A football match in Ecuador turned tragic after a referee was shot dead in a shocking act of violence in front of players and spectators.

The victim, 48-year-old Javier Ortega, was officiating an amateur league fixture when unidentified gunmen reportedly stormed the pitch and opened fire. The incident happened in Pasaje, a town in El Oro Province, causing panic at the venue.

Eyewitnesses said Ortega collapsed on the field as the attackers fled. Emergency responders arrived quickly but were unable to save him, and he was confirmed dead at the scene. The match was immediately abandoned as players and fans ran for safety.

Police have started an investigation into the killing. Authorities are reviewing mobile phone footage and speaking to witnesses. A police spokesperson described the incident as “a cold-blooded crime committed in a space meant for community and sport.”

Refereeing bodies and football stakeholders have condemned the attack and called for better security at grassroots matches. One official described Ortega as a committed referee, adding that “to lose a life over a game of football is unacceptable.”

The incident has raised fresh concerns about rising violence in Ecuador, where criminal activities have increasingly spread into public and community spaces. In recent years, the country has seen a sharp increase in gang-related violence, often linked to international criminal networks.

Despite security efforts introduced by President Daniel Noboa, authorities are still struggling to control the situation. In 2025, Ecuador recorded its highest level of violent deaths, with a homicide rate of 51 per 100,000 residents, according to the Geneva-based Organised Crime Observatory.

Investigations into Ortega’s death are ongoing, and no arrests have been made so far.

Bournemouth are close to appointing Marco Rose as head coach to replace departing Andoni Iraola.

The German is expected to take over after the club confirmed on Tuesday that Iraola will leave the Vitality Stadium at the end of the season.

Although Iraola’s departure was a blow to the Cherries, it did not come as a complete surprise.

Bournemouth had succession plans in place and had sounded out Rose, along with Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and Rayo Vallecano’s Inigo Perez.

Rose, 49, has been without a club since he was sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025 and has never previously managed in England.

He has substantial experience, having also worked at Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach and Red Bull Salzburg.

Rose was also one of the candidates considered by Tottenham Hotspur following the sacking of Thomas Frank in February.

Asked about the club’s interest in Rose, current manager Iraola told BBC Sport: “I know him but I cannot speak about other managers.

“Because I speak with the club, I have some information. I’ve heard names but it’s a decision that they have to make.

“And, whoever they decide, whenever they decide to sign the new manager, you can ask me about whoever comes and I will try to give my opinion.”

Mets get ‘F’ grade with multiple failing experiments so far this season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets are coming out of the first few weeks of the 2026 MLB season with a terrible 7-12 record, which has them at the bottom of the NL East.

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It’s been a rough season already, and while the Juan Soto injury is playing a big role in the struggles so far, their multiple failing experiments to begin the season certainly haven’t helped.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report gave the Mets a brutal, but also appropriate “F” grade for the season so far, thanks in large part to the poor offense and the failing experiment with top prospect Carson Benge.

Mets given ‘F’ grade for brutal 7-12 start to 2026 season

“New York Mets (7-12): F,” Miller writes. “… Unfortunately, they are bottom five in runs scored, with seven of the nine team leaders in plate appearances posting a sub-.600 OPS. (Most notably, the ‘Carson Benge or Bust’ experiment has very much gone in the latter direction thus far).”

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While the Mets could turn things around still, this grade is based on the first 20 or so games of the 2026 MLB season. And for the Mets, the first portion of the season has been a disaster.

More: Mets didn’t want to trade Brett Baty while White Sox didn’t want Mark Vientos in Luis Robert Jr. trade

They own the worst recovery in the National League, have very little offensive production despite the lineup overhaul, with all but Luis Robert Jr being major disappointments among the new additions to the lineup.

The pitching additions haven’t been great either. Devin Williams has a 6.75 ERA, while Luke Weaver has an 8.10 ERA. Freddy Peralta has been fine with a 3.86 ERA, but overall additions haven’t panned out.

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What other grade could the Mets receive for this start to the year than an “F” grade? It’s gone about as bad as it could, and with Jorge Polanco down with an injury alongside Soto, there is plenty to be concerned about for the Mets this season.

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Shakur Stevenson has expressed an interest in moving back down to 135lbs, eager to collect two titles he never previously had the opportunity to claim.

The 28-year-old is lining up his next outing after comprehensively outpointing Teofimo Lopez, who he dethroned to become a four-division world champion in January.

Immediately after securing the WBO super-lightweight title, Stevenson called out Conor Benn, but has since set his sights on a potential move down in weight.

This is seemingly because the likes of Benn, and indeed WBC world champion Ryan Garcia, are unlikely to face him at a catchweight of 144lbs.

Instead, it appears as though the pair are set for a welterweight showdown in August, while Stevenson explores the possibility of facing Raymond Muratalla.

The IBF lightweight champion comes off a majority decision victory over Andy Cruz, successfully defending his world and Ring Magazine titles in January.

Since then, Stevenson has flirted with the idea of becoming a three-division Ring Magazine champion, to which Muratalla’s trainer and manager, Robert Garcia, has responded via social media.

Taking to X, Garcia confirmed that discussions regarding Muratalla’s next title defence are ongoing, but refused to rule out a potential encounter with Stevenson.

“If you listen to the full interview [with BoxingScene] I said Raymond will have one more fight at 135[lbs] and Top Rank is working on locking in a date and opponent. And we will be at 140[lbs] after.

“But if our next fight is [against] you we can do it [at] any weight. We don’t have anything set yet so let’s make it happen.”

If you listen to the full interview I said Raymond will have 1 more fight at 135 and Top Rank is working on locking in a date and opponent. And we will be at 140 after. But if our next fight is vs you we can do it any weight. We dont have anything set yet so lets make it happen https://t.co/H1BHVs33GW

— Robert Garcia Boxing (@GarciaBoxing) April 16, 2026

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In response, Stevenson said that such an outcome would be “perfect”, despite knowing he would need to adhere to the IBF’s 10lb rehydration policy.

This, therefore, represents unfamiliar territory for the American, whose previous campaign at 135lbs saw him reign supreme as the WBC champion.

The New York Mets travel to Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon to start a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. The Mets have lost eight straight games and were swept by the Dodgers and the Athletics in their previous series. The Cubs took two of three games in their most recent series against the Phillies. The Mets (7-12), who have lost three straight on the road, are 4-6 on the road this season. The Cubs (9-9), who have three of their last four, are 4-5 on their home field. Kodai Senga (0-2, 7.07 ERA) is on the hill for New York, while Edward Cabrera (1-0, 1.62 ERA) is starting for Chicago.

First pitch from Wrigley Field in Chicago is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. Chicago is a -157 favorite on the money line (risk $157 to win $100) in the latest Mets vs. Cubs odds, while the over/under, is 10.5. Before making any Cubs vs. Mets picks, be sure to see the Mets vs. Cubs predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model. 

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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It was a profitable 35-29 on top-rated MLB money-line picks last season. It also excelled at making home run prop picks in 2025, returning nearly 30 units of profit. Anybody following its MLB betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.    

Now, the model has set its sights on Mets vs. Cubs and just locked in its picks and MLB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several MLB odds and betting lines for Mets vs. Cubs:

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Top Mets vs. Cubs predictions 

After 10,000 simulations of Mets vs. Cubs, the model is going Under 10.5 combined runs. The total has gone Under in four of the Mets’ last six games. The total has gone Under in five of the Mets’ last five games against an opponent in the National League Central Division. Three of the last four games have been played to the Under for the Mets. 

SportsLine’s model projects more than 1.7 total bases for just two New York players, with Francisco Lindor leading the way at 1.88  total bases. Chicago, meanwhile, is also projected to have just two players with over 1.7 total bases, Alex Bregman leading the way at 1.78 total bases. The model projects 9.3 combined runs as the Under hits in 66% of simulations. Get the Mets vs. Cubs money-line pick at SportsLine.

How to make Mets vs. Cubs picks

After simulating every pitch of Mets vs. Cubs 10,000 times, the model also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can get that pick at SportsLine. 

So who wins Mets vs. Cubs, and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its MLB picks, and find out.

The Houston Astros (8-12) broke out of an eight-game win streak, winning their first two games in Colorado before the Rockies took the series finale on Thursday. The Astros are rock bottom in the AL West standings, 2.5 games behind the leaders, the Texas Rangers, tied on record with the Athletics.

The St. Louis Cardinals recorded two wins against the Cleveland Guardians in their latest series. They come to Houston with a 3-3 record on the road and third in the NL Central with a 10-8 record.

Astros vs Cardinals Game 1: Projected Lineups and Starters

Starting Lineups

Astros

1. 2B Jose Altuve R
2. DH Y. Alvarez L
3. 3B I. Paredes R
4. 1B C. Walker R
5. SS C. Correa R
6. RF Cam Smith R
7. LF J. Loperfido L
8. C Yainer Diaz R
9. CF T. Trammell L

Cardinals

1. 2B J. Wetherholt L
2. DH Ivan Herrera R
3. 1B A. Burleson L
4. RF J. Walker R
5. 3B Nolan Gorman L
6. SS Masyn Winn R
7. LF T. Saggese R
8. C Pedro Pages R
9. CF Victor Scott L

Starting Pitchers

Astros: Peter Lambert, first start of 2026

Cardinals: Kyle Leahy, 1-2 record, 5.14 ERA, 7 Ks, 1.71 WHIP

Astros vs Cardinals Game 1: Preview

Both lineups are fifth in their respective leagues in home run totals. The Astros have hit 21 bombs while the Cardinals have 20 homers. Yordan Alvarez has hit one-third of Houston’s home runs and also paces them with a .328 average while having an MLB-best 18 RBIs. Similarly, Jordan Walker leads the Cardinals in all three batting metrics (8 home runs, 15 RBIs, .319 average).

The Cardinals’ pitching staff has recorded a 4.75 ERA in their last ten games. The Astros are worse with a 6.61 ERA in the same stretch of games. St. Louis will start with Kyle Leahy, who earned two runs in his previous loss to the Boston Red Sox on April 12. Houston called up Peter Lambert who will get his first MLB start since 2024.

Astros vs Cardinals Game 1: Projected Odds, Tips and Prediction

Odds as per DraftKings Sportsbook

Moneyline: Astros -143, Cardinals +119

Total: Over 9 (+102), Under 9 (-122)

Run Line: Astros -1.5 (+153), Cardinals +1.5 (-186)

The Cardinals have a 5-4 record in evening starts, while the Astros have a 5-7 record. But the oddsmakers are trusting the Astros’ home field advantage.

Prediction: Astros 5, Cardinals 3