KIM KARDASHIAN SHARES PHOTO OF GLAMOROUS PARIS TRIP AFTER VISITING CITY WITH LEWIS HAMILTON AMID ROMANCE RUMORS

Kardashian shared a glimpse behind-the-scenes of her trip to the French capital on Instagram

Kim Kardashian, Paris.

Credit : Kim Kardashian/Instagram (2)

NEED TO KNOW

• Kim Kardashian shared several Instagram Stories on Monday, Feb 2, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her recent trip to Paris

• The SKIMS founder showed the glittering Eiffel Tower as well as an image of her enjoying a slice of cheesecake in bed while watching the Netflix period drama Bridgerton

• Kardashian was spotted arriving at a hotel in Paris alongside F1 driver Lewis Hamilton that same day, according to video footage obtained by TMZ

Kim Kardashian is loving her time in the French capital.

On Monday, Feb. 2, the SKIMS founder, 45, shared clips and photos of her whistlestop trip to Paris on her Instagram Stories.

Kardashian posted a couple of videos of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night, filmed from her hotel balcony. The All’s Fair star also shared a photo of herself watching the new season of Netflix's hit show Bridgerton while eating cheesecake in bed at the city's Hotel Costes.

“Bridgeton Season 4 and Hotel Coste cheesecake 🤤,” Kardashian wrote over the snapshot, referring to the luxury five-star French hotel where she stayed. 

Kim Kardashian posted a photo of her eating cheesecake after visiting Paris.
Kim Kardashian/Instagram

Kardashian’s trip to Paris comes amid rumors she’s dating Lewis Hamilton, after the mogul flew to the U.K. for a “romantic meetup” with the F1 star days earlier, PEOPLE previously reported.

Kardashian and Hamilton, 41, were subsequently seen arriving together at a hotel in Paris after exiting the same SUV in a video obtained by TMZ on Monday, Feb. 2. The pair flew in from the U.K. to the French capital on a private jet, according to the outlet.

Kim Kardashian in Paris on Feb. 2.
BACKGRID

On Feb. 2, The Kardashians star looked glamorous as she headed out for dinner in Paris wearing a black sheer lace bodysuit and matching leggings with a floor-length furry coat. Hamilton did not appear with Kardashian at the time, The Sun reported.

However, before travelling to Paris, the rumoured couple met up for a weekend getaway at the luxury hotel and private members’ club, Estelle Manor, in the Cotswolds, England.

A rep for Kardashian did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment at the time.

Kardashian and Hamilton have known each other for many years and have been seen hanging out together on several occasions.

At the 2014 GQ Men of the Year ceremony, Kardashian was seen kissing Hamilton on the cheek. They were also pictured together at the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards in 2021 and at Pharrell Williams’ debut show as creative director for Louis Vuitton menswear in 2023.

- Escher Walcott

RYAN ROZICKI REGAINS FIRST IN WBC'S CRUISERWEIGHT RANKINGS

Cruiserweight contender Ryan Rozicki poses in a brief break from a 2025 training camp

After an unfortunate 2025 that may have been even worse than his 2024, Ryan Rozicki is entering the second month of 2026 in a better position – as the WBC’s first-ranked cruiserweight.

That spot most recently belonged to Noel Mikaelyan, a former cruiserweight titleholder who won back the WBC belt in December, topping Badou Jack via unanimous decision in their rematch. Jack had won a disputed split decision in their first meeting last May.

Mikaelyan’s ascension left a vacancy, and Rozicki, who had been seated at No. 2, moved up to fill it in the WBC’s latest ratings update, which was released on February 3.

Rozicki, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), had previously been ranked No. 1 through last April but was bumped down when Mikaelyan lost to Jack. 

Rozicki was originally supposed to be Jack’s opponent on that May 3 date in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rozicki was also originally supposed to face Mikaelyan in 2024. Both of those bouts would have been for the WBC cruiserweight title.

This will require some explanation, though that explanation might cause more confusion rather than less. 

Jack initially won the WBC cruiserweight title by defeating Ilunga Makabu in February 2023. He went more than two years without defending it, however – and without fighting altogether. Instead, he was named “champion in recess” as he pondered a move to the bridgerweight division. 

Mikaelyan won the vacant WBC title in November 2023, also with a win over Makabu. But he was unable to defend against Rozicki in 2024 – the bout was postponed on several occasions, and then Mikaelyan pulled out one last time. Jack, meanwhile, wanted to return to the ring. So Mikaelyan and Jack changed places, Jack being reinstated while Mikaelyan became the “champion in recess” ahead of their initial bout last year.

Rozicki was out for the entirety of 2025, pulling out of the Jack bout because of a biceps injury, and then another injury caused him to withdraw from an October bout in his hometown of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, against Akani Phuzi.

Rozicki is scheduled to return on March 7 in Sydney against the 12-4 Gerardo Mellado.

Last June, Michal Cieslak defeated Jean Pascal to win the WBC’s vacant interim belt at 200lbs. Rather than Cieslak getting the next shot at the primary title, however, the WBC had ordered the winner to defend against Yamil Peralta. 

If that remains the case, then Rozicki may indeed get his shot at the title – that’s if he can finally get Mikaelyan in the ring.

Rozicki is followed in the WBC’s cruiserweight ratings by Peralta, Chris Billam-Smith, Mateusz Masternak, Leonardo Mosquea, Jack, Makabu, Brandon Glanton, Kevin Ramirez, Yuniel Dorticos, Viddal Riley, Floyd Masson, Aloys Youmbi, Mike Perez and Efetobor Apochi.

- David Greisman

YAMAHA HALTS SEPANG MOTOGP TESTING WITH ENGINE CONCERN

Yamaha has brought a halt to its Sepang MotoGP Test as a result of concerns with its V4 engine.

The Japanese manufacturer introduced its V4 MotoGP engine during the 2025 season when Augusto Fernandez rode with it at during tests and in wildcard appearances at Misano, Sepang, and Valencia. The race riders were also able to ride the V4 bike in private tests towards the end of last season, as well as in the post-season test in Valencia.

Yamaha confirmed during the Valencia Grand Prix weekend that it would replace its inline-four engine with the V4 for the final year of the 1,000cc MotoGP regulations in 2026.

No reliability issues were reported with the engine during last year, although there were continuous reports that the engine had not been run at full power.

During the Sepang test, however, Yamaha has discovered technical issue with the engine significant enough for it to pause its test on the second day.

“The team is still investigating the technical issue from yesterday,” Yamaha told Crash.net. 

“As a precaution, and until all checks are completed, the test is temporarily on hold.

"We expect to resume as soon as possible.”

Crash.net reports that the technical issue on Monday mentioned by Yamaha was related to the engine.

Additionally, The Race reports that it was told by Yamaha’s factory MotoGP team director Massimo Meregalli that the halt to its testing was “for a pure safety matter” to give engineers time to understand the issue.

The issue was found on the bike of Fabio Quartararo, who crashed at turn five late on Tuesday, but Meregalli said the issue was not “related” to the Frenchman’s crash that left him with a broken finger and thus out of the remainder of the test even before Yamaha decided to, at least temporarily, stop its Sepang test.

With Quartararo ruled out through injury, Yamaha still had five riders lined up to test today: test riders Augusto Fernandez and Andrea Dovizioso; and race riders Toprak Razgatlioglu, Alex Rins, and Jack Miller.

- Alex Whitworth

FLOYD MAYWEATHER SUES SHOWTIME AND STEPHEN ESPINOZA

Instagram: 50cent https://www.instagram.com/p/DUUbspqDVzM

Floyd Mayweather filed a lawsuit against Showtime Networks and its former sports president Stephen Espinoza. 

The lawsuit alleges $340 million of his career earnings was misappropriated. The complaint accuses Showtime and Espinoza of acting as enablers in a fraud that allegedly funneled money away from Mayweather’s personal accounts.

Mayweather claims that funds generated were routed directly into accounts controlled by Al Haymon rather than being paid to the fighter. The suit specifically targets several causes of action, including “aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy to commit fraud, conversion, and unjust enrichment.”

Instagram: floydmayweather

The Lawsuit

Central to the dispute are Mayweather’s two highest-grossing fights: the 2015 against Manny Pacquiao and the 2017 bout with Conor McGregor. The lawsuit alleges that despite these bouts, Mayweather’s final compensation did not reflect the actual revenue generated. 

While Al Haymon is not currently named as a defendant in this specific filing, legal action could follow. Mayweather’s attorney, Bobby Samini, has stated that the retired 50-0 champion is prepared to “go the distance” in the courtroom to recover the funds he rightfully earned.

“Floyd is one of boxing’s biggest pay-per-view draws. He generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Showtime. Mr. Mayweather now takes this fight to the courtroom to recover what he rightfully earned. Retiring undefeated at 50-0, Mr. Mayweather will go the distance in the courtroom just as he has in the ring,” Bobby Samini (Mayweather’s attorney)

Instagram: floydmayweather

Finances

The filing comes after Mayweather denied claims he was broke, as the boxer continues to face scrutiny over his finances. 

“I work hard to build my name, to build my reputation, and I’m not going to let anyone go out there and speak my name or talk bad about me, my family, or my companies. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. If we call having two private jets, owning a hundred buildings, and being able to do what you want bankrupt, then I’m pretty sure everybody wants to live like that,” Mayweather stated

- Boxing News 

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JAMES HARDEN TRADED TO CLEVELAND CAVALIERS IN BLOCKBUSTER MOVE

The deadline-day deal sends the “Beard” to Cleveland while Clippers secure Darius Garland.

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Summary

• The Los Angeles Clippers have officially traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for All-Star guard Darius Garland

• This seismic swap addresses the Clippers’ need for a younger backcourt cornerstone and provides Cleveland with a veteran playmaker for a deep playoff push

• The transaction marks a definitive shift in strategy for both franchises as the league approaches the final stretch of the regular season

The NBA landscape shifted dramatically at the trade deadline as the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers finalized a blockbuster deal centered on James Harden and Darius Garland. In a rare “star-for-star” swap, the Clippers are pivoting toward a younger core by acquiring the 26-year-old Garland, while the Cavaliers are betting on Harden’s elite playmaking and veteran experience to elevate their postseason ceiling. The move ends Harden’s tenure in Southern California and provides the Cavaliers with a championship-caliber orchestrator to lead their talented frontcourt.

For the Clippers, the acquisition of Darius Garland represents a strategic investment in the franchise’s post-Intuit Dome future. Garland, a dynamic scoring threat and savvy distributor, brings a needed injection of pace and perimeter shooting to a roster that has leaned heavily on veteran production. By moving on from Harden, Los Angeles secures a primary ball-handler who aligns more closely with the age curve of their secondary talent, allowing the team to remain competitive in the grueling Western Conference while maintaining long-term flexibility.

Conversely, the Cleveland Cavaliers are doubling down on “win-now” mode. By bringing in James Harden, the Cavs add one of the most prolific offensive engines of the modern era. The pairing of Harden with Cleveland’s dominant defensive anchors creates a fascinating dynamic in the Eastern Conference, as the veteran guard’s ability to manipulate pick-and-roll coverages should provide significant open looks for the team’s shooters. While the move carries risk given Harden’s impending free agency, the Cavaliers are clearly prioritizing immediate contention over future development.

Check out the highlights above. Darius Garland is expected to make his Clippers debut on Thursday, while James Harden is slated to join the Cavaliers’ lineup for their upcoming road trip.

- Joyce Li

KAI HAVERTZ SHINES AS ARSENAL SINK CHELSEA TO REACH LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Arsenal reached the League Cup final for the first time in eight years as Kai Havertz sealed a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

Arsenal beat Chelsea in the League Cup semifinal© AFP

Arsenal reached the League Cup final for the first time in eight years as Kai Havertz sealed a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg on Tuesday. Mikel Arteta's side had put themselves in pole position in the first leg and Havertz came off the bench to finish the 4-2 aggregate victory in the closing moments at the Emirates Stadium. It was a cathartic triumph for the Gunners, who had lost their previous four semi-finals in the 2025 Champions League and League Cup, the 2022 League Cup and the 2021 Europa League. In their first final for six years, Arsenal will face Manchester City or Newcastle at Wembley on March 22.

City hold a 2-0 lead over Newcastle ahead of Wednesday's second leg at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal haven't won the League Cup since 1993, losing in their last three final appearances.

Now they have the chance to end that drought by winning the club's first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.

That remains the sole silverware won by Arteta since he was hired in December 2019.

"We knew it was going to be a real battle out there. That resilience, that clarity to understand what kind of game we had to play, we did so well," Arteta said.

"There was a special atmosphere inside our stadium. It makes such a difference. We've been waiting a few years to get into this position and we're certainly going to enjoy it."

It is shaping up to be a memorable season for Arsenal, who are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and reached the Champions League last 16 by winning all eight of their group matches.

Despite their success, Arsenal have attracted criticism for their reliance on goals from corners and set-pieces.

Arteta launched a passionate defence of Arsenal's style of play this week, revealing he has a "massive book of people" who feel his side are the "most exciting in Europe".

Tuesday's war of attrition will hardly silence Arsenal's critics, but Arteta won't care about that after leading his team to Wembley.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior had won six of his seven matches in all competitions since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca.

But Rosenior was unable to solve his Arsenal conundrum, with the Gunners handing him the only two defeats of his brief reign.

"Arsenal know they were in a game, over both ties. We dominated the areas we wanted to in the second half, but we didn't find that quality moment," Rosenior said.

"It's painful to lose. We just need to keep making improvements, which I'm seeing from the first leg to the second."

- Knockout blow -

Without captain Martin Odegaard, sidelined by a muscle problem, and winger Bukayo Saka, who was injured in the pre-match warm-up at Leeds on Saturday, Arsenal weren't at their best but still ground out the win.

Rosenior's switch to a three-man central defence allowed Chelsea to stifle Arsenal in a scrappy first half.

The Gunners briefly shook off their shackles as Piero Hincapie's curler from just inside the area was palmed away by Robert Sanchez.

It rained so heavily in the first half that Rosenior had to take off his soaked glasses to see what was happening.

Squinting through the squall offered Rosenior an alarming view as Malo Gusto's misjudgement let in Gabriel Martinelli before the Chelsea defender scrambled back to block the shot.

It took 43 minutes for Chelsea to muster a shot on target when Enzo Fernandez's long-range blast was punched clear by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea needed to push for a goal and Rosenior sent on Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian after an hour, ditching his back three.

Estevao immediately set up Fernandez for a curler that flashed over, but Chelsea's threat petered out.

Havertz delivered the knockout blow in the final seconds of stoppage-time, rounding Sanchez to slot into the empty net after Chelsea were caught on the counter.

- Agence-France Presse 

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CELTIC IN MARKET FOR EX CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNER WITH 'LOADS OF.OPTIONS' AS FANS TRANSFER TRANSACTIONS ADDRESSED

Martin O'Neill confirms Celtic transfer interest in former Arsenal and Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as talks held

Martin O'Neill has confirmed his interest in bringing former Arsenal and Liverpool attacker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Celtic with talks currently ongoing.

The former England international has been without a club since mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Besiktas in August, but has been training back in North London with the Gunners in recent months to build up his fitness levels.

A three-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal between 2013 and 2017, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s CV makes for impressive reading. He also lifted the English Premier League title with Liverpool in season 2019/20 and was a member of the Reds squad that won the Champions League in 2018/19, despite being an unused substitute in the 2-0 win over Tottenham in the final.

The last of his 35 caps for the Three Lions came back in 2019. He moved to Turkey in August 2023 upon the expiry of his contract at Anfield after injuries restricted his game time. During his spell at Besiktas, he scored five goals in 50 appearances and won the Turkish Cup in 2024.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ‘very excited’ about what he’s heard on potential Celtic transfer

Now searching for his next club, O’Neill admits he would be keen to add the vastly experienced 32-year-old to his squad outside the transfer window and revealed that discussions have already taken place,with the player said to be “very excited” about their conversation.

- Lewis Anderson

PATRIOTS OWNER ROBERT KRAFTS REPORTEDLY GETS VERDICT ON HALL OF FAME

The New England Patriots are 0 for 2 in Hall of Fame entries for the 2026 class.

About a week after news leaked of legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snubbing, The Athletic reported Tuesday that Patriots owner Robert Kraft would not be a part of the class of 2026 either.

Kraft has owned the Patriots since 1994 and has overseen a record-setting 11 AFC championships, including their most recent this season. Kraft’s six Super Bowl rings are the most of any individual owner.

The Pats can surpass the Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowl wins by a single franchise with a win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The full list of 2026 Hall of Fame inductees will be announced at NFL Honors on Thursday.

Robert Kraft Was Denied Entry Into The Pro Football Hall of Fame

The case could be made Kraft is the second-most influential owner over his tenure, behind only Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.

Aside from the unprecedented success overseeing two modern-day Patriots dynasties — and counting — Kraft built the Patriots’ new home Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which opened in 2002. He has also been influential in helping the NFL’s growth by advising commissioner Roger Goodell through media-rights negotiations.

Yet, all that could not land the 84-year-old a bust at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on the first ballot. So even though he was a finalist for Hall of Fame induction, like his coach-turned-nemesis Belichick and Super Bowl adversary Eli Manning, Kraft will not get a gold jacket in 2026.

Entry Into The Hall of Fame Was Made More Difficult This Year

It used to be that the NFL would induct five-to-seven honorees annually to Canton. Yet, apparently those days are over.

According to The Athletic’s Chad Graff, the induction process was made more difficult for the class of 2026.

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame changed its rules this year, which made it more difficult for candidates to be enshrined,” Graff reported. “There are 50 Hall of Fame voters, each of whom casts three votes among the five candidates; a candidate must receive at least 40 votes to gain entry.”

The 80% majority is now even more stringent than the 75% required of Baseball Hall of Fame, though it is hard to imagine 11 high-profile football watchers who could reasonably deny Kraft or Belichick entry based on their resumes.

Instead, as ESPN reported, Kraft and Belichick being denied on their first year on the ballot likely is due to the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. Longtime NFL executive Bill Polian reportedly influenced enough voters to negate Belichick’s candidacy.

“A voter who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Polian, an ardent Kraft supporter and former general manager of the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts — a chief Patriots rival during their dynasty — told some voters he believed Belichick should “wait a year” before induction as penance for Spygate,” ESPN’s Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. reported Jan. 27.

Despite the snubbing of both Kraft and Belichick, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell feels both will end up with a bust in Canton.

“Bill Belichick’s record goes without saying,” Goodell said at his annual state of the league press conference. “Same with the Patriots’ Robert Kraft, who is also a candidate. They are spectacular. They contribute so much to this game, and I believe they’ll be Hall of Famers.”

- Pat Pickens

ATLASSIAN WILLIAMS F1 TEAM REVEAL 2026 F1

Atlassian Williams F1 Team today officially unveiled the racing livery for its 2026 challenger, the FW48 – revealing a new look for the team in Formula 1’s all-new regulations era. Drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz joined Team Principal James Vowles to present the striking design to the 1,200-strong workforce at Grove who have poured tens of thousands of hours into preparing for the season ahead.

• Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz and James Vowles unveil striking livery design for the FW48 to dedicated team at Grove HQ

• New look for the new era of F1 regulations features vibrant gloss blue complemented by black and white, with heritage-inspired red and white keyline

• Alex Albon: “The FW48 looks incredible…I can’t wait for the fans to see it on track and cheer us on”

The 2026 livery has been designed to match the team’s bold intent as it transitions to a new era as Atlassian Williams F1 Team – a name reflecting the team’s sole purpose to race and win at the pinnacle of motorsport.

The FW48 is flooded with a vibrant gloss blue, a colour that is unmistakably Williams and reflects the strength of our title partnership with Atlassian. This is contrasted with a flowing section of black, sweeping from the chassis side through to the rear of the car, which is framed by an iconic red and white keyline – a feature of championship-winning Williams cars like Nigel Mansell’s FW14B and Damon Hill’s FW18 which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

The most striking evolution of the livery comes from the introduction of white across the sidepod, front wing and rear wing – injecting energy and movement into the design and amplifying the presence of our partners across the car.

Atlassian Williams F1 Team’s new look was revealed hours after the announcement of a major new global partnership with Barclays, the latest vote of confidence in Williams’ determination to return to the front of the grid. Over the past fortnight the team has also welcomed Anthropic, BNY, Wilkinson Sword and Nuveen to the team, who all join our growing roster of world-class brands who are helping the team transform in pursuit of Championship success.

The livery has been custom designed around the new shape of F1 cars in 2026. New regulations mean the cars are shorter and narrower with significant changes to the front and rear wings – along with other aerodynamic surfaces – designed for even closer racing. The entire team at Grove has been determined to push the boundaries of performance with the FW48, targeting the new regulations as an opportunity to take the next step on Williams’ journey back towards the front.

In 2026 Atlassian Williams F1 Team is looking to build on its most successful season for nine years. Last year the team finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship with 137 points, secured podium finishes in Baku and Qatar, and took home its first-ever Sprint podium in Austin.

James Vowles, Team Principal, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “2026 is the next step on the path back towards the top for Atlassian Williams F1 Team as we enter a new era for the sport, and we are excited about the season ahead. We have a great driver line up, some fantastic new partners, an ever-growing fanbase and want to build on the success we tasted last year, but we are not naïve about the challenge ahead of us. Nobody quite knows what will happen at the first race but we are looking forward to finding out, and hope our fans will love cheering us on with this great new livery.”

Alex Albon, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “It’s always special to see a new livery for the first time, and the FW48 looks incredible. The design really stands out – it’s bold, modern and unmistakably Atlassian Williams F1 Team. I can’t wait for the fans to see it on track and cheer us on in 2026.

Carlos Sainz, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “The FW48 livery is a real statement of our intent for 2026. The design celebrates Atlassian Williams F1 Team’s heritage while embracing a fresh, dynamic look for the new era. I’m excited to race in this livery and to share the thrill with fans around the world - their support makes all the difference as we continue on our journey  together!”

- Williams Racing

UKRAIN LAMBASTS 'INFANTILE AND IRRESPONSIBLE' GIANNI INFANTINO FOR TRYING TO OVERTURN RUSSIA BAN

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin with the World Cup in 2018. Comments from FIFA president Gianni Infantino supporting lifting a ban on Russia at youth level are "irresponsible" and "infantile", Ukraine's sports minister has said.

Ukraine’s sports minister has branded Fifa president Gianni Infantino “infantile” and “irresponsible” for his desire to overturn Russia’s ban from world football.

Fifa’s ruling executive and European football’s governing body Uefa imposed a global ban on Russia at the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 when other European nations said they would refuse to play or host Russia’s matches.

Four years later, the Vladimir Putin shows no signs of backing down and the war is still raging but Infantino has signalled his intention to bring Russia back into the fold, saying the ban has been a failure.

“We have to (look at readmitting Russia). Definitely,” Infantino told Sky Sports. “This ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred.

“Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”

Infantino also insisted Fifa should “actually never ban any country from playing football because of the acts of their political leaders” and claimed “somebody needs to keep the ties open.”

This proclamation has been met with fury from Ukraine, as sports minister Matvii Bidnyi – who said over 100 footballers are among more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed by Russians – hit out at the Fifa president.

“Gianni Infantino's words sound irresponsible – not to say infantile,” Bidnyi said to Sky News. “They detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.

“War is a crime, not politics. It is Russia that politicises sport and uses it to justify aggression. I share the position of the Ukrainian Association of Football, which also warns against Russia's return to international competitions.

“As long as Russians continue killing Ukrainians and politicising sport, their flag and national symbols have no place among people who respect values such as justice, integrity, and fair play.”

Potentially readmitting Russia is not the only geopolitical intervention that Infantino has come under fire for recently. He was heavily criticised for the decision to award US president Donald Trump the inaugural Fifa peace prize at December’s World Cup draw in Washington DC.

The move was further questioned after US forces seized Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro before Trump issued threats suggesting he may use military force to seize Greenland.

But Infantino was happy to stand by his decision, citing the role Trump played in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“Objectively, he deserves it,” insisted the Fifa boss. “He was instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives and saving thousands of lives.”

- Luke Baker

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PRESIDENT OF THE COLOMBIAN CHESS FEDERATION, WEYMAR MUÑOZ, HAS PASSED AWAY

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Weymar Fernando Muñoz Muñoz, President of the Colombian Chess Federation, who served in this role since 2023.

A true professional and a passionate advocate for chess, Weymar’s dedication played a vital role in the development and growth of our game in Colombia. Under his leadership, the country proudly hosted top FIDE events, bringing international chess to new audiences, including wonderful celebrations marking FIDE’s 100th anniversary. One of the most recent milestones was the U16 World Chess Olympiad in August 2025 in Barranquilla.

The International Chess Federation extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Colombian chess community.

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MERCEDES BOSS TOTO WOLFF TAKES AIM AT RIVAL F1 TEAMS OVER THE ON GOING MERCEDES ENGINE CONTROVERSY