Monday, 28 September 2026
AGASSI STEALS SHOW WITH JOKES ABOUT CARLOS ALCARAZ AND ALEXANDER ZVEREV AFTER EUROPE SEAL LAVER CUP GLORY
Andre Agassi was in a playful mood Andre Agassi watching his Team World lose the 2026 Laver Cup to Team Europe at London's O2 Arena on Sunday, with the American legend taking an opportunity to poke fun at Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz.
Zverev sealed a sixth Laver Cup for Europe with a straight-sets victory over Learner Tien, reclaiming the title Team World won in San Francisco a year earlier.
Europe had earned themselves three chances to win the tournament during the final round of singles matches, which they took at the first opportunity thanks to Zverev's win.
Alcaraz was set to play Alex de Minaur next had Zverev not beaten Tien but the Spaniard was not required for his final match after beating Taylor Fritz on Saturday and winning Friday's doubles contest alongside Jakub Mensik against Fritz and Alexander Bublik.
Alcaraz had a four-month injury lay-off and missed the Roland-Garros and Wimbledon Grand Slams as a result, before returning to the US Open earlier this month, where he exited at the quarter-final stage.
"How great is it to have Carlito back in the house? My man! We missed you! The game really missed you," Agassi said before Europe were awarded the Laver Cup trophy.
"In real time, I was missing you. I was praying every day that your wrist would get better somewhere in October… not before this weekend."
Former world No. 1 Agassi also took the opportunity to make some fun of Zverev, who made the most of Alcaraz's absence from the circuit this year to claim his first Grand Slam titles at the French and US Open.
"Congratulations, Sascha on a crazy year," he said. "Seeing you win [a Grand Slam] for the first time, I know how important that was for you.
"It was important for me too, because I can start watching your press conferences again where you’re not like. ‘Why do I always lose? Why do I always lose? I’m the third best in the world [pretending to cry].
"But then you win and then it’s like, ‘I’m only a one-slam champion; I’ve got to do it again.'"
Zverev laughed off Agassi's comments, which went down well with the London crowd, before joining his team-mates on stage to lift the Laver Cup.
Following his win, Zverev - who has featured at more Laver Cups than anyone else - made an admission about the current state of men's tennis after enjoying another team campaign.
"Winning as a team, there is no better feeling in sports," he said.
"We don’t have enough of it in tennis, being among these great players that I normally see across the net every week, and playing alongside two great captains, Yannick [Noah] and Tim [Henman].
"It’s just fun being out here."
- BEN SOUTHBY
QATAR NATIONAL TEAM WIND CATEGORY E GOLD AT THE WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD IN SAMARKAND
The Qatar National Chess Team claimed the gold medal in Category E at the 46th World Chess Olympiad, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 to 28 September 2026, with the participation of 206 countries.
The national team consisted of five players: Hamad Al Kuwari, Irfan Mohammed, Turki Al Kuwari, Khalid Al Jumaat, and Mohammed Jerbi. The Qatari players delivered impressive performances throughout the Olympiad and concluded their campaign by securing first place in their category.
Qatar's participation also witnessed notable individual achievements. National team player Khalid Al Jumaat earned the title of Candidate Master (CM), while Mohammed Jerbi achieved the title of FIDE Master (FM). In addition, the players made significant gains in their international ratings.
The Olympiad competition featured five divisions: A, B, C, D, and E. The Uzbekistan national team won the Open section title, followed by India in second place and Germany in third.On the administrative side, Mr. Mohammed Al Mudahka, Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and President of the Qatar Chess Association, participated in the FIDE General Assembly meetings held on the sidelines of the Olympiad. Several Qatari administrative officials also took part in the event, including Ms. Zhu Chen, FIDE Treasurer, and Mr. Hamad Al Tamimi, Advisor to the FIDE Events Commission and Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Association.
Qatari international arbiters Yousef Khalil Al Mohannadi and Sara Al Muhannadi were also among the officiating team responsible for managing the Olympiad competitions.Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Mohammed Al Mudahka, President of the Qatar Chess Association, expressed his delight with the team’s success in the Samarkand Olympiad, praising the outstanding performances delivered by the players. He highlighted that the squad included a number of promising juniors and young players who succeeded in earning international titles and achieving important gains in the world rankings.
Al Mudahka stated that winning the gold medal represents a valuable addition to the accomplishments of Qatari chess and will further strengthen the players’ standings in the FIDE rating list.He emphasized that the Qatar Chess Association will continue its efforts to develop the national teams through comprehensive preparation programs and participation in international tournaments, helping players prepare for future competitions and enhancing Qatar’s presence on the international chess stage.
The Qatar National Team concluded its participation in the Samarkand Olympiad with a gold medal in Category E, along with several individual achievements, international titles, and rating gains. The results reflect the continued progress of Qatari chess talent and support the Association’s long-term vision of developing a new generation of players capable of competing successfully at the highest international level.
- Gulf Times
HAMILTON SHARES TEAR-JERKING MESSAGE FOR ROSCOE ONE YEAR AFTER HEARTBREAKING LOSS
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| Photo: RacePictures |
Lewis Hamilton has shared a heartfelt social media tribute to his beloved dog Roscoe, who accompanied him for a significant part of his Formula 1 career before passing away one year ago.
Roscoe passed away on Sunday, 28 September 2025, after being hospitalised with pneumonia and placed on life support. The Brit confirmed his death the following day, revealing that his beloved dog died in his arms the previous evening. One year later, Hamilton marked the anniversary of Roscoe’s passing, remembering the companion who remained by his side for twelve years.
Hamilton remembers Roscoe one year after his passing
Looking back on their time together, Hamilton reflected on the important place Roscoe held in his life and acknowledged how difficult his absence continues to be. Alongside memories of Roscoe, Hamilton also mentioned Coco, explaining that both dogs remain a constant presence in his thoughts despite no longer being by his side.
The anniversary also gave Hamilton an opportunity to revisit some of the memories they created together through old photos and videos. Rather than focusing solely on the sadness of the loss, the Briton looked back at those moments with a smile, remembering the happiness they brought him throughout the years.
“It’s been one year since Roscoe’s passing. Being without my best friend has been hard, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish he was with me. I think of him and Coco every day, and as sad as I am to not have them, I’m so grateful for the time I shared with them and to have had them in my life. They’ve been there for some of the happiest times of my life.”
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| Roscoe in the F1 paddock in 2020 - Photo: Race Pictures |
Hamilton also took the opportunity to thank those who have supported him since Roscoe’s passing, particularly fans who understood the pain of losing a beloved companion and helped him through the difficult period.
“Today, I’m looking through these photos and videos laughing and smiling so big remembering those moments. So many of you have been through this and reached out with love and support. It means so much to me, knowing how much Roscoe was loved. Rest’s in peace buddy’s, love you always.”
Last August, Hamilton decided to start a new chapter in his life with a new pet, welcoming Golden Retriever puppy Halo into his family. The Ferrari driver introduced the newest addition during the summer break, sharing several photos of the pair together on social media. Halo was brought over to Los Angeles, where she is set to receive training from Kirstin McMillan, who previously worked with Hamilton's other dogs, Roscoe and Coco.
- Tobia Elia
BRANDON MCNULTY TAKES TOP SPOT |
The USA rider, Brandon McNulty, leads the Men Elite Road Race rankings at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal with a time of 6:17:04.
🥈 Michael Matthews 🇦🇺 +13"
🥉 Mathieu van der Poel 🇳🇱 +13"
4️⃣ Quinn Simmons 🇺🇸 +13"
5️⃣ Isaac Del Toro 🇲🇽 +14"
6️⃣ Mads Pedersen 🇩🇰 +14"
7️⃣ Tom Pidcock 🇬🇧 +14"
8️⃣ Matteo Jorgenson 🇺🇸 +14"
9️⃣ Giulio Ciccone 🇮🇹 +14"
🔟 Ben Healy 🇮🇪 +14"
#Cycling #Worlds2026 #UCIWorlds
NASCAR: KESELOWSKI-HOCEVAR CLASH FUELS PAYBACK DEBATE AFTER KANSAS CRASH
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| Getty |
A tense NASCAR restart at Kansas Speedway sparked fresh questions about Brad Keselowski and Carson Hocevar after a multi-car crash during the Hollywood Casino 400. On Lap 122, Noah Gragson’s engine failure brought out a caution, setting up a Stage 2 restart.
When the field went back to green, Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet moved right and made contact with Ty Gibbs before crossing back across the track. Bubba Wallace, Josh Berry, Erik Jones and Zane Smith were also caught in the crash. Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford was directly behind Hocevar when the incident unfolded.
The NASCAR crash drew more attention because Hocevar had spun Keselowski at Darlington three weeks earlier. Keselowski had then warned, “There will be,” when asked about possible history between the two drivers.
NASCAR Restart Crash Raises Keselowski-Hocevar Questions
The NASCAR crash quickly became a talking point because Keselowski appeared to make contact with Hocevar during the restart. USA Network analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton questioned whether Keselowski had pushed the No. 77.
Chase Briscoe’s crew chief, James Small, told his driver over the radio that Keselowski had gotten into Hocevar and knocked him loose. Keselowski’s spotter, TJ Majors, offered a different view, saying, “Move of the race, nice job.”
Keselowski replied that the move was “more of survival than anything else.”
The NASCAR incident came after Hocevar’s Darlington spin of Keselowski, adding another layer to the restart crash.
Brad Keselowski Explains Kansas Speedway Contact
After the NASCAR race, Keselowski rejected the idea that the Kansas Speedway crash was connected to the Darlington incident.
“I don’t know. They crashed. I didn’t see what happened. They were in front of me and then they weren’t. From what I’m told, they made some contact there, the outside lane. So I don’t really feel like that had anything to do with me, but it makes for a damn good story.”
In another clip, Keselowski said, “Yeah, I know. I gave him a push, and then they started wrecking to my right. I couldn’t tell what happened.”
NASCAR did not issue a penalty over the incident.
Carson Hocevar Takes Blame as Fans Debate NASCAR Crash
Hocevar also stopped short of accusing Keselowski of causing the NASCAR crash at Kansas Speedway. His No. 77 Chevrolet suffered right-front damage, while he finished three laps down.
“I felt contact from all over, honestly. I don’t know. Everybody was trying to go for the middle because that seems to be the perfect spot. I don’t know if I tried to fill that hole that we were all trying to merge into, but we wrecked.”
He later told Motorsport.com, “It looked like we just kind of met. I was trying to run middle, so was the 54. We all just kind of met.”
Hocevar also accepted some responsibility on USA. “He was in my blind spot, so I didn’t know he was shooting that middle. So, yeah, I guess on me.”
Fans offered different views of the NASCAR incident. Danielle Trotta wrote, “Brad’s smart. If it was intentional, he’s smart enough to not make it look like it was. Ways to ruin someone’s day that aren’t blatant. Likely payback from Darlington, and don’t expect BK to admit it to reporters.”
Stephen Harrell disagreed, writing, “Hocevar absolutely turned right to fill the gap in the middle. Trust me, as a Keselowski fan, I WISH that was Brad paying him back! But nope, just another boneheaded move by the 77.”
Jordan Ferrell also rejected the payback theory: “I don’t think that was a retaliation from Keselowski. Hocevar was laying back. Left Brad with few options.”
Bubba Wallace recovered to finish inside the top 10 after repairs. Keselowski finished 12th, while Kyle Larson went on to win the NASCAR race.
The Kansas Speedway crash added another chapter to the Keselowski-Hocevar storyline, but neither driver confirmed it was payback for Darlington.
- Dogli Wilberforce
MARTIN ØDEGAARD IN FURIOUS SPAT WITH EX-MAN CITY RIVAL BERNADO SILVA DURING NATIONS LEAGUE CLASH
Ødegaard and Silva were previously Premier League rivals when the Portuguese midfielder played for Manchester City
Norway captain Martin Ødegaard was left incensed after receiving a late tackle to his ankle from Portugal’s Bernardo Silva during stoppage time of Sunday's Nations League fixture.
The challenge resulted in a yellow card for Silva in Portugal’s 2-1 victory in Oslo, renewing a rivalry built over years in the Premier League. Silva, who departed Manchester City for Real Madrid in the summer, left a painful reminder on the Arsenal captain.
Ødegaard was captured on camera repeatedly shouting an expletive in English towards his long-term opponent, whom he may face again in Lisbon on Sunday in their Nations League group return match.
"This has no place on a football pitch," Odegaard told Norwegian broadcaster TV2 while limping towards the team bus more than an hour after the final whistle.
The incident took place after Odegaard played a deep left-footed pass from within Norway's half before Silva made a challenge from behind. Silva raised his right foot too late to block the pass, before aiming a kick at the rear of Ødegaard's trailing left foot.
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| Former Man City star Bernardo Silva attempted to downplay the spat with Odegaard (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire) |
Asked by Norwegian journalists about the clash that angered Ødegaard, Silva initially responded "What tackle?" in a clip shared by online media outlet Nettavisen.
"It’s football, my friend," stated the 32-year-old playmaker, who spent nine years at Manchester City and won six Premier League titles.
Arsenal and Odegaard finished as runners-up to Man City in two of those title-winning campaigns, in 2023 and 2024, before he captained Arsenal last season to their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Man City and Arsenal currently sit first and second in the standings early in a Premier League season that appears destined to be overshadowed by the long-running legal proceedings against Silva’s former club.
Abu Dhabi-backed Man City were charged with breaking financial regulations over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, mostly related to sponsorships from the emirate, alongside failing to cooperate with the inquiry.
An independent panel of judges has reportedly found Man City guilty of most of the 115 charges faced, though it remains unclear whether the club's previous titles are vulnerable at a subsequent sanctions hearing.
Man City deny all wrongdoing, and on Saturday club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insisted in a letter written to fans that "nothing has changed."
- Sam Brookes
RAMS PLAYER FACING NFL PUNISHMENT AFTER 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL '
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| AP Photo/Kyusung Gong |
The Los Angeles Rams fell to 1-2 with their loss to the Denver Broncos on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 3, and the NFL could make things even worse for Quentin Lake.
The versatile defensive back who plays the “star” position–a safety in the nickelback spot– for the Rams committed one of the various fineable offenses during the potentially costly 30-26 interconference defeat.
It happened during the third quarter, with the Rams up 16-0 on the Broncos.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed a pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Braden Fiske made the tackle, but only after Lake got a hold of Sutton’s facemask in his attempt.
Officials flagged Lake for the infraction during the game, which gifted the Broncos an additional 15 yards on top of the 9 yards Sutton gained on the reception. The drive ended with a Broncos touchdown and two-point conversion.
NFL Could Come After Quentin Lake Following Rams Loss
In addition to the in-game punishment, Lake could face additional measures from the NFL following his actions in the Rams’ loss.
Per the NFL, fines for face mask calls can cost players as much as $11,941 on first-time infractions and $17,911 after that. This would be Lake’s first infraction of the 2026 season, so he would likely face an amount equal to or lesser than the standard amount.
That is, if the NFL fines him at all.
The league levies fines at its discretion. That is why fines often come in at different amounts than what is posted. The league also often abstains from taking any sort of financial action.
It is also why they routinely fine players over infractions that were not called during contests. That means that there could be several other infractions from this contest that draw additional scrutiny when the league does its weekly review.
If Lake is fined, he will be the third Rams player to be docked this regular season.
He would join Nate Landman (illegal use of the helmet) and Tyler Davis (hit on a quarterback/blow to the head or neck area). The NFL fined both of them after Week 1.
A fourth player, outside linebacker Darryl Peterson, was fined following the Rams’ preseason opener. The hit to his bank account would sting. Lake and the Rams are surely lamenting their missed opportunities in the loss to the Broncos even more.
Rams Sean McVay Goes After Refs Following Polarizing Call
The cost of his facemask was apparent in real-time. But Lake also had an illegal hands to the face call in the fourth. That one got Rams head coach Sean McVay fired up at the officials.
Downtown Rams host Jake Oliver Ellenbogen posted, “Okay I think Quentin Lake penalty is even worse. That made it feel like a screw-job. Disagree with the INT call but bailing out Denver with the INT and the 4th and goal at the 5? Egregious.”
Not everyone was absolving Lake, though.
“Another flag on the Rams. Unreal,” the California Post’s Michael J. Duarte posted on X. “This one is on Quentin Lake and these penalties are handing the Broncos the game.”
- Josh Buckhalter
Sunday, 27 September 2026
BARCELONA FINANCES: £625M LA LIGA SPENDING-LIMIT RECOVERY EXPLAINED
Barcelona's La Liga squad cost limit has risen by around £625m in five years, completing a remarkable recovery from the financial restrictions that once left the Catalan giants with a negative spending ceiling.
La Liga's latest figures give Barcelona a squad cost limit of €582.7m (£501m) for the 2026-27 season, putting the club back in a position to operate with financial room that appeared almost unimaginable at the height of their crisis.
Real Madrid remain comfortably ahead with a record €832.7m (£716m) limit, leaving a gap of approximately £215m between Spain's two biggest clubs.
However, that difference looks very different when compared with 2021-22, when Barcelona's limit had fallen to -€144m (-£124m) while Madrid could spend up to €739m (£635m).
Barcelona have recovered £625m of La Liga spending power
La Liga's squad cost limit should not be confused with a club's actual wage bill.
The calculation covers fixed and variable salaries, social security costs, bonuses, transfer acquisition costs, agents' commissions and the annual amortisation of transfer fees. Clubs are also not required to use the full amount available to them.
For Barcelona, the movement from -€144m to €582.7m represents a swing of almost €727m, or approximately £625m, in just five years.
The scale of that turnaround becomes even clearer against Madrid. At Barcelona's lowest point, the difference between the two clubs stood at €883m (£759m). It is now just under €250m (£215m), meaning Barca have erased more than £540m of that extreme gap.
The recovery has also begun to translate into greater freedom in the transfer market. Barcelona spent heavily during the latest summer window, their biggest outlay for several years, after seasons in which registrations, spending restrictions and emergency financial measures repeatedly shaped their recruitment.
According to AS, structural cost reductions have played an important role in improving the numbers, alongside increased commercial income and revenue connected to the redevelopment of Camp Nou.
The reopening of part of the stadium has been particularly significant, while Barcelona's VIP-box programme has also generated substantial income during the rebuilding process.
The improvement does not mean that Barcelona's wider financial problems have disappeared. The club continue to carry major liabilities linked particularly to the Espai Barca project, even after returning to annual revenues above €1bn.
Camp Nou move could put Barcelona's progress under pressure
Barcelona's recovery is substantial, but the next phase of the Camp Nou project means the upward trajectory may not continue uninterrupted.
The Catalan club are expected to return temporarily to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys during the 2027-28 campaign while further work, including the installation of the Camp Nou roof, is carried out.
That move is expected to reduce matchday revenue compared with playing at their redeveloped home and, according to AS, could consequently lower Barcelona's La Liga spending limit again.
It creates an unusual situation for Joan Laporta's administration. Camp Nou is one of the main assets expected to drive Barcelona's long-term commercial growth, yet completing the project could temporarily restrict the financial room that the club have spent several years rebuilding.
That tension is already visible in the way Barcelona have financed their return to major transfer spending, with higher revenues and greater La Liga flexibility offset by the continuing cost of the stadium redevelopment and historic liabilities.
There is nevertheless considerable optimism over the longer-term picture. Barcelona reportedly expect the redeveloped stadium and its commercial spaces to become major revenue generators, with the club targeting total annual income of around €1.45bn by the 2030-31 season.
Madrid therefore remain well ahead in immediate spending capacity, but the comparison is no longer remotely as one-sided as it was five years ago.
Barcelona have moved from a negative La Liga limit to more than half a billion pounds of permitted squad expenditure. The next test is whether that £625m recovery can survive one more temporary move away from Camp Nou.
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