Leinster suffered a second defeat in a row at the start of the new season as the United Rugby Championship title holders went down 26-20 against the Sharks in a keenly contested encounter in Durban. Leo Cullen’s side lost 27-26 to the Lions in their opening game of the campaign in Johannesburg, but they have…
Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds on a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further year. Meslier made 215 appearances across seven seasons with the Yorkshire club, keeping 70 clean sheets. The French goalkeeper, 26, said he “cannot wait to win trophies” with “the biggest club in England”. BBC…
Zimbabwean footballer Divine Lunga has survived a gun attack in Johannesburg, South African police have said. The football star, 31, was driving in the inner city suburb of Hillbrow on Sunday when his car was shot at by an unknown gunman, according to local reports. Lunga, who plays for both Zimbabwe’s national football team and…
Much was made about the challenges England would face against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium – and it proved to be tough. Between the crowd, the altitude of Mexico City and the intensity of the Mexico players, England had to manage the game in numerous phases – phases so distinct that it felt like five…
Cape Verde’s football team have been welcomed home by tens of thousands of elated supporters following a historic run at the World Cup. The Blue Sharks flew into the capital city, Praia, on Sunday, having been knocked out of the tournament after a thrilling match against reigning champions Argentina. Jubilant fans transformed the airport’s grounds…
President Donald Trump has confirmed he asked Fifa to review United States striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension at the World Cup. Balogun, 25, was set to miss his side’s last-16 tie against Belgium after being shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round. But Fifa made the…
After three years away, Enzo Maresca has returned to Manchester City. The Italian, who was Pep Guardiola’s assistant during City’s Treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, has succeeded the Spaniard as City’s new head coach on a three-year deal. The former Chelsea manager’s appointment underlines the 46-year-old’s rapid rise in management, having only taken his first head coach’s role in 2021….
World number one Jannik Sinner survived an almighty scare as he began his Wimbledon title defence with a five-set comeback victory over inspired opponent Miomir Kecmanovic. One month on from a seismic second-round loss at the French Open, four-time major winner Sinner recovered from an error-strewn start and an awkward fall to overcome his 50th-ranked opponent 4-6…
Olympians will be able to apply for a new grant of $10,000 (£7,600) for each Games they compete in, says the International Olympic Committee. The ‘fit for the future Olympian grant’ has been established to support the sporting career of Olympic athletes, or their career transition. A fund of $140m (£106.5m) will be set aside…
