In Chelsea's 3-1 win against Crystal Palace, a debated penalty was given after a video review. The referee decided to award the penalty even though some believed the arm position of Palace defender Jaydee Canvot did not fit the criteria for a handball offense based on current football rules.
Key Facts
The debate involved a penalty awarded to Chelsea in their match against Crystal Palace.
Referee Darren England watched video replays before deciding on the penalty.
Palace defender Jaydee Canvot blocked a shot with his arm, which was by his side.
VAR official Matt Donohue argued it should be a penalty, saying the arm stopped a goal.
The International Football Association Board (Ifab) states that not all handballs stopping goals are penalties.
A recent rule change clarified how handball offenses relate to goal-scoring opportunities.
The decision to give a penalty was controversial and may be reviewed by the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel.
An inquest determined repeated heading of a football likely contributed to the brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), in former footballer Gordon McQueen, who died in 2023. McQueen's career involved frequent head impacts, and these impacts were found to be a significant factor in the development of his CTE and his eventual death from pneumonia, vascular dementia, and CTE.
Key Facts
Gordon McQueen was a footballer who played for Scotland and several clubs, including Manchester United.
McQueen was diagnosed with vascular dementia and died in 2023 at age 70.
An inquest found that repeated heading of the football likely led to his brain disease, CTE.
CTE and vascular dementia contributed significantly to McQueen's death.
A coroner found that head impacts in McQueen’s career contributed to his brain condition.
CTE symptoms include cognitive decline and behavioral changes.
Defenders in football, who head the ball often, have a higher risk of developing CTE than goalkeepers.
The Philadelphia 76ers will play against the Charlotte Hornets without Joel Embiid and Paul George, who are both missing due to knee management issues. The players are being rested as a precaution because the team has a game against the Milwaukee Bucks the next day.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia 76ers will face the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center.
Joel Embiid will not play due to left knee injury management.
Embiid appeared healthy in a recent game but is being rested to prepare for a back-to-back game schedule.
Paul George is also not playing due to knee issues.
This is George’s twentieth game missed this season because of his knee injury.
The 76ers game against the Hornets is scheduled for Monday at 3:00 p.m. EST.
The article announces that the Super Bowl 60 will feature a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. It provides information about various promotional offers available for betting on the game through different sportsbooks.
Key Facts
Super Bowl 60 will feature a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
This game is a rematch of Super Bowl 49.
Drake Maye will play as the quarterback for the Patriots, and Sam Darnold will play for the Seahawks.
There are various betting promotions available for the Super Bowl from different providers like DraftKings, BetMGM, Bet365, Caesars, FanDuel, and Fanatics.
These promotions include bonus bets, bet matches, and other rewards for new sign-ups.
Available promotions and offers can differ based on the state where you live.
Some states offer daily fantasy sports (DFS) and prediction market options instead of traditional sports betting.
Newsweek may receive a commission if users sign up through links in the article.
The Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game and will go on to play in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. After the game, cameras caught a warm exchange between Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Kupp used to play for the Rams and had a strong connection with Stafford during his time there.
Key Facts
The Seattle Seahawks won the NFC Championship Game 31-27 against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in San Francisco.
This is Seattle's first Super Bowl appearance since 2015.
Cooper Kupp, a wide receiver for Seattle, used to play for the Rams.
After the game, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp shared a friendly moment caught on camera.
Kupp was a key player for the Rams and won Pro Bowl honors in the 2021 season.
The Rams released Kupp before this season, and he joined the Seahawks.
Kupp is originally from Yakima, Washington, and played college football in the same state.
The Buffalo Bills are looking for a new head coach after firing Sean McDermott. They plan to interview Davis Webb, a coach from the Denver Broncos, for the position. The interview can happen now that the Broncos are out of the playoffs.
Key Facts
The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott last week.
The Bills lost to the Denver Broncos in overtime during the divisional playoff round.
The Bills plan to interview Davis Webb, the Broncos' quarterbacks coach.
Webb previously worked as a backup quarterback for the Bills from 2019 to 2021.
Webb became the Broncos' quarterbacks coach in 2023 and later the pass game coordinator.
Webb is also being considered for a head coaching role with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Bills have looked at six other candidates for their coaching position.
The Seattle Mariners have signed Patrick Wisdom, a baseball player known for his power hitting, to a minor league contract. Wisdom played for the Chicago Cubs and spent last season in the Korean Baseball Organization, where he hit 35 home runs.
Key Facts
The Seattle Mariners signed Patrick Wisdom to a minor league deal.
Wisdom has played 455 major league games over five seasons, mainly with the Chicago Cubs.
He hit 35 home runs in the Korean Baseball Organization last season.
He was third in the league for home runs with the Kia Tigers.
Wisdom played in just 75 major league games in 2024 due to a back injury.
He is known for hitting 76 home runs from 2021 to 2023 with the Cubs.
Wisdom can play multiple positions, mainly first and third base.
T-Mobile Park, the Mariners' home field, is known to be a challenging stadium for hitters.
Jacob Buchberger, a minor league player with the St. Louis Cardinals, has retired due to an injury. He tore his triceps tendon early in the season and decided to retire despite efforts to return. Buchberger is considering a future in coaching.
Key Facts
Jacob Buchberger retired from the St. Louis Cardinals minor league team.
He tore his triceps tendon in the sixth game of the 2023 Double-A season.
Buchberger joined the Cardinals organization in 2020 with a minor league contract.
During his minor league career, he played 232 Double-A games.
He had experience playing multiple positions including third base and outfield.
He was performing well before the injury with a .300/.417/.500 batting line in six games.
Buchberger expressed interest in potentially coaching in the future.
Several Premier League players are rumored to transfer to new clubs before the winter transfer window closes on February 2. Clubs are looking to either strengthen for European competition or avoid relegation. Key players like Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jorgen Strand Larsen, and Tammy Abraham are among those potentially moving teams.
Key Facts
The Premier League winter transfer window ends on February 2 at 19:00 GMT.
Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace is linked with possible moves to teams like Juventus and Aston Villa.
Mateta recently extended his contract but only has 18 months left on it.
Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers might leave, with clubs like Leeds and West Ham interested.
Wolves are struggling in the league, far from safety, leading to possible transfers.
Tammy Abraham, currently on loan at Besiktas from Roma, is linked to a move to Aston Villa.
Elliot Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle earlier in 2024, costing £35 million.
Clemson University's head coach, Dabo Swinney, brought in 10 new players through the transfer portal, which is an all-time high for the school. This marks a change in Swinney's approach, as he typically preferred recruiting high school players. Most of the new transfers are defensive players, with only one new offensive player added.
Key Facts
Clemson's head coach, Dabo Swinney, added 10 players via the transfer portal, a school record.
Before this, Swinney only used the transfer portal to add six players over seven years.
Clemson's transfer portal class ranks No. 65, up from No. 82 in 2025.
The new transfers include four defensive linemen, a linebacker, two cornerbacks, and two defensive backs.
The only new offensive player is running back Chris Johnson Jr. from SMU, known for his speed.
Swinney has been critical of the transfer portal, citing concerns about transparency and fairness.
Some teams, especially in the ACC, have heavily used the transfer portal, adding over 40 players.
Swinney's use of the portal signals a potential change in strategy for Clemson football.
John Layfield, known as JBL, is in talks to join Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) as a regular performer. He has been a freelance wrestler in different promotions but may now become a weekly feature on JCW's show "JCW Lunacy." Vince Russo, a former WWE writer, is influencing this move as part of JCW's creative direction.
Key Facts
John Layfield, aka JBL, is negotiating a full-time role with Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW).
Talks involve JBL being a regular on JCW's weekly show, "JCW Lunacy."
JBL is scheduled to be part of a JCW event called "StrangleMania" in April.
Vince Russo, a former WWE writer, is helping shape JCW's creative plans and storyline.
JBL has previously appeared in several other wrestling promotions such as AAA, GCW, MLW, and TNA Wrestling.
JCW plans to add other veteran wrestling personalities like Joel Gertner and Scott Hudson.
Jannik Sinner reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after winning against Luciano Darderi. Madison Keys, the defending women's champion, was knocked out by Jessica Pegula. Several American women, including Pegula, advanced to the quarterfinals.
Key Facts
Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Luciano Darderi in three sets.
Madison Keys lost to Jessica Pegula, who advanced to the quarterfinals.
Pegula will face Amanda Anisimova, another American who defeated Wang Xinyu, in the quarterfinals.
Four American women reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, a first since 2001.
Iga Swiatek ended Maddison Inglis's unexpected run to reach the quarterfinals.
Lorenzo Musetti also reached the quarterfinals, defeating Taylor Fritz.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals without playing due to his opponent's injury.
Sinner will face either Ben Shelton or Casper Ruud in the semifinals.
The Cincinnati Reds have signed pitcher Yunior Marte to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Marte previously played for the Philadelphia Phillies and spent last season pitching successfully in Japan. The Reds hope he can bring his improved skills to their team.
Key Facts
Yunior Marte signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.
He will attend spring training with the team.
Marte spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Phillies and played in Japan last year.
In Japan, he pitched 35 games with a 1.95 ERA and 25 strikeouts.
He also pitched five games in the Dominican Winter League without allowing a run.
Marte has a career ERA of 5.64 in Major League Baseball.
His fastball has been a strong part of his game, averaging 96.4 mph.
The Golden State Warriors are dealing with injuries among key players. Jimmy Butler is out for the season with a torn ACL, and Jonathan Kuminga has suffered a knee injury, potentially keeping him off the court for some time.
Key Facts
Jimmy Butler of the Golden State Warriors tore his ACL in January and will miss the rest of the season.
Butler was averaging 20 points per game before his injury.
Jonathan Kuminga was expected to play more due to Butler's injury but is now also injured.
Kuminga suffered a bone bruise in his knee and might miss upcoming games.
The team will consider other players like Gui Santos, Al Horford, and Moses Moody to fill in for Kuminga.
The Warriors will play against the Minnesota Timberwolves next.
The trade deadline is on February 5, which may affect team decisions.
The Cincinnati Reds have signed Shane Sasaki, a speedy 25-year-old outfielder, to a minor-league contract. Sasaki, who was previously with the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins, is known for his base-stealing ability, although he needs to improve his hitting to advance to the major leagues.
Key Facts
The Cincinnati Reds signed Shane Sasaki to a minor-league contract.
Sasaki is 25 years old and an outfielder.
He was previously a prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins.
Last season, he played mostly at the Double-A level and briefly at Triple-A.
Sasaki is known for his speed, with a minor league career total of 140 stolen bases.
He posted a .608 OPS last season, which includes on-base plus slugging, a statistic that measures a player's ability to get on base and hit for power.
Sasaki hit only one home run and had a .296 slugging percentage last year.
The Reds do not expect Sasaki to join the major league team this year unless he significantly improves his performance.
The Cleveland Browns are searching for a new head coach to replace Kevin Stefanski. Grant Udkinski has decided to stay with the Jacksonville Jaguars as their offensive coordinator, opting out of the Browns' coaching search. Several candidates, including Jim Schwartz, Nate Scheelhaase, Anthony Lynn, and Todd Monken, are still being considered.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Browns need a new head coach after Kevin Stefanski left.
Grant Udkinski, Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive coordinator, withdrew from the Browns' search to stay with the Jaguars.
Jim Schwartz, the Browns' current defensive coordinator, is a candidate for the head coach job.
Schwartz was the Detroit Lions’ head coach from 2009-2013.
Nate Scheelhaase, currently with the Los Angeles Rams, is another candidate.
Anthony Lynn, former Los Angeles Chargers head coach, is also being considered.
Todd Monken, former offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, remains in the running.
Monken is also a favorite for the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator position.
Carlos Rodón, a top pitcher for the New York Yankees, shared an update about his recovery following elbow surgery. Rodón mentioned improvements in his range of motion and expects to return to Florida soon to continue his training.
Key Facts
Carlos Rodón is a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees.
Rodón underwent elbow surgery after the Yankees' playoff elimination.
The Yankees expect him to miss at least the first month of the regular season.
Rodón provided a positive update on his recovery process, indicating improved elbow movement.
Last season, he had an 18-9 record and a 3.09 ERA in 195 1/3 innings.
He led the Yankees with 203 strikeouts and received Cy Young votes for his performance.
Rodón plans to continue his rehabilitation and throwing exercises in Florida.
The Dallas Cowboys have not won a Super Bowl in 30 years and have not hosted one in 15 years. New stadium plans for future Super Bowls make it unlikely that either will happen soon. The Cowboys and their stadium remain popular, but they are not currently linked to upcoming Super Bowls.
Key Facts
The Dallas Cowboys last won the Super Bowl in 1996, which is 30 years ago.
They hosted the Super Bowl once in 2011, but it faced issues like a winter storm and a ticket scandal.
The Cowboys missed the playoffs this season with a record of 7-9-1.
Future Super Bowls are scheduled for Los Angeles, Atlanta, and possibly Las Vegas or Nashville.
Other NFL teams, like the Jaguars and Bills, are planning new stadiums.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, hopes for another Super Bowl at their stadium but says conditions aren't right now.
AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys' home, is a well-known sports venue.
Lane Kiffin, the head coach of LSU's football team, brought in a record number of new players through the transfer portal, signing 42 players. This includes several top recruits and significantly improves the team's roster for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
Lane Kiffin is LSU's head football coach and led a major recruiting effort.
LSU signed 42 players through the transfer portal.
Nine of these new players are among the top 100 recruits nationally.
Kiffin's recruitment broke LSU's previous transfer record of 18 players.
New additions include notable players like Jordan Seaton and Sam Leavitt.
Kiffin had a budget of $20 million to recruit these players.
The team gained strength in multiple areas, including offense and defense.
Kiffin's strategy aligns with his past recruiting approaches at Ole Miss.
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game marked by a heavy atmosphere following the fatal shooting of a nurse by immigration agents. The incident led to protests and a minute of silence before the game. Warriors' coach Steve Kerr described the match as "bizarre" and "sad."
Key Facts
The Warriors won the game 111-85 against the Timberwolves.
A minute's silence was held for Alex Pretti, the nurse who was shot by immigration agents.
Protests occurred due to the shooting, with fans chanting against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
This shooting was the second incident involving federal agents in less than a month in Minneapolis.
ICE operations in Minnesota have been ongoing for over six weeks, ordered by President Trump's administration.
Steve Kerr, the Warriors' coach, noted the somber mood and the impact on the Timberwolves.
Moses Moody, a Warriors player, mentioned feeling the city's weight during the game.
Stephen Curry scored 26 points, matching Paul Pierce for 19th on the all-time scoring list.
Anthony Edwards scored 32 points for the Timberwolves, who have now lost five games in a row.
