Eileen Gu, the American-born Olympic skier who chose to represent Team China at the Winter Games, was honored at Chinese New Year celebrations in San Francisco on Saturday.
Gu was the grand marshal for the parade and expressed in an interview before the festivities what the honor meant to her.
“This is a special thing to be grand marshal, and be part of it,” she told KGO-TV.
Olympic gold medalist and grand marshal Eileen Gu waves during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Saturday, March 7, 2026.(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Gu recalled attending the parade with her family when she was younger and the times her mother and grandmother would cook in the kitchen.
The three-time gold medalist told the station she was focusing on making a bigger impact around the world.
“My biggest goal has always been making the greatest amount of positive impact on the global stage that I possibly can,” she said. “At this moment in time, that takes the form of sport, fashion and education.”
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Gu came under fire during the Olympics, receiving criticism for bucking the chance of competing for Team USA and representing the nation she was born in.
She reflected on the decision last week.
“I gave my first speech on women in sports and title IX when I was 11 years old. I talked about being the only girl on my ski team, and, despite attending an all-girls’ school from Monday through Friday, becoming best friends with my teammates on the weekends through the common language of sport,” Gu wrote on Instagram.
Eileen Gu celebrates during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Saturday, March 7, 2026.(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Gu went on to express gratitude for the one season in which she did compete for the U.S.
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“When I was 15, I announced my decision to compete for China. At the time, I had spent one season on the US team, and had been lucky enough to meet my heroes in person. I am forever grateful for that season, and continue to maintain a close relationship with the team. I had spent every summer in China since I was 8 setting up summer camps on trampoline and dry slope for kids and adults, ranging from 7 to 47 years old, so I knew the industry was tiny. I felt like I knew everyone,” she added.
“Skiing for Team China meant the opportunity to uplift others through the universal culture of sport, and to introduce freeskiing to hundreds of millions of people who had never heard of it, especially with the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics around the corner.”
Gu’s statement concluded by acknowledging that certain people “don’t understand” her decision to compete for China over the U.S., while insisting the choice maximized the impact she would have.
“I can look back now, at 22, and tell 12 year old Eileen that there are now terrain parks full of little girls, who will never doubt their place in the sport. I can tell 15 year old me that there are now millions of girls who have started skiing since then, in China and worldwide,” Gu wrote.
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Gold medalist Ailing Eileen Gu of the People’s Republic of China celebrates during the medal ceremony for the women’s skiing halfpipe at the Winter Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026.(Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
“A lot of people won’t understand or believe that I made a decision to create the greatest amount of positive impact on the world stage that I could, at this age, given my interests and passions. Three golds and six medals later, I can confidently say what was once a dream is now a reality.”
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
Oleksandr Usyk has three fights left in the game, hoping to extend his record to 27-0 before hanging up the gloves for good.
The elite Ukrainian was undisputed at cruiserweight before twice repeating that feat at heavyweight. Across the two divisions, he has statement wins over Murat Gassiev, Mairis Briedis, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Speaking on Inside the Ring, Usyk assured fans that while this outing may not be at the elite level he is known for, his final two fights will be.
“Rico, this is first. Second, it’s who wins Wardley-Dubois. Third fight is my friend, Greedy Belly, Tyson Fury.”
Asked how long he has left, Usyk confirmed that he was three and out.
Fabio Wardley was elevated from Interim to Full WBO champion when Usyk vacated the belt last year, and puts that status on the line against Dubois on May 9 in Manchester. Should ‘DDD’ win on the night, Usyk’s final two planned bouts may both be trilogy fights.
The 39-year-old from Simferopol has twice beaten both Dubois and Fury, stopping the former on both occasions and the latter on points. Fan interest in the bouts, therefore, may be limited.
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However, if Wardley can retain in two months’ time, many would love to see the Ipswich man in there with a man in Usyk who has cemented himself as the greatest heavyweight of a generation.
More so, the WBC has ordered Usyk to face Agit Kabayel next, something that is clearly not in his plans. This means he may be stripped of all three belts in the not-so-distant future.
Viktor Gyokeres’ first goal against Tottenham has been voted Emirates Goal of the Month for February, highlighting a positive period for the striker during an important stage of the season.
The Swedish forward enjoyed a productive spell throughout February, contributing goals that helped Arsenal remain unbeaten and strengthen their push for silverware. His efforts during the month played a role in maintaining the team’s momentum as they continued to compete across several competitions.
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Although Gyokeres has faced challenges during parts of his time at the club, his performances in February demonstrated his ability to make a significant impact. The striker delivered several impressive displays, providing the type of attacking contribution that Arsenal expect from a player in his position.
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Gyokeres earning Arteta’s trust
Mikel Arteta has continued to show faith in Gyokeres despite earlier inconsistencies. The Arsenal manager recognises the striker’s qualities and has maintained confidence that he can deliver when the team needs him most.
The club also view Gyokeres as an important member of the squad and is prepared to give him the time required to reach his best form. His recent performances suggest that he is capable of playing a crucial role as the season approaches its decisive stage.
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With several important matches still to come, the striker will be expected to maintain his improved form and continue contributing goals that can help the team secure positive results.
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Goal of the Month recognition
According to Arsenal Media, Gyokeres’ opening goal against Tottenham has been voted the Emirates Goal of the Month for February. The strike stood out among the club’s goals during the period and reflects the impact he had throughout that month.
The recognition serves as further encouragement for the forward as he aims to build on his recent performances. Arsenal will hope that Gyokeres can maintain his scoring form in the coming weeks, providing the attacking edge needed to help the club finish the campaign strongly.
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If he continues to deliver decisive moments in front of goal, Gyokeres could play a vital role in Arsenal’s pursuit of trophies before the end of the season.
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Gyokeres goal against Tottenham wins him Goal of the Month
World silver medallist Kate O’Connor and Irish national champion Nick Griggs have been named in Ireland’s team for the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland.
O’Connor won Ireland’s first medal at the championships since 2006 in Nanjing last year when she finished second in the pentathlon.
The 25-year-old then followed that up with a stunning second-place finish in the heptathlon at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
In a historic year, O’Connor won a gold medal at the University Games and claimed bronze at the European Indoor Championships.
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Nick Griggs, who won the Irish senior title earlier in March, will race in the 15-strong 3,000m final alongside Andrew Coscoran.
Five-time European medallist Mark English is also a leading name for the Irish team when he races in the 800m at the event in Torun, which runs from 20-22 March.
Paul McNamara, Athletics Ireland’s high performance director, said it was “an exciting team with real prospects for medal success”.
“Kate’s achievement in Nanjing last year has set a bar for what Irish athletes can achieve at these championships, and we travel to Poland with real intent,” he said.
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“Along with our seasoned performers it’s great to see emerging talent make an impact this season and earn the opportunity to compete against the best in the world.”
Sarah Lavin will enter the Women’s 60m hurdles, while Bori Akinola and Lauren Roy will race in the men’s and women’s 60m respectively.
Maeve O’Neill will make her senior Irish international debut in Poland in the women’s 800m, while Ciara Neville (Women’s 60m), Emma Moore (Women’s 800m), James Gormley (Men’s 1500m) and Elizabeth Ndudi (Women’s Long Jump) have achieved the ‘B’ Standard and are provisionally selected pending confirmation of their qualification status by World Athletics.
Few awards in sports carry the weight of the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot. While the tournament crowns the world’s best national team, the Golden Boot honors the player who delivers football’s most decisive currency: goals.
Every four years, the race for this award creates its own drama. Established superstars chase history while emerging talents try to turn one brilliant tournament on the global stage into a career-defining moment.
The 2026 World Cup introduces another variable. An expanded 48-team field and up to eight matches for finalists could make the scoring race more unpredictable, placing several elite attackers in the spotlight.
Kylian Mbappé: The Favorite Chasing World Cup History
At +650 odds, Kylian Mbappé enters the 2026 World Cup as the early Golden Boot favorite. The logic is simple. Few players in modern football combine pace, positioning, and clinical finishing with the same consistency.
Mbappé already owns 12 World Cup goals, putting Miroslav Klose’s long-standing tournament record of 16 firmly within reach. That storyline alone adds extra intrigue to every appearance he makes in North America, where another scoring surge could push him into the record books.
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France has expanded Mbappé’s role in recent years. Once deployed mainly on the left wing, he now drifts across the front line and attacks central spaces more often, while Antoine Griezmann orchestrates from deeper areas to supply him with chances.
Mbappé’s position among the early Golden Boot contenders in 2026 World Cup futures reflects both his scoring pedigree and France’s ability to make deep tournament runs, which often gives top forwards more opportunities to add to their totals.
Harry Kane: The Most Reliable Tournament Finisher
Harry Kane rarely surprises anyone anymore. Consistency has defined his career, and that same reliability makes him one of the strongest Golden Boot contenders at +750 odds.
Kane already knows what it takes to win the award. His six-goal performance at the 2018 World Cup secured the Golden Boot in Russia, and his scoring record for England has only strengthened since then.
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England’s attack provides him with excellent service. Jude Bellingham drives forward from midfield to create passing lanes, Bukayo Saka stretches defenses on the wing, and Phil Foden adds creativity between the lines, regularly supplying the chances Kane thrives on.
Penalty duties strengthen his case. Kane is one of international football’s most reliable spot-kick takers, and those goals often decide Golden Boot races. Combined with England’s attacking style and his movement in the box, even a brief defensive lapse can quickly become a goal.
Lionel Messi: A Legendary Career Nearing Its Final Chapter
At +1400 odds, Lionel Messi enters the 2026 World Cup as both a contender and a sentimental favorite. Few players have shaped the modern era of football more profoundly, and another deep tournament run would only strengthen an already historic legacy.
Messi will be 38 during the tournament, but experience remains one of his greatest advantages. Argentina’s system allows him to conserve energy for decisive moments, with midfielders like Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister handling defensive work and ball progression.
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That structure mirrors the approach that helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup. Messi no longer needs to control every phase of play. His composure in knockout matches and ability to deliver timely goals could still place him firmly in the Golden Boot conversation.
Erling Haaland: The Wildcard Goal Machine
Erling Haaland enters the Golden Boot race at +1600 odds and may be the tournament’s most unpredictable contender.
Norway has not appeared at a World Cup since 1998, but Haaland’s rise has changed that outlook. His club scoring record borders on absurd, with goals often arriving in rapid bursts rather than steady trickles.
Efficiency defines his game. Haaland frequently needs only a few touches inside the penalty area to score, and defenders quickly discover that physical strength alone rarely contains him.
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The expanded 48-team format could amplify his impact. Early group-stage mismatches may create opportunities for multi-goal performances; however, Norway’s ability to reach the later rounds will likely determine how long he remains in the Golden Boot race.
Lamine Yamal: The Breakout Star to Watch
Every World Cup introduces a new star to the global stage, and Lamine Yamal could easily become that player in 2026. The Spanish winger enters the tournament at around +1800 odds with enormous expectations and already plays a central role in Spain’s evolving attack.
Spain’s traditional style relied on possession and patient buildup, but recent tactical shifts have introduced a more direct attack. Yamal reflects that change with his ability to cut inside from the right, creating shooting chances and unpredictable movement around the box.
Youth remains the biggest question. Consistency at the international level can challenge younger players, yet Spain’s status among the tournament favorites increases the likelihood that Yamal will feature prominently in key matches deep into the knockout rounds.
The Factors That Often Decide the Golden Boot Race
Individual brilliance rarely tells the whole story. Tournament dynamics often determine which player ultimately lifts the Golden Boot.
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Several factors consistently influence the final outcome.
● Deep tournament runs: Players from teams reaching the semi-finals usually have the advantage because they simply play more matches,
● Penalty responsibilities: Spot kicks frequently decide close scoring races,
● Chance creation: Teams with attacking systems generate more scoring opportunities for their strikers,
● Club form entering the tournament: Players arriving in peak scoring rhythm tend to carry that momentum into international competition.
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Tournament expansion adds another variable. A 48-team field increases chances of high-scoring group matches, where a striker can build an early lead. Informed fans increasingly follow the latest soccer news and trends to track injuries and form shaping the Golden Boot race.
A Golden Boot Race Full of Storylines
Every World Cup produces unforgettable moments, and the Golden Boot race often becomes one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines. While teams compete for the trophy, the top scorer battle creates its own drama.
Mbappé could chase the all-time scoring record, while Kane offers relentless consistency. Messi represents a legendary career nearing its final chapter, Haaland brings explosive scoring potential, and Yamal symbolizes football’s next generation.
The expanded tournament format adds intrigue. One breakout performance can reshape the leaderboard, and one decisive goal can echo throughout the tournament. The Golden Boot rarely follows a predictable script.
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*Content reflects information available as of 04/03/2026; subject to change
The Hundred’s landmark player auction could go down as an “historic moment for UK sport”, according to the man responsible for bringing down the hammer on every deal.
Auctioneer Richard Madley will oversee the bidding in what is a first for any professional sport in this country and knows exactly what it means to be there at the start of a new chapter.
As well as being known for his role in daytime television favourite Bargain Hunt, Madley was the frontman for the inaugural Indian Premier League auction in 2008 – a watershed moment for the game that peaked with MS Dhoni fetching a then unthinkable 1.5million US dollars from Chennai Super Kings.
“I said that was the day that cricket changed forever and I stick by it. When I brought the hammer down on Dhoni, things were never the same again,” Madley told the Press Association.
“I’ve got a feeling about this one too. It’s an historic moment for sport in the UK. Once people realise what is happening, that we are selling athletes on the open market, it could be a day that is remembered as setting a blueprint for the future.
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“It could become a feature on the sporting calendar here. I have been approached to work in golf, in rugby and heaven forbid if football caught on to it.”
The women’s auction takes place on Wednesday, followed by the men’s teams on Thursday, with both events taking place at Piccadilly Lights in central London and a total of 425 names in the hat.
And while the numbers will not hit IPL levels of excess, the involvement of new private investors has seen a considerable leap in available funds. Women’s squads now have a total of £880,000 to spend, with the kitty swelling to £2.05million for the men’s teams.
The biggest earners have already taken a chunk of that as direct signings – Harry Brook leading the way with a £465,000 deal at Sunrisers Leeds, while Nat Sciver-Brunt and Lauren Bell have negotiated £140,000 contracts with Trent Rockets and Southern Brave, respectively.
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But Madley believes there is plenty of intrigue around how teams choose to deploy their resources, with major overseas stars available alongside leading English names including Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Tammy Beaumont and Davina Perrin.
“I’ve seen some of these guys are the bidding tables in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Cape Town and the UAE. There’s a lot of noise in the run-up, I hear the whispers, but I think you can read the room and anticipate who’s up for it,” he said.
“Could we see a player earning £350,000? Indeed. But it’s a high-risk strategy and you end up with egg on your face if you get to the end and you’ve run out of cash or you can’t find £50,000 for a player.
“I’ve got a job to do and it’s not about generating the highest prices, it’s making sure the teams leave with a complete squad.”
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Madley recalls with fondness the time Andrew Flintoff bought him a beer after securing a bumper payday with CSK in 2009 and is happy to continue as the face of cricket’s free market frontier.
“The antiques market is on the wane and cricket is still on the way up, so I prefer selling cricketers,” he said.
“We’ve also introduced total transparency. We disclose the base prices, who is bidding, how much much for and who against. That never happened when I sold impressionist art at Christie’s.”
Steve Lapper died in his sleep last week — a quiet passing for a beloved husband, father, unreformed golf junkie and friend to many in the game, none of whom would have described him as quiet.
I first met Steve some 15 years ago in the grill room of a hidebound Boston-area club. He was seated at the next table over, holding forth in a voluble stage whisper on the work of the Golden Age architect William Flynn. Someone made an introduction and we got to talking, first about courses, but soon about work and kids and where to get the best dim sum nearby. Within no time, he was giving me the kind of good-natured grief I only expect from people I have known and liked for years.
That was Steve. He made your acquaintance quickly. He was drawn to golf as an art form and a pastime, but even more as a catalyst for social connections, which he seemed to forge wherever he went. Busting chops was just one of his ways of expressing fondness. He relished his relationships in the game, with an understanding that the places golf took him and the people he met through it were its richest rewards.
Steve was born and raised in New Rochelle, N.Y., and grew up caddying at Wykagyl and Winged Foot. One of his cherished memories was walking Winged Foot as a standard bearer in the 1974 U.S. Open, an experience he’d happily recount to anyone who’d listen.
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Both his parents played, his mother well enough to win her club championship. Steve could get his ball airborne, too. Sometimes, he even hit it with power and precision. But he never deluded himself into thinking he might do it for a living. Golf instead became a near-constant companion through a career that spanned trading floors in Chicago, San Francisco and New York.
It was in Manhattan where he met his wife, Melissa. They later moved to New Jersey, where they raised two daughters, Sydney and Whitney.
Like New York, Steve had an outsize personality and stories to match. Friends sometimes accused him of taking poetic license with his anecdotes, including the one about playing golf and poker with Michael Jordan when Jordan was a rookie. Steve’s pal, Mike Policano, was among the amiable doubters until a few years ago, when he wound up at dinner with Steve and two friends, one of whom mentioned he’d just bumped into Jordan in a hotel lobby. “He then described the two of them playing poker and golf with Jordan,” Policano told me. “I stammered, ‘You mean, that story was true?’”
Along with good yarns, Steve brimmed with interests and opinions. He read voraciously. He collected art. He could speak on high-brow topics without sounding pretentious and on low-brow matters without coming off as a knucklehead. Aside from his wife and daughters, few subjects delighted him more than golf design.
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He was an early and forceful voice in online architecture forums. Debates on those platforms can be like academic feuds in which people care so much because the stakes are so small. At times, Steve ruffled feathers and had his ruffled back. But he never lost touch with the point of those exchanges, which was to swap ideas and insights with fellow obsessives, or their ultimate importance, which was minimal. He could disagree heatedly and laugh about it an hour later. And he was never too proud to admit when he was wrong.
“Steve could be a lot,” one of his friends told me, tenderly. I’ve always thought that’s better than being a little. To engage with Steve was to understand that he expected you to go all in. You could count on him to show you the same respect in return.
Steve served as a GOLF Magazine course rater for more than a decade. But his deepest involvement in the game was as a course operator and developer. He was president of Paramount Golf Club in New York and co-owner of Fox Hollow Golf Course in New Jersey, and he was working toward a real-estate project at nearby Spring Brook GC when he died.
Brandel Chamblee, the Golf Channel and NBC Sports analyst, first encountered Steve over lunch at Paramount under circumstances not unlike my own. Steve was seated nearby and “he was not inconspicuous,” Chamblee said. “He also knew more about architecture than anyone I’d ever met. It was like talking to George Thomas, Alister MacKenzie, Bill Coore and Gil Hanse all in one.”
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Steve and Chamblee became friends, though not because they agreed on everything. “Politically, we couldn’t have been more opposite,” Chamblee said. “But with Steve, you could have an argument without animosity. He would listen to you. He was open to having his mind changed. Even on fraught topics, conversations with Steve were always civil. It reminded me of the way the world used to be. Of the way the world should be.”
Golf was a Lapper family affair.
Courtesy of Sydney Lapper
They eventually partnered on a golf development project that fell into limbo. The friendship didn’t.
Steve will be remembered for his gregariousness but also for his generosity. He was giving with his time as well as with his contacts. Whether I was writing about design, agronomy, the business of golf development or legal issues around the Tour-LIV war, he topped my call list. If I needed a source, he had a reference. The Kevin Bacon of the golf world, he was rarely more than a few degrees removed from a notable figure. Often that figure was someone he knew well enough to bust their chops.
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The golf course photographer Jon Cavalier experienced this firsthand. Steve was a big booster in Cavalier’s launch of LinksGems, the now-prominent Instagram account he runs. “When I was starting out, I didn’t know much about great architecture or private clubs,” Cavalier told me. “I didn’t know who to contact or how to conduct myself.” Steve liked Cavalier’s work, reached out to say so, and became both a friend and mentor, educating him about design, showing him how to navigate the industry. “If I’ve got 1,000 great relationships in golf,” Cavalier said, “I probably owe 950 of them to Steve.”
Steve shared his love of golf at home. He inspired Melissa to take up the game and taught both daughters to play. Before his death, Whitney had been planning to host a tournament at her college in Wisconsin to raise money for one of the campus clubs. That event is in April. Steve and Sydney had planned to attend. Now, Sydney and her mom will go. “But my dad will be there in spirit,” Sydney said. “His idea of heaven was a golf course.”
Steve would have turned 69 this year. The last time we spoke, he’d been scraping it around. His game had seen better days and he was the first to say so but without complaint. He knew that was the bargain every lifelong golfer strikes. He had trips planned and a clear sense of how he hoped to spend his time. He had played 99 of GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the World, Augusta National being the exception. He would have thrilled to play it, but he wasn’t going to break his back to try to make that happen. Getting out with friends and family was the main thing. The cachet of the course concerned him less than the company he kept.
In 2022, one of Steve’s close friends, a fellow course rater named David Baum, was killed in a car accident in New Jersey. In a tribute on GOLF.com, Steve wrote: “Like so many of us, David took lessons and worked on his swing, yet his goal wasn’t as much to shoot a lower score as it was to enjoy the walk. . . He also saw the game as a portal to adventure and discovery.”
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I count myself among the many who feel similarly about golf, and whose world was widened because of Steve.
The Man United legend has addressed the post he made on social media following the Premier League loss against Newcastle.
07:38, 10 Mar 2026Updated 07:52, 10 Mar 2026
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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has revealed that former teammate Michael Carrick ‘wasn’t upset’ by the social media message sent in the aftermath of the loss against Newcastle. United fell to a 2-1 loss at St James’ Park on Wednesday night, their first defeat under the guidance of Carrick.
Under the interim manager, United have won six of the eight Premier League games, drawing one, with the one loss coming against the Magpies. The impressive form have seen them climb up into third place in the Premier League table in what is a boost to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
He wrote: “Michael has definitely got something special about him…cos Utd have been [expletive] last four games.” He later deleted the post.
Speaking on his The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast on Monday, Scholes has now explained the message, and revealed a conversation with Carrick over it. “It was in no way intended to be offensive towards Michael,” he said.
“Michael is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in football, he’d be the last person that I would want to offend.
“I messaged Michael anyway. I went straight to Michael and said, ‘Look, I was never intending to upset you’
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“And I don’t think I needed to say that anyway and he told me himself he wasn’t upset by it.”
Host Gary Lineker said: “You see, there’s a little bit of beef between Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick? He’s digging him out, isn’t he? He’s not exactly being very supportive of his old team-mate, is he?”
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Shearer then responded with: “It’s a strange, it’s weird, isn’t it?”
Lineker then added: “It’s weird, isn’t it? Maybe there’s a bit of history there. Who knows?”
Fellow pundit Micah Richards said: “I need a fact checker on that though, I don’t believe it’s true. Everyone is saying it’s true, it has got on all the headlines from social media.
“But if he did say that, Scholesy (Paul Scholes) when you see him, he is one of the nicest guys ever and I don’t think he has got any aspirations to be a coach. As an ex-teammate, I thought they had love for each other, but it was strange to say the least.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
Muhammad Ali had just one name that came to mind when deciding on the greatest boxer of all time.
Many boxing fans place Ali himself in that conversation, after an iconic career that saw the legendary figure become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
Ali competed for the final time in 1981, hanging up the gloves with a record of 56 wins from 61 fights. He became world heavyweight champion for the first time in 1964, but it was a man who last competed in 1965 that Ali deemed as the best ever.
“Sugar Ray Robinson, he’s still my idol. Pound for pound I still say Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest of all time.”
Robinson’s incredible career saw him win 174 of his 201 professional fights. He was involved in notable battles with Jake LaMotta, who he faced six times, along with the likes of Henry Armstrong and Randolph Turpin.
At one stage Robinson had a record of 129 wins from 132 fights, going on a 91-fight unbeaten streak in the process. He held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951, and became world middleweight champion on five occasions.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores surveys the field before kickoff midway through Dec. 29, 2024, as Minnesota prepared to face the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Flores entered the matchup overseeing one of the league’s most aggressive defensive turnarounds, bringing pressure-heavy concepts and disciplined execution to a unit that had rapidly reshaped its identity. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Getty Images
The Minnesota Vikings have plenty of holes to fill this offseason, and they only want to allocate so much money through free agency. After making the necessary moves to be cap compliant going into the league year, their focus can turn to spending.
Minnesota Gains Flexibility before the Draft
James Pierre’s deal won’t be official until Wednesday, but grabbing a cornerback right away sends a message. Not only is it possible the Vikings got a steal after the former Pittsburgh Steeler had a breakout season, but they do so at just an $8.5 million outlay.
Beyond replacing Jeff Okudah with a much higher upside option, the addition of Pierre is notable. Plenty of mock drafts had the Vikings looking at cornerbacks with the 18th overall pick in April’s draft. What sort of player would be there, and which options would be available, is uncertain.
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Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell introduced new Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores from the TCO Performance Center on February 15th, 2023. Flores coached for the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Vikings in 2023.
One thing that is for certain is that Minnesota does not need to be pigeon-holed into a position. By grabbing Pierre, the Vikings have their starting cornerbacks accounted for at this point. That shouldn’t stop them from adding developmental depth, but they aren’t forced into grabbing a Day 1 starter.
The more situations that Rob Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell can find like this before the draft, the better. With the 18th pick, the available options will be fluid for the next handful of weeks. Having the opportunity to draft the best player available or to change strategy to move around is something a team needing to get younger should be excited about.
Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks with Vikings.com’s Gabe Henderson during a sit-down interview on Feb. 17, 2022, discussing organizational philosophy, front-office strategy, and the hiring of head coach Kevin O’Connell while outlining Minnesota’s leadership structure and long-term football operations vision in a detailed digital feature segment. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
It’s already clear that Minnesota is interested in adding running back help, and they could address that position through the draft as well. There are rarely targets worthy of a first-round pick at that position, and this year’s crop is plenty deep.
If the Vikings could grab a center in free agency, they would also knock off a position of need with a pay scale that is often affordable. Pierre was the start of that line of thinking, and replicating more of it through the deals ahead may set the stage for a draft that rights the wrongs of the former general manager.
Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler
The Cheltenham Festival is back as the horse racing season gathers pace with the four-day spectacle one of the highlights of the sport’s calendar.
The Festival begins with Champion Day on Tuesday before Ladies Day makes its Festival return on Wednesday ahead of St Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday 13 March.
This year’s edition looks set to be an unpredictable affair with big names like Constitution Hill, Marine Nationale and Galopin Des Champs out of the running and fewer clear favourites on show.
Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle is set to be a blockbuster event with Dan Skelton’s The New Lion taking on Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth in a field of four or five contenders with each in with a chance at earning glory.
You can find all the latest Cheltenham odds and free bet offers with Independent Sport, and here is the full list of winners and scheduled race card:
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Tuesday 10 March – Champion Day
1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Old Park Star, Mighty Park, Talk The Talk, El Cairos, Mydaddypaddy, Leader Dallier, Sober Glory, Baron Noir, Too Bossy For Us, Eachtotheirown, Koktail Brut, Sageborough
2.40: McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap)
Saratoga, Winston Junior, Manlaga, Ammes, Glen To Glen, Munsif, Mustang De Breuil, Madness Delle, Pourquoi Pas Papa, The Mighty Celt, Bibe Mus, Ole Ole, Barbizon, Dignam, Hardy Stuff, Harwa, Bertutea, Mino Des Mottes Quinta Do Lago, Kylcot, Lord, Macktoad, Bandjo, Paddockwood
3.20: Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
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Jagwar, Iroko, Myretown, Quebecois, Hyland, Handstands, Johnnywho, Blow Your Wad, Konfusion, Blaze The Way, Leave of Absence, The Short Go, Resplendent Glory, Imperial Saint, Knight of Allen, The Doyen Chief, Search For Glory, Patter Merchant, Margarets Legacy, Filanderer, Eyed, Stolen Silver
4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Lossiemouth, The New Lion, Brighterdaysahead, Golden Ace, Poniros, Alexei, Anzadam, Tutti Quanti, Workahead
4.40: Sun Racing Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap)
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Madara, McLaurey, Will The Wise, Downmexicoway, Zurich, Down Memory Lane, Booster Bob, No Questions Asked, Peaky Boy, Jipcot, Omoore Park, Midnight It Is, Dee Capo, Guard Your Dreams, Theatre Native, Riskintheground, Jungle Boogie, Boombawn, Moon Durange, Grandeur Dame, Western Zephyr, Yes Indeed, Embittered
5.20: National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase) (Class 2)
Backmercaskme, Newtone Tornado, Wade Out, Iceberg Theory, One Big Bang, King Of Answers, Walking On Air, Grand Geste, Pic Roc, Kurasso Blue, Holloway Queen, Guard The Moon, First Confession, Union Station, Will Do, Silver Thorn, Holokea
Wednesday 11 March – Ladies Day
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1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
No Drama This End, Sober, King Rasko Grey, Ballyfad, Skylight Hustle, Sortudo, Act Of Innocence, I’ll Sort That, Shuttle Diplomacy, Bossman Jack, Taurus Bay, Laurets d’Estruval, Klimt Madrik, Walks In June, Saint Baco, Came From Nowhere, Soldier Reeves, Hurricane Pat, Riskaway, Fortune Timmy, Free Spirit, Zeus Power
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Romeo Coolio, Kaid d’Authie, Final Demand, Wendigo, Koktail Divin, The Big Westerner, Oscars Brother, Western Fold, Kitzbuhel, Salver, Now Is The Hour, Argento Boy, Predators Gold, Thomas Mor, Rushmount, Joystick
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2.40: BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
Storm Heart, Kateira, Kopeck De Mee, The Yellow Clay, Iberico Lord, I Started A Joke, Jingko Blue, Bunting, Puturhandstogether, Ballyadam, Guard Duty, Lucky Place, Farren Glory, Chart Topper, Beckett Rock, Forty Coats, Colonel Mustard, Give It To Me Oj, HMS Seahorse, Franciscan Rock, Buddy One, Sony Bill, Dargiannini, Rambo T, Minella Rescue, Intense Approach
3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase
Favori De Champdou, Stumptown, Desertmore House, Vanillier, Final Orders, The Goffer, Conflated, Pied Piper, Fakir d’Oudairies, Latenightpass, Velvet Elvis, Famous Bridge, Horantzau d’Airy, Minella Crooner
Majborough, L’Eau du Sud,Il Etait Temps, Quilixios, Irish Panther, Found A Fifty, Saint Segal, Captain Guinness, Libberty Hunter, Brookie
4.40: Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap)
Be Aware, Vanderpoel, Inthepocket, Ryan’s Rocket,Jazzy Matty, Ballysax Hank,Release The Beast, Personal Ambition, Jasko Des Dames, Addragoole, Calico, Touch Me Not, Special Cadeau, Western Diego, Break My Soul, Relieved Of Duties, Rubaud, Golden Joy, Jour d’Evasion, Boothill, Martator, The Other Mozzie
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5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (In Memory of Sir Johnny Weatherby) (Grade 1)
Love Sign d’Aunou, The Irish Avatar, Keep Him Company,Quiryn, The Mourne Rambler, Bass Hunter, Mets Ta Ceinture, Our Trigger, Broadway Ted, It’s Only A Game, Charismatic Kid,The Wager, With Nolimit, Boycetown, Diamant Dore, Wilde’s Legacy, The Skecher, Moonverrin, Vango Can Go, Of Land And Sea, Chicker, Tally Ho Back
Thursday 12 March – St Patrick’s Thursday
1.20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
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Bambino Fever, Oldschool Outlaw, Carrigmoornaspruce, Selma De Vary, Echoing Silence, La Conquiere,Charme De Faust, Mille Et Une Vies, Highland Crystal, Kingston Queen, Future Prospect, Full Of Life, Diamond Du Berlais, Place De La Nation, White Noise, St Irene, Jackie Hobbs, Amen Kate, Manganese, Blue Velvet, Chosen Comrade, Louve D’Irlande, Al Fonce, Scavengers Reign, Belle Montrose
2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
Koktail Divin, Meetmebythesea, Regent’s Stroll, Slade Steel, Jordans Cross,Sixmilebridge,Stencil, Wingmen, Kim Roque, The Bluesman, Kiss Will, Kdeux Saint Fray, King Alexander, Gold Dancer, Joystick, Ol Man Dingle, Western Diego, Jipcot, Relieved Of Duties, Karl Des Tourelles, Moon Rocket, King Of Kingsfield, Western Knight, Dr Eggman, Where’s My Jet, Ben Solo, Intense Approach, Old Cowboy, Koukeo, Lisnagar Fortune, Moore Park, Downmexicoway, Quebecois, McLaurey, Knight Of Allen, Will The Wise
2.40: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
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Wodhooh, Jade De Grugy, Feet Of A Dancer, Take No Chances, Jetara, Murcia, Dream On Baby, Nurse Susan, Lavida Adiva, La Pinsonniere, Sunset Marquesa, Siog Geal, Sotchi, Lossiemouth
3.20: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Teahupoo, Kabral Du Mathan, Honesty Policy, Bob Olinger, Ma Shantou, Ballyburn, Impose Toi, Hewick, Home By The Lee, Feet Of A Dancer, Doddiethegreat, Gowel Road, Gwennie May Boy
4.00: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
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Fact To File, Heart Wood, Banbridge, Il Etait Temps, Romeo Coolio, Impaire Et Passe, Firefox, Jonbon, Gaelic Warrior, Energumene, JPR One, Matata, Master Chewy, Croke Park
4.40: Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
Supremely West, Electric Mason, Minella Emperor, C’Est Different, Impose Toi, Melbourne Shamrock, Ace Of Spades, Absolutely Doyen, Bold Endeavour, Staffordshire Knot, Kikijo, Lavida Adiva, Letos, Gowel Road, Yeah Man, Champagne Chic, Minella Sixo, Ikarak, Red Dirt Road, Classic King, Onewaywest, Ambion View, Duke Silver, Eyed, Millstream Lady, Turndlightsdownlow, Idem, Lihyan, Idy Wood, Ike Sport, 3Found A Diamond, Ontheropes, El Capitaine
5.20: Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)
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Jeriko Du Reponet, Waterford Whispers, J’Arrive De L’Est, Herakles Westwood, Kim Roque, Prends Garde A Toi, Road To Home, Daily Present, Hyland, Weveallbeencaught, Will Do, The Enabler, Patter Merchant, Gericault Roque, Il Ridoto, Hunter Legend, Sandor Clegane, King’s Threshold, Search For Glory, Excello, Ask Brewster, Kish Bank, Monbeg Genius, Glengouly, Lucky Lyreen, Kelce, Uncle Bert, Binge Worthy, Insurrection, Lord Accord, Olympic Man, Hung Jury, Cave Court, Chavez, Rexem, No Time To Wait
Friday 13 March – Gold Cup Day
1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
Proactif, Selma De Vary, Minella Study, Maestro Conti, Macho Man, Mon Creuset, Charme De Faust, Highland Crystal, Kai Lung, Minella Academy, Apolon De Charnie, Forty Fifty, Manganese, Madness d’Elle, North Shore, One Horse Town, Noemie De La Vis, Barbizon, Tenter Le Tout, Fantasy World, Lord Byron, Indian River, Wolf Rayet, Berto Ramirez, Tillmouth
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2.00: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
Murcia, Khrisma, Karbau, Mondo Man, Sinnatra, Roc Dino, Tellherthename, Puturhandstogether, Sixandahalf, Bowensonfire, Hello Neighbour, Absurde, Workahead, Celtic Dino, Jubilee Alpha, Serious Challenge, Ndaawi, Zillow, Joyeuse, Wilful, Helvic Dream, Secret Squirrel, Wellington Arch, Helnwein, Williethebuilder, Tripoli Flyer, Its Bilbo, Jump Allen, Captain Ryan Matt, Ooh Betty, Bowmore, Charlus, The Kemble Brewery, Hot Fuss, Hamlet’s Night, Wreckless Eric, Sticktotheplan, Sony Bill, Bubble Dubi, Jack Hyde, Welsh Charger, Afadil, Pinot Gris, Cracking Rhapsody, Gibbs Island, Messerschmitt, Ballykinlar, Balko d’Ange, Rubber Ball, Brendas Asking
2.40: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
Dinoblue, Panic Attack, Spindleberry, Only By Night, The Big Westerner, Diva Luna, Jade De Grugy, July Flower, Telepathique, All The Glory, Piper Park, Shakeyatailfeather
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3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Doctor Steinberg, Thedeviluno, No Drama This End, The Passing Wife, Spinningayarn, Espresso Milan, Kazansky, Jalon d’Oudairies, 412Klimt Madrik, Kripticjim, 1Mondoui’boy, Riskaway, Fruit De Mer, Moneygarrow, King’s Bucks, Doctor Du Mesnil, Road Exile, Hipop De Loire, Shuttle Diplomacy, Ubatuba, Park Princess, Johnny’s Jury, Laurets d’Estruval, Minella Emperor, Frankie John, The Price Of Peace, Treasure Memory, Kicour La, Whiskey Yankee, Tackletommywoowoo, Swindon Village, Kasino Des Mottes
4.00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
4.40: Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
Wonderwall, Its On The Line, Panda Boy, Con’s Roc, Wrappedupinmay, Stattler, Music Drive, Chemical Energy, Barton Snow, Willitgoahead, Golden Son, Gracchus De Balme, Shearer, Carnfunnock, Solitary Man, Kings Jet, Linelee King, Take All, King Alex, What A Glance, Pyleigh Court, Paul Marvel, Haven’t Time, Willewonga, Lift Me Up, Yippee Ki Yay, D’Jango
5.20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Kel Histoire, Roc Dino, A Pai De Nom, Air Of Entitlement, East India Express, He Can’t Dance, Jump Allen, Wendrock, Nurse Susan, Act Of Authority, Fiercely Proud, Open Secret, Andashan, Its Bilbo, Zanndabad, Siog Geal, Coyote Spirit, John Barbour, Stede Bonnet, Sa Fureur, Fasol, Zillow, Grimaud, Saint Le Fort, De Temps En Temps, Frankie John, Turndlightsdownlow, Newbrook Diamond, Jack Hyde, Idy Wood, Moon d’Orange, La Pinsonniere, Lavender Hill Mob, Farfromnowhere, Karl Des Tourelles, Sony Bill, No Ordinary Joe, Da Capo Glory, Sonigino, Hamsiyann, Charlus, The Nagger Reidy, Hot Fuss, Ballykinlar, Glynn Brae, Sainte Lucie, Intosomethinggood, Kalium, Olympic Man, Intellotto, Lisnagar Fortune, Minella Rescue, Spirits Bay, Rubber Ball
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How can I watch the Cheltenham Festival on TV and is there a live stream?
You can watch the first six races of each day at the Cheltenham Festival with ITV1, while full coverage of the Festival, including the final race of each day is available through a Racing TV subscription.
Both ITV and Racing TV provide live streams for the coverage through their apps and websites, while fans can of course tune on via the traditional television broadcast.
Can I still get a ticket and how much do they cost?
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You can secure access to the first three days of the festival through a daily Club Enclosure ticket from £103.50, while Friday is sold out.
Tattersalls tickets will cost from £73.80 on each of the first three days but again Gold Cup day has sold out.
The cheapest way to experience the festival is through the Best Mate enclosure with a day ticket for the first three days priced from £54.
All details can be found with tickets available to purchase through the Jockey Club here.
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