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A Kevin O’Connell Comment Sounds Like the Kiss of Death for 1 Vikings QB

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As cruel as it sounds, Max Brosmer likely needed some sort of poor outcome to arrive for a different Vikings QB to get onto the final roster. Such as life for a QB4 trying to overcome more entrenched passers.

After last night’s Broncos beatdown, Kevin O’Connell took some time to answer questions from the media. Among the questions to get sent in his direction was one about what’s to come for Brosmer. He made the 53-man roster last year. What’s his status going into cut weekend?

Kevin O’Connell Discusses Max Brosmer’s Roster Spot

“I think Max has shown some growth,” O’Connell began in response to the sophomore passer’s standing on the roster.

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The skipper went on: “That’s definitely going to be a conversation. We’ll see what the final numbers look like. I don’t think it’s out of the question that we try to keep all those guys. But at the same time we’ve gotta do what’s best for our team. So we’ll work through that and that will definitely be part of the conversation.”

“There was a reason why we wanted to have a deep quarterback room, and all four of those guys had their moments,” O’Connell said toward the end of his Brosmer answer.

Vikings QB Max Brosmer against the Lions on Christmas
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) looks to pass the ball against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

O’Connell’s answers boasts all the hallmarks of an upcoming roster cut. Tepid but genuine praise, some evasiveness, and a broader acknowledgement of the roster crunch.

Partnering the O’Connell answer with some common sense and then a simple evaluation of the quarterback’s performance further clarifies where things are going.

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For starters, there’s the common sense part of things. Seldom do the Minnesota Vikings carve out four roster spots at quarterback. If, for instance, one of those passers was a player akin to Taysom Hill, then the move could be defensible since that’s a player who can help in other ways.

A QB4 on the final roster is hard to justify otherwise, especially since Brosmer doesn’t look like he’ll develop into a long-term weapon. Rather, his ceiling appears to be that of a rock-solid backup who thinks the game at a high level and who works very hard. He’s chasing down a future that ends up somewhere between Sean Mannion and Nick Mullens.

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Partner the number crunch with what the kid has done on the field.

Last year, Max Brosmer was put into a position he was never intended to be in. He had to start several times as an undrafted rookie. His final stats showed going 1-1 behind 66.2% passing for 328 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.

Go ahead and consider his more recent work from the 2026 preseason:

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  • Giants: 1/2, 6 Yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs
  • Ravens: 11/17, 98 Yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
  • Broncos: 20/35, 165 Yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs

Do these statistics point toward somebody who is going to force the Vikings into an uncomfortable position? Put differently, is there enough promise here to suggest that Minnesota ought to burn a roster spot keeping a fourth passer rather than try sliding him down to the practice squad?

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) react after the game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

If, in the end, the Vikings opt to trade J.J. McCarthy, then the QB3 job will be vacant. In that scenario, Brosmer would be the lead candidate to remain as the emergency QB3 for games. Short of that scenario, though, it’s hard to envision him demanding some roster real estate.

Max Brosmer is 25. Look for him to be kept around as the QB4 on the practice squad.


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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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US Open 2026: A record payday, historic chases and stars in the spotlight | Other Sports News

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The final Grand Slam of the tennis season arrives in New York with more than trophies at stake. The 2026 US Open begins on Sunday with a record $108 million prize pool, a defending champion returning from a four-month injury lay-off, Novak Djokovic chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title and Aryna Sabalenka attempting to join an elite list of women to win three straight titles at Flushing Meadows.

 

Moreover, the return of Serena and Venus Williams to the doubles court means the tournament has no shortage of storylines.

 

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The 2026 US Open will commence on August 30 and will run until September 13, with Arthur Ashe Stadium once again providing the stage for two weeks of tennis, drama and history.

 

A record payday raises the stakes

The US Open will hand out $108 million in prize money, a 20 per cent increase from last year and the biggest purse in Grand Slam history.

 

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The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, while even first-round losers in the main draw are guaranteed $140,000. The scale of the prize money reflects the growing financial importance of the final Grand Slam of the year, with every round carrying substantial rewards.

 

But the money is only one part of the attraction. At the top of the draw, several players have the chance to add another defining chapter to their careers. 

Djokovic’s record in sight

At 39, Novak Djokovic is still chasing milestones that seemed almost impossible when he first arrived on the Grand Slam stage.

 

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The Serbian enters New York seeking his fifth US Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam singles crown. A victory would take him clear of Margaret Court’s 24-major mark and give him the outright record for most Grand Slam singles titles.

 

Djokovic last won in New York in 2023 and has lifted the US Open trophy four times, in 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2023. His record at the tournament stands at 95-15, underlining just how comfortable he has been on the biggest court in New York.

 

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His task, however, will not be straightforward. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is absent after withdrawing with a right knee injury, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is returning after more than four months away from competitive tennis. That has opened up Djokovic’s side of the draw, but it has also created a tournament with considerably more uncertainty at the top.

Alcaraz returns with a title to defend

Carlos Alcaraz arrives in New York carrying both the defending champion’s tag and a major question mark over his match fitness.

 

The Spaniard has not played a singles match since April after suffering a right wrist injury. His four-month absence also ruled him out of the French Open and Wimbledon, making the US Open his first Grand Slam appearance since the Australian Open.

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That makes his title defence particularly intriguing. Alcaraz has already established a special connection with Flushing Meadows, winning his maiden Grand Slam there in 2022 and adding another title last year. But this time he arrives without the usual rhythm of a long hard-court season behind him.

 

He has at least had a taste of competitive tennis during Fan Week, including a mixed-doubles partnership with Serena Williams, but the demands of a seven-round Grand Slam singles campaign will be an entirely different test.

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And with Sinner out of the tournament, the men’s draw has taken on a very different complexion.

Sabalenka has history of her own to chase

If Djokovic is chasing an outright Grand Slam record, Aryna Sabalenka is pursuing a piece of US Open history.

 

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The world No. 1 is the two-time defending champion and will attempt to win three consecutive women’s singles titles in New York. If she succeeds, she would become the first woman since Serena Williams to complete a US Open three-peat.

 

Only Serena Williams and Chris Evert have achieved three consecutive US Open singles titles in the Open Era. Sabalenka therefore has the opportunity to place herself alongside two of the most successful players in tournament history.

 

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She also arrives with a formidable record at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka has won her last 13 US Open matches and owns a 34-6 career record at the tournament.

 

The challenge is that she has not had the easiest season at the Grand Slams. New York, however, has consistently brought out her best tennis.

The Williams sisters are back together

The singles draws will provide the main competitive drama, but one of the tournament’s biggest attractions will come in the women’s doubles.

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Serena and Venus Williams are teaming up again. The sisters received a wild card for the women’s doubles tournament, marking their first appearance together at a Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open. They have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a team, including US Open crowns in 1999 and 2009.

 

Their return is especially significant because Serena only returned to competitive tennis this year after a four-year absence. She and Venus reunited at Cincinnati earlier this month, where they lost in the opening round, but their presence in New York will inevitably generate enormous attention.

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Serena has already added another memorable chapter to her comeback by partnering Alcaraz in mixed doubles during Fan Week. Now, she gets another chance to share a Grand Slam court with her sister.

The women’s draw is wide open

Sabalenka’s pursuit of a third straight title is one of the central women’s storylines, but she faces a strong group of challengers.

 

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Former US Open champions including Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka are in the field, while reigning 2026 Grand Slam champions such as Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova add another layer of uncertainty to the draw.

 

That makes Sabalenka’s task more complicated than simply extending her New York dominance.

 

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A number of players arrive in the city with their own claims to the title, leaving the women’s tournament with a genuine sense of unpredictability behind its defending champion.

New York once again becomes the stage

The US Open has always been about more than the tennis. Night sessions at Arthur Ashe Stadium, packed crowds, the noise and energy of New York and the tournament’s distinctive atmosphere make Flushing Meadows unlike any other Grand Slam venue.

 

This year, that spectacle comes with an unusually rich collection of narratives.

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There is Djokovic’s pursuit of 25. There is Alcaraz’s attempt to return from injury and defend his crown. There is Sabalenka’s bid for a historic three-peat. There are the Williams sisters returning together. And underneath it all is a record financial prize that makes the stakes even higher for everyone in the draw.

 

The US Open has the money, the stars and the history. Now, over the next two weeks, it has to decide who gets to write the next chapter.

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Everything We Learned in Week 0 of College Football

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Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn ImagesAug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

Another college football season is officially underway, and with it comes the anxiety-tinged anticipation every fan feels each weekend throughout autumn. Because football seasons feature fewer games than any other major team sport, stakes are heightened with every contest, adding gravity no competition can match.

Ultimately, however, these are still just games and in Week 0 came a tragic reminder that some things are much bigger than football.

Moments after rushing for a rushing touchdown, the Associated Press reports that running back MicahJo Barnett of William Jewell College “experienc[ed] a medical emergency on the sideline” and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

The circumstances of Barnett’s death have not been publicized as of this writing. What is known is that a young man, just 20 years old, leaves family — including six siblings — friends and teammates.

Thoughts go out to the William Jewell community and everyone impacted by Barnett’s passing.

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There is no easy way to transition, as nothing else that occurred across the sport bears as much importance as Saturday’s tragedy in Liberty, Missouri. Thus, consider all analysis of Week 0 with its proportionate significance.

Even on a less somber day, the narratives to be taken from the week-before-the-first week of the season are inherently hyperbolic. No season is won or lost in Week 0.

Certainly, that’s the message Sonny Dykes could consider repeating when TCU returns to Fort Worth from Dublin, Ireland.

The Horned Frogs’ 15-10 loss to North Carolina on the rain-soaked turf of Aviva Stadium felt less like the Tar Heels winning than it did TCU beating itself.

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Now, second-year North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick built his Pro Football Hall of Fame career on forcing opponents to beat themselves. His Patriots teams excelled at awaiting for the opposition to make a mistake then pouncing, which makes Saturday’s result the closest the Tar Heels have come to New England in Belichick’s thus far trying tenure in Chapel Hill.

Still, a pair of drives to and within the North Carolina 10-yard line producing zero points must haunt Dykes and his team on the long flight back to Texas. The what-ifs are boundless, particularly pondering if the Horned Frogs may have fared better offensively with wide receiver Jordan Dwyer available.

However, with the rainy conditions in Ireland and quarterback Jaden Craig unable to pass as effectively as a Dykes team’s offense likes, even a receiver as talented as Dwyer may not have made the difference.

The degree of difficulty climbs for an offense predicated on attacking the boundaries once the ball moves into the red zone. Having the ability to go at a defense between the hashmarks once inside the 20 separates good offenses and those capable of competing for championships — as evidenced by seven of the nation’s top 12 teams for touchdowns scored on red-zone opportunities last season reaching the Playoff.

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Red goes bust in Vegas

Dec 23, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; A UNLV Rebels cheerleader shows her spirit during the second half of a game against the Ohio Bobcats at the Ford Center at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn ImagesDec 23, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; A UNLV Rebels cheerleader shows her spirit during the second half of a game against the Ohio Bobcats at the Ford Center at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Late Saturday night in Las Vegas, UNLV’s hopes of representing the Group of Six conferences in the postseason likely went bust as a byproduct of red-zone failure.

Trailing Memphis 27-21 in the fourth quarter, the Rebels drove deep into Tigers territory. UNLV needed badly to convert after having two red-zone opportunities earlier in the game produce zero points.

The Rebels again broke through the Memphis 20, and again came away empty when the Tigers flexed their dominance on the interior. Jaden McKinney and Taylor Burton teamed up on a sack of UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold on fourth down, putting a fitting cap on a drive that saw Memphis stymie the Rebels’ previous attempts to scrape together yardage with limited space.

Like TCU missing Dwyer, things may have gone differently for UNLV had offensive lineman Austin Boyd not gone out with an apparent leg injury earlier in the possession. Or maybe the drive stalls out in similar fashion.

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Either way is moot, because Memphis leaves Las Vegas with a significant win to start building its postseason case, and a building block for a high-profile visit to Boise State on Sept. 12.

Jayden Maiava starts strong — even if few were there to see it

Aug 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) and linebacker Taylor Johnson (50) react in the second half against the San Jose State Spartans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesAug 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) and linebacker Taylor Johnson (50) react in the second half against the San Jose State Spartans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A former UNLV quarterback, Jayden Maiava, opened 2026 in impressive fashion: 25-of-29 passing for 286 yards, two touchdowns, and another 63 yards with a score rushing in USC’s 42-26 defeat of San Jose State.

The third-year Trojans starter was hot, but evidently not as hot as the exposed seating of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Kicking off at noon local time amid what southern California meteorologists have labeled a “heat dome,” USC played before a paltry crowd. Temperatures approaching triple digits and little, if any shelter from the oppressive summer sun were apparently enough to keep a sizable portion of the would-be audience tuned in via NBC.

Lopsided loss leaves NC State at a crossroads

The only heat around college football more unbearable than a sun-cooked Coliseum may emanate from the seat of North Carolina State’s Dave Doeren.

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Doeren’s 14th season as Wolfpack head coach opened with a thud in Week 0, as Virginia cruised to a 34-8 win. NC State gained just 168 total yards of offense, with starting quarterback CJ Bailey throwing for only 84.

The Pack have been pictures of stability in Doeren’s tenure — and that may be the problem. NC State has run up against a hard cap of nine wins as its ceiling in the last decade-and-a-half, never quite breaking through to compete for ACC championships.

Saturday’s loss coming against the opponent it did provides some interesting reflection for the state of State. Virginia is coming off of an 11-win season and appearance in the ACC Championship Game under Tony Elliott, now in his fifth season heading up the Cavaliers.

Dual-threat quarterback Beau Pribula, a transfer from Missouri, further underscores the contrast. He almost matched NC State’s total offensive output on his own with both his passing (155 yards on just nine completions) and rushing (110 yards).

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The good news for Doeren and the Pack is that they have Week 1 off before hosting FCS opponent Richmond, thus have some opportunity to regroup before facing last season’s breakout surprise, Vanderbilt. Doeren also benefits from not having the ACC’s hottest seat, so long as Mike Norvell’s Florida State team fails to improve from its 34-17, Week 0 defeat of New Mexico State.

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How to use an alignment rod, per a top teacher

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UEFA vs Infantino: How the battle for FIFA’s future is escalating | Football News

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Gianni Infantino’s grip on FIFA is facing an increasingly serious challenge, with UEFA stepping up its opposition to the FIFA president on multiple fronts as the next presidential election approaches.

 

According to a media report from ESPN, UEFA has launched legal proceedings in the United States and Switzerland over Infantino’s handling of a controversial proposal to bring private-equity investment into FIFA’s commercial operations.

 

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The legal moves come alongside a wider political campaign against Infantino. UEFA has urged him not to seek another term and has indicated that, should he run, it will work with other confederations to find an alternative candidate.

 

What began as a dispute over FIFA’s commercial future has therefore evolved into something much bigger: a battle over Infantino’s leadership, with the 2027 FIFA presidential election looming on the horizon.

 

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What is UEFA challenging?

At the centre of the dispute is the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, a plan that would have separated FIFA’s commercial operation and opened the door to private-equity investment.

 

According to the ESPN report, the proposal involved selling a 20 per cent stake to a group of private-equity investors led by Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital.

 

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UEFA’s objections go beyond the proposal itself. The ESPN report said the planned complaint in Switzerland is expected to focus on the way Infantino allegedly attempted to push the plan through.

 

Among the issues expected to be raised are claims that Infantino negotiated with Thrive Capital in secret, did not consult FIFA Council members and agreed to a valuation of around $20 billion.

 

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That valuation is another major point of contention. FIFA reported revenues of around $15 billion for the 2023-26 cycle, and UEFA’s position, as described by ESPN, is that the proposed valuation significantly undervalued FIFA’s commercial operation.

 

The absence of a competitive tender, with no alternative bids reportedly sought, is also expected to form part of UEFA’s argument. 

Why are there legal proceedings in two countries?

UEFA’s legal strategy has two separate components. In the United States, it has filed a Section 1782 application in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

 

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Such an application can allow a party to seek evidence in the United States for use in proceedings taking place in another country. According to ESPN, UEFA is seeking access to potentially significant volumes of FIFA-related evidence, including emails, phone records and other documents.

 

The second move is in Switzerland, where FIFA and UEFA are both based.

 

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The planned complaint invokes Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code, which covers criminal mismanagement and carries a maximum custodial sentence of five years.

 

The allegations remain allegations. Neither the Swiss complaint nor the US application amounts to a finding of wrongdoing against Infantino.

 

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But the two-track approach gives UEFA a way to pursue evidence and maintain pressure even if the Swiss proceedings take time.

The abandoned plan that started the confrontation

The private-equity proposal had already become a major source of friction between FIFA and UEFA.

 

UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions in opposition to the plan, arguing that the governance and financial implications were unacceptable.

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The European governing body later withdrew that threat after saying it had secured legal guarantees from FIFA that a similar proposal to sell FIFA’s future revenue streams to private investors would not be revived.

 

But UEFA’s latest actions suggest that the underlying dispute was never fully settled.

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The focus has now shifted from whether the commercial proposal survives to whether the manner in which it was pursued warrants further investigation.

Why the 2027 election is crucial

The timing of the confrontation is particularly significant because Infantino’s future at FIFA will soon be decided by the organisation’s member associations.

 

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The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027, with candidates required to submit their paperwork by November 18.

 

UEFA has already made its preference clear. It has called on Infantino not to seek another mandate and has said that if he does stand for re-election, it will work with other confederations to identify a “credible alternative”. That transforms the legal dispute into an electoral battle.

 

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Infantino will need to maintain support across FIFA’s global membership while simultaneously dealing with legal scrutiny and opposition from one of the most powerful confederations in world football.

 

For UEFA, the objective may therefore be bigger than winning a legal argument. It is about building enough political pressure to make another Infantino term increasingly difficult.

UEFA could have allies beyond Europe

The challenge becomes considerably more serious if UEFA can build a coalition outside Europe.

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According to the ESPN report, Infantino’s opponents have support from significant portions of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf.

 

That matters because UEFA cannot determine a FIFA presidential election by itself. FIFA’s member associations vote individually, meaning a credible challenge to an incumbent requires support across continents.

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If opposition to Infantino spreads from UEFA into Asia and Concacaf, the contest could become far more competitive than a simple European revolt against the FIFA president.

The boycott threat remains UEFA’s biggest weapon

Legal action is not UEFA’s only means of applying pressure. The European body has retained the possibility of withdrawing from FIFA competitions if other avenues fail, although officials have described such a move as a last resort.

 

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The immediate impact would depend on which competition is affected. The FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December would involve only one European club, Paris Saint-Germain, limiting the potential damage.

 

The 2027 Women’s World Cup, however, would be a completely different proposition.

 

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A UEFA boycott of a senior FIFA World Cup would represent an extraordinary rupture in international football. If other confederations or major nations joined Europe, FIFA would face a crisis that could extend well beyond the dispute over its commercial structure.

 

That possibility gives UEFA a powerful negotiating tool, even if it never ultimately uses it.

Can this actually derail Infantino?

While Infantino is facing stiff challenges from UEFA, whether this will derail his campaign for FIFA’s presidency remains a question. The Swiss authorities may decide that the allegations do not justify further action. The Florida court may not grant UEFA’s request. And even if documents are released, they would still need to establish evidence of wrongdoing.

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Infantino also retains political support within FIFA. But UEFA does not necessarily need a courtroom victory to create difficulties for the FIFA president.

 

If the Florida proceedings result in the release of internal communications, they could prompt calls within FIFA for an independent review of how the private-equity negotiations were conducted.

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That, in turn, could put FIFA Council members in an uncomfortable position if there were concerns about potential legal exposure.

 

The political consequences could therefore become more important than the legal outcome itself.

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A battle over more than money

The dispute that began with FIFA’s commercial ambitions has now expanded into a fight over governance, accountability and leadership.

 

For UEFA, the stakes are no longer simply about stopping one private-equity proposal. It is trying to establish whether FIFA’s leadership can be challenged when major decisions are taken without what it considers adequate consultation and transparency.

 

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For Infantino, the challenge is equally broad. He has to defend himself against legal scrutiny, maintain support among FIFA’s members and potentially fight an organised opposition campaign ahead of the 2027 election.

 

The private-equity proposal may no longer be the immediate issue. Infantino’s presidency is.

 

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And with UEFA keeping legal action, cross-confederation opposition and the threat of a World Cup boycott in its arsenal, the battle for FIFA’s future is likely to become one of the defining power struggles in world football.

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Custom’s Courtza Stakes quest gets extra time in 2026

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The path of a racehorse is seldom a simple calculation, a fact that punters who supported Custom in her most recent run can readily confirm.

The Godolphin-owned four-year-old, under the care of Ciaron Maher, was sent off as an odds-on favourite at Caulfield Heath for her latest appearance on August 8.

This strong market backing was a consequence of a commanding three-length victory at Caulfield over 1200 metres on July 25, which followed a respectable first-up second over the same 1200-metre trip four weeks earlier.

The Maher stable learned valuable lessons from Custom’s recent defeat and have implemented strategies to avoid a repeat of bringing her back to the races too soon.

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Custom is scheduled to return to competition this Saturday, targeting the Group 3 Courtza Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, a return to black-type racing.

The daughter of Street Boss has previously achieved placings at Listed level and finished just outside the top four at Group 3 company as a three-year-old.

Maher is fully aware that Saturday’s race is a step up in class, but he believes Custom has matured into a stronger mare and deserves this opportunity.

The trainer utilised a visit to Caulfield on Tuesday morning for a gallop, an exercise that provided Maher with the confidence to commit to Saturday’s Group 3 event.

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“She worked well and she is a nice horse,” Maher stated.

“It was a bit disappointing last time, but she ran a huge peak second-up and then running her back two weeks (later), it can be, off a peak, hard to do.

“She didn’t get the smoothest flow in running, but she’s at that level and it is worth a shot.”

Maher has secured the services of Ethan Brown, recently back from a stint in Hong Kong, to ride Custom on Saturday, replacing apprentice Jabez Johnstone in the non-claiming race.

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The Maher stable also has Salty Pearl entered for Saturday’s program.

Salty Pearl is first-up on Saturday, having previously finished third in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and fifth behind Panova in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville in April.

Get the latest racing odds from top Australian betting sites for the Courtza Stakes.

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Frank Bruno reacts to Moses Itauma’s shock KO defeat to Filip Hrgovic

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Moses Itauma suffered the first defeat of his career this weekend in London, losing to Filip Hrgovic inside nine rounds, failing to capture the vacant IBF heavyweight world title. Frank Bruno, who became champion on his fourth attempt, has offered his verdict.

Itauma was comfortably outboxing Hrgovic in the early rounds, scoring a knockdown in the second while dazzling fans with agility and speed. The more seasoned heavyweight from Croatia displayed an incredible chin to stay in the fight, and it paid off when Itauma started to slow down.

In the ninth, the young Brit’s gas tank was completely empty, and his body threatened to betray him with every shot he threw. Hrgovic piled on the pressure and forced referee Howard Foster to step in and stop the action – this coincided with Itauma’s trainer, Ben Davison, throwing in the towel.

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Reflecting on the action, Bruno compared it to his own firs loss.

“So, Croatian boxer Filip Hrgović becomes champion. When it got to the end of round 7, I said, ‘Moses is running out of gas.” You know, when I fought James Bone Crusher Smith, I had beaten everyone before him in early rounds. I was up for the World Championship, but I still had lessons to learn, and I lost the fight.

“Moses, I feel, will be part of Britain’s heavyweight he  ritage, but this was a learning lesson for him and his team. It was a good fight, and I wish Moses a quick recovery. At one point, Filip looked like he was beaten. Good fight, but Moses will return, I am sure. Stronger and wiser.”

Promoter Frank Warren has said that Itauma suffered a leg injury during the fight, though the extent of this – or any other potential health issues – is not currently known.

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India vs Thailand LIVE Score, Women's Asia Cup 2026: Harmanpreet Kaur-Led India Invited To Bat By Thailand

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India vs Thailand LIVE Score Updates, Women’s Asia Cup 2026: India have been invited to bat first by Thailand in their Women’s T20 Asia Cup Group A opener.

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5 reasons you should practice hitting balls off a tee

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Report: Falcons acquire DT Gervon Dexter from Bears ahead of roster deadline

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A day expected to be full of movement in the NFL world is underway.

The Atlanta Falcons acquired defensive tackle Gervon Dexter from the Chicago Bears for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday.

Dexter, 25, spent the first three seasons of his career in Chicago after joining the team as a second-round pick in the 2023 draft.

In 17 games last season, the six-foot-six, 326-pound Florida product had 44 tackles, including a career-high six sacks, to go with two fumble recoveries.

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Over 49 career contests, Dexter owns 115 tackles, 13.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries.

NFL rosters have to be down to 53 players from 90 before 6 p.m. ET Sunday, spurring movement across the league.

Offensive tackle Broderick Jones, quarterback Quinn Ewers and defensive lineman CJ Okoye changed teams in separate deals on Saturday.

QBs J.J. McCarthy and Anthony Richardson are among those who also could be on the move.

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The most accomplished player on the roster bubble is three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is attempting a comeback with the Giants.

More than 1,100 players will be cut in all. Many will rejoin their teams on the practice squad. Others will go to new teams. Some will reach the end of their NFL career.

–with files from The Associated Press

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Cricketer Turned ICC Match Referee’s Metro Journey Goes Viral. Internet Reacts

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Former India pacer Javagal Srinath has caught the attention of fans with his recent act of simplicity. A picture of Srinath opting for a metro ride instead of luxury transport is being widely circulated on social media. The post, originally shared on LinkedIn, has garnered thousands of likes and comments. In the photo, Srinath can be seen standing in the corner of a metro coach, holding his trolley bag in one hand. He is dressed in a sky-blue shirt tucked into a pair of denim jeans and complemented by semi-formal brown leather brogues.

Fans took to social media to praise Srinath’s simplicity, choosing metro travel over luxury transport.

Currently an ICC match referee, Srinath represented India in 67 Tests from 1991 to 2002, taking 236 wickets at an average of 30.49, with 10 five-wicket hauls and a ten-fer, with best figures of 8/86. He is India’s 10th-highest wicket-taker in Tests.

He also played 229 ODIs for India, taking 315 wickets at an average of 28.08, with three five-wicket hauls and best figures of 5/23. He is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs and the highest wicket-taker amongst Indian pacers in the 50-over format.

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In 296 international matches, he has taken 551 wickets in 296 matches at an average of 29.11, with 13 five-fors and a ten-fer and is the seventh-highest wicket-taker for India.

Speaking at an event earlier this week, Srinath called Test cricket the “mother of all cricket”, encouraging youngsters to take the format more seriously, saying that someone who can play the longer format finds it easy to play T20s.

Srinath said, “IPL is important, but you need depth in cricket, which is there in Tests. Test cricket is a five-day format, which is why it is called the ‘mother of all cricket.’ A player who plays Test cricket can also find it easier to play T20 cricket, but for someone who only plays T20 cricket, playing Test cricket is not as easy. Stick to Test cricket, the longer version of the game. Alongside that, you can also play T20,” he said.

(With ANI Inputs)

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