FIFA has cancelled the reservations for thousands of hotel rooms originally reserved for this year’s World Cup event in Philadelphia, but hasn’t said why.

Approximately 2,000 hotel rooms have been cancelled by FIFA, the world soccer organization, at hotels in the city, according to the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association.

The group had previously blocked off approximately 10,000 rooms.

Ed Grose, the president of the Philadelphia Hotel Association, told ABC 6 that the bulk of the cancellations were at four City Center hotels. He also told reporters that FIFA did not provide a reason for the cancellations, but acted within the terms of its contract and was not penalized for the cancellations.

The Independent has requested comment from FIFA and the Philadelphia Hotel Association.

FIFA hotel cancellations are hitting other U.S. host cities as well, according to Grose. He said it’s unclear how the cancellations will affect hotel pricing, but he encouraged fans who are looking for rooms not to wait to book their stays.

“While we were not excited about that, it’s not the end of the world either,” Grose said. “These are rooms that are going to be put back out on the marketplace and sold to fans who want to come to Philadelphia.”

He also said that a pair of conventions will be happening in Philadelphia around the same time as its scheduled World Cup game, and believes filling the rooms will not be difficult.

The news in Philadelphia follows an announcement in early March that FIFA cancelled 40 percent of its hotel rooms in Mexico City, according to El Financiero.

The paper cited Alberto Albarrán Leyva, the director general of Mexico City’s Hotel Association.

Albarrán Leyva told the publication that in the previous month, 800 of the 2,000 rooms that FIFA booked in the city for the World Cup were canceled.

In a separate interview with ESPN, Albarrán Leyva cautioned against reading into the cancelations, suggesting FIFA simply overbooked out of caution.

“FIFA booked 2,000 rooms months ago to prevent (running short) and guarantee its operation,” he told the outlet. “Over time, it canceled some reservations because it realized that it was no longer going to use them. There is no other reason or other type of context.”

According to FIFA, between 5 to 6.5 million fans are expected to attend this year’s tournament, which will take place in cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

Trainer Matt Laurie’s mare Treasurethe Moment is now set for a Group 1 test in Sydney after regaining her winning touch at Caulfield.

Saturday’s win in the Sunline Stakes (1600m) ended a drought for the mare since her Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) victory at Caulfield last spring.

In her autumn resumption, Treasurethe Moment ran third behind the field in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield a month back, causing some to question her readiness.

The mare’s defeat as $1.90 favourite left certain fans unsatisfied, though Laurie stood by her having been relegated to lead from the front unusually.

Treasurethe Moment benefited from settling behind Astral Flame during Saturday’s race, drawing level approaching the 200m before taking charge for a decisive triumph.

Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse as the $1.55 choice, Treasurethe Moment triumphed by two lengths from Astral Flame ($21) with Suntora ($31) three-quarters back in third spot.

Laurie admitted to pre-race nerves on Saturday, but the mare came through as expected.

“I’ve been happy with her whole career,” Laurie said.

“Her first-up run was fantastic without winning and this was a step down in grade to what she had been competing against.

“It’s lovely to see her go about it in that fashion and for the lead in to her next start, it looked ideal.”

The decision to gallop Treasurethe Moment at Caulfield last Saturday yielded positive results, Laurie explained.

“It had been a number of weeks since she last ran, so she needed a trip away,” Laurie said.

“I’m glad we did it. She was on her toes and having a good sweat last weekend.

“She was much quieter today, more relaxed, and it certainly served its purpose.

“Well done to Daniel, he was cool, calm and collected and got the job done for us.”

Treasurethe Moment eyes the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap on April 4 or the Group 1 Queen of The Turf Stakes over 1600m at Randwick on April 11, preferring the latter.

“That will be a discussion with the owners, but I think a three-week gap to her next run would be ideal,” Laurie said.

“I think with the trip up there, it gives her time to settle in.

“The Doncaster is going to be a pretty strong race. Sheza Alibi goes there, Autumn Glow, I presume, so that might be the right way for us to go.”

Visit trusted betting sites to find the keenest racing odds on Treasurethe Moment for the Doncaster Handicap.

Werder Bremen sporting director Clemens Fritz has admitted that the club’s summer loan signing of Victor Boniface has not gone as planned.

The Nigerian forward joined Werder Bremen on loan from Bayer Leverkusen with hopes of boosting the team’s attacking options for the season. However, injuries and inconsistent performances have prevented Boniface from showing the form that once made him one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting attacking talents.

Speaking to German outlet Mopo, Fritz explained the reasoning behind the transfer, saying the club was willing to take a calculated financial risk.

“To take a manageable financial risk and to have the courage to see the opportunity,” Fritz said, referring to the decision to bring in Boniface.

He added that the move was also aimed at supporting the development of young forward Keke Topp. “On the one hand, we wanted to develop Keke, and on the other hand, we also wanted to acquire the quality that Victor undoubtedly possesses,” he said.

Despite the intentions, Fritz admitted the loan has not delivered the expected results. “As things stand now, we have to say that it hasn’t worked out in that form,” he said.

Boniface struggled to make an impact at the Weserstadion, registering just two assists in 11 Bundesliga appearances. His difficulties were made worse by injuries, which disrupted his rhythm and limited his contributions on the pitch.

The Nigerian forward is currently recovering from a knee injury, raising doubts over whether he will feature again for Werder Bremen this season.

In the wake of star hoop James McDonald etching his name into Australian racing legendry mere hours prior, promising 22-year-old Zac Lloyd burst onto the scene as a top emerging force courtesy of a dazzling success aboard Great House in the $5 million Golden Slipper.

With rivals forming a blockade halfway into the straight, the young pilot on Great House kept his composure to weave through and propel the colt to dominance in a powerful finish.

This marked the first Victorian-bred triumph since Crystal Lily’s 2010 achievement, as Great House ($11) edged clear by 1-1/2 lengths over Blue Diamond Stakes champ Streisand ($7.50), followed by gallant Canberra runner Music Time ($1) in third, another half-length behind.

When Lloyd tailed McDonald’s Fireball mid-race, he recognized his prime positioning.

“I got on the back of the best jockey in the world, and I thought, here we go,” Lloyd said.

“I was just waiting for a run but geez, he let down so well. I’m so pleased for the big ownership group, and for (trainers) Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, and Ben Elam who works here in Sydney.”

Last year’s inaugural Golden Slipper ride ended without placing on King Of Pop, rendering him “speechless” for this second crack at the richest juvenile race globally.

Having dominated Sydney apprenticeships in 2022-23 and 2023-24, Lloyd thanked his family, particularly father Jeff Lloyd, the ex-jockey, for his development.

“My dad is probably balling his eyes out. He is quite an emotional man,” Lloyd said.

“But I wouldn’t be half the rider I am without him, and I wouldn’t be a quarter of the person I am without my mum and my dad. And to my brother (fellow jockey) Jaden, he’s going to be the happiest person on planet earth.”

Trainers savored their debut Slipper after seconds in colts/gelding Blue Diamond Prelude and elite Blue Diamond Stakes.

Price’s earlier near-misses included Samaready (2012) and Flying Artie (2016) independently, prompting Kent Jnr’s elation at partnering for the win.

“It’s so right for Mick. I’m so lucky I work with Mick. He’s had so many close calls in this race. He’s a great two-year-old trainer,” Kent Jnr said.

“And what a horse. He won by a big margin, going away, so fantastic.”

Streisand’s jockey Ben Melham called her runner-up effort “super gallant”, matched by Pierre Boudvillain’s pride in Music Time.

“Very proud of the horse the whole country team,” Boudvillain said.

Favourite Chayan at $5.50 faded to eighth, with Craig Williams citing her preparation’s end.

“She didn’t run up to her form, unfortunately,” Williams said.

Visit online bookmakers to find the latest Golden Slipper betting options.

Dubai Honour’s playful behaviour on the training track typically foreshadows a stellar race effort, and Isabella Paul detects all positive cues before the British horse’s Tancred Stakes challenge.

For this year’s autumn in Sydney, it’s the eight-year-old’s third appearance, with Paul, who joins William Haggas’ Dubai Honour on all journeys, assured of his current top condition.

This is evidenced by his fresh form: Group 1 third to Goliath in German racing last September, Listed victory in England soon after, and UK second carrying 64kg in December.

“I’m really happy with where he is. He is being a bit of a pain on the track, and that generally means he is in pretty good order,” Paul said.

“He’s in great form. He actually came down here a little bit heavy, and he has tightened up nicely in the last week or so.

“They did a good bit of work last week, and they will have a little stretch tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Tuesday morning saw Dubai Honour and stable companion Caviar Heights gallop at Canterbury, marking the end of quarantine protocols.

The eight-year-old Dubai Honour pursues back-to-back Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) wins on Saturday, replicating his defeat of Duke De Sessa and Vauban from last year, while stablemate Caviar Heights bows in Australia in Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m).

According to Paul, Tom Marquand, Dubai Honour’s rider for three of four Aussie runs, lands Thursday but passes on mounting the Haggas duo before Saturday.

“Probably not, to be honest,” Paul said.

“He came and had a sit on Caviar Heights when we were in quarantine in the UK. They galloped together, and he rode Caviar and was very happy with him that day.

“Obviously, he knows Dubai Honour inside out, so we will leave Tom to recover from his flight, and we’ll see him on Saturday.”

Dubai Honour excels in Sydney over four starts, losing just once to Via Sistina during last season’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Plans call for him to contest The Championships race post-Rosehill if fit, with Caviar Heights also Queen Elizabeth-bound, holding a Sydney Cup (3200m) option.

Chris Waller nominates Aeliana for Tancred Stakes, to confirm Tuesday on backing up from Ranvet Stakes (2000m) success at Rosehill recently via Ranvet Stakes.

Secure the finest racing betting markets for the Tancred Stakes showdown.

A WWE and ECW legend has revealed that he is open to working with AEW. The veteran in question, Shane Douglas, has one condition for doing so, however, revolving around the company’s motivation to improve its position in the industry.

Over the past six years, AEW has grown tremendously as a major budding US-based wrestling promotion. The promotion’s success has positioned it as a legitimate rival brand to WWE, a fact that cannot be denied in light of the Stamford-based company’s recent counter-programming attempts against All Elite Wrestling, among other related business moves.

AEW’s success also owes itself in part to the knowledge and experience that its veterans bring to the table, including older in-ring competitors like The Hurt Syndicate, Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Dustin Rhodes and Billy Gunn, as well as backstage personnel such as Dean Malenko and Chris Hero, to name only a few. Now, another wrestling legend, Shane Douglas, has discussed his interest in bringing his talents to All Elite Wrestling.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, The “Franchise” explained that he would be willing to work for the Tony Khan-led company, but only if the promotion refuses to get complacent with its place in the industry, and is willing to make use of his experience and expertise to develop its position even further.

“So AEW has to ask itself a question: do they want to become a major player in this business, or are they comfortable being the smaller alternative on the side? I know where I stand. I’ve never been content being second best at anything. So to answer the question — yes, I could work with [All Elite Wrestling]. I can work with just about anyone, as long as they truly want what I have to offer. And only they can decide that.” [H/T- Ringside News]

Shane Douglas’ critique of AEW’s product

Elsewhere in the same video, Shane Douglas talked about how in his view, AEW’s booking and presentation strategies have not evolved over the past few years. This is why things have not improved drastically for the company, the 61-year-old implied, stating:

“I’ve been around long enough to see that old saying about insanity play out — doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If [All Elite Wrestling] keeps doing the same thing year after year and expects things to suddenly change, why would they?””

Whether All Elite Wrestling might ever hire Douglas in any capacity remains to be seen.