The French Football Federation said it will review its agreement on players’ image rights following media reports that striker Kylian Mbappe had refused to take part in sponsor activities. ESPN reported Mbappe refused to participate in a team photo and sponsor activities scheduled for Tuesday because he does not want to endorse some brands, including fast food chains and betting companies, that are under contract with the national team. “I have decided to not take part in the photo shoot after the French federation’s refusal to change the image rights agreement with the players,” Mbappe said in a statement, according to ESPN. … Continue reading French football to review players’ image rights after Mbappé boycott

Plans to dramatise cricketer Shane Warne’s life in a telemovie only months after his death are “beyond disrespectful”, his eldest daughter says. Australia’s Nine Network – where Warne worked as a commentator for over 20 years – reportedly began work on the project weeks after his death in March. It says the two-part film, called Warnie, will be a fitting tribute. But his family and friends say the show is insensitive and want it scrapped. “Do any of you have any respect for Dad? Or his family? Who did so much for Channel Nine and now you want to dramatise … Continue reading Legendary cricketer Shane Warne’s daughter condemns upcoming biopic plans

Open champion Cameron Smith says money was “a factror” in him becoming the highest-ranked player to join the Saudi Arabian-funded LIV Golf series. The 29-year-old world number two has been confirmed in the field for the next LIV tournament in Boston. Smith refused to be drawn on his future after winning The Open – his first major, at St Andrews in July. The Australian will be joined in the event, from 2-4 September, by Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, the world number 19. Speaking to Golf Digest, Smith said that the guaranteed money on offer for participating in the LIV series was one … Continue reading #GreedNotGood: Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann join Saudi Arabian-funded series

Singapore’s first Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling has been suspended from competing in swimming competitions after he admitted to consuming cannabis overseas. “I demonstrated bad judgement and I am sorry,” he said. The 27-year-old became a local sporting hero when he won the country’s first Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games. But the scandal has now divided opinion in a country known for its strict drug laws. Many expressed sympathy for the national swimmer, noting that his father had died last November and he was facing immense pressure as an athlete. “Every young person makes mistakes,” one person commented … Continue reading Singapore Olympic star suspended for smoking cannabis

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy became the first player to win the FedEx Cup three times after success on Sunday in the PGA’s Tour Championship. The 33-year-old overturned a six-shot lead by Scottie Scheffler to finish one clear of the American and Sungjae Im. Four-time major winner McIlroy carded a four-under-par 66 in the final round to finish on 21 under. The Northern Irishman receives $18m (£15.36m) in prize money after his fifth victory of the season. “What a week, what a day,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “I feel like Scottie deserves at least half of this. He’s a hell of … Continue reading Rory McIlroy wins record third FedEx Cup title

A top Cuban athlete has defected while she was on her way back from the World Championships in Eugene, USA. Olympic bronze medal discus thrower Yaimé Pérez, 31, abandoned the Cuban delegation while on a stopover in Miami. Her defection comes just days after that of the 19-year-old javelin thrower, Yiselena Ballar. Ballar had also used a stopover in Miami to escape, but had done so en route to the World Championships. Another member of the Cuban delegation, physiotherapist Carlos González, absconded on the same day as Yaimé Pérez. Cuban officials called their defections “serious indiscipline”. Cuban athletes have a … Continue reading Cuban athlete Yaime Perez defects after World Championships

The former rugby league player Ricky Bibey has been named by Italian media as the 40-year-old Briton found dead in a Florence hotel on Saturday. The man was found by hotel staff alongside a seriously injured 43-year-old woman, thought to be his partner. Bibey’s former clubs including Wigan and St Helens paid tribute to him. While there has been no official confirmation of the circumstances of Bibey’s death, Leigh Centurions said he died while on holiday in Italy. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: “We are in touch with the Italian police following the death of a British … Continue reading Tragic: Rugby player Ricky Bibey, found dead in Italy

Wimbledon quarter-finalist Nick Kyrgios is set to appear in court in Australia next month in relation to an allegation of common assault. Police said it follows an incident in December last year which Kyrgios’ barrister says was “in the context of a domestic relationship”. Kyrgios is now scheduled to appear at the Australia Capital Territory Magistrates’ Court on 2 August. He will play Chile’s Cristian Garin in the Wimbledon last eight on Wednesday. Kyrgios’ barrister Jason Moffett, speaking to The Canberra Times in Australia, said: “The nature of the allegation is serious, and Mr Kyrgios takes the allegation very seriously. … Continue reading From Tennis Court to Law Court: Nick Kyrgios to appear in court over common assault allegation

A Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of rape. The footballer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in north London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police. The force said the alleged rape reportedly happened in June 2022. In a statement, the met said the man “was arrested at an address in Barnet on suspicion of rape and taken into custody where he remains. Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing”. Continue reading Premier League footballer arrested on suspicion of rape

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been handed an extra one-year ban for additional doping violations to add to her existing 10-year suspension. The Athletics Integrity Unit charged her with “evading sample collection, and tampering or attempted tampering with the doping control process”. In February, the 33-year-old was handed her original ban for “multiple breaches of anti-doping rules”. She was suspended during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after failing a drug test. As a result of Okagbare’s additional ban, Nigeria has lost its potential qualification place in the women’s 4x100m relay at July’s World Championships in Oregon. Six days after she evaded sample collection – on … Continue reading A Nigerian sprinter’s doping ban extended to 11 years

American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez was rescued from the bottom of the pool by her coach after fainting at the World Aquatics Championships. The 25-year-old was not breathing and had sunk after completing her routine in the solo free final in Budapest. Her coach, Andrea Fuentes, pulled Alvarez to the surface before she was taken away on a stretcher. The US swim team later released a statement from Fuentes saying Alvarez “feels good now”. Alvarez previously fainted following a routine during an Olympic qualifier in Barcelona last year, with Fuentes also rescuing her on that occasion. Of the more recent … Continue reading OMG: US artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez rescued by coach after fainting in pool

Ryan Giggs has announced he is standing down as Wales manager with immediate effect.Ryan Giggs The former Manchester United player has been on leave from his post since November 2020 and faces a domestic violence trial in Manchester on 8 August. In his place, Wales’ caretaker manager Robert Page masterminded his country’s playoff win over Ukraine to book their place at this year’s World Cup in Qatar – the first time Wales have qualified for the finals since 1958. Giggs is accused of controlling and coercive behaviour against his former girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020. He is also accused of … Continue reading Ryan Giggs resigns as Wales manager ahead of domestic violence trial