Guardian Sport

Guardian Sport

@sport.theguardian.com

Sport news, comment, video and more from @theguardian.com

14.9K followers47 following13.2K posts

Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Jay-Z is the perfect Super Bowl shill for a league of billionaires

dlvr.itJay-Z is the perfect Super Bowl shill for a league of billionairesThe rapper lends the NFL a veneer of credibility but is unlikely to push back on the establishment figures who run the league On Monday the NFL named Jay-Z as the headliner for this season’s Super Bowl half-time show. His company, Roc Nation, produces the show under a 2019 deal reportedly worth $5m a year, and the agreement was extended for another five years in 2024. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said his one request when the partnership began was that Jay-Z “take the stage himself one day“. Goodell’s wish makes total sense: Jay-Z is the perfect choice for the half-time show, and that’s not a compliment. The NFL wants a shill who can still pass for a rebel, and nobody in American music plays that part better than Jay-Z. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Lise Klaveness: ‘Certainly there are people that can challenge Infantino’

dlvr.itLise Klaveness: ‘Certainly there are people that can challenge Infantino’Norwegian federation president distances self from Fifa presidency but believes governing body can be reformed As the rain whips around Oslo’s government quarter, Lise Klaveness is shielding herself from the wind, trying to work out tactics. “Of course we cannot probably do everything alone, but we have a voice, we have the right to speak, we have the right to suggest, so let’s see,” she says. “We will at least try to be a spearhead.” The president of the Norwegian Football Federation wants to re-engage Fifa, and other governing bodies, on the topic of remedy. A slightly arcane aspect of human rights policy in normal times, the importance of remedy became very clear in the aftermath of the World Cup in Qatar, when the families of those injured or killed in the work that led up to the tournament were left without financial compensation after Fifa chose to direct a legacy fund elsewhere. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Jimmy Anderson’s stubborn refusal to give up has fuelled his greatest achievements | Emma John

dlvr.itJimmy Anderson’s stubborn refusal to give up has fuelled his greatest achievements | Emma JohnLancashire have moved on without him, but the 44-year-old England stalwart wants to keep going as long as his body allows Jimmy Anderson could teach Philip Marlowe a thing or two about The Long Goodbye. England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests is of that sporting breed who have no interest in bowing out at the top. Like Andy Murray before him, he has shown little enthusiasm to bow out at all, as long as his body allows him to keep doing the thing he loves: getting opposition batsmen out. It was little surprise, then, that when Lancashire announced this week they would not be renewing his contract after 25 years, there was no immediate retirement announcement. Instead there was an irked Instagram post, then silence, as the one-club man considered his options. One of those, apparently, was a T10 cricket tournament in Rome. And lo, it is now confirmed that Anderson will lead (and even “co-own”) the Napoli Knights for 12 days next month. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

South Africa v Australia: third men’s cricket Test, day two – live

dlvr.itSouth Africa v Australia: third men’s cricket Test, day two – live* Updates from the final match of the series at Newlands * First ball in Cape Town is 10.30am local/7.30pm AEDT/8.30am GMT * Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Hello, friends. You’re back. Why wouldn’t you be? Day one of this third Test in Cape Town was a barnstormer. How often do you see a team sent in, none for a hundred at lunch, and all out by stumps? It twisted, it turned, it rocked, it rolled, and it had Double Richard umpiring duties in the middle for Dick Kettleborough’s 100th Test. We can at least guarantee the continuation of the umpiring part, barring any more illness absences like the one that took out Chris Gaffaney in the previous match. Australia ended the day happier, after Mitch Starc’s absurd ending burst of 6 for 10, and South Africa started it happier, after Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman flayed everything in the first session. Now everyone will have had a night’s sleep to calm down, and then it will be time to see whether Australia’s heavily rejigged batting lineup can put anything reasonable together. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

‘What you live for’: Fleetwood revel in seismic Arsenal shock after Dowman sees red

dlvr.it‘What you live for’: Fleetwood revel in seismic Arsenal shock after Dowman sees red* Manager Lawlor reflects on ‘unbelievably special’ night * Arsenal youngster sent off for retaliation before shootout Fleetwood’s manager, Matt Lawlor, hailed the club’s victory as one for all football after his side shocked the Premier League champions, Arsenal, on penalties in the Carabao Cup. The side 18th in League Two held their nerve in the shootout, Conor Haughey hitting the winner to reach the quarter-finals. The goalkeeper, Jay Lynch, was Fleetwood’s other hero, saving from Bruno Guimarães to set up the chance for victory. Aaron Loupalo‑Bi and Viktor Gyökeres ensured it finished 1-1 in normal time, but Arsenal ended up a man light after Max Dowman was shown a red card for reacting to a challenge. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Kurtley Beale earns shock recall to Wallabies squad five years after last Test

dlvr.itKurtley Beale earns shock recall to Wallabies squad five years after last Test* Veteran could add to 95 caps as he returns aged 37 * Ramm and Thomas to also join Australia’s spring tour Veteran playmaker Kurtley Beale has been summoned for the Wallabies’ spring tour of the UK in a massive development ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. Beale on Wednesday answered an SOS call from coach Les Kiss to join the squad for next month’s three Tests against England, Scotland and Wales before the inaugural Nations Championship finals in the UK from 21-23 November. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Rays battle from brink in 12th inning to stun Brewers and stave off World Series sweep

dlvr.itRays battle from brink in 12th inning to stun Brewers and stave off World Series sweep* Tampa Bay force Game 5 with extra-innings rally * Milwaukee denied first World Series championship * Brewers still hold 3-1 lead in best-of-seven series Jonny DeLuca and pinch-hitter Ben Williamson singled home runs in a stunning 12th-inning rally, and the Tampa Bay Rays staved off World Series elimination with a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night that forced Game 5. Cooper Pratt hit a tiebreaking home run off Ian Seymour in the top of the 12th for his fourth hit of the game as Milwaukee neared a sweep and their first World Series title. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Barcelona fined £503 over their approach for Atlético Madrid star Álvarez

dlvr.itBarcelona fined £503 over their approach for Atlético Madrid star Álvarez* Atlético accused Barcelona during summer chase * Striker now rebuilding his reputation with fans Barcelona’s pursuit of Julián Álvarez came at a modest cost ⁠on Tuesday after the Spanish FA fined the club €602 (£503) following a complaint by Atlético Madrid over contact ⁠with ​the striker. Atlético accused Barcelona of approaching the Argentine, whose contract runs until June 2030, ⁠without first notifying them in writing. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Fantastic Fleetwood seal shootout success in Carabao Cup shock against Arsenal

dlvr.itFantastic Fleetwood seal shootout success in Carabao Cup shock against ArsenalIt’s more than 20 years since Arsenal played at Highbury but their trip to League Two Fleetwood – and a stadium of the same name – did not bring back fond memories as they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup on penalties. Aaron Loupalo-Bi and Viktor Gyökeres exchanged goals in normal time but Arsenal were unable to find a winner, despite being the dominant force, as Fleetwood battled to the end. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch held his nerve to save from Bruno Guimarães in the shootout before the teenager Conor Haughey scored the winner and created a delirious pitch invasion. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

An unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United’s faded grandeur

dlvr.itAn unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United’s faded grandeurOnly Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson have truly succeeded in the Old Trafford hot seat with each casting uneasy shadows Should any football club fit the Great Man theory of history it is Manchester United. In the past 100 years, only Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson have knocked the club into shape. A pair of 20th-century Scotsmen, born 15 miles apart in Bellshill and Govan respectively, found the key. Otherwise, United has been a managerial dustbin, Michael Carrick the latest likely lobbed on the pile. Busby and Ferguson built the club around themselves, possessing the charisma to convince others that theirs was the path to follow. Carrick, an insider, a club man, is falling victim to the same isolation as his predecessors in failure. Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martínez going off-piste in TV interviews to depth charge Carrick were actually following club tradition. With glamour comes decadence, the faded grandeur that has so often chased a United manager out the door. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Sliding Colts trade All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to Seahawks for draft picks

dlvr.itSliding Colts trade All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to Seahawks for draft picks* 30-year-old is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection * Indianapolis fired GM Ballard last week amid skid The Indianapolis Colts have traded All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press on Tuesday. The person requested anonymity because the deal had not been announced by either team and said the Colts would receive a third-round draft pick and a fifth-round pick in return for the eight-time Pro Bowler. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

England’s Nations Championship plans hit by Pepper and Van Rensburg double blow

dlvr.itEngland’s Nations Championship plans hit by Pepper and Van Rensburg double blow* Bath flanker Pepper injured ankle at Gloucester on Friday * Bristol’s Van Rensburg advised to rest after two concussions England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, said he will be monitoring this weekend’s domestic Prem games with some trepidation. Already he has lost at least two potentially key squad members for the entire autumn period in the form of Guy Pepper and Benhard van Rensburg, with doubts still hanging over his first-choice fly-half Fin Smith and fresh injury uncertainty emerging on virtually a daily basis. Pepper’s involvement always looked improbable from the moment he suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury against Gloucester last Friday. The young Bath flanker will be sidelined for several weeks, as will the Bristol centre Van Rensburg who has been advised to rest and recuperate after two heavy concussions within the past three months. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

The Breakdown | England need to unearth World Cup core despite derby friction and injury chaos

dlvr.itThe Breakdown | England need to unearth World Cup core despite derby friction and injury chaosNations Championship games against Australia and Japan should be the end of experimentation for Steve Borthwick Even on the most serene days no one would describe coaching England as a relaxing gig. With his side’s opening November Test looming on Sunday week, Steve Borthwick is already faced with assorted injury-related complications at precisely the moment he needs to start finding lasting answers to a range of fundamental selection questions. The untimely training field absence of Fin Smith, pencilled in to be England’s starting No 10, is a prime example. With the two leading midfield candidates to face Australia – Seb Atkinson and Bernhard Janse van Rensburg – also unable to train this week, Smith’s calf injury has materialised at the worst possible moment. Add the Bath flanker Guy Pepper, who limped off against Gloucester last Friday, and suddenly there is a hint of pre-Halloween gloom hanging over England’s preparations. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Fleetwood Town v Arsenal: Carabao Cup fourth round – live

dlvr.itFleetwood Town v Arsenal: Carabao Cup fourth round – live⚽ League Cup updates from the 8pm GMT kick-off ⚽ Cod Army welcome Gunners to Highbury | Mail Niall Some Arsenal fans spent years pining for one more game at Highbury Stadium; tonight, they finally get their wish. This particular Highbury is 250 miles northwest of Islington – the home of Fleetwood Town, a team the Gunners have never played before. While their League Two form could hardly be less remarkable (18th place, with 14 points from 13 games), Fleetwood have picked off Chesterfield, Shrewsbury and second-tier Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup without conceding a goal, earning a last-16 glamour tie against the English champions. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph a glorious riposte to celebrity fawning of ceremony | Barney Ronay

dlvr.itKane’s Ballon d’Or triumph a glorious riposte to celebrity fawning of ceremony | Barney RonayThe England captain spoke movingly on a night of deserving winners and unintentional hilarity in London Well, there’s something new. Football: now available in new, genuinely heartwarming flavour. There was a lovely moment at London’s Palladium theatre on Monday, with the clock creeping towards 11pm at the end of a startlingly shrill and bloated evening of never‑ending awards and never-ending award‑related excitement. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Australia fightback in rollercoaster start to deciding Test against South Africa

dlvr.itAustralia fightback in rollercoaster start to deciding Test against South Africa* Decision to bowl first looked like backfiring * But hosts all out for 329 after being 140-0 at lunch For a time, it was heading up there with the worst. David Gower at Leeds in 1989, when Australia topped 600 and declared. Nasser Hussain in Brisbane, 2002, when Australia were 364 for 2 by the end of the day. Edgbaston 2005, where England lamped 407 from 80 overs. Those were the looming comparisons for captains deciding to bowl at the toss, after Pat Cummins did the same in the third Test at Cape Town, only for South Africa’s openers to smash 140 by lunch. Yet, by day’s end, Australia had taken 10 for a further 189, Mitchell Starc destroying the tail with four wickets in six balls, all out 329 constituting a serious Australian comeback. What a rollercoaster. The Australian setup has looked frazzled this tour: confused player selections for the squad, then for the XIs, confused shot selection in the middle, players bouncing around the order with nightwatch duties and injury absences. Here they chose to leave out their best player from the second Test, Scott Boland, for Nathan Lyon, and were forced to leave out their best player of the last decade, Steve Smith, for Josh Inglis, as well as dropping Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster for Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly. The last time a touring Australian side made four non-disciplinary changes was in the West Indies in 1984. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Football Daily | Harry Kane completes his arc from Orient loanee to Ballon d’Or winner

dlvr.itFootball Daily | Harry Kane completes his arc from Orient loanee to Ballon d’Or winnerSign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! Perusing the records we could find of Leyton Orient’s 4-0 shellacking of Sheffield Wednesday on a cold January afternoon in 2011 at Brisbane Road, Football Daily could find little or no indication that the young tyro who scored the O’s second goal might one day be presented with the most prestigious individual gong in world football. On loan from Spurs, a whey-faced 17-year-old Harry Kane marked his first senior start with what the BBC described as “a neat finish”, stealing in at the far post to convert a Dean Cox free-kick. Even after a breakthrough 2014-15 season for Spurs that yielded 31 goals and earned him an England call-up, assorted experts predicted Harry would prove to be little more than a one-season wonder – a kind of footballing Chumbawamba but with better manners and neater hair. Eleven seasons later the immensely likable Bayern Munich striker continues to bang them in for club and country with such monotonous regularity that few were surprised to see him presented with the Ballon d’Or! Ballon d’Or!! Ballon d’Or!!! Ballon d’Or!!!! by the original and best Ronaldo live at the London Palladium. Not since the late Bruce Forsyth has any Englishman in an over-sized crushed velvet bow tie looked more at home on the famous old venue’s stage. Re: yesterday’s Football Daily. OK, so it may not be that contemporary, but Omar Berrada’s name fits into a jaunty song I came up with when bored, to the tune of Escape (the Piña Colada song) by Rupert Holmes: ‘If your name’s Omar Berrada / Head should be hangin’ in shame / If you’re supportin’ the Glazers / You’ve only got half a brain / If Jason Wilcox hasn’t done one / When he is mostly to blame / Then we’re the fans that you’ve stuffed / How do we stop the pain?’ I’m not even a United fan, but they’re all welcome – Simon Mazie. I would happily take the Manchester United job, as it’s a surefire way to earn three years’ pay in six months – Alex Lester. Now the shambles at United is even clearer, might Bryan Mbeumo be wishing he had chosen Spurs instead? – Richard Fernandez. About Jonathan Chester-le-Street’s excellent idea to nominate Noble Francis for the Fifa presidency (yesterday’s Football Daily letters). I back that nomination and look forward to his first act in office: the creation of a Noble prize, awarded to himself obviously – Peter Oh. This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.  Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Arise, Sir Harry? Downing Street hints at Kane knighthood after Ballon d’Or win

dlvr.itArise, Sir Harry? Downing Street hints at Kane knighthood after Ballon d’Or win* Andy Burnham sends congratulations to England captain * Bayern player is first Englishman to win award since 2001 Downing Street has hinted that Harry Kane deserves a knighthood, praising the footballer’s “extraordinary achievement” as the first English winner of the Ballon d’Or in 25 years. The prime minister’s spokesperson said Andy Burnham sent praise and congratulation to the England captain, who was announced as the men’s winner of football’s most prestigious individual award at a ceremony on Monday night. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Alexia Putellas a worthy Ballon d’Or winner but the limited shortlist illustrates flaws

dlvr.itAlexia Putellas a worthy Ballon d’Or winner but the limited shortlist illustrates flawsNeglect of African football and a third win for the Spanish great does little to challenge narrative that the prize is reserved only for top nations’ players After a four-year wait, Alexia Putellas is the queen of women’s football once again. Receiving the Ballon d’Or for a record-equalling third time to continue Spain’s domination of this award, the 32-year-old reinforces her status as one of the greatest players of all time. It was the sixth consecutive year in which the honour went to either Putellas or her international teammate, Aitana Bonmatí, and it was symbolic of Putellas’ resurgence after her comeback from the anterior cruciate ligament injury she suffered in her left knee in 2022, her refusal to surrender her career to that setback, and her majestic rise back to the top. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Madushanka stars as Sri Lanka thrash Pakistan to end England’s tri-series hopes

dlvr.itMadushanka stars as Sri Lanka thrash Pakistan to end England’s tri-series hopes* Sri Lanka win means England cannot reach final * Madushanka takes five wickets as Pakistan crumble A rejuvenated Sri Lanka routed Pakistan by eight wickets on Tuesday to end England’s hopes of reaching the ODI tri-series final. Fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka grabbed a career-best five for 34 as Pakistan were skittled for 110 after captain Kusal Mendis had won the toss and elected to field. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Pierre Sage given more time by Crystal Palace but remains under pressure

dlvr.itPierre Sage given more time by Crystal Palace but remains under pressure* Frenchman’s future was in doubt after bad start to season * He could be sacked if Palace lose at Spurs on Saturday Pierre Sage has been given more time to turn around Crystal Palace’s fortunes but remains under huge pressure and could be dismissed if they lose to Tottenham on Saturday. The Frenchman’s position was in serious doubt after another poor performance in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at the weekend. That followed a 5-0 thrashing against Brighton when Sage was warned that he could be dismissed if results did not improve quickly. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Police called to Florida soccer game after parents say three-year-old benched for being too good

dlvr.itPolice called to Florida soccer game after parents say three-year-old benched for being too good* Organizer says parents were causing disturbance * No one arrested or made to leave game in Florida Police were called after a dispute involving the parents of a three-year-old player at a soccer game in Florida over the weekend. The boy’s parents can be heard on police body cameras saying their son, Nevada, had been kicked out because he was too good at soccer and was embarrassing the other children. However, an organizer at the game said Nevada had pushed other children and his parents had become argumentative when their son was taken out the game. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

The Breakdown | England need to unearth World Cup core despite derby friction and injury chaos

dlvr.itThe Breakdown | England need to unearth World Cup core despite derby friction and injury chaosNations Championship games against Australia and Japan should be the end of experimentation for Steve Borthwick Even on the most serene days no one would describe coaching England as a relaxing gig. With his side’s opening November Test looming on Sunday week, Steve Borthwick is already faced with assorted injury-related complications at precisely the moment he needs to start finding lasting answers to a range of fundamental selection questions. The untimely training field absence of Fin Smith, pencilled in to be England’s starting No 10, is a prime example. With the two leading midfield candidates to face Australia – Seb Atkinson and Bernhard Janse van Rensburg – also unable to train this week, Smith’s calf injury has materialised at the worst possible moment. Add the Bath flanker Guy Pepper, who limped off against Gloucester last Friday, and suddenly there is a hint of pre-Halloween gloom hanging over England’s preparations. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Manchester United must pay Newcastle £3m compensation if they want Eddie Howe

dlvr.itManchester United must pay Newcastle £3m compensation if they want Eddie Howe* Howe struck deal on contract when he left in July * Michael Carrick expects to take training on Tuesday Manchester United will have to pay Newcastle about £3m in compensation if they want to make Eddie Howe their next manager, with Michael Carrick expected to be removed only when a deal for his successor has been finalised. Carrick expects to take training on Tuesday after Jason Wilcox, the director of football, and Omar Berrada, the chief executive, discussed his future in the wake of a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth that made it eight games without a win. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Fears grow for Iranian athletes on death row as mountaineer latest to be hanged

dlvr.itFears grow for Iranian athletes on death row as mountaineer latest to be hangedTwo sportspeople have been executed in the past month and at least six more face the same fate, says activist group Fears are growing for more Iranian athletes facing execution after mountain climber Ali-Sina Mostafavi became the latest in a string to be killed by the regime. Mostafavi – who documented his ascents of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest – was executed on 14 October having been arrested in April after the anti-government protests a few months earlier. His death followed the killing of Siavash Jamshidi Kheirabadi, a taekwondo athlete, at the start of October, and the mixed martial arts fighter Gholamreza Khani Shakarab, who was hanged in May. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

‘The wind goes in all directions’: Fleetwood prepare wet welcome for Arsenal at Highbury

dlvr.it‘The wind goes in all directions’: Fleetwood prepare wet welcome for Arsenal at HighburyThe Premier League champions may have bigger fish to fry but can expect a feisty reception from League Two strugglers in the Carabao Cup The headlines around Fleetwood Town are rarely about what happens on the pitch. Noteworthy elements include Jamie Vardy’s celebrated status as a former player, a partnership signed with a team in Uzbekistan and the owner Andrew Pilley resigning in 2023 after being convicted of fraud, for which he was jailed for 13 years. There is often something noteworthy going on in relation to the Fylde coast club. It is no different this week, although this time football is taking centre stage as Arsenal head to Highbury Stadium on Tuesday for a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against the League Two side. There is no link to the Gunners’ former home in Islington and the ground is a world away from what the visitors are used to, its capacity a fraction of the Emirates Stadium. The Championship side Sheffield United were deservedly beaten there in the previous round, unable to cope with their opponents or the conditions, but the Cod Army anticipate a sterner test from Mikel Arteta’s aristocrats. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph a glorious riposte to celebrity fawning of ceremony | Barney Ronay

dlvr.itKane’s Ballon d’Or triumph a glorious riposte to celebrity fawning of ceremony | Barney RonayThe England captain spoke movingly on night of deserving winners and unintentional hilarity in London Well, there’s something new. Football: now available in new, genuinely heartwarming flavour. There was a lovely moment at London’s Palladium theatre, with the clock creeping towards 11pm at the end of a startlingly shrill and bloated evening of never-ending awards and never ending award-related excitement. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

South Africa v Australia: third men’s cricket Test, day one – live

dlvr.itSouth Africa v Australia: third men’s cricket Test, day one – live* Updates from the final match of the series at Newlands * First ball in Cape Town is 10.30am local/7.30pm AEDT/8.30am GMT * Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email One, two, three. That’s as many Tests as we’re going to get in this series, and today begins the third and final. It’s the one that we’ve all been waiting for: the return to Cape Town, the scene of all that went wrong for Australia in 2018, and thus the location with so much riding on it should they put on a performance that would create some fresher and better memories. That, though, would require a serious turnaround in form and fortune, given the way South Africa slowly stomped them last week in Gqeberha. Australia’s batting is the weak point, given their win in Durban was largely carried on the capacious shell of The Turtle, Matthew Renshaw, while their loss the following week was down to their insipid 99 all out in their first attempt with the bat. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Kylian Mbappé dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’

dlvr.itKylian Mbappé dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’* Video appears to show football star refer to Mao Zedong as a ‘dictator’ * Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu end deals with France captain Kylian Mbappé was dropped Tuesday by two major brands in China after a video circulated online in which the French football superstar apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong. In China jokes about Mao, the country’s founding leader who died in 1976, are considered disrespectful and remain a social taboo. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Eagles’ nightmare season deepens as Cowboys hand Philadelphia fifth straight loss

dlvr.itEagles’ nightmare season deepens as Cowboys hand Philadelphia fifth straight loss* Prescott throws three touchdowns in Dallas victory * Javonte Williams rushes for career-high 155 yards * Eagles fall to 2-5 amid Jalen Hurts injury absence Dak Prescott threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns, two to CeeDee Lamb, and the Dallas Cowboys beat Philadelphia 38-21 on Monday night to hand the Eagles their fifth straight loss. Javonte Williams ran for a career-high 155 yards and a touchdown, and the Cowboys (3-4) remained in contention for the NFC East title. The New York Giants lead the division at 4-2-1. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Bookies fear budget hit but gaming machine self-harm killed off the old-fashioned shops

dlvr.itBookies fear budget hit but gaming machine self-harm killed off the old-fashioned shopsA wholesale plunder of local communities via casino-gaming took place and racing was content to sit on sidelines Has it really been almost a year since racing’s last bout of Budget-related anxiety? Apparently so, because having successfully persuaded Rachel Reeves to exempt racing from a (modest) hike in betting duty in 2025, here we are again, nervously anticipating Wednesday’s budget amid warnings that John Healey could effectively sound the death-knell for high-street betting shops. Healey is widely expected to raise the rate of machine games duty (MGD) in the budget, a move which could, according to some predictions, lead to the closure of thousands of high-street shops with significant knock-on effects for racing’s income from off-course gambling. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Harry Kane claims men’s Ballon d’Or to end England’s 25-year wait for winner

dlvr.itHarry Kane claims men’s Ballon d’Or to end England’s 25-year wait for winner* Alexia Putellas picks up women’s award for third time * England captain acclaimed in London ceremony Harry Kane is the Ballon d’Or winner for 2026, the first English man to win football’s most prestigious individual trophy in 25 years. Two hours into a lavishly excitable ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London, Kane’s name emerged from the final envelope to wild cheers inside the auditorium. The women’s Ballon d’Or, awarded moments earlier, was won by Alexia Putellas of London City Lionesses, a third Ballon, five years on from her first in the colours of Barcelona. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

England Under-15s walk off pitch against Ireland in World Cup after racism allegation

dlvr.itEngland Under-15s walk off pitch against Ireland in World Cup after racism allegation* Match in new Fifa competition abandoned * England players refuse to resume match England abandoned their Under-15 World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland on Monday after a player reported being subjected to a racist slur. Fifa confirmed it was investigating what happened in the final minute of the Group C fixture in Baku, Azerbaijan, when Ireland were leading 4-1. Footage showed an England player approaching the bench after an altercation. He is believed to have alleged an opponent called him a “monkey” and raised a complaint with the coaching staff, prompting England’s head coach, Matt Thorpe, to approach the referee. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Damning data: stats that show Michael Carrick’s luck was bound to run out | Andrew Beasley

dlvr.itDamning data: stats that show Michael Carrick’s luck was bound to run out | Andrew BeasleyFavourable conditions and the rub of the green were behind Manchester United’s successful finish to last season Manchester United have been the third-best team in the Premier League for the period in which Michael Carrick has been their head coach. It is some effort for his job to be so under threat when only Arsenal (57 points) and Manchester City (56) have been more productive than United (46) during the 45-year-old’s tenure. The tally obscures pertinent facts. Carrick’s side topping the Premier League across his 17-match interim spell last season is irrelevant when they sit 16th with no win in eight games in all competitions. Losing narrowly against City is one thing, but three-goal defeats by Como and Bournemouth will surely spell managerial change. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Ballon d’Or 2026: updates from 70th edition in London – live

dlvr.itBallon d’Or 2026: updates from 70th edition in London – live⚽️ Ballon d’Or updates from 8pm GMT ⚽️ Ceremony returns to England in nod to Stanley Matthews ⚽️ Women’s power rankings: will a new winner be crowned? ⚽️ Send your thoughts to Daniel via email One of the things we love about football is that, in a fickle world of questions, it offers us definitive answers. The best team in the league is the team which wins the league; in order to be certain who deserves to win a match, we’ve devised a handy metric to tell us, known as the score; and should we ever be unsure as to what silly haircut we should have next, what histrionic we should practise, or how best to flout authority, the beautiful game will surely supply us with an answer. The Ballon d’Or, though, is a different state of affairs. Though the game offers us no parameters for judgment, it being a team sport, often it’s obvious which players have been the world’s best over a season. On other occasions, though, it’s a matter of criteria and opinion, which is where we find ourselves this evening. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Bookies fear budget hit but gaming machine self-harm killed off the old-fashioned shops

dlvr.itBookies fear budget hit but gaming machine self-harm killed off the old-fashioned shopsA wholesale plunder of local communities via casino-gaming took place and racing was content to sit on sidelines Has it really been almost a year since racing’s last bout of Budget-related anxiety? Apparently so, because having successfully persuaded Rachel Reeves to exempt racing from a (modest) hike in betting day in 2025, here we are again, nervously anticipating Wednesday’s budget amid warnings that John Healey could effectively sound the death-knell for high-street betting shops. Healey is widely expected to raise the rate of Machine Games Duty (MGD) in the budget, a move which could, according to some predictions, lead the closure of thousands of high-street shops with significant knock-on effects for racing’s income from off-course gambling. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

WSL talking points: Russo to Arsenal’s rescue and Olid makes Manchester United progress

dlvr.itWSL talking points: Russo to Arsenal’s rescue and Olid makes Manchester United progressGunners edged north London derby while new United manager put the brakes on Manchester City’s winning start The penalty that allowed Arsenal to come from a goal behind to take the lead may have come with a healthy helping of luck, with the ball having come off Ella Morris’s raised arm as her teammate attempted to clear it, but it could prove to be the turning point Arsenal needed. “It’s been tough. We haven’t got the results we wanted,” penalty scorer Alessia Russo told the BBC afterwards. “This was an important win as far as north London derbies goes. It was really important and this was a great opportunity to try and turn it around.” It has taken seven games for the Gunners to secure their second league win of the season despite high hopes ahead of the new campaign and, while the result was a significant one, there is still a long way to go if Arsenal are to salvage anything from the most disappointing of starts. The performance against Tottenham was far from perfect and, in the first half in particular, sloppy and lacking fight. Tightening up their passing and harnessing the grit they found as they clung onto their lead towards the end of the match will be critical if they are to really kick on from this result. Suzanne Wrack Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

The horse that ushered in Manchester United’s tragic arc | Jonathan Wilson

dlvr.itThe horse that ushered in Manchester United’s tragic arc | Jonathan WilsonThere’s plenty of blame to go around at Old Trafford. Like all downfalls it started with a seemingly small, unconnected moment * Sign up for our free newsletter here And so here we are again, at that point as the nights draw in and Manchester United prepare to sack a manager. Autumn: season of mists, mellow fruitfulness and a crisis at Old Trafford. Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, coming on the back of last week’s 4-1 reverse against Como, made clear what many had feared from the moment Michael Carrick was given the job on a permanent basis: that he isn’t up to it. But then, who could be? When you’ve burned through a long list of managers in 13 years, it’s perhaps worth considering whether the manager is really the problem. Could some blame perhaps go to the director of football, Jason Wilcox, or the chief executive, Omar Berrada, the people making the appointments? Or perhaps to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the cost-cutting tax exile and minority shareholder with responsibility for sporting operations? Or to the Glazer family, who plunged the club into debt with a leveraged buyout in 2005 and have since made calamitous decision after calamitous decision, reducing the most successful club in English league history to a mid-table laughing stock with a roof that leaks symbolically? This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. Subscribe for free here. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Michael Carrick attends Manchester United training ground as club discuss his fate

dlvr.itMichael Carrick attends Manchester United training ground as club discuss his fate* Head coach arrives to watch Under-21s play * Bruno Fernandes likes Instagram post about loyalty Michael Carrick was at Manchester United’s training ground on Monday afternoon as elsewhere at the Carrington base Jason Wilcox, the sporting director, and Omar Berrada, the chief executive, deliberated whether to sack the head coach. Carrick arrived at about 1.50pm to watch United Under-21s play a behind-closed-doors game. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

McTominay stars in Napoli draw that leaves Allegri ‘not lucid enough’ to talk | Nicky Bandini

dlvr.itMcTominay stars in Napoli draw that leaves Allegri ‘not lucid enough’ to talk | Nicky BandiniGli Azzurri show positive signs of improvement in seesaw 3-3 draw against a Roma side inspired by Messi-like Matías Soulé Scott McTominay was leaving nothing to doubt. He appeared to have scored with a close-range header early in the second half of Napoli’s game at home to Roma, but Pierluigi Gollini clawed the ball out from inside the goal. McTominay got his noggin to the rebound, nudging it back across the line. Roma’s keeper pushed away again, so the Napoli midfielder got to his feet and smashed a shot into the back of the net. Just typical. You wait two months for your first goal of the Serie A season, then three show up at once. They only counted for one, of course, but McTominay looked happy enough with that as he ran to thank Matteo Politano for the assist. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Mourinho’s plan comes together as Real Madrid relaunch with clásico statement | Sid Lowe

dlvr.itMourinho’s plan comes together as Real Madrid relaunch with clásico statement | Sid LoweIt was just like old times as José Mourinho ended a night at the Camp Nou with a knee slide and three points José Mourinho had already done the por qué?, the printout and the press conference no-show in under 100 days. Now he’s done a knee slide too, and in the perfect place: back where it all began and where it can all begin again. When Kylian Mbappé scored the first in the clásico on Sunday night, Real Madrid’s manager hardly moved, sitting in the shadow of the bench, but when the striker got the second to win it with time running out, that was different. Mourinho leapt into the light, throwing himself to the grass, the knees of a 63-year-old’s trousers muddy as a schoolboy’s, stuck his tongue out and pumped his fists. He does so love it when a plan comes together. To the right of him, the bench was emptying, subs joining the players in sprinting towards the south-west corner. As they leapt about, dodging the bottles thrown towards them from the end, way, way up in the furthest corner and stuck inside a glass box like a bunch of David Blaines, the small group of Madrid fans who had come were going mad. In the main stand, a thousand phones were raised. And 600km west, back in Boadilla, Thibaut Courtois was watching his teammates from the sofa at home, presumably wrapped in a blanket and cradling a cup of Lemsip. On the morning of the biggest game there is, he awoke with flu, forced to miss out. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

dlvr.itPremier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s actionBournemouth’s transfer nous puts United to shame, Araújo is winning admirers at Anfield and Suzuki adapts swiftly at Villa The three Bournemouth goalscorers cost a combined £85m, joining from Vasco da Gama, Middlesbrough, and Porto. The Cherries are smart at investing, far more so than Manchester United, who have wasted a lot of money by failing to look outside the box for players like Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson. United may not have the wealth they previously showed in the transfer market but Bournemouth are showing what can be done within a budget and, more importantly, will be able to make a profit on signings. United, however, only know losses as everyone’s price tag diminishes the moment they come through the Old Trafford door. Jason Wilcox and others can point to certain factors that are against them but there are quality signings to be made at the right price if you have the ability to find them. Will Unwin Match report: Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth Will Unwin: Carrick left carrying can for institutional failings Match report: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City Match report: Liverpool 2-0 Brighton Match report: Chelsea 0-2 Tottenham Barney Ronay: Glitch in Chelsea’s coding costs Alonso while resurgent Spurs are all systems go Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Doubles players sign open letter pleading with tennis chiefs to ‘protect’ format

dlvr.itDoubles players sign open letter pleading with tennis chiefs to ‘protect’ format* Plans to slash games by half and prize money criticised * ‘Hard for players to build and sustain a doubles career’ More than 150 doubles players on the men’s ATP tour have signed an open letter addressed to the ATP board and management imploring the men’s tennis governing bodies to reconsider its controversial doubles reforms and “protect” the doubles format in professional tennis. The subject of potential reforms to the ATP have been a significant issue since players were informed in a meeting during Wimbledon that the ATP was conducting a review of its doubles regulations and potential changes could see doubles draws being halved at the ATP events in 2028. Under these proposals, ATP Masters 1000 events would host only 16 doubles teams and the main draws at ATP 500 and 250 events would accommodate only eight teams. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Australia’s Rebecca Henderson claims historic race walk world record

dlvr.itAustralia’s Rebecca Henderson claims historic race walk world record* 25-year-old sets new global mark for race walk marathon * Rising star slices 19 seconds off previous record despite rain Rebecca Henderson walked her way into the history books in Japan by becoming the first Australian track and field athlete in a generation to set a senior world record in a championship event. The rising 25-year-old from Dandenong set a new global mark for the race walk marathon – the sport’s newest championship event – clocking a remarkable three hours 14 minutes 52 seconds at the All Japan Race Walking meeting on Sunday. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

The horse that ushered in Manchester United’s tragic arc | Jonathan Wilson

dlvr.itThe horse that ushered in Manchester United’s tragic arc | Jonathan WilsonThere’s plenty of blame to go around at Old Trafford. Like all downfalls it started with a seemingly small, unconnected moment * Sign up for our free newsletter here And so here we are again, at that point as the nights draw in and Manchester United prepare to sack a manager. Autumn: season of mists, mellow fruitfulness and a crisis at Old Trafford. Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, coming on the back of last week’s 4-1 reverse against Como, made clear what many had feared from the moment Michael Carrick was given the job on a permanent basis: that he isn’t up to it. But then, who could be? When you’ve burned through a long list of managers in 13 years, it’s perhaps worth considering whether the manager is really the problem. Could some blame perhaps go to the director of football, Jason Wilcox, or the chief executive, Omar Berrada, the people making the appointments? Or perhaps to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the cost-cutting tax exile and minority shareholder with responsibility for sporting operations? Or to the Glazer family, who plunged the club into debt with a leveraged buyout in 2005 and have since made calamitous decision after calamitous decision, reducing the most successful club in English league history to a mid-table laughing stock with a roof that leaks symbolically? This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. Subscribe for free here. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Davide Ancelotti wants to make a name for himself – will he do it at Lille?

dlvr.itDavide Ancelotti wants to make a name for himself – will he do it at Lille?Lille’s results under Carlo’s son in Ligue 1 are encouraging but they have been exposed in the Champions League By Get French Football News In a restaurant in Rio de Janeiro, two aspiring young managers sit around a table. Their respective clubs, Flamengo and Botafogo, are fierce rivals on the pitch. The relationship between the managers of the two clubs, Filipe Luís and Davide Ancelotti, however, is significantly more cordial. Speaking before his first meeting with Ancelotti in Ligue 1 on Sunday, the Monaco manager, Filipe Luís, described his counterpart at Lille as a “really formidable person”. The Brazilian added: “It is something special for us. It will be a pleasure to face my friend.” Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

Liam Dawson reveals England squad ‘gutted’ after second ODI series catastrophe

dlvr.itLiam Dawson reveals England squad ‘gutted’ after second ODI series catastrophe* ‘We were desperate to win,’ says team’s frontline spinner * Bowler believes defeats are useful learning experiences Liam Dawson has revealed that the England cricket squad are “gutted” after two agonising defeats to Sri Lanka and last weekend to Pakistan have left their chances of making the ODI tri-series final hanging by a thread. “That changing room is gutted, we’re desperate to win,” the team’s frontline spinner said. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

TNT Sports close to securing live UK rights for England white-ball cricket tour of Australia

dlvr.itTNT Sports close to securing live UK rights for England white-ball cricket tour of Australia* Channel 5 in advanced talks over highlights package * Opening game may be also be free-to-air in deal TNT Sports is close to securing live UK rights for England’s white-ball tour of Australia next month in a deal that could see one of the matches broadcast free-to-air (FTA) on Channel 5. The Guardian has learned that Channel 5 is also in advanced talks with Cricket Australia over a highlights package for the eight-match tour, with the terrestrial broadcaster also in discussions over securing live rights for one of the five T20 internationals. Continue reading...
Guardian Sport
@sport.theguardian.com

WSL talking points: Russo to Arsenal’s rescue and Olid makes Manchester United progress

dlvr.itWSL talking points: Russo to Arsenal’s rescue and Olid makes Manchester United progressGunners edged north London derby while new United manager put the brakes on Manchester City’s winning start The penalty that allowed Arsenal to come from a goal behind to take the lead may have come with a healthy helping of luck, with the ball having come off Ella Morris’s raised arm as her teammate attempted to clear it, but it could prove to be the turning point Arsenal needed. “It’s been tough. We haven’t got the results we wanted,” penalty scorer Alessia Russo told the BBC afterwards. “This was an important win as far as north London derbies goes. It was really important and this was a great opportunity to try and turn it around.” It has taken seven games for the Gunners to secure their second league win of the season despite high hopes ahead of the new campaign and, while the result was a significant one, there is still a long way to go if Arsenal are to salvage anything from the most disappointing of starts. The performance against Tottenham was far from perfect and, in the first half in particular, sloppy and lacking fight. Tightening up their passing and harnessing the grit they found as they clung onto their lead towards the end of the match will be critical if they are to really kick on from this result. Suzanne Wrack Continue reading...