Uini Atonio, a rugby player for France, retired after being hospitalized for a heart issue. Atonio, who played internationally for France, has been a part of the French team since 2011 and contributed to several major victories. He was admitted to intensive care but is now stable.
Key Facts
Uini Atonio retired due to a health issue related to his heart.
He was admitted to a hospital in La Rochelle and is now in stable condition.
Atonio made his debut for France's national rugby team in 2014.
He played 68 matches for France, achieving significant victories like the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022 and 2025.
Atonio was part of the squad selected for the World Cups in 2015 and 2023.
He spent his entire club career with La Rochelle, helping them win major titles.
Atonio's career began in New Zealand, where he was born, before moving to France for better opportunities.
The entire executive committee of Malaysia's Football Association has resigned due to a scandal involving foreign-born players in the national team. FIFA accused the association of faking citizenship documents so that seven foreign-born athletes could play for Malaysia. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has temporarily lifted the players' suspension while it reviews the case.
Key Facts
The Football Association of Malaysia's executive committee resigned over a scandal with foreign-born players.
FIFA accused the Malaysian association of falsifying citizenship documents for these players.
The scandal involves seven foreign-born players who participated in the Malaysian national team.
FIFA fined the players, suspended them for 12 months, and fined the association 350,000 Swiss francs.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport lifted the players' suspension, allowing them to play until a final decision.
FAM claimed the document issues were due to an "administrative error."
FIFA overturned results of three matches, awarding 3-0 defeats against Malaysia.
A final verdict by the Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected in late February.
A new indoor virtual golf league for women is set to start in Florida, backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. World number two Nelly Korda expressed disappointment that the league will not be mixed-gender like the men's league happening in the same venue. The women's competition is planned to launch in the winter of 2026-27.
Key Facts
Nelly Korda is the world number two female golfer.
A new women's indoor virtual golf league will start in Florida.
The league is backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
The men's league, TGL, is already ongoing at the same venue.
Korda believes not combining the men's and women's events is a missed opportunity.
The women's league will occur in the winter of 2026-27, but details are still pending.
The league features golf played with simulators and a rotating green for various shots.
Korda has not yet decided to enter the competition.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the Australian Open semifinals after Lorenzo Musetti retired due to injury. Musetti was leading by two sets when he had to stop playing because of a leg injury.
Key Facts
Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open semifinals.
Lorenzo Musetti retired due to a leg injury while leading by two sets.
Musetti withdrew with the score at 6-4, 6-3, 1-3.
Djokovic is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic's win set a new record of 103 singles wins at Melbourne Park, surpassing Roger Federer.
Djokovic will play either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in the semifinals.
Djokovic has reached 54 Grand Slam semifinals in his career.
The Football Association of Malaysia's entire executive committee resigned due to a scandal involving foreign-born players using forged documents. FIFA had suspended seven players and fined the association $400,000. The players' suspensions are temporarily lifted as the appeal is reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Key Facts
The executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia resigned over a document forgery scandal involving foreign-born players.
FIFA suspended seven foreign-born players for a year and fined the Malaysian football association $400,000.
The controversy sparked intense scrutiny of Malaysia's football governance.
The players involved come from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Spain.
FIFA overturned the results of three Malaysian matches due to player ineligibility.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport paused the FIFA-imposed player bans during the appeal process.
The scandal led to criticism from fans and lawmakers in Malaysia.
Newcastle United is struggling to win games when playing away from their home stadium. They have only won three away games this season and need to improve quickly, especially with challenging matches ahead.
Key Facts
Newcastle United has won only one of their previous nine away games in Europe against French teams.
This season, Newcastle has won three away games in all competitions.
Their win rate at home is 62%, but only 21% in away games this season.
They scored an average of 1.2 goals per game away, compared to 2 goals per game at home.
Defensive player Sven Botman stated it's difficult to determine why their away performance is poor.
Player Nick Woltemade has not scored in his last nine games.
Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Yoane Wissa, and Bruno Guimaraes have scored few goals away this season.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals after his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retired due to injury. Musetti was leading the match when a leg injury forced him to stop playing. Djokovic is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title.
Key Facts
Novak Djokovic moved into the semi-finals of the Australian Open when Lorenzo Musetti retired because of an injury.
Musetti was ahead with two sets but couldn't continue due to a thigh injury.
Djokovic aims to win his 25th Grand Slam title, which would be a record.
Musetti required help to leave the court after his injury.
Djokovic had earlier received treatment for blisters during the match.
Djokovic experienced a similar situation in the fourth round when his opponent withdrew with an injury.
Djokovic previously struggled with errors, losing the first set, but advanced after Musetti's retirement.
Paris St-Germain (PSG) is facing challenges this season, having lost several matches in both the French league and the Champions League. Injuries, defensive mistakes, and ineffective finishing have contributed to their inconsistent performance, despite having a lot of the ball and creating chances.
Key Facts
PSG has lost two games in the French league and two in the Champions League this season.
They had a significant amount of possession and shots but lost a recent match to Sporting in the Champions League.
Injuries to key players like Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Nuno Mendes, and Achraf Hakimi affected their performance.
Last season, PSG's successful performance included a variety of goals and strong performances in away games.
This season, their attack has struggled with consistency compared to last year's dynamic play.
Despite problems, PSG is at the top of Ligue 1 and among the top eight in the Champions League.
The team has been promoting younger players, who are still adjusting to top-level football.
Key player Dembele is returning to fitness, influencing games when available.
Moeen Ali, a former England cricketer, has decided to join Yorkshire and continue playing in the T20 Blast, a cricket competition. Previously, Moeen supported a teammate who faced racism at Yorkshire, and he believes the club has improved since then. Moeen hopes to help the team build better connections with communities.
Key Facts
Moeen Ali is a former England all-rounder and two-time World Cup winner.
He reversed his retirement decision to play for Yorkshire in the T20 Blast.
Moeen previously supported Azeem Rafiq, a Yorkshire player who experienced racism.
He believes Yorkshire has made positive changes toward inclusivity.
Moeen has played 420 T20 matches, scoring 7,792 runs and taking 271 wickets.
Yorkshire's cricket general manager praised Moeen's ability to set high standards.
Moeen is known for his stance against excessive drinking and its effects on performance.
The move allows Moeen to play at Headingley, a famous cricket ground, alongside England's captain, Harry Brook.
Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula will compete in the semifinals of the Australian Open. Rybakina defeated Iga Swiatek, hoping for her second Grand Slam victory, and Pegula overcame Amanda Anisimova, advancing to her first Australian Open semifinal.
Key Facts
Elena Rybakina beat Iga Swiatek in straight sets at the Australian Open.
Rybakina aims for her second Grand Slam title, having won Wimbledon in 2022.
Jessica Pegula defeated Amanda Anisimova with a 6-2, 7-6 score.
Pegula has reached her first Australian Open semifinal without dropping a set.
Swiatek was working to achieve a career Grand Slam but lost.
Rybakina and Pegula have faced each other six times, each winning three matches.
The other semifinal match features Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina.
Iga Swiatek's attempt to win all four major tennis tournaments, known as a career Grand Slam, ended when Elena Rybakina defeated her in the Australian Open quarter-finals. Rybakina, the fifth seed from Kazakhstan, won the match with scores of 7-5, 6-1 by using powerful playing techniques.
Key Facts
Iga Swiatek aimed to win a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
Elena Rybakina defeated Swiatek in the quarter-finals.
Rybakina won the match with scores of 7-5 and 6-1.
Swiatek has won six major tennis titles.
Completing the career Grand Slam would have made Swiatek the sixth woman in the Open era to do so.
Swiatek struggled with faster courts and aggressive opponents.
Rybakina's serve was initially off but she used strong shots to win.
The match was played in sunny conditions with a temperature of 22°C.
Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton will play in the Australian Open men's singles quarterfinals. Sinner, ranked No. 2, has won this tournament for the past two years, while Shelton, ranked No. 8, is making his third quarterfinal appearance at a major. The match will be broadcast on ESPN channels and available for live streaming.
Key Facts
Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton are competing in the men's singles quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Sinner is the No. 2 seed and has won the Australian Open twice before.
Ben Shelton is the No. 8 seed and reached this stage by defeating Casper Ruud.
Sinner has an 18-match winning streak at the Australian Open.
The match will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+, with streaming available on Fubo.
Sinner has an 8-1 head-to-head record against Shelton.
The match features Sinner’s strong baseline play against Shelton’s powerful serving.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach following Mike Tomlin's decision to step down. McCarthy, known for his offensive strategy, previously coached the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger expressed support for McCarthy's hiring.
Key Facts
Mike McCarthy has been hired as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He replaces Mike Tomlin, who chose to step down from the role.
McCarthy is known for his offensive coaching style.
He has coached the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.
McCarthy has a coaching record of 174 wins, 112 losses, and 2 ties.
He won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2010.
Ben Roethlisberger, a former Steelers player, supports McCarthy's hiring.
Two Chelsea fans were sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after an incident in Naples just before a Champions League match. Chelsea Football Club has advised fans to be very careful while in Naples due to safety concerns. Fans are advised to avoid wearing Chelsea colors and to use shuttle buses provided for safe travel to the game.
Key Facts
Two Chelsea fans needed hospital treatment after an incident in Naples.
Their injuries are not life-threatening.
Chelsea Football Club warned fans to be cautious in Naples.
Fans are advised to avoid showing themselves as Chelsea fans through clothing or emblems.
2,500 Chelsea fans are expected at the game, with police escorting them to the stadium.
Incidents involving visiting fans have happened before in Naples during UEFA matches.
Chelsea needs a win against Napoli to advance in the Champions League.
Napoli also needs a win to stay in the competition.
The Chicago Bears are considering signing Rasheed Walker, a current offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers, as a free agent. This potential move could help strengthen the Bears' team for the next NFL season. The Bears hope that adding Walker will improve their chances of success in the future.
Key Facts
The Chicago Bears ended the 2025 NFL season by winning the NFC North division title.
Rasheed Walker is an offensive tackle currently playing for the Green Bay Packers.
Walker is considered a top prospect in the free agent market this offseason.
The Bears have often signed former Green Bay Packers players in recent years.
Adding Walker to the team would aim to provide better protection for their quarterback, Caleb Williams.
Strengthening the team for the next season is a key focus for the Bears and their management.
The Bears are looking to build on their recent success and aim for a Super Bowl in the future.
Miami Hurricanes have found a new starting quarterback, Darian Mensah from Duke, for the 2026 season. The team needed a replacement for Carson Beck, who moved to the NFL. Alongside Mensah, Duke's wide receiver Cooper Barkate is expected to join Miami soon.
Key Facts
Miami Hurricanes secured Duke's quarterback Darian Mensah as their 2026 starter.
The team needed a new QB as Carson Beck has no remaining college eligibility and is entering the NFL.
Initially, Miami pursued Sam Leavitt and Brendan Sorsby, who went to LSU and Texas Tech, respectively.
Discussion around Mensah's transfer included potential compensation and transfer blocks.
Cooper Barkate, Duke's top receiver, is anticipated to join Mensah at Miami.
The addition of Mensah and potentially Barkate strengthens Miami's offensive lineup for 2026.
Bill Belichick, the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach, was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. This decision surprised many in the sports world, including star athletes like LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes, who expressed their disbelief and called for transparency in the Hall of Fame voting process.
Key Facts
Bill Belichick has won eight Super Bowls and holds the record for the most playoff victories (31) by an NFL head coach.
He was not chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
To be a first-ballot inductee, Belichick needed 40 out of 50 votes but did not meet this requirement.
Several sports figures, such as LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes, reacted with surprise and criticism.
There are calls for the Hall of Fame voting process and voters' identities to be made public.
The announcement led to widespread reaction in the sports community, with many questioning the criteria used for induction.
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho spoke about his past relationship with Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who he coached previously at Real Madrid. Mourinho expressed support for Arbeloa ahead of their upcoming Champions League match, noting his respect and affection for him. Mourinho mentioned that he has no criticism for Arbeloa and wishes him success in his coaching career.
Key Facts
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho used to coach Alvaro Arbeloa at Real Madrid.
Mourinho and Arbeloa had a strong relationship during their time at Real Madrid between 2010-2013.
Mourinho commented that Arbeloa is like a child to him and expressed his respect towards him.
Mourinho stated he does not intend to make things difficult for Arbeloa as he starts his coaching career.
The two teams, Real Madrid and Benfica, are set to face each other in a Champions League match.
Mourinho said he hasn't talked to Arbeloa recently but believes their good relationship continues.
Real Madrid can secure a spot in the last 16 with a win, while Benfica needs a win and favorable results from other matches to advance.
The Chicago Cubs are considering offering their infielder, Nico Hoerner, a contract extension worth about $120 million over six years. This decision comes as the Cubs aim to retain key players before they hit free agency next season. Hoerner has been a consistent performer for the team, showcasing solid skills both offensively and defensively.
Key Facts
The Chicago Cubs may offer Nico Hoerner a six-year, $120 million contract extension.
Nico Hoerner is currently 28 years old and plays as an infielder for the Cubs.
Hoerner has been with the Cubs for his entire career and is known for his solid overall play.
The Cubs lost outfielder Kyle Tucker last offseason due to contract disagreements.
Several key Cubs players, including Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, are set to become free agents after the upcoming season.
Hoerner's current batting statistics include a .297 average with seven home runs and 61 RBIs.
Hoerner's previous contract with the team has already been extended once.
The Cubs are expected to attempt to negotiate a new contract with Hoerner this spring.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, at age 53, considered retiring after playoff losses in 2022 and 2023. However, after two consecutive championship wins and a new four-year contract, he plans to continue managing the team. Roberts is on track to potentially have the best managerial winning percentage in baseball history.
Key Facts
Dave Roberts is 53 years old and manages the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Roberts considered retirement after the team lost in playoffs in 2022 and 2023.
The Dodgers have recently won two consecutive Major League Baseball championships.
Roberts signed a new four-year contract with the Dodgers.
He has managed the Dodgers for ten years with a record of 944 wins and 475 losses.
His current winning percentage is .621, potentially the best ever for managers with at least 1,000 wins.
The Dodgers recently signed superstar players Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz.
