Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Tom Pelissero on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
This is not a secret: the Minnesota Vikings will onboard a new quarterback this offseason, either to support J.J. McCarthy as a veteran backup or compete for his job at training camp. And thanks to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero, an early list is reportedly on the table, including Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith.
Pelissero’s list puts Cousins, Jones, Murray, and Smith in the Vikings’ orbit as Minnesota weighs its big quarterback decision.
It’s not a list from heaven, but Minnesota could do much worse.
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Pelissero’s List Illuminates Minnesota’s Quarterback Plan
The quarterback position takes center stage early in the Vikings’ offseason.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins surveys the field late at Bank of America Stadium during a road matchup, operating Minnesota’s offense in the fourth quarter on Oct. 1, 2023, as the game tightened in Charlotte. The moment captured Cousins managing pressure and clock while the Vikings pushed for a finish against Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.
Kirk Cousins
If Cousins’ return to Minnesota is a genuine possibility, the central question becomes not whether it happens, but what role he would fill.
Cousins was an undisputed QB1 for years, but that’s no longer the case. A reunion would be complex, and Kevin O’Connell would face three options: immediately install Cousins as the Week 1 starter, allow him to compete with J.J. McCarthy, or use him as a strictly backup option — the same insurance role he was projected for in Atlanta in 2025.
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In 2023, his last season as Minnesota’s starter, Cousins ranked fifth in the NFL among quarterbacks in EPA per play. In 2024, that number plummeted to 30th out of 35 qualifying passers. Any assessment must consider his torn Achilles from a few years ago; projecting Cousins’ performance in 2026 demands more realism and less nostalgia.
The primary allure of a return lies in the financial aspect. Because the Falcons have essentially already paid Cousins — handsomely — for 2026, his next contract will likely be a bargain. That changes the discourse significantly. The cap-related frustration that followed him from 2018 to 2023 disappears if his salary aligns with that of a backup.
If affordability eliminates the resentment that once surrounded Cousins, will parts of the fanbase that rejected him at his previous price now embrace him at a discount — especially if his role is flexible rather than guaranteed? Who knows.
Mac Jones
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The main item surrounding Jones’s 2026 plans isn’t if he can start in the NFL, but what it would cost to acquire him.
In 2025, Jones started eight games for San Francisco, leading the 49ers to a 5–3 record. Extrapolated to a full season, those numbers project to 4,570 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 69.6 percent completion rate. That’s Top 15 QB stuff.
Those statistics are also comparable to Sam Darnold’s 2024 season, the same year Minnesota finished 14–3. Neither Jones’s recent game film nor his efficiency metrics suggest he would suddenly regress in Minnesota.
San Francisco is positioned to capitalize on the desperation of quarterback-needy teams via trade, and Minnesota must decide if it will enter the Jones sweepstakes. Jones is a good fit for many teams. Ultimately, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski must decide if sending 1st- or 2nd-Round pick to The Bay — or something similar — is worth it.
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Kyler Murray
Murray’s talent is evident, regardless of other options.
Over seven seasons, his EPA+CPOE numbers exceed those of Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Daniel Jones — all quarterbacks currently projected to start in 2026. That established efficiency isn’t negotiable, even though some Vikings fans are oddly hesitant about Murray to Minnesota.
Arizona’s situation strengthens Murray’s case for change. With a new head coach, the Cardinals seem ready to move on after seven years and just one playoff appearance with Murray. The man could be traded any day or released in March.
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Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray prepares on the sideline at State Farm Stadium before kickoff, pulling on his helmet prior to facing Atlanta on Nov. 12, 2023, in Glendale. The pregame scene showed Murray locked in as Arizona finalized plans and personnel ahead of a home matchup under bright desert lights. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images.
Considering only realistic possibilities, Murray quickly emerges as a top candidate. Based on his career production and status as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, he represents the best quarterback Minnesota could realistically acquire this offseason, barring improbable trades involving players like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson.
Murray has everything going for him on any given Sunday — aside from height — passing accuracy, arm strength, speed, mobility, and experience.
Geno Smith
Smith’s extensive resume sets him apart from many quarterbacks available this offseason, making him an attractive option for teams that want stability and insurance.
Since 2013, Smith has started 98 games, with his teams compiling a 42–56 record along the way. He averages roughly 203 passing yards per game, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 124 to 89, and has added 12 rushing touchdowns.
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Raiders quarterback Geno Smith watches the sideline at NRG Stadium during a road contest, tracking communication as Las Vegas faced Houston on Dec. 21, 2025, in Texas. The in-game moment reflected Smith assessing adjustments and flow while the offense navigated a challenging environment away from home under prime-time conditions. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.
Seattle’s decision to name him their starter in 2022 revitalized his career, as Smith seized the opportunity, delivering a breakout season with 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He retained the role for three seasons before joining the Raiders via trade, which propelled the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win after signing Sam Darnold in 2025 free agency.
However, Smith’s tenure in Las Vegas appears short-lived. With the Raiders widely expected to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza using the first overall pick in April, Smith could be traded or demoted. Should he seek a new team, Minnesota is a decent landing spot for all parties.
It’s worth noting that Smith will turn 36 in October.
Casino and betting operators have become a fixture on League of Ireland jerseys, filling the front-of-shirt space that represents the most valuable piece of commercial real estate any club can sell.
While the FAI banned gambling sponsors from the Republic of Ireland national team in June 2024, domestic clubs remain free to sign casino partnerships, and the financial pressure to do so has never been clearer.
The 888 Blueprint
The clearest example of how deep casino brands have embedded themselves in Irish football comes from 888, the global betting and gaming group that has secured headline sponsorships with two of the league’s most successful clubs.
In 2024, Dundalk announced 888 as their main sponsor in what the club described as the largest commercial deal in their history. The arrangement went beyond a simple logo placement. 888 Casino appeared on the home shirt, 888 Sport on the away kit, and 888 Poker on the third strip.
Shamrock Rovers, the reigning Premier Division champions at the time, signed a similar deal that saw 888sport branding occupy the front of their jerseys for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The partnership was framed in community terms, but the outcome was straightforward: one of Ireland’s biggest clubs carried a gambling brand in the most prominent position available.
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Both deals illustrate that casino sponsorships are not confined to struggling sides hunting for cash. Top-performing clubs with national visibility have leaned into these partnerships, making gambling logos as much a part of League of Ireland identity as any crest or colour scheme.
The Online Casino Market Behind the Jerseys
The operators appearing on League of Ireland shirts are drawn from a well-established online casino market in Ireland that has matured significantly over the past decade.
The sector is competitive and well-funded. Operators compete on game libraries, payout percentages, payment options, and customer support, but they also compete heavily on brand recognition. That is where football comes in. Getting a logo onto the front of a League of Ireland jersey offers weekly visibility in communities where digital advertising alone struggles to build the same level of trust or familiarity.
For Irish players trying to separate legitimate online casinosfrom less reliable options, it is worth looking at reviews from trusted experts that assess licensing, payout records, and safety standards rather than promotional offers. The brands investing in football sponsorships tend to be the larger, more established operators with stronger regulatory oversight, but size alone does not guarantee a good experience or fair terms.
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What matters for clubs is that these operators have substantial marketing budgets and view Irish football as a worthwhile investment.
Why Clubs Need the Money
League of Ireland clubs operate in a financial environment that makes high-value sponsorships essential rather than optional. The FAI itself is carrying €43 million in debt, has cycled through repeated leadership changes, and offers prize money that barely covers operating costs. The broader structural problems at the association have been well documented, but the effect on clubs is straightforward: limited funding and few alternatives.
Winning the league brings €125,000. Lifting the FAI Cup adds €32,000 plus gate receipts. For context, that is less than many clubs spend on a single senior signing or a few months of squad wages. Academy funding remains patchy, infrastructure lags behind European norms, and alternative revenue streams such as broadcast deals or merchandise have failed to fill the gap.
Against that backdrop, a front-of-shirt casino sponsor offering six figures becomes difficult to refuse. Clubs such as Bohemians, Derry City, and others have followed the same path, prioritising survival, and competitiveness over concerns about gambling exposure.
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A Two-tier Sponsorship Policy
The FAI’s decision to ban betting operators from national team sponsorship while leaving League of Ireland clubs untouched has created a policy split that benefits casino brands.
At international level, the association has distanced itself from gambling partnerships, citing public health concerns around problem gambling. That ban covers all official sponsorships of the Republic of Ireland senior side, including shirt deals.
At club level, however, no such restrictions apply. Domestic teams are explicitly permitted to continue signing casino and betting sponsors, including front-of-shirt agreements. The contrast is stark: the national team presents a gambling-free image, while the clubs that feed it carry casino logos every week.
This divergence may actually increase the attractiveness of Irish club shirts to casino operators. The English Premier League has committed to phasing out front-of-shirt betting sponsorships, and several European leagues are tightening similar rules. Ireland’s domestic competition, by comparison, remains open for business.
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Safeguards and Limitations
Not every shirt carries a casino logo. Dundalk’s 888 deal included a carve-out for infant and youth jerseys, as well as some adult replicas, which were produced without gambling branding. The move reflects regulatory caution and acknowledges the ethical concerns around exposing children to casino advertising, even indirectly.
Still, the core commercial message remains intact. Adult match shirts, the versions worn by players and most visible to broadcasters and crowds, carry the full casino branding. The safeguard limits the reach but does not fundamentally alter the partnership.
What Happens Next
Casino brands have established themselves as central rather than incidental to League of Ireland sponsorship. They bring the kind of money clubs need to stay competitive, and they occupy the most valuable marketing space available.
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As long as debts remain high and financial structures remain weak, and as long as domestic teams are excluded from the betting-sponsor ban, casino logos will continue to appear on Irish football jerseys. The policy environment currently favours that outcome, and there is little indication it will change soon.
The question is no longer whether casino brands belong in Irish football sponsorship. They are already here, and they have been for several seasons. The question now is whether the league can build alternative revenue strong enough to make them optional rather than essential.
Eddie Hearn recently witnessed one of his major British stars, Conor Benn, call out perhaps the best defensive fighter on the planet in Shakur Stevenson.
Stevenson moved up to super-lightweight last month to defeat Teofimo Lopez handily and become a four-weight world champion at the age of 28. Post-fight, he invited Benn into the ring and, despite the latter being a natural welterweight who has most recently fought as high as middleweight, both insist they want to make the bout happen.
Speaking on First Round TV, Hearn first discussed what lies ahead for Shakur.
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“We’ve got to make sure Shakur gets the chance to fight all of those elite guys within his era … I’m talking Devin Haney, unifications if he stays at 140 – Gary Russell, Dalton Smith, Richardson Hitchins – other fighters [like] Schofield, Muratalla. You’d pick him against everybody.”
Asked specifically about Benn – a name he didn’t mention in his list – the promoter admitted it was ‘a very difficult fight’ for his welterweight charge.
“I’m looking at that fight as someone who represents Conor Benn, I’m thinking the only bit I like in that fight is the size. Cause Conor has a big, big size advantage and he will punch a lot harder than Shakur. But, it’s Shakur. It’s a very difficult fight. Conor’s just out of control on smoke and wants everybody … For me, I want to see him win a world title.”
Benn looks more likely to face either Rolando Romero – though the mandatory challenge of Shakhram Giyasov still stands in the way – or the winner of Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia later this month.
Manchester City welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium this evening knowing a win could cut the gap to Arsenal to just three points
08:39, 11 Feb 2026Updated 08:40, 11 Feb 2026
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Manchester City are back in Premier League action this evening as they welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium. The Blues have fond memories of their last clash with Marco Silva’s side as they edged out a thrilling 5-4 win at Craven Cottage back in December.
City will be heavy favourites for this one having beaten Fulham in their last 19 matches against them and last lost to the London club back in 2009. The Blues are also on a high after beating Liverpool in dramatic circumstances on Sunday thanks to late goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland.
With the games coming thick and fast, Pep Guardiola will be keen to rotate his squad slightly, albeit Saturday’s clash with Salford City in the FA Cup will provide more opportunity for that. Regardless of the changes made outfield, Gianluigi Donnarumma will remain between the sticks this evening after his Anfield heroics.
Abdukodir Khusanov has made himself known in recent weeks, stepping up to the plate in the absence of first-team defenders. The Uzbekistan international was inadvertently clattered into by Donnarumma against Liverpool and was replaced as a concussion substitution but Guardiola confirmed in Tuesday’s press conference he is available to start tonight.
That being said, Ruben Dias’ return from injury and solid showing off the bench makes it easy not to risk the 21-year-old in midweek. Dias is likely to partner Marc Guehi who was sensational at Anfield and is already proving to be a brilliant addition to this title-challenging squad.
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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.
Rayan Ait-Nouri also impressed at the weekend after a tough start to life at City and he should retain his place at left-back allowing Nico O’Reilly to slot into a three-man midfield once again. Having scored and being heavily praised by Guardiola, captain Bernardo will be expected to keep his place too.
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On Sunday, City went for the two-pronged attack of Omar Marmoush and Haaland as they looked to break down a shaky Liverpool defence. However, the Egyptian struggled on Merseyside and could be left out here to welcome back Rayan Cherki.
The Frenchman is unlikely to stay out of the starting XI for long and if anyone in the attack is going to be replaced for this game, it will be Marmoush. Both Haaland and Antoine Semenyo are undroppable at present.
City predicted XI vs Fulham: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly, Bernardo; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki
Pop sensation Dua Lipa was recently hounded by paparazzi on her night out with fiancé Callum Turner in Paris, France. According to videos on social media on February 10, 2026, Turner and Lipa were spotted leaving Le Voltaire, a restaurant in Paris, after a dinner date when they were rushed by paparazzi, who repeatedly asked them for photographs.
In the video, Callum Turner can be seen exiting the restaurant first and speaking to the paparazzi while waiting for his fiancée, repeatedly telling them, “It’s not okay.” Despite the actor’s disapproval, cameras began flashing the second Dua Lipa stepped out of the restaurant, wearing a fur coat, a green T-shirt, and dark pants.
The singer, who appeared frustrated, shielded her face using her hand to protect herself from the flashes, telling the paparazzi, “No, no, no, we are not doing this.” One of the photographers can be heard telling the singer to spare them one minute, and they would leave her alone, while another asked her to move her hand.
The couple began walking away from the commotion, with the paparazzi following them. Turner pulled his hoodie over his face, while Lipa continued to hold her hand up to her face, telling the photographers, “Can you please go away?” The restaurant security also stepped in to shield the singer, holding his hat up to her face to cover her from the cameras.
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Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s recent brush with the paparazzi in Paris was met with varied responses from netizens on X. One X user said the singer should have yelled at them more, adding that they had never seen her “this angry before.”
“I’ve never seen her this angry before. They must’ve been following them for hours omg. She should’ve yelled at them harder wtf.”
I’ve never seen her this angry before. They must’ve been following them for hours omg. She should’ve yelled at them harder wtf
Several netizens sided with the celebrity couple, calling out paparazzi for harassing them and being disrespectful.
@PopBase French paparazzi are the fcking worst. Hope dua and callum are okay
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@PopBase Just give us one minute and we’ll leave you alone. NOT COOL AT ALL! I get they wanna take pictures or whatever but forcing them into giving an interview or pose for the camera is insine and disrespectful.
@PopBase How come invading other people’s privacy still a professional career? Obsession with celebrities is tiresome enough, additionally we get the worst displays of entitlement to those celebrities from these people.
@PopBase Imagine being in Paris and your main attraction is someone else’s personal space…
However, others suggested that being photographed was part of the job of being a celebrity.
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@PopBase What’s the big deal in having access to celebrities? Some celebrities are too cruel
@PopBase Guys, if a celebrity doesnt want to get papped , they know exactly how not to get papped .. Ask yourself why A+ celebs like Brad Pitt, Celine Dion , Cher , Madonna .. etc , we rarely see pap pics for them !!!
@PopBase Why do these two always have to go somewhere if they hate being photographed??
@PopBase If you’re uncomfortable about paparazzi stay away from the scenes and become a regular person.The reality is that being a celebrity comes with positive and negative attention which cannot easily be controlled.
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Dua Lipa was seen at Chanel’s Haute Couture Spring Summer 2026 in Paris
On January 30, 2026, Dua Lipa uploaded several pictures of her “perfect week” in Paris on Instagram, which included photos of her at Chanel’s Haute Couture Spring Summer 2026 show held on January 27, 2026.
The Levitating singer wore a yellow-and-brown patterned skirt and blazer combo with a matching handbag and black-and-white pumps from the Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026 collection. In the pictures she posted, Lipa was seen sitting beside Penélope Cruz, A$AP Rocky, and Margaret Qualley, with all of them singing a remix of Oasis’ Wonderwall.
The photo dump also included a snap of fiancé Callum Turner. Lipa confirmed her engagement during an interview with British Vogue in June 2025 and shared more information regarding the ring and wedding planning.
“Yeah, we’re engaged. It’s very exciting… I’m obsessed with it [the ring]. It’s so me. It’s nice to know the person that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with knows you very well.” she said.
When asked about the wedding, Dua Lipa added:
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“I want to finish my tour, Callum’s shooting, so we’re just enjoying this period. I’ve never been someone who’s really thought about a wedding, or dreamt about what kind of bride I would be. All of a sudden I’m like: ‘Oh, what would I wear?’”
Callum Turner and Dua Lipa at the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” (Image via Getty)
In other news, Dua Lipa is scheduled to perform a medley with RAYE and Lily Allen to pay tribute to Mark Ronson at the upcoming BRIT Awards on February 28, 2026. Ronson will be honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Music at the ceremony.
Dana White recently shared an update on the UFC White House event and made a bold prediction about the scope of the card.
The UFC White House event will take place in June as part of the historic America250 celebrations. The event will feature a stacked fight card with some of the promotion’s biggest stars expected to compete. The bouts will notably take place on the South Lawn, with the fighters set to walk out of the Oval Office.
In a recent interview on CBS Sports, White confirmed that he’ll be busy with matchmaking for the card this week and claimed that it will be “the most-watched UFC event” ever. He said:
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“This is a one-of-one event. It’s something that will never happen again… All the logistics are done, and we believe this is going to be the most-watched UFC event ever… It’s going to introduce a lot of people to [professional fighting], those who’ve never seen it before.”
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He added:
“When you talk about me, my executive team, the staff that works here, the media that covers us, and the fighters, this is going to be the most unique, amazing nights of our entire careers… When we go to do something, I like to deliver, and I like to deliver big. It’s going to be special.”
Dana White shares attendance numbers for UFC White House
In an interview on the CBS Morning show, the UFC CEO claimed that about 5000 people would be on the South Lawn and about 85,000 people on the park across the street. He said:
“We’ve literally just got done on all the logistics of how to set it up there, how many people we can have. It’s looking like we are going to have five thousand people on the White House lawn, on the South lawn and then across the street, it’s a park, it’s called the Ellipse, we are going to have eighty five thousand people there, we are going to have big screens.”
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has accused a viral fan Frank Ilett of chasing attention after his unusual haircut challenge became a major talking point during United’s recent run of form.
Rooney said the focus should be on the team and their progress under interim coach Michael Carrick, rather than off-field distractions involving supporters.
“I’d put him to the other side of the country, he’s DOING MY HEAD IN.”
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“We’re talking about Carrick and United trying to win their fifth game in a row and the whole thing is about this guy getting his haircut.”
The former England captain suggested the fan was enjoying the spotlight and might be unhappy if United kept winning and the attention faded.
“I bet he’d be devastated if United win the fifth game because all of a sudden he’s IRRELEVANT.”
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Rooney’s comments have sparked mixed reactions among Manchester United supporters on social media, with some backing his view while others defended the fan’s harmless challenge.
The fan, Frank Ilett, popularly known online as The United Strand, had gone viral for refusing to cut his hair until United won five games in a row. His challenge reached 493 days and attracted huge attention online, with over 265,000 viewers watching his live stream during United’s Premier League clash with West Ham United.
Carrick’s first four games in charge ended in victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham, leaving Ilett just one win away from completing his challenge. However, United failed to beat West Ham, forcing him to continue the challenge.
Tomas Soucek gave West Ham the lead in the second half, while Casemiro had a goal ruled out for offside. United later equalised, but the draw ended their winning streak and left the fan “heartbroken” on his live stream.
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“It’s tough,” Ilett said after the match. “It’s tough to think, really. We go again, I guess.”
With United failing to secure the fifth straight win, The United Strand will continue his haircut challenge, while Rooney’s blunt remarks continue to dominate debate among fans.
NEW DELHI: Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq once again found himself at the centre of a fierce debate over his bowling action after his match-winning performance against the United States in the 2026 T20 World Cup, with veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin stepping in to defend bowlers amid mounting criticism online. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Tariq’s distinctive “pause-and-deliver” action sparked a fresh wave of “chucking” accusations on social media despite the ICC having cleared his action twice last year.
T20 World Cup | Sahibzada Farhan on India vs Pakistan matches: ‘Not one-sided’
“Even football doesn’t allow players to pause during a penalty run-up anymore. How is this ok? Action — all good. But pause? That too while loading to deliver. This can’t be continued seriously,” Goswami posted.Ashwin, however, offered a different perspective, agreeing with the football analogy but arguing that cricket’s regulations often place disproportionate restrictions on bowlers. “Agree football doesn’t allow it! While the batter can switch-hit or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler, after committing to bat on one side, why are the restrictions only limited to the bowler?” Ashwin wrote on social media. “In fact, the bowler isn’t allowed to change the arm with which he/she bowls without informing the umpire. They should first change that rule.”Under ICC rules, a bowler’s elbow extension must not exceed 15 degrees between the arm reaching horizontal and the point of release — a guideline frequently referenced in online criticism of Tariq. The spinner has previously addressed the scrutiny, insisting that his arm bend is natural.
