A complete round-up of the weekend action in the main European leagues.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has qualified for the prestigious Diamond League Finals in Brussels on September 5, securing his spot despite competing in only two events due to a lower back injury. He also remains on track to qualify for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.
Armand Duplantis won the Lausanne Diamond League pole vault with a 6.21-metre jump, showcasing a strong return to form after recent setbacks.
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence as the hunted, facing heightened expectations and a reshaped league featuring new managers, major departures and ambitious rivals challenging their supremacy.
Barcelona continued their formidable LaLiga campaign with a commanding triumph over Real Betis with Lamine Yamal delivering another standout performance.
World champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden defeated Olympic gold medallist Julien Alfred in the women's 100 metres, while Oblique Seville secured victory in the men's sprint at the Silesia Diamond League.
Over 160 Irish sports personalities, including Olympians and former professionals, have signed an open letter urging the Ireland national football team to boycott upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel.
Manchester City could face severe sanctions, including fines, a points deduction, or even relegation, after an independent panel reportedly found the club guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club, however, maintains its innocence and is expected to appeal, leading to a potentially lengthy legal process.
Italian football is experiencing a significant crisis following the failure of its clubs in European competitions and the national team's continued absence from the World Cup.
Indian golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar, Karandep Kochhar, and Shiv Kapur are set to compete against a formidable international field, including Major champions Rory McIlroy and Ryan Fox, at the DP World India Championship in New Delhi. The tournament, featuring seven Major champions, will test the Indian contingent's recent form and experience on home turf.
Indian pace legend Zaheer Khan, through his co-owned Stockholm-based Anchor Sports AB, has acquired the Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Jaffna Kings, which will now be rebranded as Anchor Jaffna Kings.
Paris St Germain players presented their Champions League trophies to the French Open crowd on Monday, two days after winning Europe's premium club competition for the second time in a row.
Belgium have appointed former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel as their new head coach on a two-year contract running until the 2028 European Championship.
Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin are reportedly part of an Indian consortium set to acquire a franchise in the European T20 Premier League.
Jude Bellingham has lauded Harry Kane as England's 'greatest-ever player' after the captain marked his record-equalling 125th appearance with two goals and an assist in a 3-0 Nations League victory over the Czech Republic.
Cricket icons Rahul Dravid and Steve Waugh, along with Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, were spotted at the India-Netherlands FIH Hockey World Cup match in Amstelveen. Their presence is linked to the upcoming European T20 Premier League, co-founded by Bachchan, which aims to boost cricket in Europe.
Cricket icons Rahul Dravid and Steve Waugh, along with Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, were spotted at the India-Netherlands FIH Hockey World Cup match in Amstelveen. Their presence is linked to the upcoming European T20 Premier League, co-founded by Bachchan, which aims to boost cricket in Europe.
Amsterdam Flames successfully chased down a challenging target of 177 runs, defeating Rotterdam Dockers by eight wickets in Match 17 of the European T20 Premier League. Bas de Leede and Tim David led the charge with unbeaten half-centuries.
Former Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry has publicly backed Kylian Mbappe to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, citing his exceptional individual scoring achievements across the Champions League, LaLiga, and the World Cup.
Carlos Alcaraz says his injury troubles may be behind him, but Real Madrid's poor start is causing fresh frustration, with the tennis star calling for greater intensity.
Former Pakistan hockey players have expressed deep concern over the national team's poor performance at the World Cup, advocating for an immediate injection of fresh talent and a focus on the upcoming Asian Games. They attribute the sport's decline to cricket's dominance and a failure to adapt to modern hockey, urging the federation to prioritise competitive success to regain public interest.
At 41, Roelof van der Merwe aims to conclude his international cricket career at the upcoming ODI World Cup, ideally in Centurion, South Africa, representing the Netherlands. He discusses his dedication to national duty over franchise cricket, his fitness goals for future World Cups, and his continued impact as a left-arm spinner and fielder. He also highlights the potential of the European T20 Premier League to unearth new talent.
'With ETPL, we hope we can bring the magic of cricket euphoria to mainland Europe.'
Ibrahim Mbaye, the 18-year-old Senegal forward, has completed a permanent transfer from Paris St Germain to Premier League club Aston Villa.
Liverpool have officially signed France international Bradley Barcola from European champions Paris St Germain on a long-term contract, with British media reporting the deal to be worth around $162 million.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has joined Amsterdam Flames as a marquee player in the inaugural European T20 Premier League, aiming to make a global impact and share his experience with other players.
Indian golfer Pranavi Urs expresses confidence in the women's team for the Asian Games, emphasising consistency, strong driving, and creating birdie opportunities over chasing specific low scores. She highlights the team dynamic with Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar and discusses her preparation, international experience, and areas for improvement in her game.
Harmanpreet Singh returns to captain a 24-member Indian men's hockey squad for the European leg of the FIH Pro League, a crucial preparatory competition ahead of the World Cup in August.
Chess legend Magnus Carlsen expresses his enjoyment in the game's evolution and new formats but acknowledges his time at the top is "limited." He advises organisers not to tailor the future of chess solely to his preferences, despite his continued participation in events like the Global Chess League. Grandmaster Levon Aronian also weighs in on the sport's growing online popularity and the need for continued innovation to attract wider audiences.
Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes, and Heinrich Klaasen have invested in the Rotterdam franchise in the European T20 Premier League, with du Plessis also leading the team.
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.
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini celebrated the club's return to the Champions League after 20 years following a 2-1 win over Elche that secured a top-five finish in La Liga.
Former Asian Games gold medallist Shiv Kapur expresses strong confidence in India's golf squad for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games, stating that anything less than a gold medal would be a disappointment given the talent pool. He highlights the potential of both men's and women's teams, including top players like Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, to end India's long wait for a golf gold. The article also touches upon the healthy competition between Indian golf leagues.
Crystal Palace claimed their first European trophy as Jean-Philippe Mateta's second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in the final of the Conference League
Former New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has identified KL Rahul as India's primary batter for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, praising his batting style and anticipating challenging cold conditions for the late October-November tour.
Former Australian hockey legend Jamie Dwyer believes the Indian team possesses the talent and infrastructure to become a dominant force in world hockey but stresses that 'they need to maintain consistency as a team' to realise their true potential.
Paris St Germain retained the Champions League title after a penalty shootout victory over Arsenal, showcasing resilience and determination.
Paris St Germain retained their Champions League title with a penalty shoot-out victory over Arsenal after a 1-1 draw in a cagey final in the Puskas Arena on Saturday.
The Indian men's hockey team's failure to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup has highlighted significant issues, including a lack of intent in player transition and questionable selection decisions, according to former players and experts.
French football champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have announced a partnership with Google, making Google Gemini their official AI assistant and Google Pixel their official smartphone, with plans for a Google space at Parc des Princes stadium.
