Friday, 23 October 2026
Thursday, 22 October 2026
FERNANDES TO STAY AS CAPTAIN AS ROONEY CALLS MAN UTD PLAYER BABIES
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| Fernandes criticised Carrick's tactics in the defeat by Como on Wednesday |
Bruno Fernandes will remain as Manchester United captain and will not be disciplined for his post-match criticism of Michael Carrick after the 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como.
The United skipper criticised Carrick's tactics for the game, then said it was up to the United head coach and his backroom team, not the players, to spot any issues and change them.
It was seen by many externally as a challenge to Carrick's authority, just eight days after United defender Lisandro Martinez criticised director of football Jason Wilcox and the club's summer recruitment.
Inside Old Trafford, there is sympathy for Fernandes for the position he found himself in.
The Portugal midfielder did 10 post-match interviews in Como, despite being replaced by Joshua Zirkzee midway through the second half.
While there is disappointment at some of his comments, it is acknowledged Fernandes' annoyance was understandable given the manner of the loss, which was one of the worst in United's European history.
It remains to be seen whether Fernandes will be picked for Sunday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Carrick will be asked about the situation when he holds his pre-game news conference at 13:30 BST on Friday.
- Simon Stone
MICHAEL CARRICK FACING MAN UNITED SACK AS EDDIE HOWE NOW FAVOURITE AFTER NEWCASTLE UNITED EXIT
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| Reuters |
Eddie Howe left Newcastle United in July but is linked with the Manchester United job.
Eddie Howe remains the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Michael Carrick at Manchester United.
The noise has amplified around Old Trafford after the Red Devils lost 4-1 to Como in the Champions League. Club captain Bruno Fernandes appeared to question the manager’s tactics at the full-time whistle.
Carrick has managed just two wins, three draws and five defeats across all competitions this season. As for Howe, he has relocated down south to enjoy some downtime following an intense spell on Tyneside.
A bombshell announcement in July confirmed Howe’s departure after four-and-a-half years at St James’ Park. He oversaw two Champions League qualifications and guided Newcastle to a first domestic trophy in 70 years.
The former Toon boss considered his future in May after an underwhelming campaign. Newcastle finished 12th - leading to several stars like Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes signalling their desire to leave.
Eddie Howe stance and Manchester United links
According to reports earlier this month, Howe has already rejected an approach from Ligue 1 club Rens. But that is not to suggest he would snub an early return if the right opportunity came along.
He is currently the bookmakers’ favourite - priced at just 9/4 - to replace Carrick at Old Trafford. Alternative names in the running include Julian Nagelsmann (7/2), Antonio Conte (6/1) and Fabian Hurzeler (7/1).
An opportunity at Old Trafford would undoubtedly appeal to Howe despite their struggles in recent years. When assessing his next move, the 48-year-old will look at the wider football project and he has experience of building foundations at Bournemouth and Newcastle.
What Eddie Howe said after leaving Newcastle United
Howe penned an emotional farewell to Newcastle fans when explaining his decision to leave. An announcement read: "After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United.
"After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break.
"Although it's been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it's the right one. I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I've been here and this one is no different.
"It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have been the manager of Newcastle United. It is difficult to put into words what this club, the city and its supporters mean, and will always mean, to me and my family."
- Charlie Bennett
BIVOL VS. SMITH | UNIFICATION BOUT 🔥
An 𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 world title unification between Dmitry Bivol & Callum Smith lands on DAZN 👑💥
#BivolSmith | Dec 12 | Live on DAZN.com/homeofboxing
KYLE WALKER TO TAKE DRASTIC ACTION IF MAN CITY ARE STRIPPED OF TITLES IN MAJOR PUNISHMENT
Kyle Walker has revealed his thoughts on Manchester City's ongoing case.
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| Kyle Walker has admitted that he might have to get his tattoo removed (Image: TALKSPORT) |
Kyle Walker has suggested that he would get his 'four in a row' tattoo removed if Manchester City are stripped of the Premier League titles they won between 2009 and 2018. The current table-toppers have submitted an appeal following an independent panel's verdict finding them guilty of 114 violations of the league's financial rules. The proceedings included claims that City artificially inflated their income through 'sham' sponsorship deals. The club have consistently denied any misconduct. Potential punishments include a substantial fine and a points deduction severe enough to send City down to the Championship. It's been reported that a further deduction could be applied, potentially leaving them facing a second season in the second tier.
Additional possible penalties include a transfer embargo and being stripped of the titles they won during the period covered by the financial charges.
Walker spent eight seasons at the Etihad Stadium, winning 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles.
The uncertainty surrounding City's honours also places an uncomfortable focus on the Burnley defender's tattoo.
He has the phrase 'four in a row' inked on his leg to mark the club's four consecutive Premier League titles.
"[I've got] 'four in a row' tattooed," he confirmed on talkSPORT. Presenter Andy Goldstein then asked: "If they take the medals away, have you got a tattoo removal firm ready to take that one?"
Walker then replied: "Well, I'm probably going to have to do that bit! I'll try and keep it on, but hopefully we don't get things taken away."
When questioned about the charges, Walker added: "It's the big elephant in the room we're probably all going to be asked when doing interviews or whatever.
"It doesn't look great. Let's not hide from the fact they've been found guilty but they're going through an appeal.
"As a player all I can say is all we did is go out and play our best as a team.
"I'll defend the players for the rest of my life, because I feel what we did and achieved in that time was incredible and probably won't be done ever again.
"But from the outside looking in, it doesn't look great and we have to address that."
Any possible sanctions against City are unlikely to be implemented until the appeal process has been completed.
- Bruna Reis & Archie Griggs
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
AFRICA: GHANA SECURES QUALIFICATION FOR 2026 BEACH SOCCER AFCON | AFTER THRILLING 7-4 WIN OVER NIGERIA
Ghana's national beach soccer team, the Black Sharks, have booked their ticket to the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal after securing a commanding 7-4 victory over arch-rivals Nigeria in the final round of qualifiers.
The result crowns a remarkable qualification campaign for the Sharks, who showed grit, flair and clinical finishing to overcome one of the continent's traditional powerhouses and return to Africa's biggest beach soccer stage.
After a tightly contested first leg, the Black Sharks went into the decisive clash knowing only a win would guarantee qualification.
From the first whistle, Ghana set the tone. Playing with pace and confidence, the team pressed high and moved the ball quickly, forcing Nigeria onto the back foot. The Sharks raced into an early lead and managed the game superbly, responding every time Nigeria threatened a comeback.
The 7-4 scoreline reflects Ghana's attacking intent and improved defensive organisation -- an area the technical team had prioritised in the build-up to the qualifiers.
Qualification for Senegal 2026 marks a significant milestone for beach soccer in Ghana.
The Black Sharks last featured at the AFCON in 2024 and have since been rebuilding, investing in grassroots development, regional leagues and regular camping aimed at staging a comeback onto the continental stage once more.
The win over Nigeria is not just about qualification; it is a statement that Ghana is ready to compete with the best on the continent.
For Ghana, qualification offers a chance to test itself against the continent's elite, including defending champions Senegal, former champions Egypt and Morocco, with qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup also at stake.
- Ghanaian Tumes
3 WORLD SERIES LESSONS FROM BREWERS' REFULAR SEASON MATCHUP WITH RAYS
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| Mar 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) watches his two-run home run off of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nick Martinez (28) during the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect |
For a decent projection of the 2026 World Series matchup, the natural first place to look is at how the Brewers and Rays matched up in the regular season. And thankfully for Milwaukee, the results point in their favor. The Brew Crew won two of their three regular-season games against the Rays, all in America's Dairyland, by a nine-run margin — Milwaukee scored 16 runs to Tampa Bay's seven.
Granted, this was so long ago that both teams look completely different by now. They haven't faced each other since early April, and the Rays have undergone a major transformation since that fateful World Series preview. Their bullpen has pulled itself together, and offensively, this team has found a rhythm that will be hard to stymie.
Nonetheless, there are still details to pull from that series that'll surely reflect on this year's World Series matchup and hopefully give us a sign of what's to come.
1. Brewers need to ride the hot hands of William Contreras and Jake Bauers to beat the Rays.
The NLCS MVP, Jake Bauers, began his emergence as Milwaukee's breakout offensive hero with an electric series against the Rays, hitting three balls and scoring three runs, including a home run, in 10 at-bats versus Tampa Bay. The same could be said for star catcher William Contreras, who rocked four hits, including a home run for two RBIs in 12 chances in that series.
It's only right for Bauers and Contreras to finish their season the same way they started it — cooking at the plate against the Rays, with all the confidence in the world and the support of Milwaukee behind them. It's almost certainly a recipe for offensive success.
2. Brice Turang can change the narrative of his playoffs facing Tampa Bay in the World Series.
It hasn't been an easy postseason run for one of the best second basemen in baseball, despite showing his chops defensively as an elite fielder in a vital position. But offensively, Turang has struggled in the postseason, batting just .222 for six hits in 27 plate appearances. But if he can channel some of what worked for him in the regular season against Tampa Bay, when he hit three balls in eight at-bats for four RBIs and three walks, he can wipe the slate clean and start anew.
3. If history repeats itself, Milwaukee's pitchers don't need to be perfect to win against the Rays.
These weren't the best games for the Brewers' bullpen, allowing multiple runs in every game and seven in the series. But Milwaukee's steadfast defense and consistent strikeout potential kept them in every game, every inning, limiting Tampa Bay's explosive innings that helped them get to this point in the postseason.
Starters Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson allowed a combined eight hits in 11 innings, but only three earned runs in total. And frankly, they should both be far more confident and prepared for this outing than they were in their first go-around against the Rays. So if they can channel some of that same energy, the Brewers have a serious shot at winning their first World Series in franchise history.
- Dylan Carter
F1 US GRAND PRIX: ALL SPECIAL LIVERIES REVEALED
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| Haas US GP special livery © Haas |
A number of teams will use special liveries at the US GP
A number of teams will run special one-off liveries this weekend at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
The US Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar at the Circuit of the Americas in 2012, with the series last racing in the country in 2007 at Indianapolis before that.
The annual US Grand Prix at COTA has become one of the biggest events on the calendar, particularly since Liberty Media took over ownership of F1 in 2017.
With so much attention on the US Grand Prix now, teams lean into the event with special livery designs. Here are all of the ones confirmed so far.
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| Haas US GP special livery © Haas |
Haas - Godzilla promotion
The Haas F1 team is one of two American outfits competing at COTA this year.
It will run a one-off livery for the event, though with a theme that has absolutely nothing to do with its home race.
Partnering once again to promote Godzilla Minus Zero, the squad ditches its usual red, white and black colour scheme for a more blue-dominated design.
The livery also features Godzilla on the engine cover. It’s the second time this season Haas has used a Godzilla design, having done so at the Japanese Grand Prix.
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| Mercedes US GP livery © Mercedes |
Mercedes - MANUFAKTUR
Mercedes has been hot on special liveries lately, running a mint green design at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as a nod to its title partner Petronas.
For this weekend’s US Grand Prix, the Silver Arrows will tweak its design, rather than overhaul it in the same way Haas has done.
To mark its MANUFAKTUR cross-brand car customisation programme, Mercedes will add dashes of blue to its livery for the COTA race.
George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who could win the championship this weekend, will also sport new race suit designs to go along with the livery.
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| Cadillac US GP livery © F1 |
Cadillac - American West
Cadillac will be making its second visit to its native US this season at the United States Grand Prix, following the Miami round earlier this season.
While Miami was still a home round, this weekend is Cadillac’s first official US Grand Prix as a manufacturer on the F1 grid.
And to mark the occasion, the team is sporting a design inspired by the American West.
The usual white and black colour scheme has been accentuated by embroidery-inspired patterns to resemble stitched clothing.
- Lewis Duncan
FERRARI'S 2026 AUSTIN GRAND PRIX SUITS INSPIRED BY ULTRAMAN 🔥
For the 2026 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Ferrari has prepared a special white-heavy race suit for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, featuring significantly more white than the team's traditional kit, white racing shoes, and text on the suits that points to a one-off HP special livery for the SF-26 at Circuit of the Americas with Ultraman inspired suits.
Ultraman is a Japanese science fiction media franchise created by Eiji Tsuburaya and produced by Tsuburaya Productions that launched in 1966 with the live-action television series Ultra Q and Ultraman.
Key Franchise Details
• Core Concept: Giant alien superheroes from Nebula M78 (the "Land of Light") protect Earth from giant monsters (kaiju) and alien invaders.
• Original Hero: The first Ultraman bonded with human host Shin Hayata of the Science Special Search Party (SSSP), transforming using a device called the Beta Capsule.
• Signature Abilities: The Spacium Beam, an energy blast formed by crossing the arms in a plus/minus configuration.
• Major Formats: Spans decades of television shows (such as Ultra Seven, Ultraman Taro, and Ultraman Z), films, and modern media like the Ultraman Manga and Netflix 3DCG Anime Adaptation
Ultraman spirit will be with Ferrari at Circuit of the Americas 🔥
AUTOPSY ATTRIBUTED HYRON ANDREWS' DEATH TO TORN ARTERY - LIONS
South Africa rugby player Hyron Andrews died of natural causes with the cause of death found to be caused by an aortic dissection, an autopsy has found.
Andrews, 31, died on Friday on the eve of the Lions' Champions Cup match with La Rochelle in France. Reports said he was found unconscious in a shower cubicle at the team's hotel.
An autopsy has since been carried out, with his club the Lions saying "Hyron's death was found to be caused by an aortic dissection. This dissection most likely occurred on an aortic aneurysm."
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| Hyron Andrews. Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images for Sale Sharks |
Andrews' body remains in France awaiting repatriation.
"The French authorities, who conducted the autopsy and, in whose care Hyron's body currently remains, described the cause of death as "a tear in the aorta [due to natural causes,] which led to a significant accumulation of blood within the sac surrounding the heart"," the Lions' statement continued.
The statement added: "The Andrews family asks for respect, privacy and patience during this difficult time as the repatriation process begins."
Andrews spent two and a half seasons at Sale Sharks and joined the Lions ahead of the 2026-27 season. His team played the match on Saturday just a day after he died in his honour.
- Tom Hamilton
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