Monday, 9 March 2026
HSBC SVNS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Fiji and South Africa are tied for top spot on the #HSBCSVNS men's standings 🇫🇯🇿🇦
New York this weekend is the final round before the three-event HSBC SVNS World Championship starts in April 🏆
'HE BETRAYED ME': BARCELONA LEGEND XAVI REVEALS WHY HE WILL NEVER RETURN TO CLUB AMID EXPLOSIVE ROW WITH PRESIDENT JOAN LAPORTA
Former Barcelona head coach Xavi and Joan Laporta have become locked in a war of words following a controversial interview in which the former Barcelona midfielder claimed the president blocked Lionel Messi from making a hero’s return to the club over fears of a power struggle.
In a wide-ranging interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi opened up about the breakdown in his relationship with the club’s power brokers and revealed details of a failed plan to bring back club legend and former team-mate Messi in 2023.
'We had the green light from La Liga, but Laporta threw everything out. He told me, verbatim, that if Messi came back, he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn't allow it.
'I tried to talk to Leo and he wouldn't answer the phone. I spoke to his father (Jorge Messi) and told him I didn't understand anything, and he said, "Talk to the president." It was all set, it was going to be his "last dance," like Michael Jordan, everything was ready.
 |
| Xavi has claimed that Barca president Joan Laporta blocked the return of Messi due to concerns that the Argentinian would 'be more powerful than him' at the club |
'I’m never going back to Barca. I’ve already done my time as a player and coach. Now I just want to tell the truth. Messi didn’t come to Barca because Laporta didn’t want him. It’s a lie that his father asked for more or that La Liga didn't want him. Laporta has all the power at the club and he knew that Messi would manage that power for him.'
Xavi also claimed he had been hamstrung by financial constraints, which he said contributed to his team’s poor performances. A request to bring in Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad was rejected, with the midfielder later joining Arsenal for £55million.
He also pointed to the departure of Jordi Cruyff as sporting director as a symbol of the deterioration of a club whose values had long been shaped by the footballing philosophy of Jordi’s father, Johan Cruyff.
Xavi's comments come ahead of this week’s presidential election, in which Laporta is aiming to be re-elected. Club members will head to the polls on Sunday to choose between him and Victor Font.
Laporta has since fired back at Xavi’s comments, claiming the Barcelona legend has been left embittered by the fact that his successor, Hansi Flick, has been more successful.
 |
| Laporta has hit back at Xavi's comments, saying that his presidential rival Victor Font is 'using' Xavi as part of a smear campaign ahead of this week's elections |
'When I see what Xavi has said, I think about Hansi Flick,' Laporta told RAC1. 'Being Barca president is a tough job and you have to make difficult decisions. I did what I had to do.
'With Xavi, I saw that we were going to lose and that with Flick we were going to win. I understand that he's hurting. With the same players, Flick is winning.
'As for Messi, this is how it was: In 2023, I was told Messi wanted to return and I sent the contract to Jorge Messi, who later came to my house and told me that there would be too much pressure back here and that they would prefer to go to Miami.'
During the interview, Xavi also accused Laporta of being influenced by his former brother-in-law, Alejandro Echevarria, whom he claims holds real power at Barcelona.
'Laporta convinced me to stay when I had said in January I was leaving. He told me: "I don't see the team without you."
'The president got rid of me without telling me the truth, conditioned by a person who is above him, who is Alejandro Echevarría. That's to say, who really got rid of me as coach is Alejandro.
'He (Echevarria) has more power than Laporta, he betrayed me.'
Laporta addressed those claims by suggesting his opponent in the presidential race, Font, is 'using' Xavi as part of a smear campaign ahead of the vote.
'What hurts me is that he allowed himself to be used,' Laporta added. 'To hurt me, he’s used someone from my inner circle (Alejandro Echevarria). They defended him (Xavi) even when it was indefensible for him to continue, as did Yuste. He’s eager to smear me. Behind Xavi, I understand Victor Font is trying to manipulate this electoral process.'
- TARA ANSON-WALSH
HIGH COURT JUDGE ORDERS FIA, BERNIE ECCLESTONE AND FORMULA 1 MANAGEMENT TO PAY FELIPE MASSA £250,000
A high court judge has ordered the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management to pay Felipe Massa £250,000 costs in an ongoing legal dispute.
In November, a court ruling said the former F1 driver's legal action against the defendants can go to trial. He had taken legal action over the 2008 "Crashgate" scandal during the Singapore Grand Prix.
The court ruled that Massa can try to recover damages in regards to the controversy but rejected his claim for a declaration he should have won the 2008 drivers' title.
In a court order seen by Sky Sports News, a judge ruled that the FIA, Formula One Management and Ecclestone must pay Massa £250,000 as part of the costs of the latest round of applications in the case.
However, the judge did grant part of the defendants' applications and has certified that an important legal issue in the case should go straight to the Supreme Court for a decision. The defendants have 14 days to pay the costs.
- Sky Sports
Sunday, 8 March 2026
THAILAND 2027: IDEAL RACING DESTINATION FOR ILCA AND OK DINGHY SAILOR IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
 |
| Royal Varuna Yacht Club © Henry Weidmann |
The Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, Thailand has recently completed three successful events - the Open Thailand ILCA Nationals, the Varuna Masters, and the Open Thailand OK Dinghy Nationals.
The three events were organised by active sailors and were on purpose scheduled so overseas sailors in either class could join two 3 days events on a 9-10 days visit to Thailand. The format was an unqualified success, and so much fun for the many participants, that it will be extended for 2027.
The equivalent dates for 2027 will be:
January 29-31: Thailand Open ILCA Championship (ILCA 4, 6 & 7)
February 5-7: Varuna Masters (for sailors 35+ years; ILCA 6, 7 and OK Dinghy)
February 13-15: Pre-worlds / Thailand Open OK Dinghy nationals
And the huge additional one:
February 19-26 International OK Dinghy World Championship
 | ||
| Start at 2013 OK Dinghy worlds in Thailand; Organizers expect twice as many dinghies on the start lines in 2027 - photo © RVYC |
These events are held in the beautiful venue of the Royal Varuna YC in Thailand, and are well suited for sailors trying to escape a cold winter or just want the pleasure of sailing in water which typically is 28 degrees centigrade. We must warn that sailing in Thailand can be addictive, and for example 100% of the overseas OK Dinghy sailors who participated in '26 have advised that they will return in 2027.
The organisers would in particular like to invite regional single-handed dinghy sailors to contact them with regards to potentially taking part in the OK Dinghy worlds. Per the Thailand OK Dinghy Society advise, the class is equally suitable for sailors from 70 to 115 kg body weight and is easy to adapt to for sailors familiar with an ILCA.
For the Worlds, there is a dedicated web page, see 2027.okworlds.org. and for the other three events, information including NOR will be posted on www.varuna.org
 |
| Thailand Open ILCA Nationals '26; not a sweater or wetsuit in sight - photo © Henry Weidmann |
 |
OK Dinghies racing February 2026; Thailand Open won by 6 X OK world champion Nick Craig, but THA 444 won the class in the Varuna Masters - photo © Henry Weidmann |
- Morten Jakobsen
Saturday, 7 March 2026
ADOVE TAKES A REFEREE'S RED CARD 😃 MILLAN VS. INTER WOMEN’S GAME
A viral video from a Milan vs. Inter women's football match shows a pigeon swooping down onto the pitch and snatching a red card from a referee's hand.
This unexpected moment occurred after the referee had produced the red card during an intense moment in the derby, causing players and fans to burst into laughter as the bird flew away with it. 😃
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)