Jadon Sancho, who became a free agent in the summer after leaving Manchester United, now has the opportunity to move to Dubai
Jadon Sancho is among a group of high‑profile free agents offered the chance to link up with Arabian Falcons. The Dubai‑based club is led by former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who has made an impressive start to the new campaign.
The Falcons have also strengthened their off‑field structure, bringing in Crystal Palace FA Cup finalist Jason Puncheon as co‑owner and head of football operations, alongside Leicester City Premier League winner Danny Simpson. On the pitch, they are captained by ex‑Manchester United prospect Ravel Morrison, who joined the club last season.
Advertisement
The project gives unattached players, including Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba and several others, an opportunity to maintain fitness and stay sharp while they search for their next move. Some may even choose to remain in Dubai long‑term, with the tax‑free environment adding to the appeal.
Delivering a rallying call, Shelvey exclusively told Mirror Football: “We’ve seen ex-Premier League players go months without a club and lose all their sharpness.
“There’s no reason for that to happen. Come to Dubai, train with us every single day, get proper minutes, and be ready the second the phone rings.”
Advertisement
Simpson also added: “I know what it’s like waiting for the right move to come along. This is the perfect place to stay ready – the weather, the facilities, the lifestyle, the football. There’s no excuse not to be match fit out here.”
Sancho has been without a club since United released him at the end of June. The England international has undertaken loan spells at Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa over the past three years.
All three clubs declined the chance to sign him on a permanent basis, with Chelsea even paying a £5million penalty fee to avoid triggering a £25m obligation-to-buy clause.
Advertisement
The winger had been linked with moves to Fiorentina and Roma throughout the summer, while Brazilian outfit Palmeiras were also reported to have shown interest. He is not the only high-profile player to remain unattached.
His England colleague Sterling has similarly struggled to secure a new club, as has Pogba. Global stars Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal, Philippe Coutinho, Anthony Martial and numerous others also remain without a team.
The Falcons compete in the second tier of Emirati football, but have hit the ground running in the new campaign.
The club harbour ambitious plans to win promotion and establish themselves as an attractive destination for football stars seeking to prolong their careers in Dubai.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Ho Thi Bich Diep during a game vs PLDT High Speed Hitters in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Sixteen-year-old spiker Ho Thi Bich Diep and Vietnamese squad Ho Chi Minh City are eager to learn from the Philippine pro clubs in their rare overseas stint in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference.
Team captain Dang Thi Kim Thanh also powered the Vietnamese club with 19 points as they improved to 1-2 and joined Farm Fresh in a three-way tie with PLDT.
For Ho Chi Minh, its participation in the PVL is integral to the program’s growth and the young Vietnamese aim to learn from the Filipinos as well as Thai club Est Cola.
That’s why Ho is soaking in all the lessons she can pick up in every game.
“I was trying hard to follow this high-level of play, being young and as a rookie,” Ho said through a translator. “I’m grateful for the more experienced veterans that are on the court, reminding and pushing me, giving me the support, so that I can play comfortably, and to be able to keep at the same level of the team.”
Ho was also grateful for the veteran Vietnamese players who are guiding them in their PVL campaign, including their captain Dang, who had a national team call-up.
“I’m happy that I got the support and trust of my teammates, motivating me to accomplish what I did tonight, and for the future games,” she said.
Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement
Ho Chi Minh has two more games, facing Nxled on Friday before EST Cola on Sunday, with the top two teams advancing to the final.
The young spiker is slowly getting her groove in the week-long PVL tournament.
“A lot of the younger players had a really good time experiencing older players, more experienced players, understanding the high technical level, the attack patterns, and how to adjust and how to adapt to this high-level play. I’m grateful for the experience and being able to adapt when it comes to these challenges,” Ho said.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
There’s the Premier League and then there’s everyone else. The 20 Premier League sides spent more than €4 billion this summer in the transfer market, setting a new record. Manchester City broke the record for the most spent by a single club in one summer, with more than €500 million spent on new signings. That’s almost as much as the 18 French Ligue 1 clubs combined (€605 million).
Also in this edition:
Lionel Messi will get his tribute after announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team. In Germany, Bayern Munich comfortably secured their place in the round of 32 of the German Cup.
The US Open continues in New York, with Daniil Medvedev and Arthur Rinderknech advancing to the third round. There was a major upset as Rafael Jodar was eliminated after losing to lucky loser Yunchaokete Bu.
Advertisement
In cycling, British rider Matthew Brennan claimed his third stage victory at the 2026 Vuelta.
HYBE Chairman and founder Bang Si-hyuk has been referred to prosecutors according to a report by Chosunbiz. It was done over allegations that he and four others had misled investors before the company’s stock market debut and subsequently obtained about 263.1 billion won in alleged illicit gains.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Financial Crimes Investigation Division referred Bang to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office without detention on September 3, 2026. Four others were also referred in connection with the case, including a HYBE executive, former chief financial officer Kwon, Eastone PE CEO Yang and New Main Equity CEO Kim.
The allegations center on events in 2019, when HYBE was still known as Big Hit Entertainment and was preparing for its eventual initial public offering. Investigators allege that Bang and other HYBE officials gave existing shareholders the impression that there were no immediate plans for an IPO.
Advertisement
Between August and October 2019, some shareholders allegedly sold their stakes to a private equity fund linked to people close to Bang. Police further allege that the same parties later told investors in the fund that an IPO was being planned, helping the fund raise money to purchase HYBE shares.
HYBE eventually went public in October 2020. According to investigators, Bang Si-hyuk and others had reached a confidential arrangement that allowed them to receive part of the profits made when the private equity fund sold its HYBE shares after the listing. Police estimate the resulting alleged unfair gains at 263.1 billion won.
A court has approved an order preserving the full amount ahead of possible forfeiture. Such an order prevents assets believed to be connected to alleged criminal proceeds from being transferred or disposed of before the case is resolved.
Advertisement
Police said the alleged conduct involved concealing IPO-related information from existing shareholders while using it to benefit management and private equity participants.
Bang Si-hyuk’s IPO related case moves to prosecutors as investigation concludes
The case began with a preliminary inquiry in December 2024 and was formally converted into a full investigation in May 2025. Police later described July 2025 as the start of their full-scale probe. South Korea’s Securities and Futures Commission also filed a complaint concerning the transactions, bringing financial authorities further into the investigation.
Authorities have examined transactions involving HYBE shares, a private equity fund and an alleged undisclosed agreement under which Bang reportedly received about 30% of profits from the transactions. Police estimate the alleged amount involved at around 190 billion won, approximately $129 million. The referral does not mean Bang Si-hyuk has been indicted or found guilty, as prosecutors will now assess the evidence and determine the next steps.
Investigators are examining whether a private equity fund sold HYBE shares following the company’s 2020 stock market debut and whether Bang later received approximately 30% of the resulting profits through an undisclosed arrangement. Police have estimated the alleged profits connected to the transactions at roughly 190 billion won.
Advertisement
Authorities are investigating the allegations under South Korea’s Capital Markets Act, which prohibits deceptive or misleading practices in financial transactions. Police say the case concerns conduct they believe could undermine the fairness and credibility of the country’s capital markets.
Investigators searched the Korea Exchange in June 2025 for documents connected to HYBE’s listing review. They raided HYBE’s Seoul headquarters the following month and collected documents and other materials related to the transactions.
Bang Si-hyuk underwent five rounds of questioning between September and November 2025. His first session on September 15 lasted more than 14 hours, followed by questioning on September 22 and November 5, 7 and 9. No further summons involving Bang Si-hyuk were reported after November.
Police sought an arrest warrant for Bang twice in April 2026. Prosecutors returned both requests, citing insufficient grounds for detention and requesting additional investigative work. Police subsequently decided to refer Bang’s case to prosecutors without taking him into custody.
Advertisement
Bang Si-hyuk has been under a travel restriction since August 2025. The measure drew renewed attention in April 2026 after the U.S. Embassy in South Korea reportedly asked the Korean National Police Agency to cooperate with Bang’s travel to the United States in connection with BTS’s ongoing world tour.
A former HYBE chief investment officer surnamed Kim is being handled separately. Kim reportedly left South Korea while the investigation was underway, prompting police to obtain an arrest warrant and seek a wanted notice and an Interpol Red Notice.
Bang Si-hyuk’s defense team has argued that investigators’ concerns can be addressed through objective evidence and supporting materials. The team said it expects the allegations to undergo transparent examination during the prosecution stage.
The investigation has also influenced investor sentiment toward HYBE. The company’s shares reportedly fell 2.9% after reports that authorities had sought Bang’s arrest, while the broader KOSPI index rose 1.8%.
Advertisement
The case now rests with prosecutors, who can seek an indictment, request additional investigative measures or take other legal action after reviewing the police file. Bang Si-hyuk has not been convicted of any wrongdoing.
Under the Capital Markets Act, fraudulent trading involving financial investment products can carry significant penalties. Where alleged unlawful profits reach at least 5 billion won, the law permits punishment ranging from a minimum five-year prison sentence to life imprisonment.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Cam Schlittler gave up one run and two hits in eight superb innings, and the New York Yankees scored five two-out runs in 10th in a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night.
New York loaded the bases with one out in the 10th when Jose Caballero singled, the automatic runner holding at third, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. walked against reliever Luke Murphy (0-2).
Murphy got Luis Garcia Jr. to pop out, but Austin Wells stroked a two-run single to right, Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single to centre, Trent Grisham hit an RBI single to left, and Ben Rice had an RBI single to right for a 6-1 lead.
David Bednar (7-3) struck out three in a scoreless ninth for the win. Yankees reliever Michael Fulmer gave up a two-run homer to Moisés Ballesteros in the bottom of the 10th.
Advertisement
A marquee matchup between two of baseball’s best pitchers did not disappoint, Schlittler striking out nine and walking none and Angels left-hander Reid Detmers allowing one run and six hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking none.
Schlittler, who has an AL-best 2.04 ERA, retired 20 of the first 21 batters he faced, his only blemish a soft single to left by Vaughn Grissom in the second.
But he grooved a 95-m.p.h. cutter to Grissom in the seventh, and the Angels first baseman drove it over the center-field wall for a solo homer and a 1-1 tie.
It was Schlittler’s franchise-record 19th start in which he has allowed one or no runs, moving him ahead of Ron Guidry (1978), Whitey Ford (1964) and Jack Chesbro (1904), who had 18 each.
Advertisement
Detmers, who has a major league-best 1.52 ERA since the All-Star break, gave up a run in the fourth on Amed Rosario’s RBI double.
The game was delayed for about 10 minutes in the sixth when a 79.5-mph line drive off the bat of Rice hit a photographer in the head in the first-base camera well. The photographer was able to walk to a medical emergency vehicle and shake Rice’s hand before being carted away.
Yankees: LHP Max Fried (4-4, 2.80 ERA) was set to face Padres RHP Walker Buehler (8-6, 4.66 ERA) Friday night in San Diego.
Angels: RHP Ryan Johnson (3-7, 5.47 ERA) was scheduled to oppose Pirates RHP Jared Jones (2-6, 4.83 ERA) Friday night in Pittsburgh.
NAM vs ZIM Live Updates: Zimbabwe face a must-win clash against Namibia in the fifth match of the tri-series, with their place in the final at stake. Zimbabwe have lost twice to South Africa but edged Namibia by five runs in their previous meeting. Namibia, meanwhile, can seal a final spot with a win. The last encounter was a thriller, with Ryan Burl rescuing Zimbabwe after a dramatic collapse before Namibia’s Zane Green and Alexander Busing-Volschenk nearly pulled off a stunning chase.
Namibia Squad: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Gerhard Erasmus(c), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, JJ Smit, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green(w), Alexander Volschenk, Bernard Scholtz, Jack Brassell, Max Heingo, Waldo Smith, Junior Taanyanda, Jan Balt, Michael van Lingen, Malan Kruger
Zimbabwe Squad: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Wesley Madhavere, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Graeme Cremer
Mike Dean has admitted he would play secret mini-games while refereeing Premier League matches in a mystifying revelation that has outraged fans.
Dean has not refereed since retiring in 2022 after a 22-year officiating career, during which he took charge of 553 top-flight games.
While one of the most recognisable in his field, the 58-year-old was also a notably controversial figure for his unique manner of refereeing, with on-pitch gags and his self-admitted “arrogance” sometimes seeing him end up under the spotlight.
Pundit Garth Crooks famously blasted Dean as “petulant schoolteacher” in a now widely-shared clip on BBC’s Final Score in 2015, saying: “He wants to be the star too often. It’s really getting on my nerves because he’s spoiling great games. It’s not about you, Mike, it’s about the games.”
And now, Dean has found himself on the end of a torrent of criticism after saying he would set himself side-quests during matches, such as waiting as long as possible to blow his whistle.
Advertisement
Speaking on Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party podcast, he said: “There used to be games that we used to have, as a laugh, we used to say, ‘Right, we’ll kick off now, right? See how long we can go without blowing a whistle.’
“Done that a few times in the Premier, before VAR obviously. Went 20–25 minutes without blowing a whistle a few times. Let it go, let it go, let it go.
“I used to do another thing in the Premier League. I used to stand in the centre circle and see how long I could stay in the centre circle before I had to leave.
“That was just me joking about. The lads used to be on the line saying ‘you can’t’. I said ‘I’ll try it’. I just used to run around but don’t come out of it. Got about 15 minutes once in one game, without leaving the centre circle.”
Advertisement
This has sparked uproar on social media, with supporters blasting Dean’s actions as “unprofessional” and “disgusting”, while also calling into question his integrity.
English refereeing governing body Pro Ref, formerly known as PGMOL, has been contacted for comment.
Dean suggests the incidents came in a pre-VAR era, which was introduced fully in 2019, which would indicate the refereeing body was under previous leadership.
Former India batter and Director of Cricket at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, VVS Laxman, is set to travel with the Indian men’s team to Japan and will take charge as head coach in the absence of Gautam Gambhir for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya later this month.Gautam Gambhir will remain with the senior side for India’s home ODI series against the West Indies. The first ODI is scheduled to be played on September 27.Laxman will be assisted by former India spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, according to the list of coaches released by the Sports Ministry. The development was earlier reported by TimesofIndia.com in July.Laxman has previous Asian Games experience, having coached the Indian men’s team at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, where India won the gold medal.
India to defend Men’s and Women’s Asian Games cricket titles
The cricket competition at the Asian Games will begin on September 24, with India scheduled to play its opening men’s match on September 28. India will defend its men’s T20 title under captain Shreyas Iyer, with teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also part of the squad. The men’s team will face the second-placed side from Group A, which comprises Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal.The Indian women’s team will also enter the tournament as defending champions and will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur. The women’s side will enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage and face hosts Japan. Amol Muzumdar will continue as the head coach of the women’s team, with bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi and fielding coach Munish Bali completing his support staff.
The Italian Grand Prix has been declared a heat-hazard race as high temperatures continue in the country following the summer heatwave.
A heat hazard is an official designation for an event where it is forecasted that temperatures will be more than 31C at some point during the race on Sunday.
The ambient temperatures around Monza, north-east of Milan, are expected to be in the mid-30C region all weekend.
They peaked at 36C on Wednesday afternoon near Milan’s Linate airport.
Advertisement
The ruling means drivers can use a system that flows cooled liquid, such as glycol, through a system of pipes in a fireproof top worn under their overalls.
The cooling kit is not mandatory, but any driver who chooses not to use it has to carry 5kg of ballast in their car to ensure they do not have a competitive advantage.
Your driver may be all business, but your headcover doesn’t have to be. Today’s options go far beyond plain leather and oversized brand logos, letting golfers bring their favorite teams, movies, animals and even beer to the first tee.
From a Tiger with serious bite to Ron Burgundy in his finest suit, these driver headcovers protect your most expensive clubs while giving the rest of your foursome something to talk about.
Here are a few of our favorites for golfers who believe a bag should have as much personality as the person carrying it. You can find all these models, including hundreds more, at PGA Tour Superstore.
Hometown Brands makes a huge variety of headcovers featuring popular teams from college to pro and beyond. For instance, why not show your Packers pride with this officially licensed NFL driver headcover? It fits all USGA-conforming drivers and features durable, UV-resistant vinyl with a plush interior for added protection. And if this isn’t your team, there are plenty of others to choose from.
Advertisement
1 thing we really like: The high-quality materials and embroidery mean this headcover will last a long time.
All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team.
If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.
Rewind is bringing the funny with its latest movie-inspired headcover designs and the Ron Burgundy suit is no exception. Officially licensed by Paramount Pictures, this Anchorman-inspired headcover features durable, UV-resistant vinyl and a plush interior. Let the quotes begin…
1 thing we really like: The sharp suit design is instantly recognizable without being over the top—very classy, San Diego.
Yes, this is the one Tiger Woods has had on his driver for decades and it’s the OG plush if there ever was one. So, why not bring a little wild style to your golf bag? Its UV-resistant exterior helps withstand sun exposure, while the extra-plush synthetic sheepskin lining protects the club underneath. Daphne’s Headcovers have been at this for a long time and the quality in every model shows.
Advertisement
1 thing we really like: The lifetime guarantee adds serious peace of mind.
Quality comes first with the design of our headcovers. The fabrics are designed to fend-off wear and tear of the sun’s UVA rays. We protect your investment of your clubs and they deter theft by not advertising what’s under the headcover. – Lifetime Guarantee! Each head cover carries a 100% guarantee. We protect the investment in your expensive equipment and line our headcovers with thick, synthetic sheepskin which we introduced to the market. Our lining is double the plush of any other on the market
Team Effort offers an extensive collection of headcovers representing collegiate and professional sports teams. Options range from traditional designs and plush characters (like the Oregon mascot featured here) to coordinated sets for every wood in your bag. You can even find matching alignment-stick covers to protect your gear while representing your favorite team.
1 thing we really like: Team Effort has a knack for nailing the colors of every single brand, especially those with bright, bold colorways.
Made by Buried Lies, this barrel-inspired design puts a playful spin on the familiar Coors Light branding right on top of your golf bag. Comes with the classic Coors Light logo and “Choose Chill” embroidered on the top section. It’s one of many creative headcovers from the Buried Lies brand.
1 thing we really like: It looks like a can of beer sitting on your bag, making it an easy conversation starter for the 1st tee. This is especially true if you plan on teeing off early in the morning.
Carlos Queiroz has been reappointed as head coach of Ghana’s men’s national team.
The 73-year-old, who had two spells as assistant manager at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, took charge of the Black Stars in April and led the side to the last 32 at this year’s Fifa World Cup, where they were beaten 1-0 by Colombia.
Queiroz appeared to announce his own departure on social media shortly after that defeat, but the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has decided to re-engage him for another spell in charge following internal discussions.
The GFA has not announced the length of his new deal but said he will prepare the team for “a successful new phase on the international stage”.
Advertisement
“The GFA believes Queiroz’s extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars position him strongly to lead the team into this next chapter,” a statement added.
Queiroz has previously led Iran, Portugal and Egypt at major tournaments and has had stints in charge of South Africa, Colombia and Qatar.
Further details on his mandate will be announced by the GFA in due course.
Queiroz will begin his second spell in charge of the West Africans with qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which begin later this month.
Advertisement
The Black Stars are yet to announce the dates and venues for their first two fixtures in Group C, where they have been drawn alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login