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Gujarat Giants end Mumbai Indians jinx with 11-run thriller to reach WPL Eliminator | Cricket News

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Gujarat Giants end Mumbai Indians jinx with 11-run thriller to reach WPL Eliminator

Gujarat Giants finally ended their losing streak against Mumbai Indians with a thrilling 11-run win to book their place in the Women’s Premier League Eliminator, thanks to a brilliant all-round effort from skipper Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Electing to bat first, Gujarat looked in trouble early, losing Anushka Sharma (33) and Sophie Devine (25) in quick succession for just two additional runs as disciplined bowling from Amelia Kerr (2/26) and Shabnim Ismail (1/29) slowed the scoring. But Gardner and Wareham rescued the innings with a vital 71-run partnership. Gardner’s aggressive 46 off 28 balls, featuring seven fours and a six, and Wareham’s 44 from 26 helped Gujarat post a competitive 167 for 4, with 61 of those runs coming in the last five overs. Chasing 168 on a tricky wicket proved tough for Mumbai. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur fought valiantly, scoring an unbeaten 82 off 48 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, but the required run rate proved too steep. Gujarat bowlers held their nerve, with Gardner picking up 1/26 and Wareham returning 2/26, dismissing key batters Amelia Kerr (20) and Sanskriti Gupta (0). Mumbai managed 156/7, falling short despite a late onslaught from Harmanpreet. The win marks Gujarat’s first-ever victory over the defending champions after eight successive defeats and secures their spot in Tuesday’s Eliminator. Mumbai’s fate now hinges on Sunday’s final league match between Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already sealed a direct final berth.

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October success creates fresh opportunity as Blue Jays return home

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TORONTO — With the benefit of a little perspective, one thing that stands out about last October is how fast it all happened.

One moment, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was yelling ‘Daaaaaaa Yankees lose’ and the next it was time to pack up and gameplan for the Mariners. By the following week, Brendon Little was tearing up in the visiting clubhouse in Seattle as the Toronto Blue Jays fell behind 3-2 in the ALCS. But a George Springer home run in Game 7 assured the Blue Jays of a berth in the World Series, where the emotional swings ratcheted up to yet another level.

From the Game 1 win at home and the 18-inning thriller that teetered on the edge of resolution for six hours and 39 minutes to Trey Yesavage’s epic Game 5, the hope that surged through the crowd at Rogers Centre ahead of Game 6 and the devastation that followed later that night, the World Series tested the emotional resolve of all involved day after day. By Game 7, the teams had grown more and more frustrated with one another after 10 days spent lobbying umpires and MLB officials for even the tiniest edge. And after all that, in the 11th inning of Game 7, the ending came swiftly and painfully.

To say it happened in a blur wouldn’t be quite right because there are distinct moments that characterized every single one of those games, but it all went by so fast. All of four weeks passed between Game 1 against the Yankees to Game 7 against the Dodgers.

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A few months later, it’s already clear many all-time Blue Jays moments occurred during that brief span: beating the Yankees in their first ever post-season matchup, Max Scherzer’s clutch performance and emphatic shouting in Seattle, Springer’s homer, Addison Barger’s pinch-hit grand slam, Yesavage’s dominant start and Bo Bichette’s Game 7 homer against Shohei Ohtani, to name a few. And that’s before you get to the month-long hot streaks from Guerrero Jr. and Ernie Clement. All told, that four-week period led to so many of the best-ever moments in the franchise’s now 50-season history.

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As the Blue Jays return home to Toronto, it’s a good time to reflect on the success of 2025. While millions of Blue Jays fans live in and around Toronto all year, this will be the first time back at Rogers Centre for most players, who make their off-season homes elsewhere. That alone will prompt those in uniform to reflect. And with pre-game celebrations planned and an American League Championship banner set to fall from the rafters, everyone in the building will have occasion to look back a little.

It should be pretty special. And then, as soon as Kevin Gausman throws the first pitch of the 2026 season, it’ll be time to look ahead again.

In the years to come, there should be further chances to celebrate the 2025 team but this coming season offers the only chance to build on it, and as well-positioned as the Blue Jays are to gain further momentum, it’s unclear how long that opportunity will last, adding to the importance of each game.

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Some of the uncertainty connects to the possibility of a lockout, which many players expect once the current collective bargaining agreement ends on Dec. 1. For a rebuilding team like the Nationals or the White Sox, a work stoppage isn’t ideal but it’s perhaps less devastating than it would be for win-now teams like the Blue Jays.

Ultimately, that’s not something any one individual can determine so there’s little point in dwelling on it now, but those within the industry don’t expect the 2027 season to start on time — and many are readying themselves for an extended work stoppage.

Labour relations aside, there’s also the fact that Gausman, Springer and Daulton Varsho are on the brink of free agency. Based on recent history, we can expect the Blue Jays to keep spending aggressively as needed, but if the group that celebrated, cried and vacationed together in 2025 wants more, well, their best and possibly final chance begins now.

The players realize this, of course. As special as last year was, they know it doesn’t entitle them to further success. They have to earn every win, and many of them started working toward that goal soon after the World Series ended, even though the off-season felt — and was — considerably shorter than usual.

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As Barger said recently: “The thing about baseball is it’s just never-ending.”

Ahead of the 2026 season, the Blue Jays are in a great place. A year ago, immense pressure surrounded everyone from Ross Atkins to John Schneider to Springer. Now, all have answered significant questions by winning, leading to newly earned extensions for the team’s GM and manager, and a lasting legacy for Springer and other players. Not only that, the entire roster, coaching staff and front office has gained valuable experience from the 2025 World Series run — and while it’s tough to quantify, there’s no question that experience will help. Most importantly, this is a strong roster.

Where that leads, who knows. Internally, the Blue Jays loved their off-season. They didn’t expect to be able to add Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, Kazuma Okamoto, Jesus Sanchez and Scherzer — but they still managed it. Cease, Ponce, Rogers and Okamoto all genuinely wanted to come here, a testament to the organization’s on-field success and off-field resources. Now, granted, the 2026 Blue Jays are still winless right now, just like every other MLB team. There’s no telling where the season will go. As always, health will go a long way toward determining what happens next.

In some ways, the pressure’s off now. The Blue Jays proved something significant last year. Yet sandwiched between the incredible 2025 season and the uncertainty over 2027, there’s another opportunity for the Blue Jays to do something special. Starting Friday, it’s time to take advantage of it.

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Gold medalists call on IOC to ban Iran over reported wrestler execution

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A coalition of seven Olympians across multiple countries, including three gold medalists, have come forward to condemn the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its response to the execution of Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi. 

After Mohammadi was reportedly hanged in public last week, the IOC released a statement that said, “It is very difficult to comment on situations of individuals during a conflict or unrest in a country without the IOC being able to verify the often contradicting information…

“The IOC, as a civil, non-governmental organization, has neither the remit nor the ability to change the laws or political system of a sovereign country.”

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Now, the seven Olympians are sharing their objections to the IOC not condemning Iran for the execution. 

The IOC told Fox News Digital it stood by its original statement.  

Nancy Hogshead, three-time US Olympic gold medal swimmer

Nancy Hogshead

Women’s Sports Foundation Senior Director of Advocacy Nancy Hogshead attends 40 For 40 Event, 40 Years of Title IX, 40 Women Who Have Made an Impact, at JW Marriott Hotel on June 21, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for WICT)

“I’m flabbergasted that the IOC could not denounce the murder of a teenage wrestler in Iran. The governing organizations of the Olympics are non-political, but denouncing the murder of an athlete for political purposes is not political… it is just doing the right thing,” Hogshead told Fox News Digital. 

“Olympians deserve better. The IOC can and should stand against the execution of athletes by violent regimes for political purposes.”

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Tyler Clary, US gold medal swimmer at London 2012

Tyler Clary

US swimmer Tyler Clary celebrates winning gold in the men’s 200m backstroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 in London.   (CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)

“The IOC’s statement reads like corporate damage control, not moral leadership,” Clary told Fox News Digital. 

“Hiding behind neutrality and bureaucracy isn’t leadership, it’s avoidance. The IOC says it doesn’t have the authority to influence sovereign nations, but it has never hesitated to take strong positions when it suits its interests. To suddenly claim impartiality when an athlete is killed shows a lack of backbone and a failure to stand up for the very people who make the Olympic movement possible.”

Maciej Czyzowicz, Poland Olympic gold medal pentathlete at Barcelona 1992

Maciej Czyzowicz

Poland Pentathalon gold medalist Maciej Czyzowicz (Courtesy of Maciej Czyzowicz)

“The International Olympic Committee’s lack of action and resolve is outrageous. Iran should be banned from the Olympic Games for its behavior, unless the regime is overthrown and a new leadership comes to power,” Czyzowicz told Fox News Digital. 

“If the IOC is unable to stand up for the life of an innocent teenage athlete, it has completely lost all moral credibility. With this statement they showed that they don’t care if any of Olympic movement countries break human and civil rights”

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Keith Sanderson, US Olympic shooter, four-time Olympian

Keith Sanderson

Keith Sanderson on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at The Royal Artillery Barracks on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

“This is sort of par for the course with the IOC. They enrich themselves at the expense of athletes and cannot even stand up and say that any regime, including Iran, murdering a teenage athlete is categorically wrong,” Sanderson told Fox News Digital. 

“The IOC has been known to be corrupt for years, but this is beyond the pale. If the IOC wants to show any shred of morality or credibility, they should denounce this murder and impose sanctions on Iran until their leadership changes or they apologize for this brutal execution.”

Ruben Gonzalez, Argentina Olympic luge athlete, four-time Olympian

Ruben Gonzalez

Ruben Gonzalez of Argentina after finishing the final run of the men’s luge singles final on day 3 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Sliding Centre on February 14, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. (Clive Mason/Getty Images)

“The IOC’s refusal to speak out against Iran for killing the teenage wrestler is shameful. But that’s how they’ve always been. All they care is about themselves,” Gonzalez told Fox News Digital. “As far as the IOC’s concerned, the athletes are simply pawns that allow them to profit. Time and again, it has put its own interests ahead of the athletes it claims to represent. If the IOC has any integrity left, it should publicly condemn the act and take decisive action against Iran.”

Katie Uhlaender, US skeleton athlete, five-time Olympian

Katie Uhlaender poses for a photo in September 2017

Team USA skeleton hopeful Katie Uhlaender poses for a photo during the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team media summit at the Grand Summit Hotel on Sept. 25, 2017. (Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)

“The IOC’s claim that they are just a ‘civil organization’ is a convenient excuse for inaction. They used it to dodge accountability for the Russian state-sponsored doping crisis, and they are using it now regarding the safety of Iranian athletes. Whether it’s doping in China, competition manipulation in Canada, or the stolen moments of U.S. skaters in 2022, the pattern is the same: the IOC cannot or will not protect the people who make the Games possible,” Uhlaender told Fox News Digital. 

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“If the IOC insists that athlete protection is a state responsibility, then the United States has an opportunity to lead by example as it heads into LA 2028. It’s time to stop waiting and start setting the standard for athlete safety and integrity ourselves.”

Eli Bremer, US modern pentathlete at Beijing 2008

Eli Bremer

Eli Bremer of the United States celebrates in the Men’s Modern Pentathlon Fencing Epee One Touch held at the Fencing Hall during Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 in Beijing, China.  (Nick Laham/Getty Images)

 

“I’ve believed IOC has been morally bankrupt for years and thus not had particularly high expectations for them. That said, I assumed the murder of a teenage athlete by his own country would be something even the IOC could figure out and denounce,” Bremer told Fox News Digital. 

“The fact that they cannot come out and say that Iran’s murder of this teenager who had become a national icon is wrong simply confirms how completely out of touch this organization is. I believe sports organizations generally should stay out of politics. But they can and should stand on basic humanity and say that murdering athletes is wrong. The fact that the IOC cannot do this speaks volumes about them.”

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Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston, Iranian-born Team USA Olympic women’s wrestling coach at Rio 2016

“As an Iranian born world-class athlete, coach, and trailblazer for women in wrestling, I am profoundly disappointed by the International Olympic Committee’s recent statement regarding the execution of 19 year-old young wrestler, Saleh Mohammadi,” Johnston told Fox News Digital.

“By framing its role as a ‘non-governmental organization’ without the remit to influence national affairs, the IOC is stepping away from the very principles of the Olympic charter. The charter aims to promote a ‘peaceful society, concerned with the preservation of human dignity,’ yet when a young champion is barbarically and publicly hanged by a state sanctioned execution, ‘quiet diplomacy’ feels painfully inadequate. 

“Political neutrality should not result in passivity when athletes face terrorist state sanctioned brutality. Such a “safe” response, sends a troubling message to athletes in Iran and elsewhere; that the life and safety of the athlete is secondary to organizational protocol.

“We don’t need the IOC to change a country‘s laws, we need them to stand up and use their immense platform to support and help protect athletes.”

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What happened to Saleh Mohammadi?

Mohammadi was reportedly killed in a public hanging Thursday, according to Iranian American human rights activists and dissidents. 

Iran International reported that Iran’s regime hanged Mohammadi and two additional Iranian men, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, “after being accused of killing two police officers during nationwide protests earlier this year,” the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency reported.

Mohammadi previously told Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that his dream was to be an Olympic champion. 

Mohammadi won a bronze medal in September 2024 for Iran’s national freestyle wrestling at the Saytiyev International Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

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Fox News Digital’s Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Carson Beck pro day results: Miami QB puts finishing touches on NFL Draft resume

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The story of Carson Beck’s 2025 season isn’t just about a change of scenery from Athens to Coral Gables. It’s about an evolution in leadership – one that bridged the gap between a talented system quarterback and a future NFL starter.

Miami’s Pro Day felt like a fitting final chapter. Hours before taking the field, Beck admitted he’d been waiting for this moment. When it arrived, he looked calm, poised, confident – and, most importantly, like he was having fun. In the process, he all but cemented himself as a Day 2 pick.

As former Titans GM and my “With the First Pick” co-host Ran Carthon put it on our post–Pro Day podcast: what’s the difference between Tyler Shough coming out of Louisville a year ago and Beck now? The short answer: Beck had the better, more consistent final season. If you believe that, it’s not much of a leap to see him coming off the board early in Round 2 – right in that same range. 

Following a 2024 season at Georgia that ended with mixed reviews, Beck’s decision to transfer to Miami was met with familiar skepticism — not unlike Jayden Daniels leaving Arizona State for LSU. First came the mockery, then quiet admiration from afar.

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Daniels became a different player in Baton Rouge and turned that into the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Beck’s path wasn’t identical, but the growth was real. His stock swung from possible No. 1 overall pick to Day 3 – and now he has solidified himself as QB3 in the class behind Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson.

That journey, which culminated in a run to the national title game, revealed where Beck improved most: uniting a locker room, commanding a new scheme, and embracing the vulnerability of a fresh start – all while rehabbing a serious elbow injury.

The shadow of Athens

To understand Beck’s growth, you have to acknowledge the weight of Georgia. He was part of a program that demanded perfection, yet often absorbed the criticism when the offense stalled in 2024. At the time, it wasn’t hard to find people pointing fingers. More than a year later, that tone has softened. What Beck was asked to do – and what he’s since accomplished –  hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette, who will be drafted next month, said the locker room never stopped supporting him.

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“We were rooting for him every week,” Everette told me at the Senior Bowl. “Sometimes you just need a fresh start. And look, he can spin it. People gave him a bad rap, but he showed what he could do.”

For Beck, Miami wasn’t an admission of failure. It was a calculated pivot — a chance to find a culture where he could be the catalyst.

Rebuilding from the ground up

Beck arrived in Coral Gables mid-rehab, learning a new offense, meeting new teammates, and starting from scratch — without the benefit of built-in credibility. That forced a different kind of leadership. Not production-based, but presence-based.

“Personally, I thought that this last year was huge for me,” Beck told Ran Carthon and me at the Combine. “It had such an impact on me as a person, as a leader, as a player… to go through the rehab, meet new teammates, new coaches, learn a new offense, and then have the success we had.”

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Before he could lead, he navigated that rehab in real time. In doing so, he naturally embedded himself in the locker room. Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa saw it immediately.

“When he came in, he wasn’t really doing anything because of the elbow surgery, but at the same time he was one of the guys,” said Mauigoa, who solidified himself as a top-15 draft pick after his Pro Day performance.

That stretch — when Beck couldn’t fully participate — became foundational. He built trust through consistency, accessibility, and how he carried himself. And he never leaned on his past.

“He’s very humble,” Mauigoa said. “He won two [titles] at Georgia, but he never talks about it… he just wants to win another one.”

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The rehab slowed everything down. It forced Beck to listen more, connect more, and earn his place organically. By the time he was fully healthy, he wasn’t an outsider stepping into leadership — he was already part of the foundation. That showed up in the small moments, too.

“We always joke around,” Mauigoa said, pointing to a clip he saw of Beck getting run down by a defensive lineman at Georgia. “I’d tell him all the time, ‘Hey bro, I’m faster than you.’”

Those interactions reflected something deeper: buy-in. Beck became one of the guys before he became the guy. And when he took control of the offense — making checks, setting protections, leading drives — the locker room didn’t have to adjust. They were already with him.

The mental leap

For quarterbacks, leadership is often synonymous with preparation. At Miami, Beck’s biggest leap came mentally.

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“He’s a very intelligent quarterback,” center James Brockermeyer told me at the Senior Bowl. “He understands protections at a really high level. IDs in the run game. How to check out of certain looks.”

That pre-snap command elevated everyone.

“He understands everyone’s responsible for protecting the quarterback — and he can protect himself with how he reads defenses,” Brockermeyer said.

That’s where Beck separated himself. At Georgia, he executed. At Miami, he orchestrated.

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Ready for what’s next

Twenty-one months ago, Beck was QB1 for many evaluators — media and league alike. Former Vikings GM Rick Spielman, now with the Jets, said during our Summer Scouting series ahead of the 2024 season: “I thought he was the best … and the one who would take another jump and clearly be the No. 1 quarterback when it’s all said and done. I think he’s a top-10 pick.”

Beck won’t go that high. But he rebuilt both his image and his game. That is evident throughout the pre-draft process — from the Combine to Miami’s pro day. And the consensus from those who shared a huddle with him is clear: the Carson Beck who left Georgia was a talented passer. The one who finished at Miami is a professional leader.

“I think he’s going to be a stud at the next level,” Brockermeyer said.

Not just because he can “spin it,” as Everette put it — but because he proved he can take a group of strangers, learn a complex system, overcome adversity, and lead them to the brink of a national title. In one year at Miami, Carson Beck didn’t just rebuild his draft stock. He rebuilt his identity.

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And in the process, he showed that leadership isn’t defined by where you start — but by how you adapt, how you connect, and what you become when you get a second chance.

We say it all the time: you can’t evaluate players in a vacuum; fit matters. For Beck, Miami was the exact right fit. And if he finds the right fit in the NFL, he’s going to take his game to a whole other level.

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Senne Lammens explains training ground behaviour after leaving Man United with clear opinion

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Senne Lammens has explained his committed day-to-day routine at Manchester United’s training ground

Senne Lammens has opened up about his training ground antics that were previously heralded by Manchester United bosses.

The goalkeeper joined the Red Devils on deadline day last year in an £18.2million transfer as Ruben Amorim’s last signing as United head coach. After being benched for his first three league games, the Belgium international was handed his debut in a 2-0 win against Sunderland.

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Lammens has since played every game and with five clean sheets to his name, he’s introduced a sense of calm and reliability between the sticks. It’s not just his noticeable talent that has been adored by the United faithful and praised by the club’s hierarchy, but also the 23-year-old’s attitude towards training and his impressive work ethic.

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Lammens delved into his routine at Carrington during an appearance on ex-United stopper Ben Foster’s ‘Fozcast’ podcast. The Belgian explained: “I live alone here at the minute.

“I don’t really want to be home at 1 [o’clock] and doing nothing the rest of my day. We have the capabilities like a swimming pool, sauna and ice bath, we have it here, so why not take full use of it?

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“So I try to take my time with it, most of the time [I’m] the last guy here, which I’m not saying it to big up myself. I know if I have children and a wife at home waiting for me, I’ll probably hurry up a little bit more.”

According to the i paper, United insiders lauded Lammens’ commitment to improving his game and his maturity despite his tender years and relative inexperience at the top level. His extra work as the first to arrive at training and the last to leave didn’t go unnoticed.

Before making the move from Royal Antwerp, Tom Lammens, the brother of the United goalkeeper, claimed Senne was subject to interest from Galatasaray. Tom admitted he was initially doubting whether a move to Manchester was best for his sibling.

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Speaking to Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, Tom said: “There’s a lot of quality, you play for trophies there [at Galatasaray], and Senne could perhaps immediately make his mark in the Champions League.

“I was initially sceptical about a move to United, because many players there had already succumbed to the pressure and couldn’t reach their full potential. But ultimately, it was Senne who had to make the decision.

“United gave him the best feeling. Partly because Tony Coton, United’s goalkeeping scout, had been following him for almost a year and was very convinced of his qualities. It would also be great if the club could return to its former glory and if Senne could contribute to that.”

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England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL

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Tuchel clearly doesn't rate Alexander-Arnold – Sutton

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The Monday Night Club’s Chris Sutton and Rory Smith discuss Thomas Tuchel’s decision to exclude Trent Alexander-Arnold from the latest England squad.

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Heavens Race Academy Spreads Love at Uyo Destitute Home Ahead of NLO Season Kickoff

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Players and officials of Heavens Race Football Academy on Monday, 23rd March 2026, visited St Anthony of Padua Destitute Home, Uruan Street, Uyo, in a show of love and support for the children, as they prepare for the upcoming Nationwide League season which begins in April.

Heavens Race Academy, who compete in the Nationwide League and were winners of the maiden Obong Isong Isang Memorial Academies Championship, is owned by Onowu Chukwu Mark Onyeani, Chairman of Heaven’s Race FA and CEO of Atlas Afrik Integrated Services Limited.

A respected sports administrator and philanthropist, Onyeani has continued to play a key role in youth development and grassroots football, while also extending support to communities through education and humanitarian initiatives.

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The visit is a regular part of the academy’s activities and includes other life-touching initiatives aimed at impacting their community.

The team arrived at the home on Monday afternoon with foodstuffs, groceries, gift items and cash donations.

The players, led by Head Coach Anayo Ndulaka, were warmly received by officials of the home and later ushered into the hall where the children welcomed them with songs.

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The visit soon took a solemn turn as the children led the players in moments of praise and worship. They also offered prayers for the academy, its Chairman, Onowu Chukwu Mark Onyeani, the management, coaches and players.

The children prayed for God’s favour and opportunities for the players as they prepare for the year’s competitions.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Coach Ndulaka thanked the management of the home for receiving them. He noted that such visits reflect the generous nature of the academy’s leadership. He then presented the cash and donated items, which were received with gratitude.

The players later spent time interacting with the children, sharing moments of joy before rounding off the visit with a group photograph.

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Speaking after the visit, academy defender Dominic Ezeani expressed satisfaction, describing the outreach as a divine call to show love.

“We came here with the intention of touching the hearts and lives of the children by showing love to them. In doing this, we set an example for others to care for people in their communities,” he said.

Ezeani added that the visit holds spiritual importance as the team prepares for the 2026 FA Cup and the upcoming Nationwide League season.

Coach Ndulaka also explained that the visit was aimed at supporting those in need while seeking divine grace ahead of the academy’s participation in major competitions.

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He said: Our Chairman “Onowu Chukwu Mark Onyeani is a man who loves giving. He has produced customised books and distributed them to schools in Uyo, visited homes like this, helped many people, and contributed greatly to the growth of football in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.”

The visit ended on a positive note, reinforcing the academy’s commitment not only to football development but also to making meaningful contributions to society through compassion, service and community engagement.

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5 Vikings Who Must Bounce Back in 2026

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Vikings OT Christian Darrisaw in 2021
Dec 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) celebrate after the touchdown in the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports www.gotshotbyquinn.com

The 2025 season didn’t go according to plan for the Minnesota Vikings. They might have finished with a winning record, but the playoffs stopped looking like a realistic ambition early in the season. If the Vikings are to return to the playoffs in 2026, then there are five Vikings who need bounce-back seasons in 2026.

The five players in question had down years in 2025 for a variety of reasons, from injury to loss of form to wider team issues holding them back.

The 5 Vikings Facing the Most Pressure to Rebound in 2026

Whether it’s down to themselves or a wider improvement from the whole team, these five Vikings need to have a bigger impact in the Vikings’ 2026 season.

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Justin Jefferson

For most wide receivers, a 1000-yard season would be something to celebrate. For a man of Justin Jefferson’s abilities, it amounts to a disappointment. Jefferson caught 84 of 141 targets for 1048 yards and two touchdowns.

Vikings bounce back 2026
Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass near the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

That was a career low in both yards and TDs, including the season when he appeared in only 10 games because of injury. It left Jefferson without All-Pro or Pro Bowl recognition for the first time in his career, outside of his injury-hit 2023 season.

Jefferson’s career started at a record pace as he broke record after record, but the Vikings’ 2025 offense was blighted by inconsistencies at the quarterback position that affected everyone, and even Jefferson wasn’t immune to the consequences. Minnesota has turned to Kyler Murray in the hope of getting their offense back on track this season. If Murray can prove to be accurate, something he has been during his career, then Jefferson should be back in reach of the really big seasons that Vikings fans have become used to. 

Christian Darrisaw

The season never seemed to get going for Christian Darrisaw. Not recovered in time for the start of the season because of a knee injury that happened during the 2024 season.

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Darrisaw first appeared in the Vikings’ Week 3 game against Cincinnati, but he still didn’t look right, and his knee continued to be an issue as he was named on the injury report week after week. His final appearance came in Week 14, after which Darrisaw was placed back on Injured/Reserve and shut down for the season.

The hope will have been to get ready for the 2026 season so he can get back to his best. Darrisaw was cementing himself as one of the best tackles in the game over his first four seasons in the league. However, he looked a shadow of that player last year and the Vikings offensive line suffered because of it. A fully healthy and firing Darrisaw in 2026 will be a major boost for Minnesota.

Byron Murphy Jr.

Byron Murphy got a payday on the back of a Pro Bowl season that saw him lead cornerbacks in interceptions in 2024. The same production wasn’t there for Murphy in 2025, as interceptions dropped from 6 to 2 and passes defended from 14 to 7. 

Byron Murphy Jr. reacts with fans after intercepting Joe Flacco against the Colts in 2024. Vikings bounce back 2026
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) hypes up the crowd after intercepting Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco during third-quarter action of a Nov 3, 2024 matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The defensive takeaway provided a momentum boost for Minnesota in the home contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

James Pierre has been signed to add depth at the position, and CB is a position that may or may not be addressed in the draft. Murphy is still the Vikings’ best CB, and the team will lean on him heavily again this season. They will hope he can get back to his 2024 form.

T.J. Hockenson

After coming to Minnesota via a trade with Detroit, T.J. Hockenson looked to be just what the Vikings needed at tight end. Then an injury towards the end of the 2023 season derailed everything, preventing Hockenson from reaching the first 1000-yard season of his career in the process.

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Hockenson eventually returned in the 2024 season but hasn’t looked quite the same, failing to reach 500 receiving yards in the last two seasons. He was heavily touted as a cut candidate this offseason, but Hockenson took a pay cut to stay in Minnesota. Much like Jefferson, the hope will be that better play at QB will help Hockenson return to his best and most productive football.

Blake Cashman

Injured in the opening game of the season, Blake Cashman didn’t return to the Vikings’ line-up until Week 7. Cashman certainly wasn’t bad last season, but after an injury disrupted the start of his season, he never quite hit the heights he did in his first season with his home-state club.

Vikings bounce back 2026
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) celebrates recovering a fumble by Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via Imagn Images. with Blake Cashman pictured.

It’s another case of hoping a fully healthy version of a player can play for 17 games and be at their very best. Cashman is an integral part of Brian Flores’ defense, making everything else tick. The 30-year-old is set to hit free agency next year and will want a strong season behind him when he sits down at the negotiating table.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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England great Geoffrey Boycott slams ECB’s Ashes review: ‘Where is the accountability?’

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Geoffrey Boycott has launched a scathing critique of accountability within English cricket, following the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) decision to retain head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key despite a humiliating 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.

The former England opener did not mince words, questioning ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould’s credentials and labelling Key and McCullum as “incompetent” figures who had “sabotaged” England’s Ashes campaign.

“Like me, cricket supporters will be asking how McCullum and Key could make so many bad decisions on the Australian tour and yet the chief executive of English cricket decides there is no need to make any changes. Where is the accountability?” Boycott wrote in the Telegraph.

He added: “I’m sure they promised him they would do better, but leopards don’t change their spots, so it looks like we will get the same type of test cricket.”

While acknowledging McCullum’s success in fostering an aggressive and exciting playing style, Boycott expressed concern that players had grown complacent under the former New Zealand captain.

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England managing director Rob Key, right, and head coach Brendon McCullum have kept their roles (Mike Egerton/PA)
England managing director Rob Key, right, and head coach Brendon McCullum have kept their roles (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Archive)

He argued: “In trying to create a free-spirited team, he has made them too comfortable and complacent. They know they will not get dropped, whatever their performances or conduct on or off the field.”

Boycott further described the setup as a “boys’ club where, once you are in the team, it is hard to get out… competition for places is the lifeblood of sport. Complacency in a team does not breed a good appetite to excel.”

Other prominent voices in English cricket echoed Boycott’s sentiments, with former England captains Michael Vaughan and Mike Atherton suggesting Key and McCullum were fortunate to keep their positions.

“There’s not many management groups that deliver something so poor away from home in an Ashes series and get the chance to carry on,” Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special, adding, “they’ve had some exciting times, but they haven’t won enough. What England fans are looking for now is, what change (will happen)?”

Atherton, writing in The Times, stated that English supporters would find “the lack of accountability hard to stomach”.

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He concluded, “In most walks of life, such a litany of mistakes would result in some significant change. There will be limited patience if the general public do not sense a shift in attitude this summer from players who, they felt, were too slapdash during a 4-1 Ashes defeat.”

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Kal Somani buys IPL team Rajasthan Royals in landmark $1.6 bn deal | IPL 2026

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A consortium led by Kal Somani has acquired the Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals for USD 1.6 billion. While the deal has been finalised, the formal transfer of control is expected after the conclusion of IPL 2026.  The Times Group was also in contention but ultimately finished second in the bidding race. 

 

Somani, who previously held a minority stake in the franchise, will now lead a consortium that includes backing from Walmart-linked investors, along with prominent American business families. The group has secured a complete 100 percent stake, making Rajasthan Royals the first IPL team to cross the USD 1 billion valuation mark. 

 
 


The franchise is currently owned by Emerging Media Ventures, led by UK-based Manoj Badale, who will step aside once all formalities are completed.

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Negotiations for the sale had been ongoing for several months, with the agreement now signed and awaiting final procedural clearances. 


Record-Breaking IPL Valuation

 

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The acquisition marks a new benchmark in IPL franchise valuations. Previously, the Lucknow Super Giants were bought by the RPSG Group for USD 940 million, while a majority stake in Gujarat Titans was acquired by the Torrent Group for USD 575 million.

 

The Royals’ sale significantly surpasses these figures, underlining the league’s growing commercial appeal and global investor interest. 


Who Is Kal Somani?

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Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Somani is an entrepreneur with diverse business interests spanning education technology, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and sports technology. He is the founder of companies such as IntraEdge, Truyo, Truyo.AI, and Academian.

 


Beyond cricket, Somani has a keen interest in golf and is a co-founder of Motor City Golf Club, which has associations with legendary golfer Tiger Woods. His son, Arjun Somani, is also emerging as a promising player on the US junior golf circuit.

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Padres tab RHP Nick Pivetta to start opener vs. Tigers

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MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at San Diego PadresSep 22, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (27) delivers during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Nick Pivetta will make the first Opening Day start of his career on Thursday afternoon when the San Diego Padres host the Detroit Tigers.

Padres manager Craig Stammen made the announcement on Monday as the team was on the verge of ending spring training.

It won’t be an easy assignment as the 33-year-old right-hander will face Tigers ace left-hander Tarik Skubal, who has won back-to-back American League Cy Young awards for the Tigers.

“We’re excited for Nick to start Opening Day,” Stammen said. “He was our best pitcher throughout the entire last season and was our No. 1 starter when we took on the Cubs in the wild-card series. He deserves to get the Opening Day nod.”

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Pivetta had a career-best season last year when he set personal highs for victories (13), ERA (2.87) and strikeouts (190). He lost just five decisions in 31 starts.

Pivetta is 69-76 with a 4.47 ERA in 254 career appearances (209 starts) with the Philadelphia Phillies (2017-20), Boston Red Sox (2020-24) and Padres.

Michael King will be San Diego’s starter on Friday as he looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season. Fellow right-hander Randy Vasquez will start Saturday’s series finale against the Tigers.

Right-hander Joe Musgrove will start the season on the injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery in October 2024.

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–Field Level Media

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