Takeshi Okada resigned as a vice president of the Japan Football Association, saying its responses to recent World Cup controversies conflicted with his values. His resignation came after the Asian Football Confederation backed Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, despite earlier criticism of his plan to bring private investors into FIFA competitions.
Key Facts
Okada coached Japan at the 1998 and 2010 World Cups.
He said he resigned of his own volition after careful consideration.
Okada said he values the social role of sport and believes it must be conducted with integrity.
A week before the resignation, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa voiced support for Infantino’s re-election bid at a meeting in Tokyo.
The AFC had earlier joined UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing Infantino’s plan to open FIFA competitions to private investment.
Infantino apologized after the private investment project failed and has led FIFA since 2016.
Infantino is seeking re-election in March for a fourth and final term.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
England half-back Mikey Lewis says he earned his place in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup squad despite an inconsistent Super League season and disciplinary problems. After scoring twice in England’s 82-0 win over France, he could help the team pursue a place in the semi-finals when it faces Papua New Guinea.
Key Facts
Coach Brian McDermott selected Lewis alongside Harry Smith and captain George Williams as one of England’s half-back options.
Lewis was selected ahead of 2025 Man of Steel Jake Connor.
England lost its opening match 30-12 to Tonga and then beat France 82-0.
Lewis came off the bench against France and scored two tries in the final 20 minutes.
England must beat Papua New Guinea, hope Tonga defeat Samoa, and make up a 68-point points-difference deficit to Samoa to qualify for the semi-finals.
Lewis scored 17 tries and made 14 assists in 20 Super League matches in 2026.
He received four yellow cards, the most of any player in the Super League, and served a four-game ban after a late tackle and a headbutt in July.
Lewis said he is seeking outside help with his on-field temperament.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The NFL named Jay-Z the headliner for this season’s Super Bowl halftime show. His company, Roc Nation, has produced the show since a 2019 partnership with the league, which also included work on the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative. The article contrasts Jay-Z’s partnership with the NFL with his earlier support for Colin Kaepernick’s protests and presents criticism of the partnership as part of a broader debate about his public role.
Key Facts
The NFL announced Jay-Z as the headliner for this season’s Super Bowl halftime show.
Roc Nation produces the halftime show under a deal that the article says was reportedly worth $5 million a year when signed in 2019.
The NFL and Roc Nation extended their partnership for another five years in 2024.
The partnership included Roc Nation’s work on Inspire Change, the NFL’s social justice initiative.
At the 2019 announcement of the partnership, Jay-Z said, “We’ve moved past kneeling.”
Colin Kaepernick settled his collusion grievance against the NFL in 2019 after alleging the league had kept him from playing because of his protests.
Forbes estimates Jay-Z’s fortune at about $2.8 billion.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
China said it takes Kylian Mbappe’s apology seriously after the French footballer joked about an online meme that appeared to depict Mao Zedong. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV suspended La Liga broadcasts, and several Chinese companies ended partnerships with Mbappe amid backlash.
Key Facts
Mbappe apologized in French, Chinese and English, saying his comment was ill-judged and had hurt people in China and Chinese communities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing took the apology seriously.
CCTV, which is overseen by China Media Group, suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches in China.
Beverage company Dongpeng and dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground ended partnerships with Mbappe.
The Xiaohongshu and Weibo apps froze or restricted Mbappe’s accounts.
La Liga said it regretted the offence caused to Chinese fans by Mbappe’s comments.
The article says China previously suspended NBA sponsorship deals and broadcasts after Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey posted in support of Hong Kong in 2019.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Liverpool signed 21-year-old centre-back Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth £60 million over the summer. He has started every Premier League and Champions League match so far, and his performances have helped Liverpool record four league clean sheets.
Key Facts
Jacquet has played 956 minutes this season, second-most among Liverpool players behind goalkeeper Alisson.
He joined Liverpool after playing for Rennes and missing time with a broken shoulder and a knee problem.
Liverpool gave Jacquet his first Premier League start at Newcastle after Ibrahima Konaté left for Real Madrid and other defenders faced injury problems.
He has made 19 tackles, 15 interceptions and 10 blocks in the Premier League, according to the article.
Jacquet made his France debut earlier this month, and coach Zinedine Zidane praised his performance against Italy.
Chelsea were also interested in Jacquet before Liverpool stepped up their pursuit.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Stan Wawrinka’s 24-year professional tennis career ended with a first-round loss to Jiri Lehecka at the Basel Open. The three-time Grand Slam champion plans to take part in a farewell event in Geneva on December 19.
Key Facts
Lehecka defeated Wawrinka 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) in Basel.
The 41-year-old Swiss had announced earlier in the season that the Basel Open would be his final professional tournament.
Wawrinka won three Grand Slam singles titles: the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open.
He and Roger Federer helped Switzerland win the Davis Cup, and they won Olympic doubles gold in 2008.
Wawrinka reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3.
His December 19 farewell event in Geneva is called “One last backhand” and is set to include Federer and Andy Murray.
At the Basel Open, Arthur Fils, Rafael Jodar and Ben Shelton also won their matches to advance.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Switzerland will again consider Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo for selection for its November Nations League matches after both were sanctioned over forged COVID-19 certificates. They missed the team’s first four Nations League games, and the Swiss Football Association says they have completed the legal process and served the sporting consequences.
Key Facts
Xhaka admitted using a forged vaccine certificate to avoid mandatory vaccinations during the pandemic.
Embolo acknowledged that a penal order against him concerned fake COVID-19 certificates.
Both players missed Switzerland’s first four Nations League matches.
The Swiss Football Association said the players will be eligible for selection starting with the November matches.
Switzerland’s coach, staff and players’ council agreed that Xhaka will remain captain.
Both players received suspended fines of 150,000 Swiss francs, with a two-year probation period.
Switzerland will play Slovenia away on November 13 and host Scotland in St Gallen three days later.
Coach Murat Yakin is scheduled to announce the squad on November 5.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 136-129 on Tuesday to extend their season-opening winning streak to three games. Deni Avdija and Ja Morant scored 23 points each, while Luka Doncic led all scorers with 41 for Los Angeles.
Key Facts
Portland made 18 of 36 three-point attempts and shot 59 percent from the field.
Avdija added nine assists, and Jrue Holiday scored 22 points off the bench for Portland.
Damian Lillard scored 21 points, including a late three-pointer that put Portland ahead 135-129.
Doncic recorded 41 points and nine assists; Austin Reaves added 26 points and seven assists for the Lakers.
Los Angeles led by 11 points in the third quarter before Portland rallied to trail 103-102 entering the fourth.
Boston beat Brooklyn 125-124 in overtime on Jayson Tatum’s buzzer-beating jumper; Tatum scored 40 points.
New York earned its first win of the season by beating Detroit after outscoring the Pistons 37-13 in the third quarter.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Arsenal, described in the article as Premier League champions, lost to fourth-tier Fleetwood Town in the League Cup fourth round, drawing 1-1 before losing 5-3 on penalties. The article compares the result with five other English cup upsets involving Wrexham, Bradford City, Hereford, Wimbledon and Grimsby.
Key Facts
Fleetwood Town beat Arsenal 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the League Cup fourth round.
Wrexham beat Arsenal 2-1 in the 1992 FA Cup, with Steve Watkin scoring the late winner.
Bradford City came back from 2-0 down to beat Chelsea 4-2 in the 2015 FA Cup.
Hereford beat Newcastle 2-1 in the 1972 FA Cup after Ronnie Radford equalised and Ricky George scored in extra time.
Wimbledon beat Liverpool 1-0 in the 1988 FA Cup final; goalkeeper Dave Beasant saved John Aldridge’s penalty.
In the 2025 League Cup, Grimsby beat Manchester United 12-11 on penalties after the tie ended level following extra time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Stan Wawrinka lost to Jiri Lehecka in what the article describes as his final tour-level match, ending a 23-year professional career. The Swiss player won three Grand Slam singles titles, defeating members of the sport’s “Big Three” on the way to major victories.
Key Facts
Wawrinka lost to world number 21 Jiri Lehecka in Basel, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2).
The match was the 41-year-old’s final tour-level appearance, according to the article.
His professional career spanned 23 years and 985 matches.
Wawrinka won three Grand Slam singles titles: the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open and the 2016 US Open.
At the 2014 Australian Open, he beat Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals and Rafael Nadal in the final.
At the 2015 French Open, he beat Roger Federer in the quarter-finals and Djokovic in the final.
Wawrinka was ranked as high as world number three and was ranked 151 at the time described in the article.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Spanish football federation fined Barcelona 602 euros ($670) after Atletico Madrid complained that Barcelona contacted striker Julian Alvarez without notifying the club in writing. FIFA said it had no jurisdiction over Atletico’s separate complaint. Alvarez later apologized for saying he wanted to play for Barcelona and scored Atletico’s winner against Deportivo La Coruna.
Key Facts
The Spanish federation imposed the fine under Article 133 of its regulations.
Atletico said Barcelona approached Alvarez without first notifying the club in writing.
FIFA said it had no jurisdiction over Atletico’s complaint.
Alvarez’s Atletico contract runs until June 2030.
Alvarez apologized for saying in a 2026 World Cup interview that he wanted to fulfill his dream of playing for Barcelona.
Alvarez scored the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruna, his second consecutive match with a goal.
Alvarez joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024 in a deal worth up to 95 million euros.
Alvarez has scored 51 goals in 115 appearances for Atletico, after scoring 36 goals in 103 appearances for Manchester City.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was diagnosed with a calf blood clot in London before playing the full game against Jacksonville on 11 October. Follow-up tests later found deep vein thrombosis and multiple clots in both lungs; he is receiving blood-thinning treatment and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The NFL and NFL Players Association say they are reviewing his care after the league said it has no protocol for this type of case.
Key Facts
Hurts reported a leg issue to the Eagles on 8 October after another player stepped on his left calf during a game on 4 October.
An ultrasound at the Cleveland Clinic in London on 10 October found a superficial blood clot in Hurts’ calf, and he was cleared to play the next day.
Hurts played the full game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 11 October and was cleared to fly back with the team.
A follow-up ultrasound on 14 October showed the clot had moved, and Hurts was ruled out of the Eagles’ next game.
Further tests found deep vein thrombosis and multiple pulmonary emboli, meaning blood clots in both lungs.
Hurts is being treated with blood-thinning medicine and is expected to make a full recovery, but likely will miss the rest of the season.
The NFL said it has no protocol for this type of situation; its chief medical officer said he had confidence in how the Eagles handled the case.
The NFL and NFL Players Association said they are working together to review the matter after the union called for an investigation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Several major Chinese companies ended their partnerships with French footballer Kylian Mbappé after a joke about Mao Zedong. Mbappé apologised, saying he had “a deep respect for the Chinese people and their history.”
Key Facts
Several major Chinese companies ended partnerships with Mbappé.
Mbappé apologised over a joke about Mao Zedong.
In his apology, Mbappé cited respect for Chinese people and their history.
Arsenal lost to fourth-tier Fleetwood Town in a penalty shootout.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry arrived in Dakar for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics.
Tennis player Stanislas Wawrinka played the final match of his career.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Adam Golebiewski lost both lower legs in a 2024 car crash caused by a drink-driver, ending his hopes of becoming a professional football goalkeeper. Now 20, he trains in para cross-country skiing and biathlon, and hopes to compete in World Cup events in Finland and Sweden; his coach says the 2030 Paralympic Winter Games could be a future goal.
Key Facts
Golebiewski was 17 when the crash happened in Macduff, Aberdeenshire, in 2024.
He had a double amputation below the knee and completed three months of rehabilitation at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen.
He trains at the Nordic ski centre in Huntly using a sit-ski, which has wheels for training without snow.
He has trained on snow in the United States, Italy and Germany.
Golebiewski has qualified to enter international para biathlon competitions, which combine cross-country skiing and shooting.
He is aiming for para biathlon World Cup events in Finland and Sweden over the next six months.
His coach, Simon Bate of Snowsport Scotland, says the 2030 Paralympic Winter Games could be a future target.
The driver, Arran Paterson, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without insurance, and was detained for 32 months.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jody Cundy has not lost the men’s para-cycling kilo at the Track World Championships since 2006. The 48-year-old is seeking a 20th consecutive world title at this year’s championships in Apeldoorn, where he faces younger rivals including British teammate Archie Atkinson.
Key Facts
The kilo is a one-kilometre track cycling time trial ridden from a standing start.
Cundy won his first para-cycling world title in 2006 and has remained unbeaten in the event at the World Championships.
Cundy has won six Paralympic cycling titles, including the kilo at the 2008 and 2016 Games.
Atkinson, 22, beat Cundy at last year’s National Track Championships, but Cundy beat him at the World Championships later that year.
Cundy says qualifying for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles will be difficult.
Cundy has spent 31 years in elite sport and says he may later work in coaching, management or cycling governance.
Cundy and Atkinson are part of a 24-rider Great Britain squad for the championships in Apeldoorn. The article says it is the squad’s first UCI track event since the previous World Championships in Brazil.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Fleetwood Town eliminated Arsenal from the League Cup fourth round, winning 5-3 on penalties after the teams drew 1-1 in normal time. Aaron Loupalo-Bi put Fleetwood ahead, Viktor Gyokeres equalised, and Arsenal teenager Max Dowman was sent off late in the match.
Key Facts
Fleetwood Town, a fourth-tier club, advanced after beating Arsenal 5-3 in the penalty shootout.
Real Madrid apologised to Chinese people on Wednesday over Kylian Mbappé’s joke about Mao Zedong, a day after the player and La Liga also expressed regret. The backlash led Chinese broadcaster CMG to suspend La Liga broadcasts and several Chinese brands to end or drop content tied to Mbappé.
Key Facts
Mbappé joked in a video interview about an internet meme that placed his face on a figure he described as a Chinese dictator, an apparent reference to Mao Zedong.
Real Madrid said it apologised for any offence caused and noted that Mbappé had expressed regret and respect for Chinese people.
Mbappé apologised in French, Chinese and English, saying his comment was ill-judged and had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.
La Liga said it regretted the offence caused, after its match broadcasts were suspended in China.
CMG, which oversees public broadcaster CCTV, suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches.
Chinese companies Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground ended sponsorship partnerships with Mbappé, according to the article.
Mbappé’s accounts on Weibo and Xiaohongshu were blocked or frozen.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings in Game 4 of the World Series, avoiding elimination and forcing Game 5. Tampa Bay scored twice in the bottom of the 12th after Cooper Pratt had put Milwaukee ahead with a home run.
Key Facts
Jonny DeLuca singled home the tying run in the 12th inning.
Pinch-hitter Ben Williamson singled home the winning run with the bases loaded.
Cooper Pratt hit a go-ahead home run for Milwaukee in the top of the 12th.
The Brewers had led the best-of-seven series 3-0 before the game.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, at Tropicana Field.
Jacob Misiorowski is scheduled to start Game 5 for Milwaukee; Tampa Bay had not named its starter.
The Rays’ win ended Milwaukee’s eight-game winning streak.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Three major Chinese brands have ended partnerships with French footballer Kylian Mbappe after comments about a meme showing his head on Mao Zedong’s body drew criticism in China. Mbappe has apologised, but the controversy has continued to draw criticism from Chinese fans.
Key Facts
The article reports that three major Chinese brands ended partnerships with Mbappe.
The controversy concerned a meme depicting Mbappe’s head on Mao Zedong’s body.
Mbappe made comments about the meme.
Mbappe apologised.
Chinese fans criticised Mbappe over the controversy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is expected to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will miss several weeks. His return timetable will be clearer after the procedure; an absence of up to two months could sideline him for about 25 games.
Key Facts
A person familiar with Edwards’ plans told The Associated Press that he would have surgery; the Timberwolves had not publicly announced it at the time.
Edwards had been listed as questionable for Minnesota’s game against Golden State on Wednesday because of his right knee.
He averaged 33.3 points in the season’s first four games, helping Minnesota win three of them.
Edwards scored 45 points against Miami and 47 against Cleveland.
His 133 points through four games set a Timberwolves record, surpassing his previous mark of 120.
A two-month absence could keep Edwards out until around Christmas and leave him short of the NBA’s 65-game threshold for major end-of-season awards.
Edwards played 61 games last season, largely because of knee-related issues.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
