Potential exclusion of Pakistan players in the Hundred could breach UK laws on discrimination and leave the ECB exposed The thing about inviting a tiger round for tea is, for all the excitement, the fur, the teeth, the muscles, they do tend to walk off with your dinner and drink...
European countries fear playing in World Cup will mean financial loss
Costs will increase at extended 2026 tournament Around 10 federations want Fifa to tackle problems A number of European football federations fear they will lose money sending their national teams to the World Cup this summer, with an unusual hike in costs and inconsistencies around tax exemptions among the problems...
Vinícius has last word as Real Madrid wrap up victory over Benfica
Vinícius Júnior ran to the corner and danced again, just as he had done in Lisbon a week ago, but this time all around him there was celebration. There was also relief. With 10 minutes left on a nervous night at the Santiago Bernabéu, he had been set free to...
MPs back UK broadcasters in push to expand sport’s free-to-air ‘crown jewels’
Terrestrial channels seeking more legislative protection Number of Labour MPs are understood to be supportive Public service broadcasters are making renewed attempts to persuade the government to expand the list of televised sport’s free-to-air “crown jewels”. A call from the then BBC director of sport, Barbara Slater, to add the...
Norway’s all-conquering Winter Olympians have a message for us all – and it’s not what you think | Cath Bishop
How did a small Nordic country dominate the Games? By making sport fun and not something for kids to suffer Norway’s Olympians stormed the mountains of Milano Cortina and left the rest of the world wondering how a nation of 5.6 million people regularly tops the Winter Olympics medal table,...
Williamson refuses to rule out strike action amid player overload concerns
England captain concerned by relentless growth of game Ukraine World Cup qualifier set for Hill Dickinson Stadium England’s captain, Leah Williamson, has said she would never take the possibility of strike action off the table if players are not listened to over scheduling concerns. Speaking before England’s first two World...
The Breakdown | Six Nations half-term report: France are flying while England’s decline is steep
Les Bleus have variety and gifted youngsters but, by contrast, Steve Borthwick’s men are predictable and flawed France (15 points) Three games played, three bonus-point victories banked and the title at their mercy. If they claim another four-try win at Murrayfield on Saturday week, they will secure the crown with...
US men’s hockey team visit White House as some players with Minnesota ties stay away
Donald Trump invited team after Olympic gold Women’s team chose to skip event The victorious US Olympic men’s ice hockey team visited the White House on Tuesday, although there were several notable absences. Donald Trump invited the team to celebrate in Washington DC after they beat Canada in a dramatic...
Noni Madueke backs Arsenal’s push to tackle knife crime: ‘It’s so important to try to share the community’s pain’
England forward was among Arsenal heroes in attendance at event commemorating fan who was stabbed to death There is a poignant silence as Tashan Daniel’s parents emerge on to Ken Friar Bridge on a cold, wet February afternoon in north London. With heads bowed, the England forwards Noni Madueke and...
Newcastle finish off Qarabag in rapid time to set up Chelsea or Barcelona tie
Eddie Howe adores motivational slogans and the Newcastle manager’s current favourite is: “One Brain.” The idea is to inspire his team to play with the sort of synchronicity that stems from a collective mindset and unity of purpose. For a while here it seemed to be working a treat with...