciplinary floodgates

Jarell Quansah faces a suspension that would rule him out of England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway after his red card against Mexico. The FA is considering an appeal, emboldened by Donald Trump's successful intervention to overturn Folarin Balogun's ban.

Football Jul 8
Bale reveals he twice rejected Manchester United to chase football over money

Gareth Bale has recalled turning down Manchester United on two separate occasions — first as a 17-year-old in 2007 and again in 2013 — prioritising regular football and a move to Real Madrid over bigger pay packets at Old Trafford.

Football Jul 8

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