Akhilesh Reddy, a US international cricket player, was suspended for eight years by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for match-fixing. He was found guilty of trying to fix matches, persuading another player to be involved, and deleting important information related to the investigation.
Key Facts
Akhilesh Reddy is a US international cricket player.
The ICC charged him in November for breaking anti-corruption rules during the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
He was suspended for eight years, with the ban starting on November 21, 2025.
Reddy was found guilty of trying to fix matches and influence another player to join in.
He deleted data and messages from his phone that were important to the investigation.
The other player did not agree to take part in the corrupt activities.
Reddy last played for the USA cricket team in April 2025.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Celtic will play against Austrian champions LASK in the Champions League play-off round, with the first game at Celtic’s home on August 18 or 19 and the second game the following week. Other Scottish teams like Rangers, Hearts, Hibernian, and Motherwell are set to learn their Europa League and Conference League opponents soon after UEFA confirms the groupings.
Key Facts
Celtic faces LASK in the Champions League play-off round.
The first leg will be at Celtic’s home on August 18 or 19, with the second leg the week after.
Celtic was seeded and could have faced other European teams like Viking Stavanger or Celje.
Rangers may play against Polish team Jagiellonia Bialystok in Europa League qualifying.
Hearts, after dropping from Champions League qualifying, face Benfica or other possible opponents in Europa or Conference League.
Hibernian and Motherwell also have potential opponents lined up in Europa or Conference League play-offs.
The article lists many possible opponents for each Scottish club depending on results in their current qualifying matches.
UEFA confirmed the groupings for these European competitions recently.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The European soccer organization UEFA has warned FIFA it may take legal action over FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s unsuccessful plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. UEFA has also asked FIFA to preserve all relevant data and documents related to this plan as they consider their next steps.
Key Facts
FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed selling a stake in future World Cup profits to raise $4.2 billion.
The plan involved private investors, including a New York investment firm linked to Joshua Kushner.
UEFA and its 55 member federations strongly opposed the plan and agreed to boycott all FIFA events while it was active.
Infantino withdrew the proposal after the public and organizational backlash.
UEFA’s lawyers informed FIFA of possible legal action and asked FIFA to keep all related documents and data safe.
The plan would have created a new commercial entity valued at $20 billion controlling FIFA’s commercial operations.
UEFA's legal team said destroying relevant materials could lead to legal consequences.
Infantino is supported by some regions like Africa and South America, while UEFA and other confederations oppose him.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Vozinha, a 40-year-old goalkeeper from Cape Verde, received a warm welcome in Chile after joining the Colo Colo football club. He became well-known after helping Cape Verde reach the knockout stage in their first FIFA World Cup appearance.
Key Facts
Vozinha is a goalkeeper from Cape Verde.
He joined the Chilean football club Colo Colo.
He is 40 years old.
Cape Verde competed in the FIFA World Cup for the first time.
Vozinha helped Cape Verde reach the knockout stage in the tournament.
He was greeted enthusiastically on arriving in Chile.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed selling a part of the World Cup to private investors, but the plan faced strong opposition and was dropped. UEFA, the main European football organization, threatened to boycott FIFA events and may take legal action against Infantino and others connected to the plan. This controversy has weakened Infantino’s control over FIFA and led to calls for his resignation.
Key Facts
Gianni Infantino is the president of FIFA, the world football organization.
He proposed selling a stake in the World Cup to private equity investors from the United States.
The plan was cancelled after three of the six football confederations threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.
UEFA, Europe's main football confederation, is considering legal action against Infantino and others involved.
Some football leaders want Infantino to step down as FIFA president.
Victor Montagliani, a Canadian, is one of the candidates who might challenge Infantino for the leadership.
The proposal aimed to raise billions of dollars, but faced backlash for potentially harming the spirit of football.
Infantino’s senior advisor resigned because of the controversy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Wales has stopped supporting FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election after his plan to sell a share of World Cup commercial rights failed. Other football groups in Europe and North America also expressed doubts about Infantino’s leadership following the plan’s collapse.
Key Facts
FIFA planned to raise $4.2 billion by selling about 20% of World Cup commercial rights to private investors.
This plan faced strong opposition and was eventually dropped.
Wales became the first national football association to withdraw support for Infantino’s 2027-2031 presidential term.
The Welsh FA cited failures in leadership, governance, and communication as reasons for withdrawing support.
UEFA (Europe) and CONCACAF (North and Central America) also expressed loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership.
UEFA sent a document preservation order to prevent destruction of files during an investigation.
Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and planned to seek a fourth term.
Experts say the controversy could make his re-election bid more difficult ahead of the March 2027 FIFA Congress.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Michael Thorbjornsen won his first PGA Tour title at the Rocket Classic with a strong final round score of 7-under 63. He finished the tournament at 18-under 262, beating Xander Schauffele by two strokes and securing a place in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Key Facts
Michael Thorbjornsen won the Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
He scored 7-under 63 in the final round, finishing 18-under 262 overall.
Thorbjornsen made a long birdie putt on the final hole to secure the win.
The victory was his first PGA Tour title and came in his 65th start.
Xander Schauffele finished second, two strokes behind.
Third place went to Davis Riley, and fourth to Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard.
Thorbjornsen earned a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs for the first time.
Weather delays caused a late start and grouped players in threesomes starting from two different tees.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Manchester United women’s team manager Marc Skinner has left his job by mutual agreement before the new season starts. He spent five years at the club, winning their first major trophy and helping them reach the Champions League group stages for the first time.
Key Facts
Marc Skinner was the manager of Manchester United women’s team for five years.
He led the team to their first big trophy by winning the Women’s FA Cup in 2024.
The team reached the Women’s Champions League group stages for the first time last year.
Skinner left the club a month before the new Women’s Super League season began.
There were concerns about not enough investment in the team during his time.
Manchester United focused on signing younger players this summer for long-term success.
Fans were unhappy with the lack of new signings compared to rival teams.
The club is now looking for a new manager who can develop young players well.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Newcastle United have signed Lukas Hornicek, a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Braga, for £25.7 million. Hornicek has signed a five-year contract and will join Newcastle's squad as the club looks to strengthen its defense after a challenging previous season.
Key Facts
Lukas Hornicek is a 24-year-old goalkeeper from the Czech Republic.
Newcastle signed Hornicek from Braga by paying £25.7 million.
Hornicek signed a five-year contract after Newcastle activated his release clause.
He kept seven clean sheets (games without conceding goals) during Braga’s run to the Europa League semi-finals.
Hornicek ranked high in passing accuracy and successful passes among goalkeepers in Portugal last season.
Newcastle conceded 55 goals last Premier League season and kept only eight clean sheets.
Newcastle had previously signed several young players aged 20 or younger this summer.
Newcastle’s new head coach Mattias Jaissle is expected to start a new cycle for the team.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jasprit Bumrah will not play in India’s two-Test cricket series against Sri Lanka due to a left knee injury. Auqib Nabi, a fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, has been named as his replacement.
Key Facts
Jasprit Bumrah is recovering from a left knee injury sustained in July during a match against England.
Bumrah was initially included in the squad but withdrew because of ongoing knee discomfort.
Auqib Nabi, 29, was selected to replace Bumrah and will make his debut in the senior Test team.
Nabi has taken 104 wickets in the past two Ranji Trophy seasons, a domestic cricket competition in India.
Nabi helped his team win the Ranji Trophy in the 2025-26 season by taking 60 wickets.
He also played for India A on their tour of Sri Lanka, taking six wickets in two matches.
Sai Sudharsan’s participation in the series is still subject to a fitness test.
The series starts in Galle on August 15, with the second Test in Colombo scheduled for August 23.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Uefa has threatened to take legal action against Fifa over plans by Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino, to allow private investors to buy stakes in Fifa competitions. The plan involved creating a new company to manage big football events like the World Cup, but it has faced criticism and loss of support from football organizations.
Key Facts
Gianni Infantino has been Fifa president for 10 years.
Fifa wanted to sell minority ownership stakes in a new business to outside investors.
The new company would have managed Fifa's main football events.
Uefa and Concacaf publicly criticized the plan.
Wales was the first country to withdraw support for Infantino’s re-election as Fifa president.
Uefa sent a letter threatening legal action and asked Fifa to preserve all related documents.
Fifa calls the new company Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE).
BBC Sport sought a comment from Fifa but had no reply yet.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Everton Football Club had a strong run last season but lost their momentum in the final games, finishing 13th in the Premier League for the second year in a row under manager David Moyes. Despite investing heavily in new players, the team struggled at home and missed out on European competition.
Key Facts
David Moyes returned as Everton’s manager in January 2025 for his second spell.
Everton was 8th in the Premier League with seven games left but did not win any remaining matches.
The team finished 13th in the league for both seasons since Moyes’ return.
Everton spent a club record £97 million on new players before the 2025-26 season.
Everton’s home performance was poor, with their lowest points-per-game record in a new stadium in Premier League history.
Key loan signing Jack Grealish was injured in January, after which Everton’s win rate dropped significantly.
Other teams like Bournemouth and Brighton, who spent less, finished higher in the league.
Moyes has one year left on his contract and aims to improve team stability and performance.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Glasgow successfully hosted the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the original hosts withdrew, delivering a smaller, more sustainable event. The Games ended with a closing ceremony and the Commonwealth flag was passed to Amdavad, India, which will host the 2030 Games.
Key Facts
The Australian state of Victoria withdrew from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to rising costs.
Glasgow stepped in with support from the Scottish government to host a scaled-back version of the Games.
The event took place over 11 days, featuring athletes from 74 nations and territories.
The Games cost approximately £162.6 million, much less than the £543 million spent in 2014 and £680 million in 2022.
The event used existing venues within an eight-mile radius to reduce environmental impact.
Phil Batty, CEO of Glasgow 2026, said the Games were reinvented to ensure their future and make hosting possible for more nations.
The closing ceremony included a fireworks display and a performance by the band Simple Minds.
The Commonwealth Games flag was handed over to Amdavad, India, the next host city for 2030.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Wales has become the first country to publicly stop supporting Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain president of FIFA. This decision follows Infantino’s canceled plan to sell shares in FIFA competitions to private investors, which caused strong criticism from football organizations in Europe and North America.
Key Facts
Wales withdrew its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president for 2027-2031.
Infantino planned to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investment firms but canceled the plan after backlash.
UEFA, the body that runs European football, threatened to boycott FIFA events, including the World Cup.
Concacaf, overseeing football in North, Central America and the Caribbean, also criticized FIFA’s leadership.
The Football Association of Wales cited failures in governance, leadership, and communication as reasons for losing confidence in Infantino.
The FAW stressed that FIFA must always put football’s best interests first.
This is the first time a nation has openly withdrawn support for Infantino’s FIFA presidency.
The controversy has raised questions about the future of FIFA and its leadership.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stopped a plan to sell a part of the World Cup to private investors after facing strong opposition. UEFA, along with CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, rejected the proposal and threatened to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA events.
Key Facts
FIFA considered letting private investors buy a stake in the World Cup.
UEFA, representing 55 European nations, opposed the plan and threatened to boycott FIFA events.
CONCACAF (North and Central America) and the Asian Football Confederation also opposed the investment idea.
Due to this backlash, FIFA and Infantino abandoned the investor proposal.
The dispute has increased criticism and pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The news comes ahead of the FIFA World Cup opening in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
Other soccer news mentioned includes player transfers and competition updates unrelated to FIFA’s investment plan.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo praised new manager Enzo Maresca's style of play after their first game together, saying it suits his role as a winger. Semenyo joined City in January, scored 21 goals last season, and spoke about his faith and how it supports him in football.
Key Facts
Antoine Semenyo plays as a forward for Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca is the new manager of Manchester City, replacing Pep Guardiola.
City lost on penalties to Inter Milan in Maresca’s first game in charge.
Semenyo likes Maresca’s attacking style, which focuses on aggressive wide players taking on opponents one-on-one.
Semenyo joined Manchester City from Bournemouth for about £65 million in January.
Last season, Semenyo scored 21 goals in all competitions, including the winning goal in the FA Cup final.
Semenyo is a practicing Christian and was recently baptized, saying his faith gives him strength before games.
He prays before matches along with teammates Jeremy Doku and Marc Guehi.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Premier League football clubs have spent over £1 billion in this transfer window, with record-breaking deals by Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham. Clubs use a mix of in-person meetings, online platforms, and data analysis to prepare and complete player transfers, starting their planning soon after the previous transfer window closes.
Key Facts
Premier League teams have spent more than £1 billion in the current transfer window.
Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham each paid over £100 million for players, breaking previous records.
Clubs and agents meet in person and online to discuss and finalize player deals.
TransferRoom is an online platform used by around 800 clubs to connect and negotiate transfers.
Planning for transfer windows often begins immediately after the previous window ends.
Lower-league clubs face more uncertainty and narrower budgets, affecting their transfer strategies.
Clubs use data and scouting to make decisions on player loans and signings.
Timing of moves can depend on saving wages and reacting to other clubs’ decisions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Los Angeles Dodgers traded for pitcher Tarik Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, to strengthen their pitching staff. Skubal is expected to debut soon and help the Dodgers as they aim for a third straight World Series title.
Key Facts
Tarik Skubal was acquired by the Dodgers before the trade deadline.
Skubal won the Cy Young Award twice in the American League.
This season, Skubal has a 7-5 record with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in almost 97 innings.
Skubal will debut with the Dodgers on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs.
Dodgers’ pitcher Shohei Ohtani is recovering from injuries but expected to return this season.
The Dodgers have the lowest WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) and batting average against in the majors.
The addition of Skubal strengthens the Dodgers’ chances to win a third consecutive National League title.
The trade may allow the Dodgers to move some starters to the bullpen to improve their pitching strategy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Boston Red Sox won 8-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, completing a three-game series sweep. Ceddanne Rafaela hit home runs in three straight games, and the Red Sox have now won five games in a row.
Key Facts
Ceddanne Rafaela hit a home run for the third consecutive game.
Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 on August 2, 2026.
Jake Bennett was the winning pitcher, allowing three runs over almost six innings.
The Red Sox scored two runs in the first inning and had back-to-back home runs in the third inning.
The Red Sox have a 23-3 record since July 3, 2026.
Dodgers’ starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan gave up five runs in less than three innings.
Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing was replaced due to arm irritation before the game.
The Dodgers recently made a major trade to acquire pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Washington Nationals are unlikely to trade their shortstop CJ Abrams. If they did trade him, the Boston Red Sox are considered the most likely team to get him. The Red Sox are known to be actively looking for shortstops and could potentially make a major trade soon.
Key Facts
CJ Abrams is a 25-year-old shortstop currently with the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals are not expected to trade Abrams, but if they do, they want a large return in players or prospects.
ESPN analysts Jeff Passan and Buster Olney say Boston is the best chance to land Abrams.
Boston is also interested in other shortstops like Elly De La Cruz, Zach Neto, and Otto Lopez.
The Red Sox are described as "aggressive" in pursuing shortstops.
Other teams looking to sell players may try to make a deal quickly.
Trades need to happen soon as decisions are coming up fast.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
