Sports

A newly released US police report has revealed a series of security threats involving football superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to the report reviewed by Spanish newspaper Marca, Messi was reportedly the player who received the highest number of death threats during the seven-week tournament. The report detailed several security incidents investigated by the FBI and other international law enforcement agencies, involving players, referees and stadiums. One major incident reportedly occurred ahead of Argentina's group-stage match against Jordan, when a caller allegedly contacted Dallas airport and claimed that he and two others planned to attack the stadium using explosives and a rifle. Messi was reportedly identified as their ...

Jorge Messi, father of Argentina captain and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. According to multiple reports from media outlets in Argentina and Spain, including Infobae, Jorge reportedly passed away in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, on Friday night at around 10 p.m. local time. “Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Andrés Messi, died last night at 10 p.m. in a clinic in the city of Rosario, Argentina” according to information obtained by Infobae. The reported death also comes after an emotional moment involving Messi during Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner broke down in tears after scoring his first goal against Algeria. Following the match, Messi insisted that his emotions were not related to football. The ...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing growing resistance ahead of the March 2027 election, with several European football associations withdrawing their support for his bid for a final term. The opposition intensified following controversy over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan, which was designed to attract private investment into the World Cup. FIFA later suspended the proposal, while Infantino apologised over the issues surrounding the initiative. Despite the controversy, the FIFA president has retained the backing of senior officials and several member associations. The final decision, however, will be made by FIFA’s 211 member associations, with each country entitled to one vote regardless of the size or strength of its football system. While cont...

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has explained the team’s squad rotation strategy as Nigeria prepares for their WAFCON quarter-final against Cameroon. Madugu stressed the importance of managing the players carefully, noting that Nigeria could play as many as six matches during the tournament. The coach said his technical team has been closely monitoring players who have had limited playing time, ensuring they remain prepared whenever called upon. “It’s a long tournament,” Madugu said, adding that the demanding match schedule makes effective squad management essential to maintaining the team’s performance. He explained that players who have not featured regularly are constantly engaged by the coaching staff to keep them physically and mentally prepared. According to Ma...

England footballer Ivan Toney has been charged with assault following an incident at a nightclub in Soho. The Metropolitan Police said Toney, 30, of Northampton, was charged on Thursday, July 31, with ass@ult causing actual bodily harm. The force said the charge relates to an assault which reportedly took place on December 6 last year at a nightclub on Wardour Street in central London. Toney, a striker for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 24. The Sun newspaper reported on December 8 that Toney had been arrested after an alleged headbutt. A spokesperson for Toney said: “Ivan acknowledges the charge and although he is naturally shocked, he looks forward to being given the opportunity to clear his name in court....

Premier League to Kick Off 2026/27 Season with record nine new coaches The 2026/27 English Premier League campaign will kick off with an unprecedented level of managerial turnover, as nine of the 20 top-flight clubs prepare to begin the season under new leadership. The figure represents the highest number of pre-season managerial appointments in the competition’s history. Newcastle United’s appointment of Matthias Jaissle completed the record tally following the departure of Eddie Howe. The 38-year-old German coach takes charge at St James’ Park after a successful spell with Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, where he guided the team to major silverware. His move to England offers an opportunity to build on Newcastle’s recent growth and establish a distinct managerial style. The e...

The calls for the resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino seems to not be winding down soon. Infantino appeared to have held off the potential of an internal revolt during a summit meeting with top staff in Rabat, Morocco. FIFA said the president had been given the full support of those in attendance. But now, the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has become the first national association to formally demand FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s immediate resignation. NFF President Lise Klaveness stated that Infantino has lost all institutional trust following a controversial and aborted plan to sell World Cup commercial stakes to private investors. However, Klaveness stated that the ongoing governance controversies have taken FIFA’s leadership beyond the point of no return...

Spanish champions Barcelona have cancelled their pre-season friendly against Moroccan side Ittihad Riadi Tangier due to the ongoing border crisis involving Ceuta. The match, originally scheduled for August 15 in north-western Morocco, was expected to form part of Barcelona's preparations for the new season. However, the club announced that the fixture would no longer take place. In a statement, Barcelona said the current situation made it inappropriate to proceed with the game, though it did not directly state the reason for the cancellation. According to BBC Sport, the decision is linked to the escalating crisis in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave bordering Morocco. The situation worsened after an estimated 78,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta by sea last week, with reports indicating th...

Former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan has been named as the new interim head coach of Uruguay. His appointment comes after Marcelo Bielsa left his role as first-team boss of the national team following their chaotic World Cup campaign. Uruguay failed to win a single match in Group H – drawing with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before losing to Spain. That prompted the ex-Leeds boss to resign after a major fallout with the players. Forlan will lead his country during their autumn friendlies and oversee the side until a permanent head coach is appointed. The 47-year-old is currently in charge of the Uruguay u-20 side and will continue in that role, having started his coaching career with short spells at Penarol and Atenas de San Carlos. The Uruguayan FA conf...

A 24-year-old footballer, Safwan Awae, has di£d and 12 other players were injured after lightning struck the pitch during a match in Thailand. Safwan, who played as a winger for Yala FC, was taking part in the Golok FA Cup 2026 tournament when lightning struck the pitch at Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province, southern Thailand. The incident happened on August 4, 2026, during a match played amid heavy rain and stormy weather conditions. Footage from the stadium showed the moment lightning hit the playing area, causing players to collapse. Emergency responders and people at the venue rushed to assist the affected players before they were taken for medical treatment. Safwan was among those seriously affected and was later confirmed de@d from injuries sustained du...