Thursday, 24 September 2026
HARRY KANE EYES CAREER AS NFL KICKER AFTER FOOTBALL RETIREMENT
England’s captain and record goal scorer says a transition into American football could be on the cards.
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| England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane is the designated penalty taker for both club and country [File: Matthias Schrader/AP Photo] |
England captain Harry Kane says he is considering a future as an American football kicker later in his career, with the country’s leading goal scorer also eyeing a late move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States..
Kane hinted at a late career in the National Football League (NFL) while speaking at England’s UEFA Nations League training camp on Wednesday.
Kane had previously expressed his interest in pursuing careers in golf and American football. Now the 33-year-old is giving more serious thought to a future in the NFL, though he stressed any potential move to the US is still several years away.
“That is something I will try and look at a bit more seriously,” Kane said. “It all depends on what happens in my career over the next five or six years. The NFL is a lot more realistic than the golf one, let’s put it that way.”
He is England’s leading goal scorer in international football with 85 in 121 appearances, 25 of which came from successful penalty conversions.
The Bayern Munich striker said his penalty-taking experience could give him a head start as an NFL kicker, though switching sports would require serious preparation.
He said, “I take penalties and it is a very similar pressure and technique … In terms of training, I would be closer to that more than any other sport.
“But, with all elite sports, when you watch it on TV, people make it look easy; you think it is possible, but that is not always the case.
“If I was to do it, it is something I would take seriously. I would take maybe six months to a year of trying to practise beforehand.”
Kane also suggested a move to MLS could provide a way to combine the two sports.
“Maybe if I am in the MLS in the future or somewhere like that it might be a thing where you could connect the two maybe with the seasons,” he said.
Some other football players have earlier made the switch. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey was a first-round MLS draft pick by Toronto FC in 2017 but never made an official appearance for the first team. Jake Bates also played college football before becoming a kicker for the Detroit Lions.
Kane’s immediate future, however, remains in football, with talks over a new contract at Bundesliga champions Bayern progressing and an announcement expected soon.
“We’re in good talks,” Kane said. “There’s still some things that we need to iron out. I’m happy there. I think it won’t be too long before there’s some sort of announcement.”
- Reuters
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
UEFA BOSS CEREFIN SAYS TRUST IN WORLD FOOTBALL REMAINS BROKEN AFTER FIFA INVESTMENT ROW
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| Getty |
* Ceferin says collapsed FIFA investment plan shattered unity of world football
* Proposal to sell 20% stake in FIFA commercial rights was dropped in July
* Infantino proposes independent external review of FIFA governance for strategic initiatives
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said trust in world football had not been restored following the collapse of FIFA’s controversial private-investment plan, in his first public comments since FIFA President Gianni Infantino offered a review of the governing body’s decision-making.
In a video address to the Portugal Football Summit on Wednesday, Ceferin said unity, transparency and governance that served the wider game were essential to maintaining trust in football.
"Yet not everyone places the game above their own ambitions,” Ceferin said.
"Trust in our sport rests on three pillars: unity, transparency, and governance that serves the many, not the few. In recent times, all three were disregarded by people who had sworn to protect them.
"The project that shattered the unity of world football may be abolished, but the trust it broke has not returned, and repairing it is our work now.”
Ceferin did not name Infantino or FIFA directly, but his comments were an apparent reference to the abandoned proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including the World Cup, to private investors.
The plan was dropped in July after fierce opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF.
"Football is not for sale,” Ceferin said. "That is the message UEFA has carried for years, and I'm certain this summit will carry it further.”
His intervention came two days after Infantino sought to address the fallout in a letter to the FIFA Council and the presidents of all 211 member associations.
Infantino said he would ask the Council whether it wanted to commission an independent external review of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives and proposed consultations with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on strengthening its decision-making processes.
He said any review could examine the roles of the president, bureau, Council and Congress and ways to improve transparency and accountability.
The letter has so far failed to win over several federations that had criticised Infantino over the investment proposal.
Infantino has said he remains fully committed to leading FIFA and is expected to seek another term at the presidential election in March 2027.
Ceferin said those running the sport needed to remember whom they served.
"The game will remain safe if those who govern it remember whom they govern it for," he said.
- REUTERS/OEIRAS, PORTUGAL
MAN UNITED FINANCES: RECORD REVENUES BUT ANOTHER BIG LOSS AS CLUB COUNTS COST OF AMORIM FIRING
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| AC Milan's head coach Ruben Amorim holds the ball during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Lecce, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) |
MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Manchester United made a loss of around $60 million despite record revenues in a season where the club paid nearly $10 million to fire another coach.
In its financial figures released Wednesday, United reported it earned $900 million in the fiscal year ending June 30 - slightly up from record sums the previous year - despite not playing in the Champions League.
The club´s revenue guidance for next year is up to $1 billion because the 20-time English champions are back playing in Europe´s top competition after a third-place finish in the Premier League. United began its Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over Sabah from Azerbaijan, amid a poor start to the Premier League featuring just one win in five games.
Contributing to the losses were the costs associated with the departure of former coach Ruben Amorim, who was fired in January, and his staff.
It could have been more.
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| Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick stands on the sidelines prior to the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Manchester United in London, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) |
In February, United said in a financial filing that the cost of firing Amorim could reach more than $21 million but he has since taken a coaching job at AC Milan, saving United from paying more compensation.
United´s wage bill was about $400 million, down 3.6% on the previous year. The club attributed the drop to changes in the men´s first-team squad and cuts at the club over the last two years.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
TEOFIMO LOPEZ CALLED OUT FOR FIGHT ON TYSON FURY VS ANTHONY JOSHUA UNDERCARD AFTER ORDER
Jack Catterall has suggested Teofimo Lopez should fulfil his mandatory defence in a fight on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card.
Lopez picked up the WBA welterweight title with victory over Rolly Romero in August.
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| Everyone is eyeing a place on the Fury vs Joshua bill, and Catterall is no differentCredit: Getty |
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| Lopez would be a blockbuster addition, but he has yet to make it clear if he is willing to defend his belt against CatterallCredit: Getty |
And he has now been ordered to defend the belt against Catterall, despite suggestions that 'The Takeover' will look to unify with Ryan Garcia in 2027.
Catterall is staying firm on his decision to fight for the title and has demanded Lopez takes the fight or vacates the belt.
Lopez vs Catterall on Fury AJ bill makes sense
And he decided to make a call for the fight on social media, suggesting it would make sense on the Fury vs Joshua bill.
On the latest episode of talkBOXING, he reiterated his call, and believes it would be a perfect platform.
But he also suggested that he'd happily take the bout to the US.
He said: "Of course it would make perfect sense to fight on the Fury vs Joshua card.
"That would be great for me to fight on that bill, but it is if Teo fancies the trip over here.
"It could warrant having its own card in America, but yeah it'd be nice.
"I would be open to doing that as well [boxing on Fury vs AJ bill for vacant title]."
If Catterall cannot secure the bout and Lopez goes elsewhere, he will likely inherit the title.
Talks have already reportedly opened for Garcia and Lopez's clash, which could land as early as February.
Who else could be on the Fury vs AJ undercard?
There will likely be further American interest on the bill.
Boxing manager Keith Connolly has suggested that two high-profile US stars will likely feature on the bill.
Many have speculated and believe that the blockbuster battle of the unbeaten between Keyshawn Davis and Richardson Hitchins is imminent for the bill.
A whole host of top talent are competing to earn their place on the bill.
Fury vs Joshua is a massive event, and given it is on track to start at US time in Cardiff, the chance to stack it with American fighters may grow.
- Ben Davies
PREMIER LEAGUE ADMITS ARSENAL VAR ERROR AGAINST SUNDERLAND AFTER MIKEL ARTETA RANT
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| Arteta was furious with the decision (Picture: Shutterstock) |
The Premier League has admitted the decision to award Sunderland a penalty against Arsenal earlier this month was incorrect.
The champions visited the Stadium of Light on Saturday September 12.
After a goalless first-half, Gunners defender Ezri Konsa was penalised for holding Sunderland’s Dan Ballard during a corner kick with referee John Brooks pointing to the spot.
Enzo Le Fee stepped up to take the penalty but was denied by David Raya. Less than two minutes later, Bruno Guimaraes scored to give Arsenal the lead with Bukayo Saka scoring again late on.
Despite the 2-0 win, the penalty incident infuriated Mikel Artera who described the decision as ‘unacceptable.’
It has now been revealed the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel have unanimously ruled that Sunderland’s penalty against Arsenal should not have been awarded.
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents five-person panel unanimously disagreed with the on-field decision, stating: ‘Although it was a very untidy challenge in which Konsa initially had arms around Ballard, Ballard engages in a holding action which pulls Konsa onto him so they both fall to the floor.’
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| Konsa was penalised for hauling down Ballard (Picture: NurPhoto/Shutterstock) |
The panel gave majority 3-2 backing to the decision of VAR Stuart Attwell not to intervene, however, stating it was not a clear and obvious error.
After the match, Arteta said: ‘It’s unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable.
‘This can change the course of a season. The championship, it’s unacceptable.
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| Arsenal went onto win the game (Picture: 2026 Getty Images) |
‘I’ve seen it 10 times to make sure, because I watched it live, and I said ‘it’s not possible at this level that it’s going to be a penalty’. Because it’s a judo roll, that’s what it is. It cannot happen.
‘I’ve been in football for almost 27 years, 28 years, it’s not a penalty in any case, in any game, in any context, in any league.’
- Tony Mogan
GONZALO HIGUAIN'S BROTHER SACKED BY MLS CLUB AFTER TELLING FEMALE REFEREE 'THIS IS A MAN'S GAME'
Federico Higuain was suspended for two matches but the The Professional Soccer Referees Association said his punishment fell ‘drastically short’
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| Federico Higuain also played for the Columbus Crew for eight seasons (Getty) |
MLS club Columbus Crew have sacked their reserve team manager Federico Higuain after he was alleged to have refused to let go of the hand of a female referee and told her “don’t forget that this is a man’s game”.
Higuain, the brother of former Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain, was sent off and suspended for two matches following the incident, which occurred during a 1-0 defeat to Huntsville City in the MLS NEXT Pro series on 23 August.
The MLS referees union, The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), criticised the league’s response and said it fell “drastically short” in a statement Sunday 20 September, after Higuain had returned to the touchline for two Crew 2 matches.
Without naming Higuain, the PSRA said a “male head coach committed two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official - squeezing her hand and refusing to let go after being told to stop three times.”
The PSRA also said “this physical intimidation was compounded by a demeaning, sexist remark to the official: 'Don't forget, this is a man's game’.”
In a statement on Tuesday night, Columbus Crew said Higuain had been fired after “further assessing the past month” and holding discussions with him.
“We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuaín from his responsibilities,” Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a press release.
“After conversations this week and further assessing the past month, our club’s standards of what’s expected from a leader for one of our teams have not been met.”
Higuain, 41, played for Columbus Crew in MLS for eight seasons between 2012 and 2019 and also had spells with DC United and Inter Miami before his retirement in 2021.
The PSRA’s statement on Sunday added: “Women make every level of this game better. They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it.
“Our female officials have proven their excellence on the world stage. They deserve the same respect, dignity, and safe working environment as every other official.”
- Jamie Braidwood
ISACK HADJAR VOICES RED BULL 'PRIVILLEGE' AFTER RENEWED F1 TRUST
Red Bull has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will remain with the team for the 2027 F1 campaign.
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| © XPBimages |
Isack Hadjar has stated that he feels a sense of “privilege” as a Red Bull driver, having penned an extension with the team for 2027.
The Frenchman joined Red Bull this year after an uplifting rookie campaign in 2025.
Despite his inexperience, Hadjar has left a sound impression at Red Bull this year with a consistent run of results that placed him inside the top six.
He also bagged a maiden podium with the team at the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this year and has been labelled by some as the strongest team-mate Max Verstappen has had since Daniel Ricciardo departed the squad.
Having made his return from injury in Baku, Red Bull promptly confirmed that he would be kept on for 2027.
Voicing his reaction, Hadjar commented: “I am really excited to continue with Red Bull Racing.
“I came to this team eight months ago and immediately understood the scale and ambition of this organisation.
“There are so many talented people at the factory, and you’re aware of the privilege of driving for such an incredible team alongside a four-time world champion like Max.”
Red Bull has endured a difficult slip in the pecking order this year - but Hadjar insisted he is motivated to see the team return to the top by continuing to better himself.
“From the moment I signed, I set out to dedicate myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent [Mekies] and everyone in Milton Keynes, I’ve been able to justify the faith they’ve had in me,” he said.
“I’m constantly looking to listen, learn and push myself further every single day, which only makes me more excited about what lies ahead.”
- Fergal Walsh
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GABLE STEVESON BREAKS SILENCE ON UFC 331 LOSS, SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS IN LENGTHY POST
Gable Steveson had opened up on his stunning UFC 331 knockout loss.
Steveson fought Sean Sharaf on the main card of UFC 331 in a fight the Olympic gold medalist was the biggest betting favorite in UFC history. However, Steveson suffered a stunning KO loss in just 12 seconds for his first professional loss.
After the loss, Steveson immediately left the Octagon and didn’t stay for Sharaf to have his hand raised. Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier criticized him for it. Now, days after the defeat, Steveson finally addressed the loss and also brought up the sexual assault allegations that Sharaf mentioned at the press conference.
GABLE STEVESON ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER UFC 331
“This statement is for my family, my friends, my fans, and the people who truly know me and know the kind of man I am. I know there are people who will never support me, no matter what I say or do. that’s their choice. But I’m speaking to the people who know me not just as an athlete, but as a husband and a father to a young daughter.
Prior to and during fight week, an incident from my college years was brought up by my opponent. I believe it was raised to get in my head. But it also reopened something that had been addressed years ago.
I want to be clear: I did not do anything alleged, I was never charged with a crime, and the matter was ultimately dropped by the district attorney. The allegations were not ignored nor brushed aside. They were thoroughly and heavily reviewed as I fully cooperated with law enforcement, including a separate Title IX review.
There were no criminal charges, no conviction, and no finding of responsibility against me. The matter was closed, and there is no pending legal issue involving me. My own attorney did their own investigation and stated on the record that even if the law was changed, I would have the same outcome, which now speaks for itself.
‘I WILL BE GREAT, AND THIS WON’T DENY ME’
I understand how serious allegations like this are. And I understand that people may have questions when they hear only part of a story. Moving forward, I am going to keep focusing on my wife, my daughter, my family, and the work in front of me. To the people who support me, thank you. I know who I am. my family knows who I am. The people who have walked with me through life know who I am. That’s what matters to me, and that’s where I’m going to keep my focus.
As for my opponent, congratulations, you caught me. A mistake on my end was made. It was your night. Just like my wrestling days after my loss, I came back with an undeniable will to win and focus that led me to the top of my sport. The result of Saturday night, I believe, will catapult me to do the same. I will be great, and this won’t deny me.”
- Cole Shelton
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
ANTHONY JOSHUA SHARES PRIVATE EMAIL FROM DOPING AGRNCY ASKING FOR TYSON FURY'S WHEREABOUTS
Anthony Joshua shared the email communication to his Snapchat story earlier this morning.
Anthony Joshua has shared a private email communication from VADA to his Snapchat story, in which the doping association’s President sought details regarding Tyson Fury’s whereabouts.
The shared email arrived after Fury uploaded a post-training session video to Instagram on Monday, captioned: “Coming for you AJ, if you ever grow a pair and fight.”
Joshua shared the VADA email to his public Snapchat story on Tuesday morning, with the doping association’s President seeking enrollment from the Gypsy King, and his whereabouts form.
Anthony Joshua shares VADA President email concerning Tyson Fury’s whereabouts
VADA, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, did not suggest Fury had failed a doping test. Instead, the association’s President simply asked: “Is Mr. Fury going to enroll?”
“Typically, we enroll opponents at the same time,” continued the email. “We also need the whereabouts form to enroll either fighter.”
Joshua captioned the email screenshot: “I’m not accusing [Tyson Fury] of anything,” ahead of their slated December 11 bout. The fight’s date, venue and time are yet to be confirmed.
By completing a whereabouts form, VADA would be able to locate an athlete, in this case, Fury, to complete an unannounced, out-of-competition sample collection.
The form would likely ask for Fury’s home addresses, training locations, any pre-existing travel arrangements, and availability windows.
However, as Joshua’s shared email communication implies, Fury has not provided VADA with such information, ahead of the pair’s long-awaited clash.
The Gypsy King is yet to respond publicly to Joshua’s post, and there remains no indication that Fury has failed, or declined to participate in a VADA testing.
Ahead of their battle, tentatively set to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Eddie Hearn previously raised questions regarding Fury’s testing timeline.
Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing’s division and ‘AJ’ promoter, revealed that Fury’s contract appeared to lack the testing obligation contained in Joshua’s agreement.
As a result, Fury, unlike his British opponent, might not be contractually required to enrol with VADA at the same stage as Joshua.
Hearn also revealed that he believes the Gypsy King is “fearful” of Joshua, claiming: “He’s afraid to lose. I think he knows the physical presence of Joshua, as well.
“It will be a real handful for him. And any advantage he can get, he’s going to try and get, [because] that’s what he’s like,” concluded the Matchroom Boxing promoter.
Tyson Fury hits out at 'poppadom chin' Anthony Joshua via Instagram
After seemingly endless back-and-forths between Fury and Joshua’s camps, amid perpetual disagreement regarding the Netflix event’s venue, the Gypsy King broke his short-lived silence on Monday.
“Just finished a brutal session in the gym here,” began Fury. “Training like a Trojan warrior. It’s alright, Joshua, I know you’re afraid. But I won’t hurt you, I’ll make it quick.
“I’ll make it a quick KO, so you can get back to your business of being a landlord. I’ll make it very fast, and I’ll make it pain-free for you and your team, and Eddie [Hearn].
“I promise not to hurt [you] too bad. It’ll be swift… You’ll know who the spartan is. If he ever gets the guts, because, at the minute, I hear he’s yellow.
“He’s running around yellow, like a little coward. That’s what he is. White flag, where are you, white flag? You big, useless dosser. Paper chin, poppadom chin. Silly, useless piece of s***,” concluded Fury.
As it stands, the two Englishmen are set to face in Cardiff, after weeks of venue confusion. Joshua’s camp held to the UK-based provision in his fight contract, while New York was briefly suggested by Netflix.
Their bout is slated to take place on Friday, December 11, however, this match-up remains anything but straightforward.
- Kedar Bayley
ISRAEL ISSUE FURIOUS STATEMENT AFTER IRELAND MANAGER MAKES 'GENOCIDE' COMMENT
The Israel FA have issued a furious statement in response to Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson's 'genocide' comment ahead of their Nations League fixture on Sunday night.
A lot of controversy has surrounded the fixture, with the 'Stop the Game' campaign publishing an open letter on Monday, signed by more than 100 sporting figures, calling for the players not to fulfil upcoming fixtures against Israel as part of a continued boycott amid the ongoing Gaza War.
Ciara Mageean, Louise Quinn, Tony Ward, Joe Brolly and Colm O'Rourke were among the signatories. As per the Daily Mail, the letter claimed that pressure was being placed on the players after previous attempts to influence governing bodies and the government came to nought.
"The FAI, UEFA, and the Irish Government have all failed you by not taking decisive action and taking this out of your hands," it claimed. But while governing bodies have not taken any form of direct action against Israel, despite calls for them to do so coming well before the 2026 World Cup, Ireland's boss has now had some choice words of his own to say.
Heimir Hallgrimsson Makes 'Genocide' Comment Before Israel Fixture
The Icelandic boss used forceful language in defending his team as they prepare to take the field against a side that the Football Association of Ireland wanted to have suspended from competitions. He said over the weekend:
"And I've said before, we're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide.
"So, we're playing against Israel. We're not playing with Israel."
Israel has not officially recognised or accepted any allegations of genocide, strongly rejecting such claims as false and stating that its military actions in Gaza are acts of self-defense following the October 7, 2023, attacks.
However, international bodies and expert organizations have applied the term to Israel's actions, with the UN concluding last year (as per the BBC) that acts of genocide have been carried out on Palestinians - a finding that many human rights organisations agree with, as records state at least 73,919 Palestinians and over 1,200 Israelis have been killed.
Israel Hit Back With Furious Statement
As reports circulated that the Israelis were considering filing a complaint to UEFA, the Israeli FA posted on X on Monday night (see the full post below):
"We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by the Republic of Ireland team coach.
"We're not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we're playing against the coach who embodies them."
The Ireland chief oversaw training at Abbotstown as he fine-tunes preparations for Thursday's meeting with Kosovo in Pristina, but it's the meeting with Israel in Debrecen in Hungary on Sunday, and in Backa Topola in Serbia a week later, that continue to dominate headlines.
- Robin Mumford
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