FORMER CRYSTAL PALACE YOUTH PLAYER JAILED FOR MURDER - AS VICTIM DIES 15 YEARS LATER

Jordan Burton, released by Crystal Palace aged 13 due to an injury, was found guilty of murder on Tuesday following a trial at the Old Bailey and was sentenced at the same court on Wednesday

Jordan Burton

A man has been jailed for murder today — 20 years after brutally assualting his victim with a piece of wood.

Jordan Burton, then 14, and several other teens savaged Daniel Allright with a number of items, including wood and a bicycle chain. A court heard Burton, who had in the previous year been released by Crystal Palace following an injury, left Mr Allright with a serious head injury.

He died from this, aged 31, nearly 16 years on after suffering an epileptic seizure in the bathroom at home. A post-mortem examination found no evidence Mr Allright had drowned or suffered any natural disease, and post traumatic epilepsy was found to be the cause of death.

And Burton was arrested at his home in June 2024 on suspicion of murder having previously failed to attend a voluntary interview following Daniel’s death. He was found guilty of murder on Tuesday, and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 10 years today at the Old Bailey.

Burton was arrested in the wake of the attack in September 2006. He initially denied being involved, but in 2007 he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Allright, then aged 15. He was given a two-year youth rehabilitation order.

Following Burton's sentencing this week, Mr Allright’s mother, Geraldine Henderson, expressed her continued grief. She said in a statement: "He had a heart of gold. He had a positive attitude to life. He was never bitter or angry about his situation.

Daniel Allright

“I’m very proud of my son Daniel for his achievements in life. For 16 years I watched my son Daniel have thousands of seizures. For 16 years my son Daniel was surviving every day. I will never get over losing my son."

Burton, who is from Lewisham, southeast London, had asked Mr Allright if he wanted to fight, before he was handed a piece of wood, with which he hit Mr Allright multiple times.

Two other males joined in the attack, hitting him with weapons while Mr Allright tried to defend himself with his arms up, the court heard. They all ran off when someone came out of a shop and told them to leave the victim alone.

Duncan Atkinson KC, prosecuting, said Mr Allright suffered his first seizure in March 2007 and was prescribed medication, but his epilepsy worsened in the months before his death. He died at his home on March 26, 2022, having suffered a fatal epileptic seizure in the bathroom.

Nick Corsellis, defending, said Burton was selected by Crystal Palace Football Club to be a potential athlete aged seven and the club provided “a very positive setting for him”.But Burton was released by the club aged 13 due to an injury, which meant “suddenly he had so much time on his hands”, Mr Corsellis said.Judge Anthony Leonard KC said: “The whole incident between you lasted for a matter of minutes and ended with you hitting Daniel Allright with the stick, in my judgment more than once.”Mr Allright had two operations and was in hospital for weeks, then was “subject to regular and debilitating seizures”, the judge added.Listing aggravating features, the judge said: “You had gone to the park to smoke cannabis before the incident, you used a piece of wood as a weapon, the offence was committed in the context of group violence involving at least three other people and you took the leading role, it took place in an area where there were members of the public.”Burton was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 10 years.

- Bradley Jolly

WHY ZIMBABWE AND INDIA CRICKETERS ARE WEARING BLACK ARMBANDS FOR THE SECOND T20I

India and Zimbabwe players were seen wearing black armbands during the second T20I in Harare on Saturday - here’s why.

The two teams took on each other in the second game of the three-match T20I series on Saturday (July 25). At the toss, which was won by Zimbabwe, both skippers, Shreyas Iyer and Sikandar Raza, were seen wearing black armbands, the reason for which was later confirmed by the BCCI.

Why are India and Zimbabwe wearing black armbands for the 2nd T20I?

According to a statement by the Indian cricket board, both Team India and Zimbabwe players are paying their respects to the Zimbabwe Cricket vice-chairman Sylvester Matshaka, who passed away last night.

Zimbabwe Cricket mourned the loss of Matshaka, 76, who passed away following a short illness on Friday. He joined the ZC board in 2006 and served as the vice-chairman since 2015. He was also part of the leadership that oversaw Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket in 2011, after a six-year absence.

Zimbabwe Cricket’s chairman, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, paid tribute to Matshaka: “Mr Matshaka was a steady hand during some of the most defining moments in our history and his wisdom, sound judgement and quiet strength helped shape the organisation we are today, while his passion for growing the game touched countless lives across Zimbabwe.”

India make one change, Ashok Sharma dropped

India made one change to their XI, bringing in debutant Yash Thakur for Ashok Sharma for the game. Ashok, who had also made his debut in the last game, conceded 0-29 in four overs on Thursday. Zimbabwe were unchanged, hoping to draw level in the series after India clinched the first game by seven wickets.

The third T20I will be played tomorrow, Sunday, July 26

- Wisden

AUDIO LEAKED OF REAL MADRID PRESIDENT ACCUSING BUSINESS RIVALS OF ASSASSINATION PLOT

Audio has been leaked of Real Madrid President Florentino Perez accusing one of his business rivals of a plot to assassinate him, seven years ago. Amid the elections, Catalan radio station RAC1 have got hold of the audio from seven years ago, and released to the public.

Perez is currently in a battle for power with Enrique Riquelme for the Real Madrid Presidency, the first contested elections in 20 years since Perez stepped down in 2006. The mud-slinging is in full flow, with Perez this week accusing Riquelme of being more interested in getting famous and getting rich from Real Madrid. The vote will take place this Sunday, with Perez widely expected to win a landslide vote.

Perez accuses business rival of assassination plot

During the press conference where Perez called elections, he challenged Riquelme to run against him, albeit without mentioning him by name. He has also insinuated that long-term business rival Ignacio Sanchez Galan, who is President of Iberdrola and an associate of Riquelme, is behind the presidential challenge. RAC1 have released audio from 2019, in which he accuses Sanchez of contracting former Spanish spy and whistleblower Jose Manuel Villarejo of a plot to assassinate him. The audio comes from a 2019 testimony that Perez gave to the court during a case against his construction company ACS, and Perez accuses Sanchez and Galan of conspiring against him.

“There are three things they have repeatedly told me. One, that the best thing is to make me disappear with an accident or a virus. I didn’t know they could make you disappear with a virus. Another thing they say is that they have to find the accounts that Florentino Perez has outside Spain and that they would pay a lot of money for that. And the other is to invent a child, and sell the story to the press.”

He later goes on to deny that he has any offshore bank accounts, and the case, brought by Castor, was dismissed.

Perez involved in election process

Perez is currently engaged during the election process, where he has promised to bring in signings, and is expected to appoint Jose Mourinho as his new manager. He has also promised a referendum on plans to sell off 5% of the club to an investor, changing the ownership model of the club. Riquelme is campaigning on an opposition to this idea, and promising that there will be an improved experience for club members when they go to the stadium.

- Ruairidh Barlow

IT THIS THE NEXT 'WAKA WAKA'? SHAKIRA WITH BURNA BOY TEASES NEW FIFA WORLD CUP SONG | VIDEO

Colombian singer Shakira performs during a free concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 2, 2026. — AFP pic

LOS ANGELES, May 8 — Colombian pop idol Shakira on Thursday teased the new official song for the 2026 World Cup, releasing a brief video of the track filmed at Brazil’s iconic Maracana Stadium.

The singer – who also created the 2010 World Cup anthem “Waka Waka” – announced the song, titled “Dai Dai” in a post on her Instagram account.

In the 67-second video, Shakira appears on the pitch at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where she performed in a free concert at the city’s Copacabana Beach last Saturday before two million people.

Holding the “Trionda”, the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, Shakira performed excerpts of the song in English, joined by dancers dressed in the colors of teams including the United States and Colombia.

The song was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and is set for official release on May 14. The clip, also shared by the Fifa World Cup account, ends with the message: “We’re ready!”

Shakira has a long association with the World Cup, performing at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals in addition to producing “Waka Waka” for the 2010 tournament. — AFP

FIA PRESIDENT SAYS V8 ENGINES COULD RETURN TO F1 BY 2030: 'IT IS COMING'

Photo: Race Pictures

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said F1 could return to V8 engines as early as 2030. The Emirati said it is "only a matter of time" before the iconic roar of the V8 makes it way back into the sport, having last featured from 2006 to 2013.

F1's engine future has been the subject of heavy debate for some time now, only more so since the introduction of the 2026 regulations, which introduced a 50:50 split between electrical power and the internal combustion engine, and has been widely criticised by drivers and fans alike.

During the three opening rounds, chief among the concerns in 2026 were the need to lift and coast in qualifying, as opposed to pushing flat-out, super-clipping - when the MGU-K diverts its attention to slowing the car down and harvesting energy at high speed - as well as dangerous closing speeds, as seen in the 50G crash suffered by Haas' Ollie Bearman at Suzuka.

Even in Miami, where the 2026 rules have been tweaked following the April break, drivers are still not wholly convinced. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll kicked off the weekend by launching an attack on the "fundamentally flawed" regulations that are "destroying racing," while calling for a return to previous generations of F1 engines.

Ben Sulayem makes F1 engine promise: 'V8 is coming' 

Photo: Race Pictures

If Ben Sulayem's comments at Miami are anything to go by, Stroll might not have to wait too long to get his way. When asked whether F1 could return to V8s or V10s, the FIA President said: “It’s coming. Oh yes, it is coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time," as per RacingNews365.

What's more, however, is that the FIA boss expressed confidence a change could be implemented by 2030 even without the approval of F1's PUMs [power unit manufacturers]. Manufacturers such as Audi and Honda are understood to have joined, or stayed in, F1 as a result of the move to road relevant electrification.

Ben Sulayem said: "In 2031, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs. That’s the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone [externally] now is asking for. When you try to tell them [the PUMs] they say no, but what will come, will come, and it [the power] will come back to the FIA."

Speaking of road relevance, Ben Sulayem said V8s would be the preferred route for F1, given that V10s are becoming less common on production vehicles. There was also the suggestion that electrical power would see a "very, very minor" role in these new changes.

“I feel like a V10…if I ask any of the manufacturers who are in F1 now if they produce any cars with a V10, an era that many of the cars had, but now, no," said Ben Sulayem.The most popular and easiest to work with is the V8. You get the sound, less complexity, lightweight.

"You will hear about it very soon, and it will be with a very, very minor electrification, but the main one will be the engine. It will not be something like now, which is a 46-54 split. There will be very minimal [electric] power."

Once again, the FIA chief was adamant such a move could be made, claiming that even without PUM approval, a change is in the offing. He concluded: "I'm targeting 2030. One year before the maturity [of the regulations]. it will happen. They [manufacturers] want it to happen.

"But let's say the manufacturers don't [vote for it], then one more year and it will be done. It's not a matter of, 'Do I need their support?' No, it will be done. V8 is coming.”

- Henry Eccles

MORRIE CHANDLER PASSED AWAY | FIA PAYS TRIBUTE

 

The FIA pays tribute to a true pioneer of our sport.

Rallying has lost a founding father, competitor, and icon. The sport in New Zealand and worldwide would not be what it is today without the extraordinary contribution of Morrie Chandler.

His impact extended far beyond rallying, serving on the FIA World Motor Sport Council from 1996, becoming a Formula 1 steward in 1998, and later FIA Vice President in 2006.

- FIA

'REAL FEMALE ROCKY'DIES AT 47 AS TRIBUTES PAID TO SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION BOXER

Former Argentine boxer Alejandra "Locomotora" Oliveras has died

A six-time world champion boxer, who described herself as a "female Rocky" has died at the age of 47 after suffering a stroke just two weeks ago

A six-time boxing world champion who described herself as “a female Rocky but for real” has died aged just 47 a fortnight after suffering a stroke.

Medics at a hospital in the Argentinian city of Santa Fe where Alejandra Oliveras had been admitted on July 14 confirmed the sad news overnight. Three days of mourning have been declared in the province of Santa Fe, where Alejandra moved into politics after hanging up her gloves in 2017.

Argentinian president Javier Milei, whose right-wing politics the former boxer championed, was among those who paid tribute to her.

Referencing Alejandra by her famous nickname La Locomotora which in English translates as Locomotive, he said alongside a photo of them together: “Goodbye Locomotora. Always on the correct side, rest in peace.”

Alejandra competed from 2006 to 2015, gaining a place in the Guinness Book of World Records with different world titles in different categories and federations.

She won six world titles, including the WBC female super bantamweight title from 2006 to 2008; the WBA female lightweight title from 2011 to 2012; the WBO female featherweight title from 2012 to 2013; and the WBC super lightweight title from 2013 to 2014. She retired with 33 professional wins, two draws and three defeats.

During the Covid pandemic Oliveras, who had 1.6 million Instagram followers, intensified her philanthropic work by creating an organisation called Team Locomotora which engaged in social work and collected food to support soup kitchens.

She also gave low-income youngsters the chance to explore the sport she used to practice professionally by running several boxing schools.

Alejandra, a teenage mum who turned to boxing in her native north-west Argentinian province of Jujuy to escape poverty and domestic violence, switched her focus to politics in 2021 when she made a failed attempt to become an MP with right-wing party called UNITE.

In 2024 she was appointed to head up a programme designed to prevent violence in youth sport after joining the electoral team of a then-candidate to the Argentine presidency.

The stroke she suffered had left her paralysed on the left side of her body and medics at Santa Fe’s Jose Maria Cullen Hospital where she died had described her condition as “critical” when she was admitted.

One fan paying tribute to her online said late yesterday: “A born fighter and an example of motivation and persistence. She deserves a tribute and recognition as a national and world champion.”

Another said: “Fly high champ. You were authentic and genuine. A great warrior.”

The WBC said in a tribute, describing Alejandra as an inspiration to others: "She had a remarkable boxing career, becoming a multiple-time world champion.

"In May 2006, she knocked out Jackie Nava to become the WBC super bantamweight world champion—a title she successfully defended three times.

"She held the WBC featherweight world title from 2012 to 2013. That same year, she stopped Lely Luz Flores in seven rounds to capture the WBC super lightweight world championship. Alejandra retired from professional boxing in 2017.

"Outside the ring, she found a new way to inspire others. She built a community on social media where she shared motivational messages, especially aimed at women, people in vulnerable situations, and those who felt alone. Her words were often intertwined with boxing themes.

"At the World Boxing Council, we deeply mourn the loss of our champion. Her legacy will live on in our minds and hearts."

- Natalia Penza

WORLD CUP 2006 | TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT

 

NBA 2006 SCORING LEADERS

 

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

MANCHESTER UNITED NEW STADIUM: SEATING CAPACITY, DESIGN DETAILS, COSTS EXPLAINED

Old Trafford, which has been Manchester United’s home since 1910, has not had any major renovation since 2006, leading to leaking roof and rodent sightings, which had attracted severe criticism from fans

Manchester United, today, announced that it plans to build a new, state-of-the-art stadium, which will be the biggest in Britain, rather than refurbish Old Trafford.

"Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford," Manchester United co-owner and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe said in a statement.

There has been much debate within the club, and among the fans, on whether to redevelop the existing stadium or to build a new one. Old Trafford has been the club's home since 1910. Ratcliffe, who became a minority owner of the club in February last year, had expressed his wish for a new stadium that he termed "Wembley of the north".

Seating capacity, cost and venue of Manchester United’s new stadium

The 74,140-seat Old Trafford stadium has not had any major renovation since 2006, leading to leaking roof and rodent sightings, which had attracted severe criticism from fans.

The new stadium, set to come up beside the Old Trafford, is expected to cost two billion pounds or $2.59 billion, and is expected to have a seating capacity of 100,000.

Who are building Manchester United’s new stadium? Design details revealed

As part of a regeneration project, Manchester United appointed Foster + Partners in September last year to develop a master plan for the area around Old Trafford.

The architectural designs for the new stadium unveiled by the club show an umbrella design."This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today," Norman Foster, Foster + Partners' executive chairman, said in a statement. “The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square."

Benefits of Manchester United’s new stadium

British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves recently confirmed the government’s support for United’s plans for the new stadium. The club has claimed that the project will create over 90,000 new jobs and lead to the construction of 17,000 homes. It also said the new stadium will bring in an additional 7.3 billion pounds annually to the country’s economy.

- By The Week News Desk

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

PRAGGNANANDHAA BETTERS WORLD CHAMPION D GUKESH IN TIEBREAKER TO WIN TATA STEEL MASTERS CHESS

The tiebreaker was necessitated after Gukesh lost to fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi while Praggnanandhaa went down to Vincent Keymer of Germany

The Indian juggernaut in international chess remained unstoppable as Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa fought through exhaustion and nerves to defeat world champion D Gukesh in a clash of compatriots to clinch the Tata Steel Masters title for the first time in his prolific career.

The bespectacled 19-year-old from Chennai, a city that has become the cradle of Indian chess, came from behind to upstage the 18-year-old world number three 2-1 in the tiebreaker of the event's 87th edition here on Sunday.

This was after both players ended up tied on 8.5 points after losing their 13th-round games. While Gukesh lost to fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa went down to Vincent Keymer of Germany.

In the tie-breaker, there was huge drama typical of two young players looking to win every game they played in the tournament as they played the tie-break.

"I am still shaking, it was such a crazy day. I don't know how to express it. I didn't really expect to win. Somehow things went my way," Praggnanandhaa told the official tournament website after his triumph.

Asked if it was the most tense day of his chess career, which began when he was a mere two years of age.

"Today is more special because I won the tournament. Definitely most stressful day," he responded.

The teenager became the first Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the title. Anand won it thrice (2003, 2004 and 2006) individually when it was called the Corus Chess Tournament, named on the title sponsor of that time. The legend also shared the honours twice (1989 and 1998) in its earliest form of Hoogovens Tournament.

Praggnanandhaa faced the Benoni with reversed colours in the first game of the tie-break and it seemed like he had equalised easily in the middle game.

However, Gukesh had other thoughts as he kept trying and won, thanks to a blunder by Praggnanandhaa that cost him a full rook.

In a must-win second game of the tiebreaker, Praggnanandhaa employed the Trompowsky opening, and this time Gukesh could claim a slight advantage with his black pieces.

"I was just trying to relax, to rest a bit. It was a very difficult game. Against Vincent I didn't play anywhere close to the level I was playing here. I should buy something for Arjun. At some point I thought Gukesh was better," the former world youth champion quipped.

"For sure, (this win) it is the highlight. When I came here, I wanted to win but the field was very strong. I didn't really think about it much until yesterday," he added.

"I am completely exhausted. I was also quite tired. I just want to get some rest now."

During the tie-break, by just keeping his position together, Praggnanandhaa patiently waited and capitalised on an unforced error from Gukesh to first knock down a pawn and then his technical abilities were enough to see the normal blitz games through with a 1-1 score.

This took the match into sudden death, where Praggnanandhaa drew white and once again Gukesh was better with some imaginative play on the queen side that netted him a pawn.

The sudden death had a time control of two minutes and thirty seconds for white against three for black but that did not deter Praggnanandhaa from trying to defend an inferior endgame.

Just while the position looked completely drawn and another game was on the cards, Gukesh lost control in the battle of nerves and first lost a pawn then his last remaining knight.

Praggnanandhaa showed perfect technique to take the full point and his maiden victory at the Masters.

For Gukesh, this was the second year running when he tied for first position and lost the tiebreaker. In the previous edition, Gukesh had lost to Chinese Wei Yi.

- PTI

IVORY COAST VS. GHANA | 1992 AFCON

Ghana's black stars stand in skipper Tonny Baffoe, and his ivorian counterpart St-Joseph Gadji Celi observes pleasantries exchange tradition before kick of the Afcon 1992 final match in a sold out De l' Amitie Stadium, Dakar, Senegal.

Ivory Coast edged out Ayew less Ghana 11-10, in a marathon post match spot kicks after a goalless stalemate to bag home their first continental championship title.

The famed shootout notably stood loud as it was the first time every player in the field participated in a major international final.

The longest penalty shootout in the history of the Afcon championship would coincidentally, much later on involve the same Ivory Coast against Cameroon in Egypt 2006 quarter final duel where it took a total of 23 shots before Didier Drogba inspired Cote d' ivoire  saw off the stubborn indomitable lions.

- Philip Muhama

ABU DHABI GP: LEWIS HAMILTON ENDS MERCEDES CAREER WITH P4 FINISH

Lewis Hamilton finished his Mercedes career with an impressive comeback, clinching fourth place after starting 16th at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton, rolling back the years, overtook teammate George Russell on the final lap.

The race called time on the most successful driver-team partnership of all time -- in his 12 years since joining Mercedes, Hamilton won 84 races and six world championships, adding to the title he won with McLaren in 2008.

The partnership even surpassed Michael Schuamcher's legendary stint at Ferrari between 1996 and 2006.

The British driver will now look to follow in Schumacher's footsteps by ending a drivers' championship drought for Ferrari, which stretches back to Kimi Raikkonen's 2007 title in Hamilton's rookie season.

If he does so, he will also move clear of the joint record of seven world championships he shares with the German driver.

Lewis Hamilton is waving goodbye to Mercedes ahead of his move to Ferrari for the 2025 season Joe Portlock/Getty Images

"That was the drive of a world champion," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said to Hamilton on team radio after the race.,

Hamilton, meanwhile, told race engineer Peter Bonnington: "We dreamed alone but together we believed. What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books."

Hamilton's debut Ferrari appearance will not take place until early 2025.

There was a chance he could have appeared for the team in the post-season test taking place at the Yas Marina circuit next week if an early release was settled on, but he is still contracted to Mercedes until the end of the calendar year.

"It's been a really turbulent year, probably the longest year of my life," Hamilton added to reporters in Abu Dhabi. "Lots of ups and downs, emotionally, but we finished off with a high today."

Lewis Hamilton performs donuts on the grid after finishing fourth at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Mercedes. ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images

Next week Hamilton will visit Mercedes' title sponsor, Petronas, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as well as Mercedes' headquarters in Stuggart, Germany before visiting the team's two UK-based Formula 1 factories in Brixwoth and Brackley.

Mercedes has said the visits will be a celebration of Hamilton's career with the team.

Italy's Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already been confirmed as Hamilton's replacement for 2025 -- the teen prodigy will partner George Russell.

Hamilton, who stood on his Mercedes car after performing donuts on the Abu Dhabi grid, concluded: "Every moment that I've got in the car this week I've known that it's one of the last.

"It's been really hard to let go."

- Nate Saunders, Senior Writer, F1

ARSENAL: ROAD TO UCL 2006 | CINEMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

MARCELO'S FLUMINENSE CONTRACT TERMINATED AFTER CLASH WITH COACH

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Former Real Madrid great Marcelo had his contract at boyhood club Fluminense terminated two months early on Saturday, one day after the defender's touchline spat with coach Mano Menezes.

The Brazilian club said in a statement that the decision was by mutual agreement.

"The institutional and emotional bonds between Fluminense and Marcelo remain untouched," Fluminense said.

Marcelo did not comment.

Last year, Marcelo won the Rio de Janeiro state championship and the Copa Libertadores titles with Fluminense, his first professional club before he joined Real Madrid at the end of 2006 at age 18. He won five Champions Leagues and six La Ligas at Madrid.

Marcelo's contract with boyhood club Fluminense has been terminated. Ruano Carneiro/Getty Images

Menezes was going to use the 36-year-old Marcelo as a substitute in the final minutes of Fluminense's clash against Gremio in a Brazilian league match. The defender appeared to dispute the coach's instructions, who decided to field striker John Kennedy instead.

Fluminense led 2-1 at the time, but Gremio scored from the spot shortly before the final whistle to equalize at the Maracana Stadium.

"I was going to bring Marcelo in at that time, but I heard one thing that I did not like and I changed my mind," Menezes said at a news conference. "He wasn't going in to solve any problem for us, he was stepping in to let us keep what we had [on the scoreboard]. It was just two, three minutes to the end."

Fluminense is 12th in the Brazilian league with 37 points from 32 matches.

- Associated Press

DAVID BECKHAM AMONG MOURNERS

The funeral of Sven-Göran Eriksson, the first foreign manager to coach the England national team, was held on Friday in the small Swedish town of Torsby where he grew up before embarking on an illustrious career at the pinnacle of European football.

A soft-spoken but determined coach, Eriksson guided teams in Sweden, Portugal and Italy, winning major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking on the England job in 2001, managing stars such as David Beckham, who was among the attendees at the service.

Eriksson announced in January that he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer and spent much of the following months reconnecting with many of the places and people central to his career before he died last month.

He fulfilled his dream of managing Liverpool, after leading the club in a charity legends game against Ajax at Anfield in March.

The funeral took place in Torsby, a rural town of less than 5,000 people near the border with Norway, and was attended by several hundred people inside the church.

Some 200 seats in the neo-Gothic church from 1898 were reserved for his family, friends and players from his career in the football world, according to his agent. The remaining seats were open for the public, according to Eriksson's wish

Others followed the service on a big screen set up outside and the funeral was given blanket coverage by Swedish media.

The wooden coffin was wheeled in by pallbearers at the church Friday morning. Next to the casket was a photo of Eriksson on a small table. The floral wreaths included ones sent by FIFA and Lazio, the Italian team that Eriksson led to the Serie A title in 2000.

Others attending the funeral included the Swedish coach's longtime partner Nancy Dell'Olio.

Tributes flowed in from prime ministers, clubs and former players following the news of his death while national teams including England and Sweden played with black arm bands during the the September international break.

Eriksson, known in Sweden simply as "Svennis," led England to the 2002 and 2006 World Cup quarterfinals, and to the 2004 European Championship, managing a golden generation of players that besides Beckham included stars such as Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.

He began building his international reputation when he guided Swedish club IFK Gothenburg to the UEFA Cup in 1982 and went on to win silverware as coach of Portugal's Benfica and Italian clubs Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Sampdoria.

Unable to end England's trophy drought, he left the helm of the national side in 2006, going on to coach Manchester City and Leicester City as well as Mexico and Ivory Coast and clubs in China and Philippines.

Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.

- 

CAMELO ANTHONY EXPLAINS WHY KOBE BRYANT 'COULDN'T STAND' JJ REDICK DURING 2008 TEAM USA TRYOUTS

 JJ Redick is set to be the next Los Angeles Lakers head coach. And while he never played for the team, he does have a history with some of its legends. While on "7PM in Brooklyn" this week, Carmelo Anthony shared a story of how Kobe Bryant "couldn't stand" Redick during the Team USA tryouts.

Mike Krzyzewski was the Team USA head coach, and he had some history with Redick as he had coached him at Duke. Krzyzewski was raving about the former Blue Devil, who was a two-time ACC Player of the Year and the 2006 National Player of the Year. 

"I remember Kobe couldn't stand JJ Redick," Anthony, who retired with the Lakers in 2023, retold. 

Although he did not specify the date, it seems this story took place ahead of the 2008 Beijing Games. Redick was just about two seasons into the league after being drafted 11th overall by the Orlando Magic. Bryant, who at this point had already played in the NBA for 12 seasons and had earned three NBA championships with the Lakers, allegedly gave Redick a hard time during practice. 

"He got tired of Coach K talking about JJ Redick," Anthony said in the podcast. "Kob took it very, very personal. To the point where he was running through screens in practice. He was denying JJ the ball. Fouling the s**t out of JJ. I'm like, why are you treating the young boy like that?"

"...This Motherf****r ain't let JJ Redick score in practice," he added.

Redick competed with the USA Basketball Under-21 Team in 2005 and won gold medals at the World Championship and the Global Games. However, he never made it to the Team USA Olympics roster. As for Bryant, he won gold at the 2008 Beijing Games and also the 2012 London Games.

NICKY HAYDEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING MACHINE | 2006