Chelsea FC have been fined £10.75 million ($14.27 million) and handed a suspended one-year transfer ban after being found guilty of historical breaches of Premier League rules.
The London club were also given an immediate nine-month ban from signing academy players, according to a statement released by the league on Monday.
The sanctions are linked to information provided to the Premier League by the consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly after the group completed the takeover of the club from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022.
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Following its investigation, the Premier League discovered that between 2011 and 2018, several undisclosed payments were made by third parties connected to Chelsea to players, unregistered agents and other individuals.
Despite these findings, the league stated that even if the payments had been included in the club’s financial submissions at the time, Chelsea would not have violated the league’s profitability and sustainability rules.
Officials also noted that Chelsea’s willingness to report the issue, admit the breaches and cooperate fully with the investigation were considered when determining the sanctions.
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In a related development, The Football Association has also charged Chelsea with 74 alleged breaches of its regulations, based on the same information submitted by the club’s current ownership.
New Balance is teaming up with the Patriots, making the brand the official and exclusive athletic footwear and apparel partner of the team and Gillette Stadium.
The partnership includes the development of a new state-of-the-art training center in New England. It will give the company a major presence across performance, facilities and community initiatives.
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The Patriots’ new training complex next to Gillette Stadium will be named the New Balance Athletics Center, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday. It will open this spring, while the surrounding practice fields will be known as the New Balance Practice Fields.
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The name announcement sparked reactions from NFL fans on X, with some posting jokes and humorous takes about the facility.
New Balance maintains a broad global sponsorship portfolio that spans teams, leagues and athletes. Among its notable partnerships are the New York Road Runners and the NBA, along with MLB franchises such as the Red Sox and the Mets.
The brand also released collaborative product lines with prominent athletes, including Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.
A look at the moves the Patriots have made in free agency
The start of the new league year brought significant roster turnover to the New England Patriots. The team allowed two starters from last season, K’Lavon Chaisson and Jaylinn Hawkins, to leave in free agency, but quickly added new talent.
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One of the headline additions was Kevin Byard, who reunites with Pats coach Mike Vrabel after spending six seasons together with the Titans. The veteran safety signed a one-year, $9 million contract and is expected to take over the starting job previously held by Hawkins.
Here’s the list of every free-agent signing New England has made in 2026.
WR Romeo Doubs – Four years contract ($68 million)
Chelsea captain Reece James is facing several weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury during Saturday’s Premier League defeat by Newcastle, a significant blow coming just days after he signed a new six-year contract.
The 26-year-old will miss Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Paris St Germain, a match where the Blues must overturn a daunting 5-2 aggregate deficit. Adding to head coach Liam Rosenior’s concerns, Malo Gusto is also a doubt due to illness.
Rosenior confirmed the injury, stating: “Reece felt something in his hamstring at the end if the game against Newcastle. Really frustrating and disappointing one for us. We don’t know the full extent of that injury but he’s out for tomorrow’s game.”
He expressed concern over the potential duration of James’s absence, adding: “It could be (weeks) with a hamstring injury, it’s never great. Hopefully we can get him scanned, find out the full extent then we’ll know more.”
He highlighted James’s importance, calling him “an important leader” and “our captain.”
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Liam Rosenior admitted James’ injury could keep him out for a while (AP)
The injury is particularly frustrating given James’s extensive history of hamstring issues, which saw him miss around seven months of the 2023/24 season after surgery and only recently regain the fitness to play regularly, making 36 appearances this campaign – his most since 2021/22.
However, there was some positive news for Rosenior, with Brazilian teenager Estevao returning to training.
“It’ll be assessed whether he can take part PSG,” the coach confirmed, as the team prepares for the monumental task against the French champions.
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Meanwhile, Rosenior addressed the controversy surrounding the team’s pre-match huddle, which drew attention during Saturday’s match when referee Paul Tierney became inadvertently caught in the middle.
A decision is yet to be made on whether the team will continue the ritual around the match ball. Rosenior reiterated the huddle is intended to foster unity, not to intimidate.
“I think it’s been blown out of proportion,” he commented. “It’s a small thing amongst many serious things that we need to address, such as the massive game against PSG.”
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Rosenior said his players are yet to make a decision on whether to do their pre-match huddle (Getty Images)
He added: “The lads have always wanted to show unity and togetherness, think they’ll continue to do that. But what we don’t want is to antagonise and bring more noise on ourselves. We’ll make the decision on where we do that on the pitch tomorrow.”
Rosenior also revealed plans to meet with PGMOL this week to discuss refereeing decisions that have gone against his team, though not necessarily the incident involving Tierney.
He dismissed the huddle debate as a “distraction for the media,” emphasising the team’s primary focus.
“We have a huge game against PSG tomorrow. We have an opportunity to do something really special. We know we need to be perfect. I’d rather focus on that,” he concluded.
(From left) Butler Basketball Coach, Thad Matta and Butler AD Grant Leiendecker celebrate Matta’s 500th game win before a game between the Xavier Musketeers and Butler Bulldogs on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Butler men’s basketball coach Thad Matta announced his retirement Monday after winning more than 500 games at three schools and earning four conference Coach of the Year honors.
Butler announced that Matta, 58, will remain at his alma mater as a special assistant to the president and athletic director. A national search for his replacement is already underway.
Matta compiled a 502-223 record across 21 seasons at Butler (2000-01, 2022-26), Xavier (2001-04) and Ohio State (2004-17).
His teams reached the NCAA Tournament 13 times, including Final Fours with the Buckeyes in 2007 and 2012. Ohio State lost to Florida in the 2007 national championship game and won the NIT title the next year.
“After taking some time to reflect following the end of the season, I have decided that the time has come for me to step away from the sidelines,” Matta said. “The love my wife, my daughters and I have for Butler is what brought us back four years ago, and it feels especially meaningful that I conclude my coaching career here.
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“Butler has always meant more to us than just basketball — and that connection is why I’m grateful to continue working with the University and offering my help in any way I can. My commitment to Butler and to the future of this program remains as strong as ever. I want this program to compete at the highest levels of the BIG EAST and national landscape, and I am excited to be part of what we continue to build here.”
Matta was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2001-02 and the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2009-10.
“I will always be grateful for the experiences, the relationships, and the memories Butler has given me and my family,” Matta said. “I’m proud of what we’ve built together, and I look forward to staying connected and contributing in a new way as the next chapter begins.”
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Matta’s Bulldogs finished 16-16 (7-13 Big East) this season, which ended with a 91-81 loss to Providence last week in the first round of the conference tournament in New York.
He recorded his milestone 500th victory with a 93-89 win at Georgetown on Feb. 18.
“Thad has made the thoughtful decision, together with his family, to step away from coaching and begin a new chapter in his remarkable career,” Butler president Jim Danko said. “He has built a Hall of Fame-worthy legacy in college basketball and has been a valued member of our campus community since he first arrived at Butler as a student-athlete in the 1980s. Butler has always been a special part of his story, and we are grateful that he chose to return and finish his coaching career where it all began. We extend our deepest thanks to Coach, his wife Barbara, and their daughters Ali and Emily for the dedication, leadership, and sacrifice they have given to Butler. We are thrilled that the Matta family will remain a part of the Butler community for years to come.”
Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis are among those in the sights of one man hoping to thrust his name into the mix at the very top level.
At present, Haney holds the WBO welterweight world title whilst Rolando Romero is in possession of the WBA crown, and the US pair are expected to collide in May for a title unification bout.
Meanwhile, California’s Garcia has become one of the biggest names in the sport after winning the WBC welterweight world title by beating Mario Barrios, whilst Northern Ireland’s IBF ruler, Lewis Crocker, is set for a trip Down Under to face Liam Paro as the first defence of his belt.
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Keyshawn Davis is another name that looks poised to be added into the equation, as he threatens a move up to welterweight.
After an impressive win over Kenneth Sims Jr. at the weekend, Los Angeles’ Arnold Barboza Jr. called out all of the above in his post-fight interview, seeking to secure a major fight.
“Who wouldn’t mind seeing me and Ryan Garcia in this arena, man? We would pack this s**t out. I want any of the champions, man; Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, Rolly [Romero] and [Lewis] Crocker.
“But there is one person, that is annoying on Instagram, if he wants to come up to 147, where you at Keyshawn Davis?”
Barboza bounced back from a first career defeat at the hands of Teofimo Lopez to extend his record to 33-1 with a one-sided unanimous-decision win over Sims Jr. in Anaheim. The 34-year-old now hopes to agree to a second world title shot in this new division, adding yet another dimension to the intriguing picture at welterweight.
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However, Barboza also shook hands on a potential showdown with Alexis Rocha during the aftermath of his win, teeing up a possible war between the Californian duo for this summer as the champions look more likely to book unfications.
England wing Tommy Freeman and Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong both said similar after being involved in last summer’s Lions tour of Australia.
“Without realising it, I think I was tired,” Freeman said of his return to club side Northampton.
“My body felt like I was OK to go and I was saying to coaches ‘Yeah I’m fine, I’m fine’. I just think mentally it was a bit more of a struggle.”
Three-time Lion Furlong said: “Everything maybe seems insignificant the year after.”
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France’s players may not have that much sympathy. A campaign in their domestic top flight – the Top 14 – can stretch to 29 matches.
The equivalent figure for the English Prem and the United Rugby Championship is 20 and 21 matches respectively.
However, unlike with the Home Nations, France usually rest their top stars for their summer tours.
While the Lions were touring Australia, across the Tasman Sea a France side took on New Zealand in a three-Test series without the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Matthieu Jalibert or Charles Ollivon.
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Despite objections from their Kiwi hosts, concerned about the impact on ticket sales, France stuck to their policy as a second-string side suffered a 3-0 series defeat.
Ireland are adept at managing their stars’ overall workloads. For instance, Leinster and Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan has made only three starts for his province so far this season.
But Warburton believes that not all games are equal. In his opinion, the Test stages demands more of players.
“I think there’s something about playing international rugby – there’s only so many times I think you can play an international game of that magnitude, emotionally, in a year,” he said.
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“The Lions tour obviously eats into that quota and I think it’s a massive part of it.”
The Six Nations’ regular calendar cycle might also play a part. In even-numbered years – in which every post-Lions Six Nations take place – France have three home games, rather than two.
Their home matches include meetings with Ireland and England, often title rivals.
France bookended their Six Nations campaign with victories against those two in Paris this year, crucial results in their championship success.
Mexico City set a Guinness World Record Sunday for having held the largest soccer class, with about 9,500 people having taken part in a training session in a public sqaure in the city.
Participants filled the central plaza, known as Zocalo, for a 40-minute open-air class, practicing drills under instructors as part of a campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June.
Among those participating were members of the Mexico team that won the unofficial 1971 Women’s World Cup.
Guinness World Records judge Alfredo Arista confirmed the record during the event. Organizers said the turnout surpassed the previous record of 1,038 participants set in Seattle in June 2025.
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Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada congratulated participants saying, “Today we kick off the World Cup.”
Mexico building momentum as it gears up to co-host the World Cup Image: Quetzalli Nicte-Ha/REUTERS
What to know about situation in Mexico City more generally
Mexico will co-host the tournament along with the US and Canada.
This will be the third World Cup tournament in Mexico, after the country previously hosted the finals of the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.
But safety questions linger after authorities killed the nation’s most wanted drug-leader last month. That triggered a wave of violence in several parts of the country, including Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s three World Cup host cities.
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President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to assauge those concerns, telling the public that authorities will ensure security during the sporting event.
NEW DELHI: Team India’s left-handed batter Ishan Kishan is the frontrunner to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL 2026 season, as there is yet no clarity on when Pat Cummins will link up with the squad. TimesofIndia.com reliably understands that the SRH management has had a discussion in this regard, and Kishan has been identified as the most suitable candidate to have the armband in the Australian fast bowler’s absence.
Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket’s golden period
Ishan’s stocks are on a bull run at the moment. The 27-year-old has had a brilliant T20 World Cup campaign, where he became the toast of the nation for his performances, initially as a top-order batter and then at No. 3 when Sanju Samson returned to the Playing XI.
Ishan Kishan’s performance in last IPL
Kishan has established himself as one of the most explosive wicketkeeper-batters in the IPL. Across 119 matches in the tournament, playing for three franchises including Sunrisers Hyderabad, he has scored 2,998 runs from 112 innings at an average of 29.10 and a strike rate of 137.64. His tally includes one century, 17 half-centuries, 288 fours and 134 sixes, underlining his aggressive batting style. Behind the stumps, Kishan has also contributed with 59 catches and five stumpings. In the 2025 season, his first after being picked for Rs 11.25 crore in the auction, he scored 354 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 152.58, including a century and a fifty.
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Kishan’s heroics in T20 World Cup 2026
Kishan played a key role for the India national cricket team during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, finishing as India’s second-highest run-scorer with 317 runs in nine innings at an average of 35.22 and a strike rate above 193. His campaign included three half-centuries, including one in the final, helping India clinch the title. Speaking after the victory, he said, “Our team won, obviously, it is a very good thing, not only for us, but for the whole nation. We hope to continue playing cricket like this and keep winning.” He added, “It feels great because I believe the better I perform, the more motivation it will be for the young kids here who want to grow. I always try to ensure as many players as possible emerge from every corner. Now that we’ve played the World Cup, it shows that with hard work, you can succeed from anywhere.” On his future goals, Kishan said, “Nothing much, just keep scoring runs, keep playing, and keep winning.”
The Minnesota Vikings arguably need more cornerback depth, and the Tennessee Titans cut ties with veteran L’Jarius Sneed last week. Therefore, the franchise should explore his 2026 price tag, as it probably won’t be much.
Minnesota may need one more experienced cornerback before the offseason wraps.
Sneed has struggled in the last two seasons, but that doesn’t mean he’s beyond salvation.
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A Buy-Low Candidate Still Makes Sense for Brian Flores
Sneed as a Vikings CB3 or CB4 makes sense.
New Tennessee Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed speaks with reporters during his introductory press conference at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville. The defensive back answered questions after arriving via trade, discussing his role in the Titans’ secondary during media availability on April 2, 2024, while beginning the next chapter of his NFL career. Mandatory Credit: Denny Simmons-USA TODAY NETWORK.
Titans Drop Sneed
It’s the end of the road for Sneed in Tennessee.
ESPN’s Turron Davenport wrote Friday, “The Tennessee Titans released cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on Friday, a move that saves $11.4 million in cap space. Sneed struggled to stay on the field for Tennessee, appearing in 12 games over two seasons.”
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“He had signed a four-year, $76 million contract after the Titans acquired him in a 2024 trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Titans signed defensive backs Alontae Taylor, Cor’Dale Flott and Josh Williams earlier this week to restock their cornerbacks room.”
Not long ago, Sneed was the top cornerback on the free-agent market.
Davenport added, “Starting the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform list as he recovered from a knee procedure in May and a lingering quad injury, Sneed played seven games last season and finished with 26 tackles and three passes defended.”
“He suffered another quad injury in Week 7 against the New England Patriots and missed the final 10 games of the season after going on injured reserve.”
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Vikings Won’t Get Away with Pristine CB Health Again
In 2025, the Vikings jaunted into the season with a rather teensy cornerback room, employing Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah as the main trio. Remarkably, Murphy Jr. and Rodgers remained healthy, playing 34 games between them, while Okudah sustained two concussions and didn’t play much in the second half of the season.
The club promoted Fabian Moreau from the practice squad, and he played wonderfully by the standards of an unsung CB3.
On the whole, Minnesota probably won’t get away with being perfectly healthy on behalf of the two main cornerbacks in 2026. It just doesn’t work that way. Therefore, adding a veteran like Sneed or drafting a rookie in April feels wise.
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The Vikings’ Current CB Group + Sneed’s Career Resume
Here’s the Vikings’ current CB pecking order:
Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
James Pierre
Dwight McGlothern
Zemaiah Vaughn
It’s worth noting that McGlothern and Vaughn will be on the roster bubble this summer.
Tennessee Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) runs onto the field during player introductions ahead of a matchup with the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The defensive back energized the crowd while taking part in pregame ceremonies before kickoff on Oct 13, 2024, as the Titans prepared for divisional action. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
Sneed missed 65% of all games in Tennessee due to injury after a productive and mostly healthy run in Kansas City from 2020 to 2023. The ideal scenario, if signed by the Vikings, is Sneed turning back the clock three years to reclaim his glory days. Brian Flores has proved a couple of times that players are capable of that. See: Eric Wilson and Isaiah Rodgers.
A to Z Sports‘ Buck Reising painted an unflattering picture of Sneed after his release: “After former general manager Ran Carthon traded a 2024 third-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for and then signed Sneed to a four-year, $76.4 million deal, things could not have gone worse. Sneed appeared in only 12 of a possible 34 regular season games due to various injuries.”
“Sneed accounted for zero interceptions and is credited with only one pass break-up in those 12 games, per Pro Football Focus. His presence was malignant in Tennessee on a number of different fronts. Current general manager Mike Borgonzi signed defensive backs Alontae Taylor, Cor’Dale Flott and Josh Williams this week prior to jettisoning Sneed from the Titans roster.”
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That means he’ll be available for cheap.
A Depth CB Needed No Matter What
Let’s pretend Minnesota has no interest in Sneed, who will be gettable on an affordable prove-it contract. Flores should still add another corner. The top of the draft next month offers options like this:
Avieon Terrell (Clemson)
Brandon Cisse (South Carolina)
Chris Johnson (San Diego State)
Colton Hood (Tennessee)
D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana)
Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)
Keith Abney II (Arizona State)
Mansoor Delane (LSU)
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) warms up on the field prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Sneed went through pregame drills with teammates ahead of the AFC West matchup on Dec 5, 2021, continuing his routine before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.
From free agency, in addition to Sneed, this is the current list:
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In recent years, the sport has also served as a lighting rod in American culture wars, with the US women’s national team in particular landing in the crosshairs of Donald Trump and the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement for its outspoken progressive players.
With the men’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico rapidly approaching and Donald Trump aggressively promoting the tournament and deepening his relationship with FIFA, the American president is facing one of his toughest sells yet: soccer to his supporters.
Trump’s World Cup?
Despite weighing in on America’s eternal ‘soccer’ vs. ‘football’ debate, most of Trump’s soccer push is not directly related to the sport itself.
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“While compared to other countries around the world, soccer is less political here,” Jeffrey Kraus, political scientist at Wagner College, New York, told DW. “This upcoming World Cup has in many ways taken a political tone.”
“There’s a sense that FIFA has embraced President Trump, which certainly associates the tournament with the president,” he continued.
Trump’s ever-intensifying relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FIFA’s partnership with the president’s new Board of Peace have helped make Trump the face of a continent-spanning World Cup.
For some conservatives, Trump’s enthusiasm for soccer doesn’t feel out of place given his approach to popular sports generally.
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“He’s always been a sports guy – just look at his connection to UFC and wrestling,” Chris Vance, President of the UCLA Young Republicans, told DW. “He’s always been about entertainment, he was in that business a long time, so it makes sense.”
Evolving soccer culture
While American soccer isn’t generally as overtly politicized as in many parts of Europe, its comparably young and immigrant-heavy fanbase tends to be more progressive.
Anti-ICE protests have been a major point of contention among Major League Soccer (MLS) fans and league officials since Trump’s reelection.
Ryan Shirah, a member of the ‘American Outlaws’ US National Team supporters group who’s attended over 120 men’s and women’s US matches, argues that though most fans avoid politics in the stands, they broadly lean in one direction.
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“I won’t shy away from the fact that there’s a humanistic element there — I think most soccer fans in America tend to lean on the more progressive, human rights-focused side of things,” Shirah told DW.
Shirah said political tensions in the supporters section were highest in the immediate wake of Trump’s first election, where there was concern Trump’s anti-Mexican campaign rhetoric would spill into the stands at a USA vs Mexico World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio.
“We didn’t know what was going to happen, if people would be trying to chant, ‘build that wall’,” Sirah explained. “It’s something we didn’t want to bring into our atmosphere and we kept out. Generally, we haven’t really had an issue.”
In 2022 in Qatar, USA and Iran fans were supportive of their teamsImage: Christophe Ena/AP/picture alliance
Soccer’s continued growth means the political makeup of its American fans is likely to shift.
“Since the US hosted the 1994 World Cup, soccer has become a bigger part of American life,” said political scientist Kraus. “Much of the population growth since the 90s has been through immigration, and many of the folks who come here brought their love of the ‘beautiful game’.”
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Growing Republican support among Latinos in the 2024 election demonstrates that the political views of immigrants, many of whom are driving the sport’s growth in the US, can evolve and potentially change US soccer culture in turn.
And while the arrival of Lionel Messi in Miami has brought wider attention to the sport, organizers are hoping the 2026 World Cup can further propel soccer into the American mainstream. As it gets bigger, soccer will increasingly appeal to conservative fans.
“I live on Staten Island, one of the most suburban and conservative boroughs in New York City. When I was younger, on Saturdays you’d drive around and the athletic fields would be filled with kids playing baseball. Now it’s soccer,” said Kraus. It is perhaps of note that Staten Island is the only NYC borough won by Donald Trump in 2024.
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The next MAGA sporting sensation?
Vance, who notes he’s a bit of an outlier among his peers due to his interest in soccer, is excited for the US to play World Cup matches in Los Angeles.
“It’s cool to host it here. I think of it almost as a conservative sport because it’s so community based, or at the very least not really as a politically-leaning sport,” he said.
Organized supporters like Shirah tend not to dwell too much on potential political differences with fellow fans as long as they can maintain a welcoming atmosphere in the stadium.
“We haven’t had a major tournament since the election, but why have that (offensive) nonsense into the stadium if we don’t have to? So far, so good,” he said.
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“We don’t care what you do or what podcasts you listen to after the 90 minutes. If you’re passionate about the team and not using slurs or anything, that’s fine. We all have walks of life, and I think that’s what makes America great.”
First, the US will have to have a successful run at the World Cup to make the most of a generational opportunity. If they can do that, existing supporters may well have to worry about the politics of new fans — a problem many of them likely wouldn’t mind.
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