Sports

Members of the Iranian women's national football team could face severe consequences back home after losing a recent international football match, with growing fears that some players may be subjected to harsh punishment under the strict political climate in Iran. The women’s team suffered a 2-0 defeat against the Philippines at the stadium on the Gold Coast on Sunday night, March 8. The defeat ended their Women’s Asian Cup campaign, which was marked by controversy after they refused to sing the Iranian national anthem on Monday. Foreign Minister Penny Wong declared Australia “stands in solidarity” with the Iranian women’s soccer team amid fears the women could be jailed or killed if they return to their country. Thousands of Australians are urging the Albanese Government to ac...

Nigeria has unveiled a 10-member boxing team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after the completion of national open trials held at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. The four-day tournament, organised by the Nigeria Boxing Federation, featured 148 fighters—121 men and 27 women—competing across 10 weight categories. Champions in each division secured automatic qualification to represent Nigeria at the Games. One of the standout athletes at the trials was UK-based boxer Patricia Mbata, who won gold in the women’s 70kg category to book her place on the national team. The 2023 African Games champion achieved the feat just days after receiving a motivational video message from former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua encouraging her to ...

Former England striker, Gary Lineker has hinted at a possible personal rift behind Paul Scholes’ recent criticism of former Manchester United teammate Michael Carrick. Since Carrick stepped in as interim manager following Ruben Amorim’s departure last November, some former players appear to have opposed his appointment, despite his strong start in the United dugout. Carrick’s early success has sparked debate over whether he should be considered for the permanent role. However, figures like Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Scholes have repeatedly suggested that United should look elsewhere for their next manager. While some of the criticism is framed as a footballing argument, it has occasionally turned personal. Keane, for instance, has involved Carrick’s family in his comments an...

FIFA has announced that all 48 qualified national teams must submit their final squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by May 30, 2026. The football governing body confirmed that the tournament will revert to the traditional 23-player squad format, moving away from the expanded 26-man lists that were temporarily used during the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to unusual scheduling challenges in the global football calendar. With the squad size reduced again, national team coaches and technical staff are expected to face difficult choices as they narrow their provisional player lists to meet the final requirement. After the May 30 deadline, only players included in the official 23-man squad will be eligible to participate in the tournament. The 2026 World Cup will be historic for several reaso...

VfL Wolfsburg have parted ways with head coach Daniel Bauer as the Bundesliga club struggles to escape the relegation zone. The club confirmed the decision on Sunday, a day after a 2–1 home loss to Hamburger SV left Wolfsburg sitting second from bottom in the Bundesliga standings. Wolfsburg also announced the departure of sporting managing director Peter Christiansen. Currently 17th on the table, Wolfsburg are two points behind Werder Bremen, who occupy the relegation play-off position and are scheduled to face Union Berlin later on Sunday. Sporting director Pirmin Schwegler described the decision as a difficult one. “This was not an easy choice for us,” Schwegler said. “We had hoped to improve our situation together, but after carefully reviewing everything, we felt the tea...

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, will serve a two-match ban following his yellow card against Newcastle United in the FA Cup on Saturday. It was the sixth time Guardiola has been booked this season. The incident happened after the Spaniard was involved in an argument with the fourth official, Lewis Smith after Kieran Trippier fouled City’s Jeremy Doku. Guardiola also appeared to applaud sarcastically after Omar Marmoush scored to make it 3-1 at St James Park. He will now be absent on the touchline when City travel to West Ham in the Premier League next Saturday and their FA Cup quarter-final in April. However, the rules don’t apply to the Champions League and Cup finals, so Guardiola will be allowed in the dugout against Real Madrid and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup fina...

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has disclosed that Nigeria’s chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still alive. According to Dikko, the country has not given up hope of returning to the qualification race despite recent developments that appeared to favour the Democratic Republic of Congo. Earlier this week, it was reported that Super Eagles’ hopes were over after FIFA unveiled details of the upcoming intercontinental playoffs. In the announcement, DR Congo appeared among the six teams set to battle for the final two spots at the expanded tournament. In an official accreditation notice to media, FIFA also explained the format of the competition and confirmed the six countries that will take part in the playoff tournament in M...

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to leave Saudi Arabia after an injury amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The 41-year-old's whereabouts had been questioned after his £61million private jet left the country in the middle of the night on Monday. However, it was later confirmed that he was still in Saudi Arabia after being photographed with his teammates. The former Manchester United star has been battling a hamstring injury following Al-Nassr's 3-1 win over Al-Fayha on Saturday, and it has now been revealed that his injury is serious, with the World Cup fast approaching. 'After tests, we see the injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo was more serious than expected,' Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus said on Friday. 'Cristiano will now travel to Spain, like other players who went for tre...

Jesse Lingard Brazilian giants Corinthians Paulista have completed the signing of former Manchester United midfielder, Jesse Lingard on a free transfer following his departure from FC Seoul. Jesse Lingard has agreed a deal that runs until the end of the year, with an option to extend it until the end of 2027 if performance targets are met. Lingard’s arrival will be marked with a long-standing Corinthians tradition. Each time the club unveil a major signing, a siren rings out at their social club headquarters in Parque Sao Jorge. The custom dates back to the 1960s and has accompanied the unveiling of club icons including Sócrates, Rivaldo, Carlos Tevez, Ronaldo Nazário and, more recently, Memphis Depay. The siren is expected to sound again in eastern São Paulo as Jesse Lingard i...

UEFA have fined Real Madrid and ordered a suspended partial closure of the Bernabéu after a supporter inside the ground was filmed appearing to make a Nazi salute. The European governing body has announced that the club will have to pay €15,000 (£13,000/$17,400) for the "racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters." In addition, the LaLiga side has been told to close 500 adjacent seats of the lower south stand in the Bernabéu for one match in UEFA competition. The partial stadium closure has been suspended for a probationary period lasting one year. The incident took place prior to Real Madrid's recent Champions League victory over Benfica. The club said they had identified the fan in question and removed them from the ground. "Real Madrid condemns ...