Real Madrid has defended its players' right to hold differing opinions after Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. obscured a solidarity message for the people of Ceuta on their shirts before a LaLiga match, an act that sparked controversy.
IMAGES from the UEFA Champions League matches played on Wednesday.
Paris St Germain defeated Aston Villa 2-1 to retain the UEFA Super Cup, with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue. Despite Brian Madjo's equaliser for Villa, PSG secured their victory, marking another trophy for manager Luis Enrique and highlighting their continued dominance in European football.
Scott Boland struck twice in successive deliveries to reduce South Africa to 20 for two on a rain-hit opening day, giving Australia the early advantage in the second Test.
Ravichandran Ashwin backs in-form West Indies skipper Shai Hope for an IPL contract, identifying defending champions RCB as a potential fit despite concerns over overseas combinations and batting position.
Australia's assistant coach Matthew Wade has warned his team to expect a more dangerous and aggressive South African attack with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada poised to return for the second Test in Gqeberha, following his absence from the first match due to a hamstring injury.
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he chooses to, following the captain's abrupt departure from the squad last week after being an unused substitute.
A summary of Tuesday's action in the UEFA Champions League Knock-out Phase play-offs.
Champions Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over Sunderland, maintaining their perfect start to the Premier League season and moving clear at the top. Meanwhile, title contenders Liverpool and Chelsea were held to draws against Fulham and Hull City respectively. Other notable results include Aston Villa's loss to Nottingham Forest, Ipswich's win against Crystal Palace, and Tottenham's continued struggle to score goals.
Liverpool were drawn on Thursday to face champions Real Madrid when they return to the Champions League, which has been expanded to a 36-team league format.
Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah has officially signed a two-year deal with Turkish club Trabzonspor, reportedly worth 17 million euros per season. The move follows his departure from Liverpool after nine successful years, during which he won multiple titles. Salah's transfer includes a share from merchandise sales and performance-based bonuses, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba for an initial 65 million, with potential add-ons.
Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant commenced their IFA Shield campaign with a resounding 6-0 victory over Sreenidi Deccan. Lalengmawia Chhangte scored a hat-trick, leading the Mariners to a dominant performance despite missing key players.
Barcelona have signed midfielder Rodri from Manchester City on a deal until June 2030, the LaLiga champions announced on Tuesday, ending the Spaniard's glittering, trophy-laden spell with the Premier League club in a major coup for the Catalan side.
Brazil's star centre-back Marquinhos discusses the significance of their FIFA international friendly against India in Kolkata. He views the match as a "golden opportunity" for the Selecao to gain experience and kickstart a new cycle after their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Marquinhos acknowledges India's strong fan base for Brazil and emphasises the team's commitment to every game, regardless of its "friendly" status, as they focus on rebuilding confidence and winning.
India's head coach Khalid Jamil and left-back Akash Mishra discuss the team's short recovery time and the significant challenge posed by two-time world champions Uruguay, following their 0-4 defeat to Brazil. Despite the demanding schedule, the team remains focused on performing well in the upcoming friendly, with players acknowledging the importance of competitive football.
Chola Chiefs and Prithviraaj Yodhas secured their inaugural victories in Archery Premier League Season 2 on Friday, while Chero Archers maintained their perfect record with a second consecutive win. Key performances from international archers like Alejandra Usquiano and Atanu Das highlighted the day's intense competition.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has extended his contract through to June 2028, with an option for a further season, after he guided them to a 29th LaLiga title, the club said on Monday.
Manchester City enter a challenging post-Guardiola era, with Enzo Maresca tasked with preserving their dominance, managing squad changes and meeting immense expectations in a fiercely competitive Premier League.
Al-Ahli secured a 3-1 win over 10-man Al-Hilal to win the battle of the Saudi Pro League sides in Jeddah on Tuesday, booking a place in Saturday's final of the Asian Champions League Elite to keep their dream of a first continental title alive.
Dempo Goa Challengers completed an unbeaten league phase in the UTT 2026 season, defeating UP Prometheans 10-5. The two-time champions secured their top spot in the standings, heading into the semifinals with a perfect record, thanks to stellar performances from Alvaro Robles and Bernadette Szocs.
The revamped Champions League will feature a tennis-style seeding system for the last-16 knockout phase, UEFA said.
Germany coach Juergen Klopp acknowledges that while his team's results in the initial four international matches have been mixed, with only one win, he sees clear progress since their disappointing World Cup exit, particularly in their aggressive, high-tempo play.
East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan are set to clash in the IFA Shield final on Thursday, a highly anticipated Kolkata derby. East Bengal aims to avenge last year's defeat and secure their 30th title, while Mohun Bagan seeks to retain the Shield and claim their 22nd. The match comes amidst a demanding schedule for both teams, particularly Mohun Bagan, with players returning from national duty, adding to the tactical challenges for coaches Panagiotis Dilmperis and Antonio Habas.
Former West Indies skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul believes the team's strong performance against India in white-ball cricket will significantly boost their confidence. He hopes this momentum translates into success in Test cricket, acknowledging their recent struggles but seeing a spark. Chanderpaul praised Shai Hope's leadership and batting, and discussed the balance between T20 freelancing and the enduring challenge of Test cricket.
The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) is set to commence on October 8 in Hyderabad, featuring a strong lineup of India's top archers, including Olympians Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, alongside 12 international stars like world number one Marcus D'Almeida. The league will showcase 36 Indian archers competing in both recurve and compound categories, with a unique 15-second shot clock designed to enhance competition.
The BCCI's member units have authorised office-bearers to make a decision regarding the extension of chief selector Ajit Agarkar's contract, which is set to expire early next month, and to fill vacancies in the junior selection committee.
The Global Chess League (GCL) has launched Road2GCL, a six-week community engagement initiative, to build excitement for its fourth season in Bengaluru. The programme includes competitions like Road2GCL Contenders, offering aspiring players a chance to compete with GCL stars, alongside activities for clubs, schools, and content creators. Season 4 will feature 36 Grandmasters, including Magnus Carlsen and debutant Divya Deshmukh.
Legendary Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, now coaching Uruguay, believes India can significantly improve its football standing despite cricket's dominance. He emphasizes the importance of grassroots development, strong domestic leagues, and consistent exposure to high-level international competition to nurture young talent and elevate the sport in the country. Forlan also shared his positive experiences with Indian football passion during his ISL stint.
Michael Carrick faces his biggest test as Manchester United's permanent manager when rising expectations, an indifferent league start and last season's revival meet Manchester City in Sunday's derby.
Hockey India is embroiled in a significant internal dispute between President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, primarily stemming from an unauthorised jersey colour change. An emergent Executive Board meeting has been called to address this conflict, discuss the restructuring of the Hockey India League (HIL) into a joint venture with franchises, finalise election dates, and deliberate on hosting Asian Champions Trophy events. The meeting also aims to address a show-cause notice issued to the Director General.
Tottenham Hotspur has announced the signing of midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for a reported club-record fee of up to 100 million, making him their second major midfield acquisition.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed respect for the Indian team ahead of their match in Kolkata, viewing it as an opportunity for his squad rather than a test. He discussed the challenges of managing a national team, the importance of commitment and joy in football, and the ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup, including significant squad changes and the blend of youth and experience. Ancelotti also reflected on Brazil's recent World Cup disappointment and the evolving nature of football.
IPL 2026 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have no immediate plans to follow rivals and buy franchises in overseas leagues, co-owner Satyan Gajwani said.
The third season of the World Championship of Legends will be held in the UAE from October 3 to 18, featuring cricketing legends like Yuvraj Singh, Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and David Warner. This marks the tournament's first venture outside the UK, promising high-profile clashes and rekindled international rivalries across Dubai and Sharjah.
Defending champions U Mumba TT, led by Captain Manush Shah and Anna Hursey, secured a commanding 8-3 victory over Kolkata ThunderBlades in the Ultimate Table Tennis semi-final. This win sets up a title clash against Dempo Goa Challengers, marking U Mumba TT's second successive UTT final appearance.
Aston Villa defeated Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final, securing their first major trophy since 1996, with goals from Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers.
Bilbao condemn fans behaviour in Europa League match at Roma
Raphinha's hat-trick led defending champions Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over Sevilla, extending their winning streak in La Liga. Elsewhere, Lautaro Martinez secured a 2-2 draw for Inter Milan against Roma in Serie A, while Borussia Dortmund claimed the top spot in Germany. Premier League saw Arsenal lose its top position after a defeat to Brighton.
Manchester City's Matheus Nunes scored deep in injury time to salvage a crucial 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday in their breathless chase for a Champions League berth next season.
