Sports
Iran football team trains in Turkey amid war tensions and World Cup safety fears
Iran’s men’s national football team has trained in southern Turkey as the players gear up for two crucial pre-World Cup friendlies.
Their preparations are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension, with the squad anticipated to attract significant attention amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.
The team conducted a training session in Belek, a resort area near Antalya, under stringent media restrictions.
Officials stated the measure was to prevent distractions ahead of matches deemed vital for their World Cup readiness.
This cautious approach aligns with recent revelations from federation President Mehdi Taj, who last week confirmed discussions with Fifa regarding relocating Iran’s World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico due to player safety concerns.
This follows a warning from US president Donald Trump that it would not be “appropriate” for Iran to play in this summer’s tournament.
The Iranian camp has largely sought to maintain a low public profile, anticipating intense political and media scrutiny as the tournament approaches.
In Belek, no interviews with players or coaches were granted, with a team media representative emphasising the squad’s complete focus on their immediate competitive programme.
The team is scheduled to face Nigeria on Friday and Costa Rica on Tuesday in Antalya, fixtures that were originally planned for Jordan but moved to Turkey following the outbreak of the Iran war.
While players appeared relaxed during the sunny training session, with staff and team members observed chatting and joking, individual controversies have recently emerged.
Forward Mehdi Taremi faced scrutiny after swapping shirts with an Israeli opponent while playing for his club, Olympiacos, in Greece.
Separately, prolific striker Sardar Azmoun, who boasts 57 goals in 91 internationals, was omitted from the squad.
Iranian media reported his exclusion stemmed from a perceived act of disloyalty to the government, following an Instagram post featuring him meeting Dubai’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Former MLB All-Star Yasiel Puig wasted absolutely no time making headlines in his debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the independent Canadian Baseball League. And honestly, it looked like vintage Puig. Playing at Christie Pits Park against the Kitchener Panthers, Puig put on a show in Toronto’s 8-6 win.
His final line: 2-for-2, 2 home runs, 4 RBI, and 2 walks. For one afternoon at least, it felt like the electric version of Puig baseball fans remember from his MLB days.
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MORE: Brewers star pitcher makes MLB history Friday night against Yankees
Yasiel Puig guilty
Career Overshadowed by Serious Legal Issues
Unfortunately, Puig’s baseball comeback comes alongside a major legal cloud. He is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty earlier this year to:
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Making false statements to federal investigators
The charges stem from a federal investigation into an illegal sports gambling operation in Southern California. According to reports, Puig allegedly placed hundreds of sports bets and accumulated nearly $1 million in gambling losses that were never repaid.
He faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, though many legal experts believe the actual punishment could be far less severe.
A Former MLB Star Still Has Pop
Puig spent seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the:
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At his peak, he was one of baseball’s most exciting and polarizing stars:
The talent has never been questioned.
Toronto Took a Massive Gamble
Despite the legal situation, the Toronto Maple Leafs moved forward with signing Puig anyway.
For an independent league, the move is enormous. Puig instantly becomes:
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The biggest name in the league
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A major attraction for fans
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A credibility boost for the CBL
Reports even suggest his deal is the largest contract in league history.
A Legacy Defined by Talent and Turmoil
Few players in recent MLB history have had a career as complicated as Puig’s. At times, he looked like a future superstar capable of becoming one of baseball’s faces. But throughout his career, inconsistency and controversy repeatedly followed him.
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Now, this latest chapter may be the most uncertain of all. Yasiel Puig reminded everyone Sunday that he can still electrify a baseball crowd with a star-level performance. But as impressive as the debut was, the bigger questions surrounding his future still remain unanswered.
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Daniel Dubois secured a phenomenal victory over Fabio Wardley at the weekend, but one of the most viral moments of the bout came in-between rounds, when ‘Triple D’ was slapped by lead trainer, Don Charles. Reflecting on his performance, Dubois revealed how Charles’ approach helped him in the fight.
Dubois was dropped in round one and three, looking set to become the latest to succumb to the power of Fabio Wardley, who had knocked out all 19 of his opponents since his 2017 debut until that point.
Additionally, Dubois has been accused of ‘quitting’ in the past, due to him taking a knee in defeats to both Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk. Although, after being dealt a slap from his cornerman, Charles, the 28-year-old showed no such weakness and instead rallied to an extraordinary win to become a two-time world champion.
DUBOIS CORNER JUST SLAPPED HIM 👀😅
🎟️Buy WARDLEY vs DUBOIS HERE –>https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#WardleyDubois | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/qeXugfWo0w
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 9, 2026
Speaking in the post-fight press conference, Dubois admitted that Charles’ two-slap combination helped him to focus and ‘stay in reality’, as captured by iFL TV.
“I needed that slap just to wake up and stay in reality, you know. I’ve got to dig deep, as a warrior, you have to dig deep. You have to go to that dark place and come out on top.”
Now in possession of the WBO heavyweight world title, ‘Triple D’ has proven that he is amongst the heavyweight elite and that any lack of mental fortitude has been extinguished.
For Dubois, Moses Itauma is expected to be named as his mandatory challenger, but it remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old will pursue the WBO crown or a seek an alternate route to world honours.
Sports
IPL 2026 | ‘You die from that cramp’: Ex-CSK star’s remark on Krunal Pandya sparks fan outrage | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya battled cramps on a difficult Raipur surface where stroke-making remained challenging throughout the thrilling IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians in Raipur. Krunal anchored RCB’s tense chase with a fighting 73 while wickets kept falling regularly at the other end. Battling cramps in the latter half of his innings, the left-hander combined resilience with calculated aggression to keep RCB alive before Bhuvneshwar Kumar sealed the tense chase with a six in the final over.His innings was applauded by many fans, cricketers and former cricketers as well.
But former Chennai Super Kings and India batter Subramaniam Badrinath grabbed attention for a comment he made during the RCB vs MI match.As Krunal struggled in pain due to cramps and fell to the ground holding his leg during the game, Badrinath jokingly remarked that he would have thought about “letting him die”.“Look there, he already had a cramp in his leg… it’s as if the opposition said, ‘Hey, you die from that cramp!’ – but even then, it’s okay (Rickleton helped him),” Badrinath said while watching Krunal fall due to cramps.Badrinath’s commentary during the match did not go down well with fans, with the former cricketer facing criticism on social media.After RCB’s win, Krunal also spoke to the broadcasters.“Obviously, later on, cramps were very, very painful. I mean, it started from calf, hamstring, glutes and both legs. I was cramping,” Krunal said after the game. “But again, I was very clear that I’m not going to go out. I’ll fight through that pain, and I’ll make sure that whatever I can contribute for the team, I’ll do it.”“Plus, this was a very, very crucial game for us. Especially at the fag end of the tournament, every game matters,” he said.“So it was very clear that I’ll fight through that pain and make sure that whatever and whichever way I can contribute, I’ll contribute in that.”
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What was the most impressive aspect of Krunal Pandya’s performance?
When asked how he managed to continue despite severe cramps, Krunal said it came down to mentality and his ability to remain focused in pressure situations.“I mean, sheer willpower, I’ll say,” he said. “Again, if you see over a period of time how I’ve played my cricket, I’ve always played without giving up, and I always cherish those tough situations. It was sheer willpower and courage that I did not want to give up,” he added.
Sports
IPL 2026: ‘Bhuvneshwar Kumar should be back in India colours’- Ex-India cricketer urges selectors for recall | Cricket News
It has been four years since Bhuvneshwar Kumar last played for India in a T20I, a quiet outing against New Zealand in Napier that came soon after India’s semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Following that tournament, he was phased out during India’s transition in the shortest format and has not featured since.However, his performances in IPL 2026 have reopened the debate about an international return. Now leading the Purple Cap race, Bhuvneshwar has taken 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 15.28 and an economy rate of 7.46, underlining a remarkable resurgence at the age of 36.
His most recent standout performance came against Mumbai Indians, where he produced a match-winning spell of 4/23, dismissing key batters including Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav. He also contributed with the bat, hitting a crucial six that helped his team recover in a tense phase of the innings.Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has strongly backed a recall, pointing to both form and consistency. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said, “Bhuvneshwar Kumar, you have been absolutely outstanding. I am saying a place should be made for him again in the Indian T20I team. He picked up four wickets. He has taken three or more wickets six times this season. Before this, in the 19-year history, only one bowler had taken three wickets six times. That was Harshal Patel in the 2021 season. Bhuvi has already done that here. He is bowling at an economy of less than eight.”Chopra also highlighted India’s busy T20I calendar, suggesting that consistent domestic form should be rewarded with opportunities at the international level.With sustained performances, match-winning spells, and elite economy control, Bhuvneshwar’s IPL 2026 season has forced selectors to at least revisit a conversation that once seemed closed.
Spectators take out their phones as Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines zooms past during Stage 12 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANGATAREM, Pangasinan—Antoine Huby ruled Stage 12 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon at mountainous Daang Kalikasan here to move into second behind overall leader Nikita Shulchenko.
The French rider of local team 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines crossed the finish line in three hours, 17 minutes and 37 seconds to register his second lap win after topping the punishing Stage 10 that ended at Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.
Shulchenko of LCW UAE Cycle placed second by 1:20 while Dreyna’s Erickson delos Santos was third, 1:41 behind Huby.
READ: Antoine Huby wins Stage 10, Shulchenko widens overall lead
Huby leapfrogged LCW’s Ibrahiem Alrefai, who finished by 2:02, to close in on Shulchenko with two stages remaining.
Shulchenko remains on top with an aggregate of 36:16:21, but Huby narrowed the gap to 2:30 following his victory that came after breaking away from six riders in the lead pack during the ascent to the mountainous area of the country’s cycling hotbed.
Alrefai dropped to third in the standings, trailing Shulchenko by 4:29 and Huby by 1:59.
The last two stages will be an individual time trial in Lingayen before the Tour concludes on Wednesday with a decider from Lingayen to Baguio through Kennon Road.
Stage 12 began in Agoo, La Union, exactly at the landmark Eagle of the North, before entering Pangasinan, including twice in Urbiztondo, after also going to Tarlac.
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Sabres’ Jordan Greenway draws ire for penalty killing without a stick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Buffalo Sabres were down a man when they allowed the Montreal Canadiens goal that put the Habs in front on Sunday night.
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But they weren’t just on the penalty kill. One of their players on the ice, Jordan Greenway, was without his stick.
It didn’t take long for social media to all share their takes on that. Yes, sticks can break, but then there are options for what can happen next.
Usually when it happens on the penalty kill, the player without a stick stays on the ice and just tries to put his body in the way however he can.
On this particular goal, it made Greenway pretty much a traffic cone to be navigated around by Lane Hutson:
MORE: The Mitch Marner irony of Auston Matthews’ future with the Maple Leafs
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The reality is that there’s an alternative option here where Greenway sprints to get a new stick from the bench and, in the meantime, the Sabres have to deal with a 5-on-3 for a short period.
But maybe taking a brief 5-on-3 is worth it if the rest of the penalty kill can happen with everyone armed with a stick.
Obviously, there’s risk in taking another skater out of the play.
But there’s also clear risk in leaving the guy out there with no stick.
This isn’t Greenway’s fault. He just happens to be in the middle of this debate for Buffalo hockey fans at the moment.
Odds are, nothing will change about this approach. But it’d be fascinating to see a team try the alternative route here, because it probably has merit.
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Former England spinner Kirsty Gordon is set to make her first Scotland appearance in almost nine years after being named in their squad for the T20 World Cup.
Gordon, 28, played 60 times for Scotland before pursuing a full-time career in the English professional system.
Born in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, she played in five matches at the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup as England finished runners-up and also played a Test match against Australia in 2019.
She committed her future to Scotland last December, but has only recently recovered from a back injury.
Kathryn Bryce captains a group that has three changes from the World Cup qualifier in Nepal earlier this year.
Young seam duo Gabriella Fontenla and Maisie Maceira are both included, along with Gordon, as Niamh Robertson-Jack, Mollie Parker and Hannah Rainey – who left the squad in Nepal because of injury – miss out.
Robertson-Jack and Ellen Watson will join a wider squad for a pre-tournament tri-series against the Netherlands and Bangladesh, before the Scots travel to Manchester for their opening World Cup match against Ireland at Old Trafford on 13 June.
Scotland also play England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Group B.
May 10, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Beckett Sennecke (45) skates with the puck against Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images Beckett Sennecke and Alex Killorn both netted one goal and one assist to pace the host Anaheim Ducks to a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night and even their Stanley Cup playoff series.
Mikael Granlund and Ian Moore also scored for Anaheim, which tied the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal at 2-2.
Goaltender Lukas Dostal made 18 saves and Cutter Gauthier collected three assists.
“We’ve got momentum and things are going good as long as you can keep it,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said. “That’s better than chasing it.”
Pavel Dorofeyev, Brett Howden and Tomas Hertl scored for the Golden Knights, who will host Game 5 on Tuesday.
Goalie Carter Hart stopped 19 shots, Mitch Marner collected three assists and Jack Eichel contributed two assists.
The score was tied 2-2 late in the second period when Killorn gave Anaheim its third lead with its second power-play tally of the tilt. Killorn gained the puck at the bottom of the right circle and squeezed a shot into the net with 2:02 remaining in the second period.
The Ducks failed to score on the power play in the first three games of the series, blanked during 11 opportunities.
Moore extended the Anaheim lead with his first career playoff goal. Shortly after Anaheim killed a penalty, Moore found the twine with a point shot at 3:43 of the third period.
“Going down a couple of goals is always tough to come back,” Vegas forward Colton Sissons said. “We’ve done a pretty good job throughout the year and playoffs, too. Yeah, it’s tough.”
Hertl snapped a 29-game goal drought dating back to early March by tucking into the cage a loose puck with 64 seconds remaining in regulation to make it a one-goal game, but the Golden Knights could not complete the comeback.
After losing the last game, the Ducks were looking to have a strong early pushback and were rewarded when Sennecke opened the scoring by unloading a shot from the top of the right circle for the power-play goal at the 8:43 mark. “That was a big focus for us. … It was nice to see a couple of those go in and get our power play rolling again,” Sennecke said.
Dorofeyev responded with a power-play goal of his own just past the period’s midway point. Dostal could not catch the point shot and Dorofeyev pounced on the loose puck.
Granlund made it a 2-1 game five minutes later when a turnover resulted in him gaining the puck in the slot and his shot ricocheted off a defender’s stick and bounded past Hart.
Vegas tied the game again when William Karlsson slipped a nifty pass to the front of the net for Howden, and it was easily converted at 4:04 of the second period. The Golden Knights were without captain Mark Stone, who suffered an undisclosed injury late in the first period of Game 3. Brandon Saad drew into the lineup.
“I have zero worry about this team, as far as how we’re going to go about the next few games here,” Vegas coach John Tortorella said. “Wherever it goes to, I have total trust.”
–Field Level Media
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