The Senegal national football side has just been stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision, following misconduct in the tournament final, is controversial but far from unique. It is only the latest example in a string of titles or results being removed in sport.

Ben Johnson 1988

Canada’s Ben Johnson shocked the world with a record-breaking time of 9.79secs in the final of the 100m sprint to secure the gold medal at the Olympics in 1988.

His performance was the talk of the Games – but just three days later, his reputation was in tatters.

The International Olympic Committee said a sample from the athlete had tested positive for steroids and he had been stripped of his title and disqualified from the Games.

American sprinter Carl Lewis was instead awarded the title for his new American record of 9.92secs in what was one of the most controversial chapters in top-level sport.

Gold medal overturned 18 months on

This week has also seen another result overturned – 18 months after it was recorded.

Adaejah Hodge, a sprinter from the British Virgin Islands, picked up gold in the 200m of the 2024 junior world athletics championships in Peru.

Samples taken from the runner found banned substances – GW501516 sulfone and GW501516 sulfoxide.

The Athletics Integrity Unit agreed she had not taken them intentionally. But she was handed a two-year ban, with seven months suspended.

It meant she lost her 200m title from August 2024. It was awarded instead to Australia’s Torrie Lewis.

Arsenal-Sheffield United FA Cup controversy

The Gunners beat Sheffield United 2-1 in an FA Cup fifth round tie at Highbury in 1999 – but in controversial circumstances.

The Blades kicked the ball out of play to allow a player to receive treatment. But after the resulting throw-in, Arsenal didn’t return possession and instead broke up field for Marc Overmars to score the winning goal.

The furore over the incident gripped the sporting headlines, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ended up offering United the chance to wipe the result and replay the tie.

Ten days later the match was played again at Highbury. It ended with the same result – a 2-1 victory for Arsenal.

Bundesliga result changed

In December 2024, Bochum and Union Berlin drew 1-1 in the German Bundesliga.

But after a bad tempered game, Bochum protested about the result due to their goalkeeper Patrick Drewes needing lengthy treatment when he was hit by a lighter thrown from the crowd.

Drewes did not play on. That left Bochum putting striker Philipp Hoffman in goal as they had already used their substitutes.

Both teams failed to launch any meaningful attacks and the game ended in a draw. But the German Football Association later awarded the game to Bochum, recording a 2-0 victory.

A court later upheld the move despite an appeal from Berlin.

Tour de France cyclist loses titles

Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from cycling for life, the US Anti-Doping Agency announced in 2012.

It came after the American cyclist said he was dropping his fight against the agency’s charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the most prestigious event in the sport from 1999 to 2005.

The USADA claimed the cyclist used banned substances including the blood-booster EPO and steroids, as well as blood transfusions.

Armstrong had insisted he was innocent and sued in a federal court to block the charges, but lost.

Detective Inspector Mark Braithwaite, from the Met’s serious collision investigation unit, said last week: “We are interested in speaking to anyone who saw the incident, but has not yet spoken to police, and would ask them to come forward as soon as possible. We are also particularly interested in dash cam footage or CCTV.”

Firefighters found the moped alight when they arrived

A moped was deliberately set on fire in a Cambridgeshire suburb. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue were called to the fire in Jury Road, Hampton Vale, Peterborough at around 2am today (Wednesday, March 18).

Firefighters found a moped alight on arrival. A fire spokesperson said: “We were called at 2.11am this morning to reports of a fire in the open on Jury Road in Peterborough.

“A crew from Stanground attended and found a moped on fire. They extinguished the fire and returned to their station by 2.50am.”

The fire was determined to have been started deliberate. Cambridgeshire Police has been contacted for more information.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

It cannot be ruled out that Noah Donohoe may have had drugs in his system at the time of his death, toxicologists have told the inquest into his death.

The forensic analysts said there was no evidence that the schoolboy was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but the presence of some substances including so-called “designer drugs” cannot be excluded because of the limits of testing.

Noah, a pupil at St Malachy’s College, was 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of Belfast.

Forensic scientist Amy Eleanor Quinn, who carried out a toxicological analysis on samples from Noah’s body in July 2020, gave evidence to the inquest at Belfast Coroners Court on Wednesday, alongside Dr Simon Elliott, consultant forensic toxicologist, who carried out a review and further testing of samples in November 2024.

In a joint statement they agreed that Ms Quinn had found evidence of a small amount of alcohol in Noah’s blood but that this was consistent with having been generated by the body after death and there was no reason to believe he had consumed alcohol in the hours before he died.

They further agreed “there is no toxicological evidence that the deceased was under the influence of drugs at the time of his death within the range of screening performed”.

They also agreed that “it is not possible to exclude that drugs not included in the scope of analysis may have been present at the time of his death”.

Reiterating there is no toxicological evidence that Noah was under the influence of drugs at the time of his death, they added “this cannot be stated with absolute certainty” as “many drugs exist outside the scope of testing performed in this case and the instability of drugs” must be considered.

Ms Quinn read a statement in which she confirmed she had tested Noah’s blood sample for a range of drugs including methamphetamine, ecstasy, benzodiazepines, cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, opiates and fentanyl, as well as pharmaceuticals like antidepressants and paracetamol, none of which produced a positive result.

She confirmed that some hallucinogens like LSD or magic mushrooms were not included in these tests.

Dr Elliott said in a statement that the “range of screening is such that the testing can only exclude the drugs covered” and “it is not realistically possible to cover the thousands of drugs/substances that could be involved”.

He also added that the “limit of detection is fundamental” and that only if that drug was present at a certain concentration “would it be detected and reported as positive”.

The toxicologist said that “specifically due to their chemical structure” many synthetic cannabinoids such as that commonly referred to as “spice” are unstable and “may not be detected in post-mortem samples”.

Overall he concluded that based on the range of screening by Ms Quinn and the possibility of drugs breaking down prior to analysis, “negative findings do not entirely exclude that Noah had been administered a psychotropic substance prior to death”.

Nick Scott, counsel to the coroner, asked the experts to elaborate on two issues of post-mortem toxicological analysis – what was the scope of testing (what substances are tested for), and the limits of testing (if substances can break down to become undetectable).

The toxicologists agreed that it is “not possible” to screen for all types of synthetic cannabinoids, as there are such a large variety of different types, and Ms Quinn added that if you don’t have access to the specific drug to reference it in testing “then you’re limited in knowing that your theoretical screening will pick that up”.

She added: “Not finding it does not mean that it was not there.”

They further agreed that it “cannot be completely excluded” that drugs may have been present at the time of death that subsequently were broken down.

Dr Elliott said “that does happen and is known to happen particularly in relation to synthetic cannabinoids, there is a possibility the drug may have been taken prior to death that has become undetectable as a result of degradation”.

In questions asked of Ms Quinn before Wednesday, she listed some of the possible side effects of spice, which include paranoia, psychosis, hallucination and depersonalisation, as well as physical impacts including a lack of balance or co-ordination.

Noah had been captured on CCTV the night he went missing cycling naked, and, asked if any of Noah’s behaviour was consistent with having taken spice, Ms Quinn said it was not her area of expertise on which to comment.

Dr Elliott agreed that some of Noah’s observed “unusual behaviour” would be “best addressed by someone who is aware of what someone behaving in a psychotic or mind-altering way would be”.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter

Expedia has named the UK’s top holiday destinations for 2026, with London taking first place ahead of Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham

Advertisement

It can be great fun to explore an exotic location several hours away and experience a new culture and scenery, but many of us don’t have the time or budget to take long-haul holidays.

That’s why it’s worth considering locations closer to home. Even if they are on your doorstep, visiting them as a tourist can give you a whole new perspective on a place.

That’s why Expedia has put together a list of the top UK holiday destinations for 2026. Although the city grabbing the number one spot may not come as a great surprise, there are some interesting locations in the top ten.

London topped the list for domestic destinations, and even if you already visit the capital frequently, it’s worth considering as a city break. Whilst many visitors stay in the centre of London, it’s a huge, sprawling metropolis full of vibrant neighbourhoods, so simply staying a little further out can completely transform your experience.

Skip the hotels in the tourist hotspots and consider staying in an area, such as Hackney Wick or Ladbroke Grove, both of which made it onto The Telegraph’s list of London’s 10 coolest neighbourhoods, reports the Mirror.

Advertisement

Not only will you save money on accommodation, but you can also live like a Londoner whilst still enjoying easy transport links to tourist attractions.

A trip to London doesn’t have to revolve around the typical tourist spots like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Whilst those landmarks have their appeal, new attractions are constantly emerging.

In late 2026, the London Museum will launch in Smithfield within a former Victorian market building, maximising the impressive architecture. Underground exhibition spaces and performance venues will feature within the development.

V&A East launches on April 18 in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a brief stroll from the well-liked VandA East Storehouse. Two complimentary galleries will present “contemporary global culture” alongside temporary exhibition areas. The inaugural temporary exhibition will be The Music Is Black: A British Story, whilst the café will offer dishes drawing inspiration from East London’s multicultural communities.

Even long-standing institutions such as the British Museum continue to present fresh exhibitions and activities. This September, the highly anticipated Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition arrives at the museum, enabling visitors to view the remarkable 68-metre-long medieval work up close.

For those preferring more energetic attractions, the new Gameshow LIVE! could prove ideal. Launching this spring, it describes itself as the “world’s first interactive gameshow”. As many as 200 participants can take part, with the venue featuring all the classic game show components, from buzzers to striking lighting effects. It will certainly eclipse your neighbourhood pub quiz.

Expedia’s list placed the iconic tourist hotspot Edinburgh in second position, whilst Manchester and Liverpool claimed third and fourth spots respectively. Birmingham emerged as a somewhat unexpected entry at number five, with the West Midlands city managing to rank above York and the Lake District.

Expedia’s top ten UK destinations for 2026 – full list

1. London
2. Edinburgh
3. Manchester
4. Liverpool
5. Birmingham
6. York
7. Glasgow
8. Lake District
9. Devon
10. Cardiff

Pio Esposito’s agent has poured cold water on rumours linking the striker with Arsenal, insisting his client is ‘happy’ and wishes to remain at Inter Milan ‘for the next ten years’.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed an eye-catching breakthrough season with Inter having returned to his boyhood team from a two-year loan spell with Spezia in Serie B.

Spezia came close to sealing promotion back to Serie A thanks largely to Esposito’s goalscoring exploits – and the youngster has picked up where he left off in the Italian top flight this term.

With star man Lautaro Martinez out injured for the last month, Esposito has stepped up admirably as the focal point of Inter’s attack, taking his tally to eight goals and six assists in all competitions for the Nerazzurri.

But it is more the character and passion showcased by one of their own which have most endeared Esposito to the San Siro faithful across the campaign.

There has, though, been some speculation linking Esposito with a big-money move away from Milan, with Premier League leaders Arsenal said to be among his ever-growing list of admirers.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Esposito both ‘frightened’ and ‘fascinated’ Mikel Arteta during Arsenal’s league phase tie with Inter Milan and the centre-forward has ‘remained in the eyes and thoughts’ of the Gunners ever since.

The report claimed Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta had made contact with Inter immediately after Esposito’s outstanding cameo display to learn more information about a possible deal for the Italy international.

But when quizzed on these rumours on Radio CRC this week, Esposito’s representative, Mario Giuffredi, was quick to dismiss any talk of a proposed switch to north London.

‘Despite Arsenal’s interest, our plans are clear,’ Giuffredi explained.

‘He’s happy at Inter and will be the future of the Nerazzurri for the next ten years. The boy is in love with Inter.’

Though still in the infancy of his club and international career, Esposito has been likened by some to one of the greatest Italian strikers of modern times in Christian Vieri.

‘I don’t like comparisons, especially when the players are young,’ Giuffredi said in response to these claims.

‘Pio Esposito needs to be himself and develop his own personal style of play.

‘When comparisons are made, it creates expectations that are not helpful.’ 

Earlier this month, Inter president Beppe Marotta issued a similar message regarding Esposito’s future, ruling out a summer sale for the burly 6 ft 3 in forward.

‘Inter do not want to sell him and we are not a club that makes player trading its main business,’ Marotta told the Italian media.

‘He’s a product that grew up in the youth academy, and we’re guarding him like a treasure.’

Marotta appeared to shut the door on Esposito leaving Inter to join Arsenal this summer – but left the possibility open ‘in the very distant future’ for potential suitors.

‘We’ll talk about his transfer again in the future, but it’ll be a very distant future,’ he added.

Inter secured Esposito on a modest salary of around €1million-a-season (£800,000-a-season) until 2030 prior to last year’s Club World Cup.

While Esposito’s commitment to Inter appears unwavering, his contract may need to be negotiated should the likes of Arsenal continue to sniff around the youngster.

Channel 5 is taking people behind the scenes at Grantley Hall, near Ripon, as it pursues its ambition to become one of the world’s best hotels.

The series Yorkshire’s Poshest Hotel: Grantley Hall uncovers how Barnsley-born Valeria Sykes bought the run-down country house in 2015 and – with the help of son Richard – transformed it into a five-star hotel. 

With rooms ranging from £1000-£4500 a night, Grantley strives to feel like a “posh guesthouse”, with down-to-earth Yorkshire hospitality, says the tv network.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Cameras follow the team who make the magic happen— from managers to chefs, housekeepers and porters — capturing the relentless attention to detail required to deliver flawless service.

The first episode, says Channel 5, looks at the family who run Grantley Hall, uncovering how Barnsley-born Valeria Sykes bought the run-down country house in 2015 and – with the help of son Richard – transformed it into a luxury hotel, designed to rival the world’s best while “putting Yorkshire on the map.”

Managing Director Richard Sykes reveals how the ethos of Grantley Hall is to feel less like a formal hotel and more like a “posh guesthouse” with warm Yorkshire hospitality and down-to-earth staff.

The hotel’s tented bistro is undergoing a huge revamp, led by Interior and Ambience Manager Marek, who has only three days to complete his ambitious transformation, before a lavish launch party attended by restaurant critics and VIPs.

But when water starts leaking into the tent’s wooden foundations, the maintenance team is left with a major problem to solve!

Channel Five also says the programme features the hotel preparing for the arrival of a global pop superstar visiting from the United States.

This means a busy week for Guest Experience Manager Thierry and his team, as they put the finishing touches to one of their superior suites and plan a surprise gift, prepared by Pastry Senior Sous Chef Shannon.

Channel Five said: “When the special guest arrives, they are greeted at the gate by the hotel’s larger than life Welcome Host, Isaac, whose unique style of receiving guests has made him a much-loved member of the hotel team.

 “Another friendly face for guests is doorman Kevin, whose passion for history has led to a side hustle as the hotel’s resident historian.

“As well as offering history tours of the hall for guests, Kevin is also guardian of the Grantley Hall archives, documenting its fascinating past.

“The hall has been home to Lords and Ladies, played host to royalty and was even a convalescent home for troops during World War Two.”

The four part programme begins on Thursday March 26 and runs from 8pm to 9pm on Channel 5.

The change will cost higher-rate taxpayers approximately £124

People who work from home are set for a financial blow next month as a key tax break comes to an end. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her autumn Budget that the government is scrapping the work-from-home tax relief in a move expected to hit hundreds of thousands of employees across the country.

Since the pandemic, many workers have relied on the ability to claim back costs for the extra expenses of running a home office – such as increased heating, electricity, and broadband bills. Currently, eligible staff can claim a flat rate of £6 per week without needing to provide receipts, or claim the exact amount of their increased costs.

However, from April 6, 2026, this allowance will be axed entirely for the vast majority of workers. Under current rules, you can only claim this relief if your employer requires you to work from home – for example, if they do not have an office space available for you.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Those who choose to work from home voluntarily or under a hybrid arrangement have already seen their eligibility tightened in recent years. According to government forecasts, roughly 300,000 people will be directly impacted by the removal of the relief.

For a basic-rate taxpayer, the loss equates to around £62 a year, while higher-rate taxpayers will see their tax bills rise by approximately £124. While the tax relief for individuals is ending, employers will still be permitted to pay their staff a tax-free allowance to cover home-working costs if they wish to do so. However, there is no legal requirement for businesses to provide this.

The Chancellor also revealed many other tax changes in her Budget in November. One change was that the freeze on income tax thresholds will be extended until the end of the 2030/31 financial year.

This phenomenon, known as “fiscal drag,” acts as a “stealth tax,” because wages rise with inflation, the frozen thresholds mean more of your income is pushed into higher tax brackets. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates this will result in:

• 780,000 more people paying the basic rate of income tax
• 920,000 more people being dragged into the 40% higher-rate bracket

The personal allowance – the amount you can earn before paying any tax – will remain stuck at £12,570.

He has just returned from the UAE with crucial advice

A travel expert has issued a warning to individuals with flights booked to or from the Middle East. The alert comes as tensions continue in the area, with Israel and the US maintaining their strikes on Iran which commenced over a fortnight ago.

Iran continues to hit back with drone and missile attacks on several neighbouring and nearby nations. This resulted in Dubai, a major hub for international travel and home to the world’s busiest airport, temporarily closing its airspace for the second time in 48 hours due to strikes in the vicinity.

Simon Calder, a journalist with the Independent, has just returned from the United Arab Emirates. He provided an update on the current situation for those flying to or from the Middle East, including passengers transiting through the region en route to other destinations.

He stated: “I’ve just arrived at London Heathrow Terminal 4 after a fairly normal flight from Abu Dhabi on Etihad. What wasn’t normal was just how quiet it was when I arrived. Terminal 4, the main hub for the Middle East from London, is frankly a bit of a ghost town. Many of the flights that you would normally expect to see multiple departures on Qatar Airways to Doha and on Etihad to Abu Dhabi are not flying, and there’s also, for instance, Gulf Air based in Bahrain who are not going there.

“Having said that, there’s perhaps more flights than you might expect, given that, for example, Qatar and the UAE are on the Foreign Office no-go list. There’s a departure this evening to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and one a little later on Qatar Airways overnight to Doha. As well as that, El Al is going out to Tel Aviv. Now, you might have heard that the airspace in Israel is closed; well, it kind of is, but if you’ve got permission, and El Al certainly has, then you can go in.

“And finally, Gulf Air is flying from here later on today, but not to the normal destination of Bahrain. Instead, it’s going to Dammam, which is very close by in Saudi Arabia, from where passengers can travel to that island quite happily over the causeway. But bear in mind that the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain are all on the Foreign Office no-go list. If you choose to ignore that advice, then it’s likely your travel insurance will not be valid.

READ MORE: Travel expert issues holiday ‘rise’ warning as jet fuel price surges 70 per centREAD MORE: Simon Calder issues update for anyone flying with Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways

Unsurprisingly, the conflict has impacted international travel in numerous ways. Not only have passenger numbers and flights passing through the Middle East declined dramatically, but neighbouring countries favoured by Brits seeking spring sunshine, including Cyprus and Turkey, have also experienced a fall in visitor numbers.

Conversely, nations to the west boasting milder weather, including Spain and Portugal, have witnessed a surge in reservations – as has the Caribbean. The situation has not only left thousands of British holidaymakers stuck in the Middle East, but many are also anxious about their upcoming travel arrangements.

The Association of British Insurers attempted to address these worries with the following statement when questioned about whether insurance will cover the cancellation of a trip to the Middle East due to concerns over the conflict.

It stated: “As the situation evolves, we can understand why people may be reconsidering their future plans to travel to the region. If you wish to cancel your trip, contact your airline, accommodation provider or tour operator in the first instance. They may be able to rebook parts of your trip or offer a refund.

“Travel insurance may not cover cancellations linked to the conflict, depending on your policy’s terms, any war exclusions, and when you bought it. Policies differ, and insurers may take different approaches, so it’s important to check with your insurer to understand what’s covered.”