10 PICTURES SHOW DONALD TRUMP MAKING NFL HISTORY WITH MELANIA MYSTERIOUSLY ABSENT

Donald Trump was booed by fans at Northwest Stadium during halftime of the Lions-Commanders game (Image:Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Donald Trump was in attendance at Northwest Stadium as the Washington Commanders took on the Detroit Lions, with fans making it clear what they think of the 79-year-old amid the government shutdown

Donald Trump was in attendance to watch the Washington Commanders take on the Detroit Lions, though First Lady Melania Trump was not with the president at Northwest Stadium.

Despite the American government being embroiled in a shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — due to Trump's standoff with Democrats. What's more, the 79-year-old was 80 minutes late to the matchup, which the Lions eventually won in a blowout over the Commanders.

Trump was also the first president in almost five decades to attend a football game, despite wanting the Commanders to name their new stadium after him. Richard Nixon first did so in 1969, with President Jimmy Carter attending another game some nine years later.

Of note, the first lady was not in attendance at Northwest Stadium, with the president being joined by the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Commanders owner Josh Harris. With the 79-year-old watching the festivities, pictures of armed guards and security on the sidelines flooded social media.

What's more, Trump was booed heavily by fans at halftime when the president issued the Oath of Enlistment. Perhaps a reason for fans booing Trump is that the shutdown has also negatively affected the military, as evidenced by the NFL's "Salute to Service" featuring no military members.

Mirror U.S. Sports takes a look at the president's visit to Northwest Stadium to watch the Commanders' loss to the Lions.

Donald Trump arrives at Northwest Stadium

President Trump was in attendance to watch the Commanders take on the Lions with a number of Republican leaders, though First Lady Melania Trump was nowhere to be found

Fans' Differing Opinions on Trump

Fans closest to Trump seemingly were happy to see the president in such close proximity, with some reaching out to shake the 79-year-old's hand as he reached into the crowd

The President appears despite the shutdown

The United States is currently locked into the longest government shutdown in history, with the president's standoff against Democrats affecting almost every aspect of American life

Trump Issues Oath of Enlistment

While at Northwest Stadium, Trump issued the Oath of Enlistment at halftime to the newest members of the armed forces, which is the oath service members take when they join the military

The President's Men

Fans were able to watch the president at Northwest Stadium as he issued the Oath of Enlistment to the newest members of the armed forces, though the crowd gave different opinions

Trump Booed by the Crowd

As Trump was issuing the aforementioned oath, the fans in the stadium loudly booed the president, with various replays of the incident showcasing just how loud the crowd was

Trump Plays off Boos

Despite the heavy dose of boos aimed his way, Trump and those in the suite next to him, including Commanders owner Josh Harris, attempted to play off the incident by waving to the crowd

'It's Fun to Stay at the YMCA'

Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown (L) did Trump's infamous dance after scoring a touchdown in he first quarter of the game, though the president did not see it because he was late

It Takes Two

Commanders star tight end Ben Sinnott (C) also did the Trump dance after scoring a touchdown to cut the Lions' lead to 19 late in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand

Saluting the Commander in Chief

After scoring his own touchdown, Washington star wideout Deebo Samuel saluted the crowd, seemingly his way of celebrating with the president and those who took the Oath of Enlistment

- Jarrod Castillo

WHAT ARE ARSENAL'S AWAY RECORD IN FRANCE AHEAD OF CRUNCH UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL SHOWDOWN WITH PARIS SAINT- GERMAIN

Arsenal.com

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Arsenal will need a big performance if they are to overcome Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League second leg. Ousmane Dembele's goal gave the Parisians a first-leg victory at the Emirates with the Gunners heading to France needing a win to remain in contention. TNT Sports looks at whether history is on their side at the Parc des Princes.

Arsenal are facing an uphill task if they are to reach the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

Mikel Arteta’s side put in a lacklustre display in the first leg of their semi-final as they were beaten 1-0 by an impressive Paris Saint-Germain, thanks to Ousmane Dembele's early goal.

And ahead of the second leg, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, the Gunners find themselves in inconsistent form, losing their most recent Premier League outing against Bournemouth leaving them with just three league wins in 10.

Europe remains their last shot at silverware this season and Arsenal will have to produce something special to overturn the first-leg deficit and advance to the final in Munich at the end of the month.

The trip to France may be a daunting one, but it presents an opportunity, and Arteta’s side might look to take inspiration from previous trips to the country.

What is Arsenal’s record against French teams away from home?

Ahead of their latest showdown in Paris, Arsenal have played away in France in European competition a total of 15 times, winning eight, drawing five and losing twice. They have scored 20 times and conceded 14 in that time.

While Gunners fans will be encouraged by the victories, there will be concern that only one of these has arrived by more than a single goal, which would only be enough to force extra time this week.

Another concern would be that, after a run of seven victories between 2000 and 2015, their last two trips to France against Stade Rennes and Lens have ended in defeat.

Winning in normal time would require Arsenal scoring twice, something they have managed five times in total in France, and have only ever failed to score in the country on one occasion.

Defensively, Arsenal know a clean sheet is probably needed if they are to realise their ambitions, something they have managed six times on previous trips to France.

What are all of Arsenal’s results in France?

FC Rouen 1969/70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup third round first leg – 0-0

Arsenal first visited France in the third round of the 1969/70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup – the predecessor to the UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League – taking on FC Rouen in a first-leg stalemate.

The Gunners won an equally tight second leg 1-0 with a last-minute winner from Jon Sammels on their way to lifting the trophy.

Paris Saint-Germain 1994/95 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final first leg – 1-1

Arsenal’s next trip to France in European competition was coincidentally to the Parc des Princes to face PSG back in their successful 1994 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup run.

The leg of the semi-final in France saw Ian Wright put Arsenal in front 10 minutes before half-time, though David Ginola levelled for the home side in the second half.

Kevin Campbell secured a 1-0 win in the return match to send Arsenal to the final.

Auxerre 1994/95 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final second leg – 1-0 win

The following year saw Arsenal win in France for the first time courtesy of an Ian Wright screamer in the second leg of the Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final, following a 1-1 draw at home.

Lens 1998/99 UEFA Champions League group stage – 1-1

The Gunners were left frustrated in their opening match of the group as Tony Vairelles’ stoppage-time equaliser denied Arsene Wenger’s side victory after Marc Overmars had given them a second-half lead.

Nantes 1999/00 UEFA Cup third round second leg – 3-3

Leading 3-0 from the first leg, Arsenal were 6-1 up on aggregate by half-time at Stade de la Beaujoire after Gilles Grimandi, Thierry Henry and Overmars cancelled out Antoine Sibierski’s opener for the home side.

Nantes did rally, however, as Sibierski and Marama Vahirua restored pride by salvaging a draw.

Lens 1999/2000 UEFA Cup semi-final – 2-1 win

With a 1-0 lead from the Highbury fixture, Henry’s goal before the break at Stade Bollaert-Delelis doubled Arsenal’s advantage in the tie.

Although Pascal Nouma reduced the deficit, Nwankwo Kanu restored the two-goal advantage late on to book the Gunners’ place in the final.

Lyon 2000/01 UEFA Champions League second group stage – 1-0 win

Henry was once again the scourge of his countrymen with the winning goal in this clash at Stade de Gerland.

Auxerre 2002/03 UEFA Champions League first group stage – 1-0 win

Another hard-fought victory on French soil, with Gilberto netting the only goal of the game at the start of the second half.

Marseille 2011/12 UEFA Champions League group stage – 1-0 win

A now familiar scoreline when Wenger returned to his homeland with Arsenal. This time the Gunners left it late with Aaron Ramsey snatching the winner deep into stoppage time to steal the three points.

Montpellier 2012/13 UEFA Champions League group stage – 2-1 win

An electric start saw Younes Belhanda fire the home side ahead from the penalty spot but within ten minutes, Arsenal were ahead through Lukas Podolski and Gervinho with no further scoring.

Marseille 2013/14 UEFA Champions League group stage – 2-1 win

Theo Walcott volleyed Arsenal into the lead at the Velodrome with 25 minutes to play before Ramsey wrapped up victory with 5 minutes to play.

Jordan Ayew scored a late penalty, but it was ultimately inconsequential.

Monaco 2014/15 UEFA Champions League round of 16 – 2-0 win (3-3 aggregate, lost on away goals)

A seventh successive win on French soil, but there was little cause for celebration as Arsenal crashed out of the competition.

A shock 3-1 home defeat left the Gunners with all to do in the return match, but goals from Olivier Giroud and Ramsey weren’t enough and the Ligue 1 side advanced on away goals.

Paris Saint-Germain 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage – 1-1

Edinson Cavani headed PSG in front after three minutes and threatened a rout but wasteful finishing allowed Alexis Sanchez to snatch a late point for the Gunners.

Stade Rennais 2018/19 UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg – 1-3 defeat

A first defeat in France came against an inspired Rennes side who were eyeing a huge scalp.

Alex Iwobi put the Gunners 1-0 up but a red card for defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos turned the game on its head as Benjamin Bourigeaud, a Nacho Monreal own-goal and Ismaila Sarr compounded Unai Emery’s side to defeat.

The Gunners recovered to blitz their opponents 3-0 in the return leg to advance.

Lens 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage – 2-1 defeat

Arsenal’s most recent trip across the channel also ended in defeat despite taking an early lead through Gabriel Jesus.

Goals from Adrien Thomasson and Elye Wahi stunned Arteta’s side.

- IBRAHIM MUSTAPHA

ARSENE CHARLES ERNEST WENGER | FORMER LEGENDARY ARSENAL COACH

Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger is a French former football manager and player who is currently serving as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development. He was the manager of Arsenal from 1996 to 2018, where he was the longest-serving and most successful in the club's history. His contribution to English football through changes to scouting, players' training and diet regimens revitalised Arsenal and aided the globalisation of the sport in the 21st century.

In 1969, Wenger was recruited to nearby third division club Mutzig. The club was famed for playing the "best amateur football" in Alsace and managed by Max Hild, who would later go on to become Wenger's mentor. Wenger's emergence at Mutzig aged 20 was considered too late for him to build a reputable playing career. 

Football was not seen as his future; the plan was for him to run the family's spare parts business. He was, however, of the age to start increasing his tactical knowledge of the sport. He frequently read France Football and alongside Hild made trips to Germany to watch Bundesliga matches and observe the different managerial styles. During Wenger's three years at Mutzig, the club beat Strasbourg 3–0 to win the Coupe d'Alsace. He also represented Alsace in a competition held annually between the regional leagues.

Wenger took his studies further, and in 1971 enrolled at the Faculté des sciences économiques et de gestion (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) at the University of Strasbourg to read politics and economics after a brief stint in medicine.

In 1973 he joined semi-professional club Mulhouse and balanced his football career with his education.Wenger completed an economics degree a year later. He was selected to represent the national French students squad and visited Nigeria, Lebanon, and Uruguay – where the World Students Championship was held in 1976. 

Wenger did not participate in the event as he was injured; Jean-Luc Arribart, captain of the team recalled: "By the end of that trip, Arsène had almost taken on the role of assistant coach and team joker rolled into one."

At Mulhouse, Wenger was managed by Paul Frantz, who also had a profound impact on his career. It was he who formalised Wenger's beliefs on the importance of nutrition, isometrics and working on a player's strong points.

Wenger played in midfield for Mulhouse, often positioned on the right. In their final game of the 1974–75 season, the club beat Nancy to avoid relegation, but shortly afterwards, Frantz resigned.[32] Wenger also made the decision to leave, as the regular commutes to Mulhouse from Strasbourg overwhelmed him.

In 1975, he rekindled his friendship with Hild and signed for amateur club ASPV Strasbourg (Vauban). Hild needed a midfielder "who could organise play and also have a sort of hold over the team" and decided to recruit Wenger. Vauban was formed in 1971, and made steady progress up the French football league system thereafter; Wenger's three seasons at the club culminated with promotion to the third division.

#declanfosisports #arsenal #arsenewenger 

AGA KHAN: FIVE THINGS ABOUT PRINCE OF SPORT

Paris (AFP) – Apart from being an Islamic spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, who died on Tuesday aged 88, was a byword for the biggest and best in the world of horse racing.

The Aga Khan was a central pillar of the racing world since taking over from his father in 1960 © DOMINIQUE FAGET / AFP/File

He owned stables, stud farms and an auction house, his horses winning many of the great races across seven decades.

AFP look at five things about the Aga Khan's sporting world.

- Winter Olympian -

Before he got into racing, the Aga Khan was already a keen skier. "I like the atmosphere in ski racing," he said. "It is a democratic sport. One's name does not count."

The Aga Khan (L) training on the slopes of Val d'Isere with his ski instructor Hans Senger six years after his 1964 venture at the Innsbruck Winter Olympics © - / AFP/File

While too busy to focus full time on the slopes, he was good enough to train with the Austrian team. In 1962 he participated in the world championships at Chamonix as a member of the British team but two years later opted to compete at the Innsbruck Winter Olympics for Iran.

He finished 53rd out of 96 in the giant slalom and 59th out of 84 in the downhill. "It was respectable if not glorious," he said.

Bloodstock

With his grandfather having owned five Derby winners between 1930 and 1952, racing was certainly in the genes but it was not one of the young Aga Khan's passions.

That changed when he suddenly found himself the steward of the family's bloodstock empire when his father was killed in a car crash in Paris in May 1960, dual Classic winner Petite Etoile among the horses to fall to him.

The Aga Khan keeping an eye on the action at the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July 1961 © - / AFP/File

After some negotiating with his younger brother Amyn and his half-sister Yasmin, Rita Hayworth's daughter, he acquired their 60 percent interest in the stable at Chantilly.

Over the years he expanded to eight stud farms, four located in Ireland in County Kildare and four in Normandy. He also bought the French auction house Arqana in 2006.

"Thoroughbreds can be either a sportsman's hobby or a business," he said. "Where a large stable and a lot of money are involved, obviously racing is no longer a hobby."

His red and green colours became internationally famous, with the Aga Khan name-checked in Peter Sarstedt's 1969 hit song 'Where Do You Go to My Lovely'.

Winners

The Aga Khan amassed 168 Group One winners over the course of his time in racing.

He won the Epsom Derby five times, with Shergar in 1981 followed by Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand.

The Aga Khan was a close friend of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, the pair seen here talking after his horse Harzand won the 2016 Derby at Epsom © GLYN KIRK / AFP/File

He also won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the top race in France, four times, through Akiyda, Sinndar, Dalakhani and Zarkava.

Very close to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, he gave her several racehorses, including Estimate which gave her perhaps her most enjoyable win in the 2013 Ascot Gold Cup.

- Shergar -

Arguments can rage over which was the greatest of the Aga Khan's horses but there is no doubt about which is the most famous.

In 1981, the Michael Stoute-trained Shergar won five of his six races, including the 202nd Epsom Derby by 10 lengths -- still the biggest winning margin in the historic race -- as well as the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

He was retired to the Aga Khan's Ballymany Stud in County Kildare in Ireland whence the four-year-old was kidnapped on February 8, 1983.

The £2 million ransom was not paid and Shergar was never seen again, believed to have been killed when negotiations stalled.

Suspicion fell on the Irish Republican Army which always denied the charge.

"Ireland was a very unhappy country at the time and I don't think you can hold the people of a country responsible for criminal behaviour," said the Aga Khan. "It is ethically wrong."

Yves Saint-Martin

The Aga Khan's horses attracted the very best jockeys. Walter Swinburn rode Shergar to success in the Derby while Johnny Murtagh steered Sinndar to a brilliant treble in 2000, winning the Derby, Irish Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the space of a few months.

The Aga Khan IV (R) with Yves Saint-Martin after his victory on Akiyda after their 1982 win at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe © Philippe BOUCHON / AFP/File

But French jockey Yves Saint-Martin is perhaps the name most closely associated with him.

He steered Akiyda to the 1982 Arc and also won four Prix du Jockey-Club, with Top Ville in 1979, Darshaan in 1984, Mouktar in 1985 and Natroun in 1987.

Doping

The Aga Khan fell foul of British racing when his filly, Aliysa, was disqualified from the 1989 Oaks after testing positive for camphor, a prohibited substance.

Harzand (L) ridden by Pat Smullen gave the Aga Khan his fifth Epsom Derby victory in 2016 © GLYN KIRK / AFP/File

He felt there were failings in the testing system and removed all of his horses, only ending his boycott at Royal Ascot in 1995. Another positive test in 2000 saw him withdraw his horses from Luca Cumani's stables in Newmarket.

He retained horses with Stoute but focused more on France. It was Irish trainer Dermot Weld who provided a fifth Derby and Irish Derby double in 2016 with Harzand, and the Aga Khan's last British Classic winner Ezeliya in 2024.

© 2025 AFP

PARIS FC'S BILLIONAIRE OWNERS HOPE KLOPP CAN HELP TRANSFORM THE CLUB

Antoine Arnault. Photo: Stephan Feugere

The Arnault family, owners of the LVMH luxury empire, plan to draw on Jürgen Klopp's expertise as part of an ambitious project to transform Paris FC into a force in French soccer.

The family's takeover of the second-tier club includes bringing energy drink giant Red Bull on board as a minority stakeholder. Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, is set to join Red Bull as head of global soccer in January.

"I've spoken with Klopp several times, and he's very, very excited about working with us," said Antoine Arnault, son of billionaire Bernard Arnault.

Arnault spoke Wednesday at a news conference at the team's training ground in Orly, located 14 miles south of Paris.

"We're not coming in alone," Arnault said. "Red Bull is by our side because we know what we're good at and what we're not. We have management skills, but none in football operations."

Arnault highlighted plans to leverage Red Bull's tools to tap into the Paris region's deep pool of soccer talent.

"Paris has probably the best talent pool in the world, rivaling only São Paulo," he said. "Red Bull's revolutionary data tools will greatly aid our scouting efforts."

Arnault also outlined plans for the family's majority stake.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will begin his director role with Red Bull in January. Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images

"This is a family project we started with my brothers and sister," Arnault told reporters. "We thought it was a good idea to venture into something more thrilling than our usual activities. Football has been my passion since I was 10 years old."

The family's holding company, Agache, will acquire a 52% stake in the club, while Red Bull will hold 11%. Arnault will represent Agache on Paris FC's board.

Current club president and owner Pierre Ferracci will retain 30% for now. He said the takeover has been approved by the French league, with the deal expected to be finalized on Nov. 29.

By 2027, the Arnault family is set to hold around 80% of the shares, with Red Bull increasing its stake to 15%.

The acquisition positions Paris FC as a potential rival to Paris Saint-Germain, the Qatari-backed powerhouse. However, Arnault downplayed any rivalry.

"PSG is a club I've loved since I was 12 years old," he said. "You'll never hear me say anything negative about it. I don't exclude supporting two clubs in the capital."

Arnault described the project as a long-term effort to elevate Paris FC's men's and women's teams to top-tier success.

Ferracci, who has led Paris FC since 2012, emphasized the importance of sustainable growth for the club.

"There's a sovereignty issue in football," Ferracci said, referring to the dominance of foreign ownership in French clubs. "If Paris FC can stand out with French investment, it would be a very good thing."

Created in 1969, Paris FC's men's team has yet to achieve any significant success. This year, they lead the Ligue 2 standings with more than half of the season remaining, and their women's team competes in France's top-tier league and the Women's Champions League.

"We're not doing this to make money," Arnault said. "We want to provide emotional experiences for fans. We were deeply inspired by the Olympics and their positive impact. While we are not used to wasting money, we'll work toward financial balance."

- Associated Press 

FRENCH OPEN AND WIMBLEDON WINNER IN SAME YEAR

 Carlos Alcaraz: The Newest Phenom on Grass and Clay! 🌟🎾

#CarlosAlcaraz #NovakDjokovic #RogerFederer #RafaelNadal #Wimbledon #Tennis #ATP

AIKIDO MORIHEI UESHIBA OSENSEI DIVINE TECHNIQUES | 1962 | 1969