News
9255 stories
-
Paraguayan senator threatens Mbappé with legal action for 'gender violence' after his response
Celeste Senadora, a Paraguayan senator who launched a racist attack on Kylian Mbappé following France's 1-0 World Cup victory over Paraguay, has published an open letter threatening the French striker with legal proceedings for 'gender violence'.
Football -
FIFA reveals World Cup 2026 prize money in full, with champions set to earn $50 million
FIFA has confirmed the prize fund for World Cup 2026, with the tournament winners earning $50 million — $8 million more than in 2022. Group-stage exits still net $9 million, while all 48 nations received $2.5 million in preparation money.
Football -
Belgium mock Trump with his own dance after knocking USA out of World Cup 4-1
Belgium's players mimicked Donald Trump's signature dance after Romelu Lukaku's stoppage-time fourth goal sealed a 4-1 win over the USA in Seattle, eliminating the co-hosts from the World Cup. The celebration came days after Trump's apparent intervention to lift striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban.
Football -
Pulisic exits USA's World Cup exit with ankle injury as Pochettino fears for AC Milan return
Christian Pulisic twisted his right ankle in the 52nd minute of the United States' 4-1 round-of-16 defeat to Belgium, ending a World Cup in which the AC Milan forward was repeatedly hampered by injury and failed to score.
Football -
Arsenal eye Wan-Bissaka as White replacement while Spurs table £85m Kroupi bid
Arsenal are monitoring Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a potential backup to Jurrien Timber following Ben White's uncertain future, while Tottenham are reportedly willing to pay £85m for Bournemouth winger Eli Junior Kroupi as they continue a summer overhaul after finishing 17th.
Football -
Belgium crush USA 4-1 to reach quarters as Trump-Balogun controversy overshadows Seattle
Belgium eliminated the last remaining host nation with a commanding 4-1 win over the USA in Seattle, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice. The match was overshadowed by Donald Trump's phone call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino that overturned Folarin Balogun's red card suspension.
Football -
Hardy withdraws from UFC Oklahoma City with training cut, Melisano steps in
Veronica Hardy has been forced out of her July 18 UFC Oklahoma City bout against Dione Barbosa after suffering a cut during a sparring session. Anna Melisano will replace her on the card.
MMA -
Craig Jones reveals how Makhachev and Khabib cornered him over jiu-jitsu claims after UFC 322
Grappling coach Craig Jones has described the moment Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov confronted him backstage at UFC 322, listing fighters Jones had trained who all lost to Makhachev — though Jones pushed back on at least one of the names.
MMA -
Balogun accepts controversial reprieve but admits Belgium were simply better in 4-1 rout
Folarin Balogun has spoken after his World Cup suspension was controversially lifted following Donald Trump's call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. The USA forward played in the last-16 but could not prevent a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.
Football -
Dorgu trains alone ahead of Man United's pre-season return as Carrick plots 2026-27 title push
Patrick Dorgu has been spotted working with a personal trainer before Manchester United's squad officially returns to Carrington on Thursday, as new permanent manager Michael Carrick begins preparations for the Premier League opener against Hull City on August 22.
Football -
Belgium end USA's home World Cup dream as Balogun controversy fails to save hosts
The United States were eliminated from their home World Cup at the last-16 stage after Belgium defeated them with goals from Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku. Folarin Balogun featured after Donald Trump intervened to suspend the Monaco striker's red-card ban, but the controversy could not prevent a dominant Belgian victory.
Football -
Maresca faces squad reckoning as City's loan class of 2024-25 returns empty-handed
Manchester City's wave of loan moves last season largely misfired, with Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Claudio Echeverri and Sverre Nypan frozen out at their clubs while Vitor Reis and Divine Mukasa suffered relegation. Enzo Maresca must now assess the damage when the group returns to pre-season training.
Football -
Belgium crushes United States 4-1 and hits back at Trump with cutting 'Overturn this'
Powered by a brace from Charles De Ketelaere, the Red Devils dominated the United States (4-1) in Seattle and qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, sweeping aside the Trump-Infantino controversy over Folarin Balogun's overturned red card.
Football -
Wallabies lose Gordon and Hooper to injury ahead of France and Italy Tests
Australia have been hit by a double injury setback before Saturday's Nations Championship clash with France in Brisbane, with fly-half Carter Gordon ruled out with a calf strain and backrower Tom Hooper sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Rugby -
Poirier open to UFC return for McGregor fourth fight or long-awaited Diaz bout
Dustin Poirier, who retired after a loss to Max Holloway last year, says he remains under UFC contract and would end his retirement for the right opponent — naming Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz as the fights that could lure him back.
MMA -
Tchouameni likely out against Morocco, three other France players also sidelined
Aurélien Tchouameni, sidelined with an adductor injury sustained before the Paraguay match, has only resumed individual running and is expected to miss Thursday's quarter-final against Morocco. Saliba, Upamecano and Rabiot were also spared from training.
Football -
Trump admits contacting Infantino to overturn Balogun's red card
US President Donald Trump acknowledged personally requesting FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to review the red card given to American striker Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup. FIFA ultimately overturned the player's suspension, a decision Trump publicly praised.
Football -
Du Plessis claims UFC had to convince reluctant Usman to sign Oklahoma City fight
Dricus du Plessis says Kamaru Usman initially refused to agree to their July 18 bout at UFC Oklahoma City, with the promotion forced to step in and persuade the former welterweight champion to sign the contract.
MMA -
FIFA defends referee Claus after Trump calls him 'suspect' at World Cup
FIFA has issued a formal statement backing referee Raphael Claus after US President Donald Trump described him as 'a little bit suspect' following the controversial red card shown to USA forward Folarin Balogun at the 2026 World Cup.
Football -
Carrick rules out Leao as United chiefs prepare to fly to Madrid for £85m Tchouameni talks
Michael Carrick has reportedly dismissed Rafael Leao as a transfer target despite the AC Milan winger being offered to Manchester United, while club officials are preparing to travel to Madrid to explore a deal for Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, with any sale expected to exceed £85 million.
Football
