Australian Minister of Home Affairs Tony Burke announced at a news conference Tuesday that another Iranian women’s soccer player and a team staffer have accepted asylum in Australia amid fear of punishment upon returning to Iran after five players accepted asylum on Sunday.

Burke added that almost all the Iranian players and many of the support staff were taken aside, individually, as they passed through Australian Customs at an airport before they boarded their flight back to Iran.

And they were each given the opportunity to accept an asylum offer without Iranian state officials present, but other players or staff accepted the offer to stay. 

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Iranian players react during their national anthem ahead of a Women’s Asian Cup soccer match against the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026.  (Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP)

The asylum bids came amid increased pressure from President Donald Trump Monday and Iranian groups in Australia.

“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump later wrote, “I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. 

“He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return. In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!”

The team arrived in Australia before Israel and the U.S. launched a joint offensive against Iran Feb. 28. The strikes led to the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

TRUMP TELLS LIONEL MESSI, ‘YOU CAME IN AND YOU WON,’ DURING INTER MIAMI WHITE HOUSE CELEBRATION

Iranian players during their national anthem ahead of a Women’s Asian Cup soccer against the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAPImage via AP)

Iranian players refused to sing their national anthem before an opening loss to South Korea March 2, which was viewed by some as an act of resistance dubbed by an Iranian commentator to be the “pinnacle of dishonor.”

The team didn’t qualify, but the players sang the anthem and saluted before their losses to Australia and the Philippines.

“These women are tremendously popular in Australia, but we realize they are in a terribly difficult situation with the decisions that they’re making,” Burke said. “The opportunity will continue to be there for them to talk to Australian officials if they wish to.”

The Australian Iranian Council launched an online petition urging Australian authorities to “ensure that no member of Iran’s women’s national football team is to depart Australia while credible fears for their safety remain.

“Where credible evidence exists that visiting athletes may face persecution, imprisonment, coercion, or worse upon return, silence is not a neutral position,” the petition added. “The current wartime environment has intensified repression, fear, and the risks faced by anyone publicly perceived by the Islamic Republic as disloyal.”

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Iranian players pose for a team photo ahead of a Women’s Asian Cup soccer match against the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAPImage via AP, File)

Iran head coach Marziyeh Jafari was quoted as saying on Australia’s national news agency that the team wants “to come back to Iran as soon as we can.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Newcastle vs Barcelona LIVE Streaming, UEFA Champions League: Barcelona take on Newcastle United in the first-leg of a highly-anticipated UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash. It is the second time that the Blaugrana will take on the English side in the competition, having earlier defeated them 2-1 in the group stage. The Spanish giants enter the game in good form, having won their last four matches. Hansi Flick’s side will be banking on the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Pedri to shine, but also have a long injury list, headlined by the absences of Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde. On the other hand, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle will have to manage without star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, but will hope for an inspired showing from forwards Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade.

Newcastle United vs FC Barcelona LIVE Streaming, UEFA Champions League Round Of 16 LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How to Watch

When will the Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match take place?

The Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match will take place on Wednesday, March 11 (IST).

Where will the Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match be held?

The Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match will be held at St. James’ Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

What time will the Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match start?

The Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match will start at 1:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match?

The Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match will be televised live on the Sony Sports network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match?

The Newcastle vs Barcelona, Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match will be live streamed on the SonyLIV app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

The Vikings theory was reasonably sound.

Gone is Ryan Kelly, the rugged veteran who occupied for the C1 spot for a single season (with no shortage of injury turmoil). Minnesota could opt for one of Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, or Zeke Correll. None can match Kelly, though.

Would anything have been different by adding Elgton Jenkins?

The large lad has been an excellent player for the Packers for a long time. He’s one of the few who can match — or surpass — Brandel’s versatility. Bringing him to the Twin Cities to lock down the center spot had merit until it evaporated.

Vikings Theory about Elgton Jenkins Evaporates

Ian Rapoport, The NFL Network, tosses over the update.

“The #Browns are expected to sign former #Packers Pro Bowl C Elgton Jenkins,” Rapoport begins, “per me and @TomPelissero. He can play guard or center for Cleveland. It’s a 2-year, $24M deal with $20M guaranteed.” At least in a general sense, the Jenkins deal mirrors Kelly’s insofar as it involves a veteran interior lineman playing on a two-year deal and for a similar financial commitment (Kelly was sitting at $20 million).

In Mr. Jenkins, the Browns are getting a good one. Not as well-known as many of the NFL’s top talents, but someone who has been rock solid for a little while. His résumé shows a pair of trips to the Pro Bowl.

Consider what he has done across his career in terms of snap counts across the o-line positions:

• LT: 524 Snaps
• LG: 4,161 Snaps
• C: 906 Snaps
• RG: 2 Snaps
• RT: 374 Snaps

Cleveland would be wise to play to Jenkins’ strengths, allowing him to settle into where’s he’s comfortable. Seldom, though, are the Cleveland Browns a wise football team. For his part, Elgton Jenkins has proven to be quite selfless and team first in his approach, rightly commanding a pile of respect.

Around Minnesota, there’s ongoing concern about what’s going to take place at quarterback, especially with the Geno Smith surprise. Whoever is passing the ball is going to have a better time if the o-line is solid.

Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw has had his deal restructured. He’s not going anywhere. Left guard Donovan Jackson is coming off an impressive rookie season; right guard Will Fries will want to bounce back from a modest effort in 2025. Meanwhile, Brian O’Neill is still doing his thing. The only factor that appears likely to get adjusted is his deal, which expires after the season. Look for an extension.

The opening at center is where things get uncertain.

At the very least, the Vikings can proceed with the understanding that the floor is known. The 2025 season offered a ton of tape on what Jurgens and Brandel can do at center. Did either show enough to fully settle the debate? Or, perhaps, did the coaching staff see the exact opposite, red flags that need to get addressed?

Elgton Jenkins, 30, comes in at 6’5″ and 311 pounds. The Packers gained cap space by moving on but aren’t as good as they were with him on the roster.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.

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

Russian tennis player Alana Tuayeva has been banned from professional tennis for three years and nine months after admitting to match-fixing offences.

The sanction was confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which announced that Tuayeva accepted the punishment along with a £22,000 fine, part of which has been suspended.

According to the ITIA, the 26-year-old admitted to fixing two of her own matches on the ITF World Tennis Tour in 2023 and 2024. By accepting the charges, Tuayeva also waived her right to a hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer.

Tuayeva, whose highest singles ranking was No. 1282 in the world, has already been under provisional suspension since December 19, 2025. That period will count toward her ban, meaning she will be eligible to return on September 18, 2029, provided any outstanding fines are paid.

While serving the suspension, Tuayeva is prohibited from competing in, coaching at, or attending any event sanctioned by major tennis bodies, including the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and the International Tennis Federation.

The case forms part of ongoing efforts by tennis authorities to combat corruption and protect the integrity of the sport at all levels.

Tottenham replaced goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in just the 17th minute of their Champions League last-16 tie at Atletico Madrid after conceding three goals inside the opening quarter of an hour.

The Czech Republic stopper, 22, endured a nightmare start and interim boss Igor Tudor quickly replaced him with Guglielmo Vicario.

Italian Vicario has started the majority of Tottenham‘s games this season but was dropped for Tuesday’s first-leg tie in Madrid after being criticised for poor performances.

However, Vicario also conceded five minutes after coming on as Atletico stormed into a 4-0 lead by the 22nd minute, before Pedro Porro reduced the deficit by half-time.

Tottenham signed Kinsky from Slavia Prague in a deal worth about £12.5m in January 2025.

His first error – a slip – led to Marcos Llorente making it 1-0 in the sixth minute, before Antoine Griezmann added a second eight minutes later.

Kinsky – who last started in October for the second of two Carabao Cup games this season – was also at fault for Atletico’s third goal, gifting the ball straight to Julian Alvarez to finish easily in the 15th minute.

The keeper had his head in his hands after that horror show and was taken off less than two minutes later, going straight down the tunnel.

BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty, who was at the match, said: “I’ve watched a lot of football but not sure I’ve ever witnessed anything quite like this.

“Not just those mistakes, but Igor Tudor’s decision to take Antonin Kinsky off.

“What a horrible night for the young keeper. The Atleti fans actually gave him sympathetic applause but not sure how he can be consoled after that.”

BBC Sport’s Spanish football reporter Elizabeth Conway, also at the match, added: “Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro went straight over to Antonin Kinsky as he left the pitch to show their support.

“It was a disastrous 17 minutes for the 22-year-old Czech.”

After training with ChatGPT over the last six months, Ukrainian biathlete Maksym Murashkovskyi won a silver medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympic Games.

Murashkovskyi, 25, said he used the AI chatbot in a variety of ways throughout his training.

“For the past six months, I have been training with ChatGPT,” Murashkovskyi said, according to The Athletic. “It was not only tactics. It was half of my training plan, motivation, etcetera. So it was a huge volume of all of my training.

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Silver medalist Maksym Murashkovskyi of Team Ukraine and guide Vitaliy Trush celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Para Biathlon Men’s Individual Visually Impaired on day two of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy, on March 8, 2026. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“I used it as a psychologist, coach and sometimes, as a doctor.”

Murashkovskyi won a few medals at the Para Biathlon World Cup in January and gave credit to ChatGPT for his success.

“I also won a few medals there, and even a gold. So I can give great credit to ChatGPT,” he said. “I believe in it, it is a revolutionary technology.”

IRAN’S FLAG REMOVED FROM PARALYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY AFTER SOLE ATHLETE WITHDRAWS OVER TRAVEL SAFETY CONCERNS

Gold medalist Hesong Dang of Team People’s Republic of China and guide Hongda Lu, silver medalist Maksym Murashkovskyi of Team Ukraine and guide Vitaliy Trush, and bronze medalist Dmytro Suiarko of Team Ukraine and guide Oleksandr Nikonovych pose for a photo on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Para Biathlon Men’s Individual Visually Impaired on day two of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy, on March 8, 2026. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Murashkovskyi was asked if AI could replace coaches, psychologists and doctors, and he agreed to an extent.

“Not completely for five to 10 years. But part of it, definitely.”

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Maksym Murashkovskyi of Team Ukraine approaches the finish line with guide Vitaliy Trush during the Para Biathlon Individual Visually Impaired on day two of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy, on March 8, 2026. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Murashkovskyi competed under the NS3 classification, which is applied to athletes with the lowest level of visual impairment. He ran the race alongside his guide skier, Vitaly Trush. For the NS2 and NS3 competitors, guide skiers are optional, but are mandatory for NS1 athletes.

Murashkovskyi finished with a time of 33:41.1 in the men’s individual vision-impaired event on Sunday. He was just over two minutes behind Chinese gold medalist Dang Hesong, and beat his compatriot Dmytro Suiarko for second place.

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