Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Tuesday, 13 October 2026
GIANNI INFANTINO IN FRESH FIFA CONTROVERSY OVER 'SECRET WORLD CUP PAYMENT'
Gianni Infantino allegedly failed to disclose a World Cup payment he received
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| Gianni Infantino in fresh controversy over 'secret World Cup payment' Infantino reportedly failed to disclose a World Cup payment Reuters |
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was paid a previously undisclosed $1.72 million World Cup sum, according to Fifa and IRS documents obtained by ESPN.
The report, published on Tuesday, said the absence of transparency surrounding the remuneration is a potential breach of Fifa statutes.
Records from the IRS show Infantino was given the money in 2024 by FWC2026, the US-based organisation established by Fifa to operate the 2026 World Cup held in North America this summer.
This $1.72 million came on top of Infantino's salary and benefits from Fifa for 2024, which totaled around $4.9 million. Per the report, the supplementary payout was omitted from Fifa's 2024 annual report.
According to Fifa's rules, "The individual compensation of the Fifa President, the members of the Council and the Fifa Secretary General shall be made public."
A spokesperson for Fifa told ESPN that the governing body "strongly rejects any suggestion there has been a violation" of the statutes.
A Fifa statement read: "Fifa does not pay a second salary to the Fifa President and complies with all reporting requirements in relation to compensation. The Fifa President's annual compensation, as well as other contractual benefits, are decided by the independent Compensation Sub-Committee.
"Fifa strongly rejects any claims that it has failed to disclose any financial information and has violated Fifa's Statutes. Fifa accounts are independently audited, and all declarations are in line with tax regulations in Switzerland, the United States and elsewhere.
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| Gianni Infantino in fresh controversy over 'secret World Cup payment' A Fifa spokesperson reacted to the fresh controversy surrounding Infantino Reuters |
"Fifa is fully focused on the Fifa Council meeting on Thursday and looks forward to discussions with its members to further grow the game following the most successful Fifa World Cup in history."
It is the newest controversy to hit Infantino, 56, who has been in post since 2016. Earlier this year, he faced criticism over a since-abandoned plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private investors.
Despite the controversy surrounding Infantino, he still intends to stand for re-election as president next March. It was also announced last week that Aleksander Ceferin, who has been a fierce critic of Infantino, is planning to seek a fourth term as Uefa president.
- Sam Brookes
'VERY LUCKY' OLIVIER GIROUD LOOKS FORWARD TO RETURNING TO ARSENAL WITH LILE
Arsenal will take on Giroud and Lille tonight in their first Champions League game since the international break
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| Olivier Giroud looks forward to returning to Arsenal with Lille Getty |
Olivier Giroud has admitted that leaving Arsenal was one of the most difficult decisions of his career and that he is relishing the opportunity to return to the Emirates tonight with Lille in the Champions League.
The Frenchman netted 105 times across nearly six years for Arsene Wenger’s Gunners, then leaving to join Chelsea in 2018 where he won the Champions League in 2021 before departing Stamford Bridge for AC Milan. This was followed by a brief stint in Major League Soccer for Los Angeles FC.
However, Giroud returned to France last year and is set to face his former employers when Lille face Arsenal in north London tonight - and the 40-year-old striker is grateful to be back to see his old stomping ground and his old teammate-turned manager, Mikel Arteta.
“Arsenal was a major part of my career and I had to leave in order to play at the 2018 World Cup,” said Giroud.
“I was really sad when I left the club but I had to make that choice, and it was one of the toughest ones in my career, but it was important and necessary for the rest of my career.
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| Olivier Giroud looks forward to returning to Arsenal with Lille Mikel Arteta (right) celebrates with Olivier Giroud Getty |
“So, it is great to come back at 40 years old with a French club and to play against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. That is a blessing. It is something I wanted to happen, and I feel very lucky”
Arteta last season led the Gunners to their first league title in 22 years and has just signed a new contract keeping him in North London until 2030.
Giroud won a hat-trick of FA Cups under Wenger, but a Premier League title illuded he and his teammates. He played alongside Arteta and said his leadership skills made a career as a manager an inevitability.
Giroud continued: “Mikel is a great person, a great manager and he has shown that with the team he has built.
“The Premier League title proves he has done incredible work, and he was given the time which was very important. I remember Mikel as a player, and you could see he was made for a managerial career because he was a leader on the pitch, but off it, too. He was very demanding with himself, and his team-mates and great technically.
“I really enjoyed my time with him. We won a few trophies together and it is a blessing to come back here and play against his team.”
- Philip Duncan
BREAKING: AFRICAN GRAND PRIX IN RWANDA
BREAKING: Formula 1 returns to Africa with 10 year agreement to race in Rwanda*
The African Grand Prix is set to join the F1 calendar in the early 2030s
CHESS ENDINGS: ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE | Y. AVERBAKH
Yuri Averbakh, the 1954 Soviet chess champion, designed Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge to give players a practical foundation in the endgame.
Pergamon Press published this 1966 English edition, translated by P. H. Clarke. The Russian original appeared in Moscow in 1960, with a second edition following in 1965.
The contents begin with elementary checkmates, then examine contests between different pieces, stopping passed pawns, and the techniques of pawn promotion. The final and longest chapter applies that knowledge to practical endings, bringing the lessons closer to the positions encountered over the board.
The back cover describes the goal as “a working knowledge of the endgame.” Averbakh builds the material progressively, taking readers from the basics toward the knowledge needed in club and tournament play. It reflects the teaching work of a grandmaster who devoted decades to studying and explaining this phase of chess.
Which endgame book has helped you most?
#yuriaverbakh #chessbooks #sovietchesshistory #endgame
- Soviet Chess History
Monday, 12 October 2026
EUROPEAN TOUR WILL NOT ALLOW MEMBERSHIP TO LIV PLAYERS IN 2027
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| FILE PHOTO: Golf - LIV Golf Invitational - London - Centurion Golf Club, St Albans, Britain - July 5, 2023 General view of the 18th hole at the Centurion Golf Club Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo REUTERS |
LONDON, Oct 12 - Players who sign up for LIV Golf next season will not be allowed to become members of the European Tour, DP World Tour Chief Executive Officer Guy Kinnings told the BBC on Monday.
Kinnings said that players must now make a choice.
"We have rules and regulations which are there to protect our tour and which our members must all abide by. Players who are not willing to comply with our rules and regulations should not be seeking to join our tour," he added.
LIV Golf was not immediately available for comment.
Some top players were given conditional releases by the European Tour in the past which allowed them to compete in both.
Membership of the European Tour is a requirement to play for Europe in the Ryder Cup.
Former world number one Jon Rahm has said he will not be participating in LIV Golf, which is fighting to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew financial support and has secured funding from BC Partners Credit.
LIV has agreed to terminate Sergio Garcia’s contract and Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, An Byeong-hun, Marc Leishman, Cameron Tringale and Matthew Wolff are seeking release from old deals.
The BBC said it had been told DP World Tour will not accept membership from anyone intending to play in the latest version of LIV. It added that the tour would have grounds to terminate the membership of anyone who did not disclose their intention to play with LIV and then played.
- REUTERS
3 NUMBERS TO KNOW FROM THE JAGUARS' WIN OVER THE EAGLES
Never say it’s over ‘till it’s over!
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| LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Nate Boerkircher of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by Zack Baun of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2026 NFL London Games match between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) | Getty Images |
The Jacksonville Jaguars scraped by the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5 to move to 4-1 on the season.
Wahoo!
Here are a few stats that stand out from the victory.
6%
That was Jacksonville’s win probability with eight seconds left in the game, per NFL Pro.
Jake Elliot had just knocked through a 48-yard field goal to put the Eagles up by one point. If the Jaguars had any timeouts remaining, they might’ve been able to pick up a chunk completion before stopping the clock and attempting a lengthy walk-off field goal.
But the Jaguars didn’t have any timeouts, and the Eagles made sure they’d have even less time by kicking off short of the endzone to prevent a touchback.
Then Ameer Abdullah happened
JAGS HUGE KICK RETURN.
They're in range for one more shot at a field goal!@PHIvsJAX on NFL Network
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/XSWbKBTvW2
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
“Man, we got the perfect call with the perfect kick,” Abdullah said. “We knew that we could hit ‘em in the alleys — that’s the one that Josh Cameron had one called back earlier in the game — so we knew that if we got the right kick, we had an opportunity.
“And having a kicker like Cam Little, we knew, if we got anywhere near midfield, get down and let him handle the job.”
Boy, did Little handle it.
Moments don't get any bigger than this. @NFLUKIRE | @Jaguars pic.twitter.com/L0AAShGvca
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
It’s easy to say that the Jaguars should’ve lost this game. They were digging their own grave. Long snapper Ross Matiscik and left tackle Anton Harrison exited mid-game, which contributed to questionable coaching decisions and frustrating player mistakes. I don’t know about y’all, but I felt like ripping my hair out the entire second half.
That was one of the craziest, dumbest, wildest football games these eyes have ever seen. I suppose that would be the case regardless of whether Little’s last kick went through the uprights. But since his 57-yarder did in fact win the game, it makes this one of the most dramatic victories in franchise history.
Per ELIAS: This is the first game, regular season or playoffs, where each team had a go-ahead score in the final 10 seconds of regulation in the Super Bowl Era (since 1966). Eagles took a 17-16 lead with 8 seconds to play and Jaguars won it on Cam Little's 57-yard field goal.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) October 11, 2026
“Man, the resolve on this team is special,” Abdullah said. “I’ve never played on a team like this, that ‘it’s not over until it’s over.’ These guys fight through adversity. We started off slow, another big penalty game, we were shooting ourselves in the foot, but it seems like guys just get stronger and stronger with every rep.”
“That just shows me the resolve and the toughness and just the experience that these guys have been through with being down, being up, and understanding it’s just the same.”
15
That’s how many years it’s been since an NFL team won consecutive games with 13+ penalties in each game.
The Jaguars are the first team to do so since the Seahawks in Weeks 10 and 11 of the 2011 season, per NFL Pro.
“Every time we went positive, we went negative,” Liam Coen described. “It was like, every time we’d have an 8-to-10-yard run, we’d have a penalty. I mean, we had 13 [penalties] again, for 100 [penalty yards]. And it felt like they were all after good plays.”
“We had them in how many 3rd-and-XLs defensively and let them off the hook? So I never really felt like we were just getting flat-out outplayed. Like it just never felt that way. We were kicking ourselves in the foot—we’re 0 for 3 in the red area—and how many of those were inside the 5? Right, so you’re in scoring position, what should that game have been—I can’t say.”
“To come out of it on top, it’s obviously—you always want to live in the process. You get so wrapped up in the results. But, to have one second left and the team still fighting and the team still going through it, I mean I got to be proud of that.”
8
That’s how many snaps DaVon Hamilton played at long snapper on Sunday, per PFF. 4 snaps as a field goal long snapper, 4 snaps as a punt long snapper.
Hamilton is a nose tackle.
He was thrust into emergency action following the aforementioned injury to Matiscik. It’s never ideal to lose a player with such a specific skill set, but Hamilton has already shown in the past that he’s up for the job.
the film cut up you’ve all been waiting for
every rep of DaVon Hamilton at long snapper: pic.twitter.com/Ib96qjpko6
— Gus Logue (@gus_logue) December 1, 2025
There were understandable concerns. Jacksonville became even more aggressive than usual on 4th downs, and Little missed a late extra point that probably should’ve led to overtime.
But ya gotta give credit when credit is due. D-Ham stepped up big time to help steal the win on Little’s final kick.
Other numbers to know:
- 5: International career wins by Trevor Lawrence, breaking a tie with Tom Brady (4) for the most in NFL history.
- 45: Rushing yards allowed by Jacksonville in the past two weeks (22 in Week 4, 23 in Week 5). The Jaguars are one of seven teams in the Super Bowl era to allow 25 or fewer rushing yards in consecutive games.
- 1: Other teams in the Super Bowl era that did not allow an individual rusher to reach 40+ yards in their first five games of a season. That team was the 1969 Dallas Cowboys.
- 11: Consecutive games Jacksonville has held its opponents to under 20 points. It’s a franchise record and the NFL’s longest active streak.
- 5: Consecutive games Bhayshul Tuten has rushed for 65+ yards. He is the third Jaguar to do so, joining Fred Taylor (2003) and Maurice Jones-Drew (2011).
- 22: Carries by Bhayshul Tuten on Sunday, the most of his career. He has 13+ carries in every game this season after seeing double-digit carries just once last season.
- 5: Career field goals of 55+ yards for Cam Little, the most in franchise history.
- 1: Banger of a post by ArtButMakeItSports.
- Gus Logue
MAX DOWMAN HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH THREE GUINESS WORLD RECORDS
Max Dowman's three Guinness World Records are the result of a remarkable breakthrough season with Arsenal during the 2025/26 campaign, where he shattered longstanding milestones in both domestic and European football.
🏆 Youngest UEFA Champions League Player
Age: 15 years, 308 days
Dowman set this record on 4 November 2025, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute in Arsenal's 3–0 away win against Slavia Prague . This broke the previous record held by Youssoufa Moukoko by 75 days . He remains the only 15-year-old to have ever played in Europe's premier club competition .
⚽ Youngest Premier League Goalscorer
Age: 16 years, 73 days
On 14 March 2026, Dowman scored a stunning solo goal in Arsenal's 2–0 win over Everton . After coming on in the 74th minute, he picked up the ball inside his own half in stoppage time, ran 60 metres, dribbled past two defenders, and rolled the ball into an empty net . This smashed a record that had stood for two decades, previously held by James Vaughan, by 197 days .
🥇 Youngest Premier League Winner
Age: 16 years, 144 days
When Arsenal clinched the 2025/26 title—their first in 22 years—on 19 May 2026, Dowman became the youngest player ever to win the Premier League . He qualified for a winner's medal having made six league appearances, comfortably exceeding the minimum requirement of five . He dethroned Phil Foden, the previous record-holder, by more than a year .
💡 A Record-Breaking Campaign
Beyond these three GWR titles, Dowman also became the youngest Premier League starter at 16 years and 144 days on the final day of the season . He was subsequently featured as the opening profile in the Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027's "Class of '27" . His rapid rise has been so impressive that Arsenal are reportedly considering a loan move for him once he turns 17 on 31 December .
Sunday, 11 October 2026
TURKI MUST CANCEL CANELO FIGHT AFTER 12 KILLED IN RIYADH
Turki Alalshikh faces an imminent decision over Canelo Alvarez’s October 31 fight with Christian Mbilli after reports that 12 people were killed and hundreds injured in attacks on Riyadh’s international airport.
With only 20 days remaining, the event is still scheduled to take place in the Saudi capital despite the escalating security situation and warnings from several foreign governments.
The United Kingdom advises against all but essential travel to Riyadh province, while the United States has urged Americans to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia.
The attacks on King Khalid International Airport have also disrupted flights, creating further uncertainty for the international fighters, trainers, officials and broadcasters expected to attend.
Yet Alalshikh announced the full ten-fight undercard after attacks had already taken place, with no indication that the event would be moved.
Turki Defends Saudi Security
Following the attacks, Alalshikh posted a statement on X, translated from Arabic, mourning those killed and expressing confidence in his country’s security.
“O Allah, protect my homeland with Your eye that never sleeps … O Allah, guide the aim of our heroes … O Allah, have mercy on our martyrs and heal our wounded … May every despicable soul who wishes harm upon the land of the Two Holy Mosques be thwarted … This country is safe and secure from above the seven heavens!”
In another post, he warned that the blood of those killed would not be wasted and that those responsible would pay a heavy price.
His confidence in Saudi Arabia is clear, but the situation facing those expected to travel to Riyadh is considerably less reassuring.
American boxing journalist Dan Rafael shared the US Embassy’s security alert on October 8, adding: “Good luck to those traveling for Canelo vs. Mbilli.”
Fellow boxing podcaster Dan Canobbio was even more direct, writing: “Don’t do it Saul.”
Both reactions reflect concerns about bringing one of boxing’s biggest stars into a city whose international airport has been targeted.
Canelo Fight Must Leave Riyadh
With less than three weeks remaining, Alalshikh’s decision to announce the undercard after attacks had already taken place raises serious concerns for the fighters involved, many of whom may have been assured that Riyadh is safe.
Moving the fight to an alternative venue must now be seriously considered, with the safety of everyone involved taking priority over keeping the event in Riyadh.
WBN reported earlier this month that Las Vegas had been considered as a potential alternative if Riyadh became unavailable.
The subsequent undercard announcement came as the first deaths were being reported, with the situation deteriorating further since then.
Turki’s determination to keep the fight in Riyadh is obvious, but the Saudi matchmaker must surely realize that staging a major international boxing event under these circumstances is not worth the risk.
Canelo and Mbilli have already endured one postponement, and neither should be expected to put their teams in unnecessary danger simply to preserve the location of the event.
Relocating the fight would be another setback, but there is a far greater price to pay if something goes wrong.
With government warnings in place and 12 people dead and hundreds injured, Alalshikh has little time left to make a decision that should now be straightforward.
The fight can go ahead somewhere else. There is no reason it has to be Riyadh. Canelo vs Mbilli in Saudi Arabia must be canceled.
- Phil Jay
PUERTO RICO BOXING LEGEND GOMEZ DIES AT 69
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| Getty Images |
Three-weight world champion Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez has died aged 69.
The Puerto Rican won the WBC super-bantamweight title, WBC featherweight belt and WBA super-featherweight crown during a career in which he was renowned as a heavy puncher.
Gomez fought in 48 fights and won 44, with 42 by virtue of knockout, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, external in 1995.
Former president of the sanctioning body the WBO Paco Valcarcel confirmed the passing of his compatriot.
"He passed away a few hours ago, the one to whom I owe having entered the great family of international boxing," wrote Valcacel on social media on Saturday.
"Rest in peace, my eternal champion Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez."
Gomez's best wins came against fellow greats Mexico's Carlos Zarate, two-weight champion Lupe Pintor, domestic rival Juan Laporte and American Rocky Lockridge.
Zarate was his finest win, stopping the then 52-0 knockout specialist in five rounds in front of his home fans in San Juan to retain his WBC super-bantamweight title.
Competing during a stacked era of talent at his weights, Gomez suffered heartbreak in two of his biggest fights when he was knocked out by Salvador Sanchez in 1981 and Azumah Nelson in 1984 - both at featherweight for the WBC world title.
The WBC and its president Mauricio Sulaiman called Gomez "one of the greatest icons in the history of the sport" and that he had passed away "after being hospitalised for the past two weeks due to respiratory complications".
"Universally recognized as one of the greatest ring legends of all time and a ruthless brawler who holds the historic record of 17 consecutive super bantamweight title defenses - all won by knockout - Wilfredo Gomez leaves behind an indelible legacy both inside and outside the ring," a statement said., external
As an amateur, Gomez competed at the 1972 Olympics aged just 15 and at 17 would win gold at the inaugural World Amateur Championships in Cuba.
- BBC Sport
RECORD BREAKING ATTENDANCE AT 2026 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
301,294 fans. A sold-out #SingaporeGP weekend. 3 days of non-stop action 🏁✨
The 17th edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix drew 301,294 fans to the Marina Bay Street Circuit – the second-highest attendance on record and the highest since the track change in 2023.
Beyond the track – record hospitality attendance, more than 11 premium offerings, the new floating Barge Stage in Zone 1, and the expanded Waterside enclave in Zone 4 gave fans even more ways to soak up the action.🏎️
BREAKING: DUTCH LEGEND CLARENCE SEEDORF IS CORINTHIANS NEW MANAGER
Brazilian side Corinthians have appointed legendary Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf as their new manager on a deal until 2027 😯🇧🇷
Seedorf has previously managed four different teams and as a player won the UEFA Champions League with three different teams 👀🏆
'AWESOME FOR THE GAME OF CRICKET': MOSTARY'S HISTORIC CENTURY WINS HEARTS DESPITE DEFEAT
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| PHOTO: Cricket Australia |
Sobhana Mostary’s maiden ODI century may not have been enough to prevent Bangladesh from suffering a nine-wicket defeat against Australia, but the historic knock earned admiration from both captains, underlining its significance for Bangladesh women’s cricket.
Australia captain Tahlia McGrath summed up the wider importance of Mostary’s achievement in just a few words: “Awesome for the game of cricket.”
Mostary struck a magnificent 118 off 134 balls to help Bangladesh recover from a disastrous start in the second ODI at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Sunday. Although Australia chased down Bangladesh’s 220 for six with 131 balls to spare, the 25-year-old’s landmark innings provided a memorable moment for the visitors as they slipped to a 2-0 series defeat with one match remaining.
Bangladesh were in deep trouble at eight for three after Megan Schutt and Kim Garth ripped through the top order. However, Mostary refused to surrender, showing remarkable composure and determination to rebuild the innings alongside captain Nigar Sultana Joty.
The pair produced a record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership of 195 runs, the highest for any wicket in women’s ODIs against Australia and a Bangladesh record. Joty remained unbeaten on 74 off 114 deliveries, while Mostary struck 18 fours on her way to becoming the first Bangladesh batter to score an ODI century against Australia.
Her 118 also surpassed Fargana Hoque’s 107 against India in 2022 to become the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter in women’s ODIs.
Joty, who witnessed the innings from the other end, was delighted with her teammate’s achievement.
“I am very happy for her because she is a wonderful player and has been very consistent with the bat for a long time, so I think she kind of deserved it,” the Bangladesh captain said.
Reflecting on their partnership, Joty described the century and the stand as historic achievements for both Mostary and the team.
“It was really historical and definitely a great achievement for her and for the team as well,” she said, adding that she had encouraged Mostary to keep pushing for the milestone.
“I batted with her and kept telling her that she had to do it, and I felt like I played my part in that too.”
McGrath also praised Mostary’s innings, highlighting the intent Bangladesh showed with the bat.
“The century was pretty special. It was a good innings, and I'm pretty happy for her, to be honest,” the Australian captain said.
“They showed really good intent today, got us thinking a bit more about our field changes, and it was awesome to see them post a total like that.”
Unfortunately for Bangladesh, Mostary’s resistance was overshadowed by an extraordinary Australian chase. Georgia Voll smashed an unbeaten 131 off 97 balls, while Phoebe Litchfield contributed 70 as the opening pair added 162 runs. Australia reached 222 for one in just 28.1 overs, with Voll earning the Player of the Match award.
Despite the heavy defeat, Mostary’s century offered Bangladesh a significant source of encouragement. Joty said the team would use the performance as a learning opportunity and work towards further improvement before the final ODI.
- Star Sports Report
MARCO BEZZECHI WINS IN INDONESIA AS MARTIN TAKES MOTOGP LEAD
Bezzecchi’s win, the 300th victory for an Italian in MotoGP, also kept his faint championship hopes alive.
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| Aprilia Racing rider Marco Bezzecchi celebrates on the podium after winning the MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix at the Mandalika International Circuit [Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP] |
Marco Bezzecchi has stormed to victory in the Indonesian Grand Prix while Jorge Martin finished third to reclaim the overall season lead in the MotoGP world championship.
The Italian Bezzecchi, riding an Aprilia, made his move on pole-sitter Raul Fernandez in the final third of a captivating Grand Prix at a sweltering Mandalika International Circuit on Sunday.
Spain’s Fernandez came home second and compatriot Martin third, also on Aprilia bikes.
Ducati’s reigning seven-time world champion Marc Marquez finished sixth.
That meant Martin retook the lead in the championship from Marquez by two points, with five more race weekends remaining.
Martin leads with 355 points, with Marquez on his tail on 353.
Bezzecchi is still alive in the championship title hunt, in third position with 309 points.
“It’s amazing, I’m very, very happy,” said Bezzecchi, who last won a race in May. “It was a nice battle with Raul and I think me and all my team deserve a result like this. They have been through tough times with me.”
‘I did the maximum’
Martin, who will head to Australia in a fortnight with the most slender of leads, said he had done all he could.
“I did the maximum,” said Martin, who started alongside title rival Marquez on the second row of the grid.
“I did my best. At the start I lost a lot of positions but tried to be calm and was overtaking riders step by step.
“We are still in the fight and still in the lead,” he added.
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| Aprilia Racing’s world championship leader Jorge Martin came third in Sunday’s Indonesian GP [Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP] |
Fernandez, having to improvise to brake after fracturing two fingers in Saturday’s sprint, got away cleanly from his first-ever pole.
He and Bezzecchi, who started alongside him on the grid, had clashed and crashed out in the sprint.
The sprint was won by Marquez to grab the championship lead for the first time from compatriot Martin.
After a third of the 27 laps in the Grand Prix, Fernandez kept the fellow Aprilia of Bezzecchi at bay despite his injury.
Former world champion Martin was running third, with Marquez looming in fifth without ever really threatening.
Fernandez, who had two previous victories, kept his cool under tremendous pressure from Bezzecchi until lap 19, when the Italian made his move to grasp the lead.
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| Aprilia Racing rider Marco Bezzecchi in action in Indonesia [Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP] |
Bezzecchi streaked away from there to win by 4.26 seconds as Fernandez gamely hung on for second.
- AFP
VINICIUS JR SPARKS MAJOR CONTROVERSY WITH SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY HOURS AFTER REAL MADRID RED CARD
Vinicius was sent off for pulling the hair of an opponent during Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Villarreal.
Vinicius Junior has responded in telling fashion after he was sent off for pulling an opponent's hair during Real Madrid's 1-0 La Liga win over Villarreal.
Yan Diomande scored the only goal of the game for Real on 63 minutes, but Jose Mourinho's side were forced to protect their lead following Vinicius' straight red card.
The Brazilian thought he had scored Real's second goal on 72 minutes, but VAR spotted that he had pulled the hair of Villarreal's Nathan Saliba in the build-up and the goal was rescinded, with a red card awarded to Vinicius. The 26-year-old has reportedly since apologised to his team-mates for the incident - but his social media activity could land him in some hot water.
'What a disgrace...' - Vinicius' social media activity sums up red card feelings
Vinicius also apologised to fans on social media for his red card - though a re-post to his story appears to question other decisions against him this season.
On his Instagram page, he re-posted a post from a Vinicius Jr fan page - which has over 500,000 followers - that features a series of fouls on Vinicius from other players during the 2026/27 season that did not result in red cards.
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| Image: Instagram/@vinijr |
The post is captioned: "And the one who gets the yellow and red is Vinicius, what a disgrace." Vinicius commented on the post with three laughing emojis.
While the Brazilian is clearly not questioning the decision to give him a red card, his apparent criticism of refereeing decisions towards other players compared to him will no doubt spark huge debate.
Jose Mourinho skips post-match press conference
According to Spanish outlet MARCA, Real manager Jose Mourinho refused to appear at the post-match press conference - for a reason most fans can probably guess.
It is claimed that Mourinho did not want to speak to the media due to his fury towards the refereeing of Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos, allegedly stating that he 'want[s] to be on the bench against Sevilla and Barcelona' in Real's upcoming matches.
Once again, no Real player conducted press duties either, meaning there was no post-match reaction in the press room from anybody connected with Los Blancos after the 1-0 win.
Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, though, did speak to Real Madrid TV over the Vinicius sending off.
"I don't know what's going on with the referees," he said. "With this red card, I don't understand. The most important thing is the victory."
For Diomande, his winning strike was the Ivorian's first competitive goal for Real after his club-record €125 million move from RB Leipzig last summer.
He may have to play an even more crucial rule when the next instalment of El Clasico takes place later in October. Vinicius is currently set to miss the upcoming La Liga fixture against Sevilla, but that ban could be extended to as high as three games for violent conduct should La Liga deem it necessary - which would rule him out of the away fixture against Barcelona on October 25.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
- Ryan Smart
Saturday, 10 October 2026
DREAM COME TRUE: STAUNCH ARSENAL SUPPORTER TUSEKILE MWANDOSYA POSES WITH PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY IN DAR ES SALAAM
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — The iconic English Premier League trophy made a historic stop at The Dome in Dar es Salaam, where elated Arsenal supporter Tusekile Mwandosya was among the first to pose with the coveted silverware. The visit is part of a wider trophy tour of East Africa, sponsored by Guinness, aimed at bringing the excitement of England's top football league closer to its passionate fanbase on the continent.
The event drew hundreds of football enthusiasts, who lined up for a rare chance to see and take photos with the trophy that symbolizes the pinnacle of club football. For Mwandosya, a lifelong Gunners fan, the moment was particularly special. "This is a dream come true," she said. "I never thought I'd ever be this close to the Premier League trophy. It's a huge honor for Tanzania to host it."
The tour, which also includes stops in Kenya and Uganda, is part of Guinness's ongoing commitment to celebrating football culture and uniting fans across the region. Organizers noted that the trophy's presence in East Africa reflects the growing popularity of the Premier League and the deep-rooted passion of its supporters in this part of the world.
The Premier League trophy has been on a global tour, visiting various countries to engage with fans and promote the league's international reach. Its stop in Tanzania marks a significant moment for local football fans, many of whom follow the English top flight with fervor. The event at The Dome featured interactive fan zones, live music, and screenings of classic Premier League matches, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the day.
Guinness representatives highlighted that the tour is not just about showcasing the trophy but also about celebrating the shared love of the game. "We are thrilled to bring the Premier League trophy to Tanzania," said a spokesperson. "This is about connecting with our consumers and celebrating the beautiful game together."
As the trophy continues its journey through East Africa, it leaves behind a trail of unforgettable memories for fans like Mwandosya, who now have a story to tell for a lifetime.
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