Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu is taking a break from competing for the upcoming season after winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. She said she plans to return to skating after using this time to grow personally and improve her artistry on the ice.
Key Facts
Alysa Liu won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics and helped the U.S. team defend their team gold medal.
She is the first American woman to win Olympic figure skating gold since 2002.
Liu had previously quit skating after the 2022 Olympics due to burnout but returned in 2024 with renewed energy.
She announced on Instagram that she will not compete this season to focus on personal growth and refining her skills.
It is common for figure skaters to take a season off after the Olympics.
Liu was scheduled to compete in major events like Skate America and Finlandia Trophy but will now skip them.
Other U.S. figure skaters like Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, and Sarah Everhardt will represent the country in the Grand Prix series this season.
Male skater Ilia Malinin is also competing this season after winning three straight world championships following a difficult Olympic free skate.
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The UEFA Champions League for the 2026-2027 season will begin next month, with the group stage draw set for August 27 in Monaco. Paris Saint-Germain are the current champions, aiming to win for the third time in a row, while other top European clubs will compete. The matches will start in September and end with the final in June at Atletico Madrid’s stadium.
Key Facts
The Champions League 2026-2027 group stage draw is on August 27 at 6 pm local time in Monaco.
36 teams will compete, with 29 qualifying through their national leagues and 7 through a qualifying competition.
Teams like Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, PSG, and Real Madrid have qualified.
The new format means each team plays 8 games against 8 different teams from 4 ranking pots.
The group stage runs from September 8 to January 27, followed by knockout rounds from February to early June.
The final match is on June 5 at the Estadio Metropolitano, home of Atletico Madrid.
PSG won last season by beating Arsenal on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The league phase matches are spread across 8 matchdays between September and January.
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Raheem Sterling, an England footballer, has been charged with dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide after crashing his car on a motorway in May. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 15.
Key Facts
Raheem Sterling is a 31-year-old footballer from Berkshire, England.
He was charged with dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, and failing to provide a specimen (a sample, likely for testing).
The incident happened in May on the M3 motorway when Sterling crashed his Lamborghini into barriers.
No other vehicles or people were involved, and no injuries were reported.
Sterling last played for the Dutch football club Feyenoord on a short-term contract starting in February.
He left Chelsea football club by mutual agreement before joining Feyenoord.
Sterling has been without a football club since the end of the last season.
The court hearing is set for September 15 in a magistrates’ court.
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England cricket captain Joe Root spoke to his team about the importance of good behavior off the field after several players, including Brydon Carse, were involved in late-night drinking controversies. Fast bowler Josh Tongue said Root’s message was clearly understood, and the team is focusing on their upcoming Test match against Pakistan at Lord’s.
Key Facts
Brydon Carse was removed from the England squad after being briefly arrested during a night out in Derby.
Joe Root expressed frustration over recent off-field incidents and reminded players of the privilege of playing for England.
Josh Tongue confirmed that Root’s message about player conduct has been fully accepted by the team.
Carse’s case is under investigation by the Cricket Regulator, with no punishment announced yet.
Tongue participated in a multi-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley.
The England team may keep the same lineup for the second Test, the first unchanged selection in several matches.
Marcus Trescothick is the current interim England coach, with Stephen Fleming set to take over in December.
Stephen Fleming has been in contact with players, showing support and interest before officially becoming head coach.
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The Chicago Sky basketball team banned Enes Kanter Freedom from attending their home games after he was removed from a recent game for causing a disturbance. Kanter Freedom wore a shirt with a message about women and had a confrontation with a player, leading the team owner to say he cannot return unless he follows the rules and is no longer a threat.
Key Facts
Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a Chicago Sky game for confrontation with player Natasha Cloud.
Kanter Freedom wore a black shirt that said "WOMAN noun. adult human female." during the game.
Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter announced Kanter Freedom is banned from home games until he proves he can follow rules without causing problems.
Freedom and another former NBA player have tried to enter the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women, but they are not eligible.
The WNBA’s rules limit the league to women but do not clearly address transgender eligibility.
During a recent game, sex toys were thrown on the court; the team is trying to identify those responsible to prevent it from happening again.
The ban and eligibility questions come amid ongoing debates about transgender participation in women’s sports.
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Manchester City signed 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from the French club Lille for 100 million euros ($117 million). Bouaddi played an important role in Morocco’s run to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has shown great skill both defensively and in creating attacks.
Key Facts
Manchester City bought Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for 100 million euros.
Bouaddi signed a five-year contract with Manchester City.
He helped Morocco reach the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup.
Bouaddi became the youngest player to reach 50 appearances in France’s top league (Ligue 1).
He played a key role in Lille’s Champions League win over Real Madrid in 2024.
Bouaddi is known for both defending and starting attacking plays as a midfielder.
He was previously part of France’s youth national teams before playing for Morocco.
Fans and experts recognize him as an exceptional talent at just 18 years old.
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Olivia Moultrie, a talented young midfielder for the Portland Thorns, suffered a torn ACL earlier this month. Her injury could affect the US Women's National Team's midfield options ahead of the 2027 World Cup, as she plays a crucial role in possession and chance creation.
Key Facts
Olivia Moultrie helped change NWSL rules to allow players under 18 to go pro.
She has played 108 NWSL games and is known for her strong midfield skills.
This season, she recorded 5 goals and 5 assists in 1,312 minutes.
Moultrie was key in Portland Thorns' midfield, partnering well with Jessie Fleming.
Her injury is an ACL tear, with a typical recovery time of 9 to 12 months.
The 2027 Women's World Cup starts on June 24 in Brazil, about 300 days away.
If recovery takes the shortest time, she could return close to the World Cup start.
Moultrie's injury means fewer players with her style and creativity for the US team.
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Claudius Schaefer, president of European Leagues, said Gianni Infantino should not continue as FIFA president. He criticized Infantino for making important decisions without consulting others and said this harms football’s integrity. Infantino faces pressure to resign and will seek re-election next year.
Key Facts
Claudius Schaefer leads European Leagues, representing 53 men’s and women’s football leagues.
Schaefer doubts Infantino’s ability to continue as FIFA president.
Infantino’s influence at FIFA has grown, with fewer consultations on big decisions.
FIFA’s plan to sell part of World Cup commercial rights was dropped after strong criticism.
UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF have asked Infantino to resign.
Controversy arose over the FIFA peace prize being given to U.S. President Donald Trump in December.
FIFA overturned a red card for U.S. player Folarin Balogun during the World Cup after a call from President Trump.
Schaefer says these actions breach FIFA rules and hurt football’s integrity.
Infantino plans to run for a fourth term but faces strong opposition and calls for reform.
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Al-Nassr, playing with 10 men after their goalkeeper was sent off, came from behind to win against Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. Manager Ange Postecoglou substituted Cristiano Ronaldo at half-time as part of a new strategy, and Al-Nassr scored three goals in the second half to secure the win.
Key Facts
Al-Nassr's goalkeeper, Bento, was sent off after 12 minutes, leaving the team with 10 players.
At half-time, Al-Nassr was losing 2-0 to Al-Ettifaq.
Cristiano Ronaldo started the game but was taken off by manager Ange Postecoglou at half-time.
Al-Nassr scored three goals in the second half to win the match, with Sadio Mane scoring twice.
The win put Al-Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League after three games.
Postecoglou says the substitutions, including taking Ronaldo off, were meant to help the team's chances.
Ronaldo recently said this may be his last playing season to focus on his family.
Postecoglou became Al-Nassr’s manager last month, after previously coaching Nottingham Forest briefly.
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Manchester City has signed 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a deal worth £85.6 million. Bouaddi will join on a five-year contract and is expected to strengthen the team’s midfield after key player sales.
Key Facts
Manchester City paid £81.4 million upfront and £4.2 million in add-ons for Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Bouaddi, 18, has played 96 games for Lille and is a regular player for Morocco’s national team.
He impressed at the World Cup, starting five of Morocco’s six matches as they reached the quarter-finals.
Bouaddi became Lille’s youngest player at age 16 and played an important role in their Champions League win over Real Madrid.
Manchester City sold midfielders Rodri (£65 million to Barcelona) and Tijjani Reinders (£52 million to Al-Qadsiah).
City also signed English midfielder Elliot Anderson earlier for £116 million and may try to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea.
Tottenham signed Brazilian winger Savinho (now Savio) for £75 million and took Egypt forward Omar Marmoush on loan from Manchester City.
Spain midfielder Nico Gonzalez is set to leave Manchester City’s team to join Newcastle for £52 million.
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Angel Reese, a WNBA player for the Atlanta Dream, has recently broken rebounding records and delivered strong performances in several games. Despite her on-court success, she faces harsh criticism and trolling online, often accused unfairly of manipulating her statistics.
Key Facts
Angel Reese plays for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA.
She broke the league’s single-game and single-season rebounding records.
Reese scored a career-high 31 points and made 25 double-doubles this season.
The Dream has won four straight road games with Reese playing a key role.
Reese has faced significant online criticism and trolling about her style and stats.
Some critics accuse her of purposely missing shots to gain rebounds, called “mebounds.”
Public figures like Shaquille O’Neal have made controversial comments about Reese and women’s basketball.
Reese was a top college player, leading LSU to an NCAA title in 2023 before joining the WNBA.
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Manchester City plans to make a new offer to buy Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is valued at around £120 million. The club wants Fernandez to strengthen their team after several midfield players left, and they hope to complete the deal before the transfer deadline next week.
Key Facts
Manchester City wants to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea.
Fernandez is valued at about £120 million.
City’s manager, Enzo Maresca, sees Fernandez as a key addition to the midfield.
Chelsea set an unofficial deadline earlier this summer to sell Fernandez for at least £120 million, but it has passed.
Manchester City has recently sold four midfield players, including Rodri and Bernardo Silva.
Fernandez joined Chelsea in 2023 for £107 million from Benfica.
Fernandez had a difficult time at Chelsea and was booed by fans during a recent game.
Real Madrid denied making an attempt to sign Fernandez despite rumors.
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Sky Sports has agreed to extend its contract to show live coverage of the US Open tennis tournament until 2030. The deal includes daily broadcasts of more than 12 hours of matches, including a new mixed doubles event, and follows the broadcaster’s recent success in attracting a large female audience.
Key Facts
Sky Sports will broadcast the US Open live until 2030 under a new three-year contract extension.
The coverage will include over 12 hours of live tennis every day for the three-week tournament.
The new contract also covers the mixed doubles event, starting this week.
Sky gained exclusive UK rights to the US Open in 2023, taking over from Amazon Prime.
Emma Raducanu’s win two years ago helped Sky decide to pursue US Open rights again.
Raducanu will miss this year’s US Open due to a stress fracture injury.
Sky also has exclusive UK rights for the ATP and WTA tennis tours until at least 2028, with talks to extend further underway.
Tennis on Sky draws a high female audience—about 60% of viewers in 2025 were women, which helps attract advertisers and brands.
Wimbledon remains on the BBC until at least 2033, while TNT Sports holds rights for the Australian and French Opens.
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Bodo/Glimt from Norway qualified again for the UEFA Champions League group stage, joined by Austria’s LASK and Azerbaijan’s Sabah making their debut. Sabah won a dramatic extra-time game against Israeli champions Hapoel Beer-Sheva, while LASK overcame Celtic after extra time, and Bodo/Glimt easily beat NEC Nijmegen.
Key Facts
Bodo/Glimt qualified for the Champions League group stage for the second season in a row.
LASK from Austria won their playoff against Celtic after extra time, 5-4 on aggregate.
Sabah, a club founded in 2017, made their Champions League group stage debut by beating Hapoel Beer-Sheva.
Sabah scored a last-minute goal in regular time to force extra time, then scored twice more to win.
Hapoel Beer-Sheva finished the match with nine players due to two players receiving second yellow cards.
NEC Nijmegen’s goalkeeper was sent off early in their match against Bodo/Glimt, who won 6-1 on aggregate.
Celtic dropped into the second-tier Europa League after losing to LASK.
Israeli teams play in European competitions because Israel’s football federation joined UEFA in 1994 after leaving the Asian Football Confederation.
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Raheem Sterling, a professional football player, has been charged with dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide after crashing his Lamborghini on a motorway in May. He will attend a court hearing in September, and no one was hurt in the incident.
Key Facts
Raheem Sterling crashed a Lamborghini on the M3 motorway near Minley interchange on May 28.
Police charged him with dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide (a gas sometimes misused for inhaling), and failing to provide a specimen (usually a breath or blood test).
No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported.
Sterling is scheduled to appear at Basingstoke magistrates court on September 15.
He played 82 times for England, scoring 20 goals, and helped the team reach major tournament finals.
Sterling began his career at QPR, then played for Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal (on loan), and Feyenoord. He is currently without a club.
In 2021, Sterling was honored with an MBE for his work against racism in sports.
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Tottenham Hotspur has agreed to take Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush on loan, with a requirement to buy him permanently next summer for £60 million. Marmoush, a 27-year-old player from Egypt, moved to Manchester City in January for £59 million but played mostly as a backup to Erling Haaland.
Key Facts
Tottenham will initially get Omar Marmoush on a loan deal from Manchester City.
The loan deal includes an obligation for Tottenham to pay £60 million next summer to keep Marmoush permanently.
Marmoush is a 27-year-old forward from Egypt.
Marmoush joined Manchester City from Eintracht Frankfurt in January for £59 million.
He has scored 16 goals in 62 games for Manchester City.
Marmoush had limited playing time at Manchester City due to competition from Erling Haaland.
Tottenham recently signed another player, Savio, from Manchester City for £75 million.
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Brighton & Hove Albion signed Algerian left-back Jaouen Hadjam from Swiss club Young Boys on a contract until 2031. Hadjam has played for Algeria’s national team and previously played youth football in France and for Nantes.
Key Facts
Jaouen Hadjam is an Algerian left-back who joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Young Boys.
The transfer fee was not made public.
Hadjam’s contract with Brighton runs until 2031.
He is 23 years old and has played 98 games for Young Boys.
Hadjam played in Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy and formerly played for Nantes in France.
He switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria in 2023 and has 21 appearances (caps) for Algeria.
Hadjam was part of Algeria’s team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and played in three matches.
Brighton began their Premier League season with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa, who won the Europa League last season.
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Newcastle United has agreed to buy midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City for up to £52 million. Gonzalez, 24, has played one and a half seasons in the Premier League and will add experience to Newcastle’s team after several midfield players left the club.
Key Facts
Newcastle United agreed a deal worth up to £52 million to sign Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City.
Gonzalez is a 24-year-old Spanish midfielder who joined Manchester City from Porto.
He has made 59 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions.
Newcastle lost important midfielders Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, and Kieran Trippier in recent months.
Gonzalez was an unused substitute in Manchester City’s recent 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
He will be the fourth senior midfielder to leave Manchester City this summer after Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Tijjani Reijnders.
Newcastle's head coach Matthias Jaissle wants to strengthen the midfield with players like Gonzalez who can develop further.
Gonzalez is known for making quick turnovers and line-breaking passes in matches, which helps his team both with and without the ball.
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Raheem Sterling is charged with dangerous driving and possessing nitrous oxide after crashing his car into barriers on a motorway in May. He will appear in court in September to face these charges.
Key Facts
Raheem Sterling crashed his Lamborghini on the M3 motorway in Hampshire on May 28, 2026.
No other vehicles were involved, and no one was hurt in the accident.
Sterling was charged with dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, and failing to provide a specimen.
Police suspected he was driving while unfit due to drugs, but no charges were made for that.
Sterling will appear at Basingstoke magistrates court on September 15.
He last played for Feyenoord in the Netherlands and is currently without a club.
Sterling previously played for Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal, and earned 82 caps for England.
Police arrested Sterling but later released him on bail while investigations continued.
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Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United won the PFA Player of the Year award after a record-breaking season in assists. Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw won the Women’s Player of the Year for the second time, helping her team win the Women’s Super League title.
Key Facts
Bruno Fernandes set a new Premier League assists record with 21 assists in the 2025–26 season.
Fernandes also scored nine goals and helped Manchester United finish third in the league.
Khadija Shaw scored 21 goals and won her third straight Golden Boot as City won the Women’s Super League after 10 years.
Nico O’Reilly of Manchester City won the Men’s Young Player of the Year award.
Manchester City won the League Cup and FA Cup last season.
Other Manchester City players named in the Team of the Year were Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Antoine Semenyo.
Arsenal had five players in the Team of the Year.
Bruno Fernandes also won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award in May.
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