Paris Saint-Germain further soured the mood at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City‘s first home game since the guilty verdict on widespread flouting of Premier League financial rules ended in a 4-2 Champions League defeat on Wednesday.

The European champions turned on the style to strike three times inside the opening 35 minutes through Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.

But City stormed back in the second half as Erling Haaland scored twice either side of Maghnes Akliouche’s strike that briefly restored PSG‘s three-goal cushion.

The 10-time English champions face swingeing sanctions unless they can successfully appeal the ruling of an independent commission last month, which found the club guilty on over 100 charges of financial impropriety.

City shrugged off the uncertainty over their future to win 3-0 at Liverpool on Sunday and remain top of the Premier League, but PSG showed why they are the favourites to win this competition for a third consecutive season.

Read moreChampions League: Arsenal leave no chance to Lille and Olivier Giroud

Former City manager Pep Guardiola returned to the Etihad for the first time since his departure in May, sat behind the club’s embattled chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano in a show of solidarity.

City made passing reference to the guilty verdict with a lengthy pre-match video detailing the club’s historic moments of celebration both before and after an Abu Dhabi-backed takeover in 2008 that transformed their fortunes.

Behind one end supporters unravelled a giant banner reading: “I’m City till I die.”

Yet the fighting talk in the stands was not matched on the field as City were blown away by a scintillating first 45 minutes from the visitors.

Luis Enrique’s decision to leave Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the bench proved to be inspired as it meant Doue started wide on the left.

Gianluigi Donnarumma had a point to prove after the Italian goalkeeper was let go by the PSG coach just months after helping deliver the club’s first Champions League title in 2025.

However, it turned out to be a night to forget for the giant Italian.

Donnarumma was caught out at his near post by Doue’s effort from outside the box after a lightning counter-attack to open the scoring.

Read moreArsenal thrash Lille as Atletico Madrid beat Manchester United

The move for the second goal two minutes later was even more impressive as Doue and Dembele exchanged an elaborate one-two before the latter headed in at the far post.

Achraf Hakimi hit the post before Vitinha rattled in PSG’s third from the edge of the box.

Maresca responded with a triple substitution at half-time and managed to salvage some pride, even if the deficit proved too much to overturn.

Antoine Semenyo and Enzo Fernandez missed glaring chances to pull a goal back even before Haaland glanced home a header from Iliman Ndiaye’s cross.

Yet, City were hit by a sucker punch when Donnarumma got a hand to Akliouche’s effort but the ball looped high into the air and spun back into the net.

Nuno Mendes made a brilliant clearance off his own line and Haaland hit the bar before the Norwegian slotted home his second of the night.

Donnarumma saved a late Ferran Torres penalty to deny the French champions a fifth goal.

But in the battle between two state-backed projects that have reshaped European football, Qatar-owned PSG are the top dogs right now as City face up to a scandal that leaves their litany of trophies over the past 15 years open to question.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

At first glance, women’s football is healthier than ever. A recent report by FIFPRO, football’s global players’ union, said worldwide revenue is expected to reach over $1bn (€894m) in 2027. The World Cup in Brazil, a first in South America, will be the last with 32 teams and is expected to be the most watched and biggest revenue-generating women’s tournament ever.

The good news continues with the U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, where the tournament is being held every year for five straight years. Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, the United States and defending champions North Korea are all at the 2026 edition of a competition whose reputation continues to grow.

“You can just see where the game is going, which is so exciting,” US head coach Ciara Crinion told FIFA. “The level has just gone up. We have to continue to stay with that and compete as well. [The U-17 Women’s World Cup] almost feels like that first stepping stone in a major tournament for young players, and now you see how serious it is taken.”

Puerto Rico, Australia and Argentina are making their debuts. For Puerto Rico, qualification is historic, as no football team in the men’s or women’s game has ever reached a World Cup tournament before.

“We’ve embraced this idea of being Puerto Rico’s first team to qualify for a World Cup,” head coach Andres Mirabelli told FIFA. Alongside national development plans, player recruitment was aided by a diaspora of nearly four million in the United States, perhaps the strongest place for women’s football in the world. According to FIFPRO, the regional football average salary in North America is $5,940 (€5,547) per month, which is far higher than any other continent.

Women’s game falling short on global standards

But even for the handful of players who make it out of these youth tournaments to a professional career, creating a living out of the beautiful game remains a real challenge. The aforementioned FIFPRO report details that many professional female players across the world barely earn minimum wage, with some even falling below it.

The report, which sourced its data from player surveys across the world, found that only 66% of professional players are paid for 12 months a year. The global average salary is $2,600 (€2,300) a month, but the range varies drastically across the world. In Eastern Europe, for example, that average is $880 per month. In Africa, it is $432, but in North America it is just under $6,000. 

“I think what you also find in the women’s game is the gaps are not just between the top five leagues and the rest. There is a gap there, but even within leagues themselves [there is one],” FIFPRO head of research and strategy for women’s football Frankie Brown told DW. 

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“In some of the other leagues you’re dealing with teams that are operating professionally, so will be paying their players on a reasonable wage, and playing in the same league as them you’ll have players that are on amateur contracts and not being paid at all.”

With economic and job security an issue for many, the report reveals that psychological stress factors are now the second main reason many consider leaving football. 

“This is one of the most concerning parts of the report,” Alex Culvin, the director of women’s football at FIFPRO, said in a statement.

“Of the 49% of women’s football players considering leaving the sport early, 46% cited their mental health as the reason. In interviews, players say the sport’s growth brings new pressures — including extra workload and social media abuse — but that clubs do not have the necessary safeguards in place to support these changes. We want clubs and national associations to provide mandatory mental health support focused on wellbeing, which is independent of sporting performance objectives.”

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FIFPRO’s report is asking FIFA to set a so-called floor for the women’s game so that minimum standards in key areas such as contracts, pensions and health can be enforced. Perhaps inspiration can be taken from the labor deal the WNBA agreed in 2026. It was long-negotiated deal that ultimately sent a message to female athletes everywhere to push for better pay, conditions and a greater share of the revenue they help generate.

“It is positive that average salaries are increasing for some players and that more are earning a satisfactory wage, but it’s important to note that there is a huge disparity in pay across regions,” said Culvin.

“There is also an imbalance in conditions, not only across the globe but also within regions; in Europe, for example, the difference in standards between the east and west is enormous. This is a gulf we need to work hard to narrow; the growth in the most advanced markets must not be completely isolated from the rest of the industry.

Germany aiming to be example of development

With high hopes for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and recent moves to increase professional football domestically, Germany is aiming to become an example for structural improvement in women’s football. Hosting the Euros in 2029 certainly gives them an incentive to improve standards.

While salaries are in the upper tier — in the 2023-24 season, a women’s Bundesliga player earned an average base salary of around €48,000 per year — the process of structural development in the country is still in its infancy. A new German footbal association rule shows that even basic professional structures are still being established. Only since the 2025–26 season have teams in the Women’s Bundesliga been required to employ assistant coaches, goalkeeper coaches and athletic coaches on a full-time, professional basis.

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“The facilities and the staff members,” Nicole Anyomi told DW, were a factor in her making a recent move to London City Lionesses. “We have 30-plus staff members here whereas in Frankfurt we had like seven or eight. You can learn from each person and there is something new to learn every day. I think that’s how you develop as a player faster.”

Ultimately, the faster the game grows, the greater need to close the gaps.

“Despite playing on different continents, players are connected by their precarity,” Culvin said. “The redistribution systems in women’s football need to be more effective, touching more players and supporting a more sustainable ecosystem.”

Edited by: Matt Pearson

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Shai Hope creates history

Shai Hope continued his remarkable run in T20 internationals by becoming the first West Indies batter to register three centuries in the format, powering the visitors to a formidable 247/3 against India in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday.The West Indies captain struck an unbeaten 102 off 50 deliveries, reaching the three-figure mark for the second time in the ongoing series and extending his lead over the Caribbean greats in the T20I century charts.Hope’s latest hundred came with a remarkable statistical twist: all three of his T20I centuries have been unbeaten scores of exactly 102. He moved ahead of Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, who have two centuries each, while Johnson Charles and Rovman Powell have one apiece.

Hope joins 2,000-run club for West Indies

Hope also crossed the 2,000-run mark in T20 internationals with a six off the final delivery of the innings. He became the fourth West Indies batter to reach the milestone, joining Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King.

First innings report: Hetmyer, Rutherford provide explosive support

Hope received strong support from his teammates as West Indies posted 247/3 in their allotted 20 overs, setting India a target of 248.Jewel Andrew provided an aggressive start, scoring 21 off 16 balls before Axar Patel dismissed him leg-before-wicket. Shimron Hetmyer then unleashed a blistering attack, smashing 33 off just 12 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes, before Prince Yadav ended his cameo with a return catch.Rovman Powell added 24 off 17 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford finished unbeaten on 49 off 26 deliveries, ensuring West Indies maintained their momentum through the closing overs.The visitors raced to 79/1 in the powerplay, equalling the joint-highest powerplay score against India in T20Is. They also reached 100 in just 7.4 overs, matching the fastest team hundred against India in the format.India’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring rate, with Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs each in their four overs. Prince Yadav returned figures of 1/36, while Axar Patel claimed one wicket.

The Savannah Bananas will soon reveal where Banana Ball is headed in 2027.

The team announced Tuesday that its annual City Selection Show will take place Thursday, with fans able to watch the announcement live as the Bananas reveal the cities and venues on the upcoming World Tour.

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The show comes after months of anticipation surrounding the 2027 schedule, with the Bananas previously saying they received interest from cities and venues across the United States and internationally.

When is the Savannah Bananas 2027 schedule announcement?

The 2027 Banana Ball City Selection Show is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.

Fans can watch the announcement on ESPN2 and the Banana Ball YouTube Channel.

The Bananas announced the show Tuesday on X, writing that fans are two days away from finding out where the team is heading in 2027.

What will the Savannah Bananas announce Thursday?

The biggest reveal will be the 2027 Banana Ball World Tour Schedule.

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The Bananas have said the selection process involved interest from cities and venues around the world. Earlier this year, team owner Jesse Cole said the organization had heard from more than 200 cities across every state, as well as 10 countries, including Canada and Mexico.

The team has also teased that the 2027 announcement could include new destinations, including MLB and NFL stadiums, iconic venues and even unexpected places where fans might not expect to see Banana Ball.

Could the Savannah Bananas play in Canada or Mexico?

The Bananas have not confirmed that Canada or Mexico will be part of the 2027 schedule.

However, both countries have previously been mentioned as places that expressed interest in hosting Banana Ball, and they’re featured on the team’s social media graphic.

Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos says the lengthy stoppage during their 1-0 win away at Millwall was a result of racist abuse aimed at Ji-sung Eom.

The South Korea winger was among the Swansea substitutes, and had been warming up on the side of the pitch when the Championship game was brought to a halt.

Referee Edward Duckworth had lengthy discussions with both sets of coaches, during which the game was paused for around seven minutes.

Following the stoppage, an announcement was made over the speakers at The Den confirming there had been alleged chants of racism and that police were working to identify any offenders using CCTV.

Speaking after the game, Matos said it was the 24-year-old who had been the subject of the abuse.

“The situation was with Ji-sung Eom,” said Matos.

“The referee followed the protocol for these sort of situations, they did the right thing. Millwall also did the right thing to get the protocol moving on.

“We all know there is no space for this, this kind of situation should not happen.

“When they do happen we are here to stand with the player, in this case it is our player.”

The incident marred what was otherwise an evening of celebration for the Swans, as Ronald’s late strike sealed a 1-0 win for the league leaders.

Millwall stated they were “aware of an alleged, individual incident of discriminatory abuse towards a Swansea City player during the second half” of the game.

“The club operates a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discriminatory abuse. Any individual found to have engaged in such behaviour will face the strongest possible action,” added the hosts.

“The club is working alongside the relevant authorities to establish the facts and is unable to comment further as tonight’s alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which the club fully supports.”

Victory kept Swansea two points clear at the top of the Championship, with the Welsh club putting together their best start to a season in a century.

Matos said he was saddened by the abuse aimed at Eom, but says the rest of the squad will rally around their team-mate.

“He is a smart kid, he is not happy with the situation but he knows we will stay with him and follow the situation as long as we can,” added Matos.

“Millwall did the right thing by announcing there is no place for this sort of thing.

“I’m happy with how it was handled, but really sad that it happened. Now it is about evaluating the situation and we’ll see what happens.”

Sediqullah Atal scripts history (Image: X/ @ACBofficials)

Sediqullah Atal produced a historic fourth-innings century to help Afghanistan secure a draw against Bangladesh in the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The left-handed batter became the first Afghanistan cricketer to score a Test hundred in the fourth innings, smashing 111 off 332 deliveries to deny Bangladesh victory despite a daunting target of 479 runs.Atal’s marathon knock featured nine boundaries and three sixes. He brought up his maiden Test century in style, pulling Hasan Mahmud for a boundary before removing his helmet and bowing down in celebration as his teammates applauded the landmark achievement.

Atal’s marathon innings keeps Afghanistan alive

Afghanistan resumed the final day at 132/3, still needing 347 runs to win. Atal continued to anchor the innings after sharing a crucial partnership with captain Rahmat Shah, who scored 51 off 124 balls.The opener found further support from Hashmatullah Shahidi, who made 36, and wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil, who contributed 33. Their efforts helped Afghanistan resist Bangladesh’s bowling attack and stretch the contest deep into the final day.Atal eventually departed for 111 after facing 332 balls. Taijul Islam ended the historic innings by inducing an edge that was caught by Tanzid Hasan at short leg. Atal reviewed the decision, but the UltraEdge confirmed a faint contact, bringing his marathon effort to an end at 281/7.

Qais Ahmad helps Afghanistan secure memorable draw

Despite Atal’s departure, Afghanistan’s lower order refused to give in. Qais Ahmad played a crucial unbeaten knock of 49 off 80 deliveries, while Yamin Ahmadzai remained not out on 19 as the visitors batted through 142 overs in their second innings.Afghanistan eventually finished at 346/8, holding on for a draw after being set a target of 479. The result denied Bangladesh victory despite their strong position heading into the final day.Bangladesh had scored 346 in their first innings before bowling Afghanistan out for 240, gaining a 106-run lead. They then declared their second innings at 372/7, powered by Litton Das’s 102 and contributions from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, to set Afghanistan a challenging target.Atal’s historic century and the resistance from Afghanistan’s lower order ensured the one-off Test ended in a draw, turning what looked like a Bangladesh victory into a memorable fightback for the visitors. Litton Das was named Player of the Match for his century and contributions across the game.Brief scores: Bangladesh 346 and 372/7 declared; Afghanistan 240 and 346/8. The one-off Test ended in a draw.

The New York Giants visit the Washington Commanders on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET from Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. The Giants are 3-1 after a 36-24 win over Arizona on Oct. 4. The Commanders are 1-3 after a 30-13 home loss to Indianapolis the same day.

New York’s defense has allowed 79 points through four games, 19.8 per game. The Giants’ passing game ranks 27th in the NFL at 172.8 yards per game.

Washington has allowed 122 points through four games, 30.5 per game. The Commanders’ ground game ranks eighth in the NFL at 124.0 yards per game.

The Commanders are 3.5-point favorites over the Giants at DraftKings, with a total of 44.5 and a moneyline of -178 for the Commanders and +150 for the Giants.

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Giants vs. Commanders

Players To Watch

New York’s passing game ranks 27th in the NFL at 172.8 yards per game, and Malik Nabers is the target it leans on most. He has 208 yards on 18 catches this season and caught six of seven targets for 112 yards and a touchdown against Arizona on Oct. 4.

Washington has allowed 122 points through four games, 30.5 per game. Nabers will have room to work against a defense giving up that many points.

Jameis Winston has taken over the Giants’ passing game, and he has thrown for 479 yards and three touchdowns in three games this season. All three scores came against Arizona on Oct. 4, when he went 18 of 29 for 250 yards in a win that moved New York to 3-1.

Washington’s turnover margin is plus-3, tied for fourth in the NFL. Winston has thrown three interceptions this season and will need to protect the ball.

Washington’s ground game ranks eighth in the NFL at 124.0 yards per game, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt leads it with 157 yards on 56 carries and a touchdown. He ran 19 times for 36 yards against Seattle on Sept. 27 and nine times for 15 against Indianapolis on Oct. 4.

New York’s turnover margin is plus-3, tied for fourth in the NFL. Croskey-Merritt will need to hold onto the ball and keep the Commanders on schedule.

Learn more about the New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders game and check the full schedule on FOX Sports!

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The Jacksonville Jaguars scored a late field goal to defeat Philadelphia Eagles 19-17 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon.

Kicker Cam Little was the hero in what was the 14th time the venue has hosted an NFL game since the Raiders defeated the Bears 24-21 in October 2019.

Little’s successful 57-yard effort at the end of the game was the climax of an exciting final few minutes of the fourth quarter.

The Eagles had just seconds earlier looked to have done enough to take the victory when their kicker Jake Elliott kicked his field goal from 48 yards.

The Eagles, who had won both of their previous matches outside the USA, against Jacksonville at Wembley in 2018 and Green Bay in Brazil in 2024, however, tasted defeat for the first time in an International fixture.

The Jaguars, who are a regular feature at Wembley Stadium, had won seven of their previous 14 International games.

Early Stages

The opening play of the game saw Eagles’ linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and Jaguars’ defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr both disqualified.

The Jags thought they had scored a touchdown but with many players involved in a melee in the centre of the field, officials, who at first, had difficulty in regaining control, disallowed the score, and found both Trotter and Thomas Jr guilty of unnecessary rough play, thus disqualifying them both.

The Jaguars, the designated home team for the fixture, took the lead through Parker Washington in the opening quarter.

A short Trevor Lawrence pass to Washington saw the wide receiver race 51 yards to the endzone and break the scoreboard deadlock.

Cam Little’s extra point gave the Jaguars a 7-0 lead over the Eagles at the end of the first quarter.

Parker Washington to the house 🏠

Jaguars take the lead in London 🇬🇧 https://t.co/dK0Qs6uJFX

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— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 11, 2026

Shipley Eagles’ Touchdown

Will Shipley got the Eagles on the scoreboard in the second quarter. The running back went through the centre from two yards out, thanks mainly to the work of Will Lampkin in clearing the way for him, to touchdown for the Philly outfit. Unfortunately, Shipley later picked up an injury and was out of the game for the final two quarters.

Taking the Ship across the pond 🚢 https://t.co/YnpiHEpRqI

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 11, 2026

With kicker Jake Elliott adding the extra point, the sides were level at 7-7 with 8:46 remaining to the half.

Second Touchdown for Eagles

The Eagles soon doubled their score when Darius Cooper was on the end of a 62-yard throw from Jalen Hurts. The wide receiver sped for the line to claim a second Philadelphia touchdown of the afternoon.

DARIUS COOPER, 62-YARD TOUCHDOWN

EAGLES TAKE THE LEAD.

@PHIvsJAX on NFL Network
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/eKpCwhW8QZ

— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026

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With Elliott successful again with this kick, Eagles moved into a 14-7 lead with 5:31 to play in the second quarter.

Despite the best efforts of Trevor Lawrence, with his Jaguars side camped inside the 3m line in the dying minutes of the half, the Jacksonville franchise failed to add to their side of the scoreboard, leaving the half-time score: Philadelphia Eagles 14 Jacksonville Jaguars 7.

In the third quarter, Cam Little successfully kicked for the posts again with 7:15 to play.

A 34-yard field goal effort, held by Logan Cooker, dissected the posts to reduce the Jags’ deficit to four points. Little’s score was the only one of third quarter which ended Eagles 14 Jaguars 10.

With Jaguars deep in the Eagles’ end midway through the final quarter, Trevor Lawrence and his team mates failed to break the Eagles’ defensive element to score. The frustration was visible both on the face and in the actions of the Jacksonville quarterback, but despite his side’s best effort they turned possession over to their opponents.

Second TD of the game for Parker Washington

Their determination finally paid off when Lawrence found Parker Washington for the the wide receiver’s second touchdown of the game. With 3:26 left on the clock, a 27-yard pass from the quarterback was successfully caught by Washington in the endzone to put the Jaguars back into the game’s lead.

Cam Little missed his effort to add the extra point – his first miss of the afternoon, leaving the Jaguars with a lead of 16-14 in the dying minutes of the clash.

In the final seconds of the game, the Eagles’ Jake Elliott succeeded with a kick from 48 yards to put his side into a slender 17-16 lead. The Jags running back Ameer Abdullah, however, returned the kick off to the 40-yard line. With one second to play in the game, Cam Little stepped up to kick a huge 57-yarder to give the Jacksonville outfit a 19-17 win in this the first of two games for his team in London this month.

JAGS RETURN THE KICKOFF INTO FIELD GOAL RANGE WITH ONE SECOND LEFT AND CAM LITTLE WINS IT WITH A 57-YARDER 🤯 https://t.co/4Dsyp5PP1Q

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 11, 2026

Reaction

The Jaguars’ kicker Cam Little said after his successful 57-yard field goal:

“The opportunity presented itself, but you’ve got to shut it away. So I think that’s what you prepare for. I was explaining to a reporter earlier like my job is strictly like I’d be practicing penalty kicks and set pieces all practice long. That’s all I do. I don’t play possession. I don’t play seven a side, five a side; I literally just play set pieces on practice.

Little’s Head Coach, Liam Coen, commenting of the victory stated:

“Mental toughness. It’s kind of what we talked about all week, staying the course. One second left on the clock, guys competing to the end when things weren’t really going your way.

“Guys stayed the course and made plays, we had D-Ham [DaVon Hamilton] snapping again. It was just kind of wild we were in that position. Nobody flinched. Nobody blinked. Nobody blamed. Guys stayed the course and ended up squeaking away with a win.”

Next Week

Last weekend Indianapolis Colts were 30-13 victors over the Washington Commanders in front of a crowd of 60,907 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The third NFL London game of the 2026 regular season will be @wembleystadium next Sunday when the @HoustonTexans will meet the Jacksonville Jaguars.

That will be the 45th NFL regular season International game played in London.

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