An Espanyol supporter received a one-year prison sentence, suspended due to Spanish law, for racially abusing Inaki Williams in 2020. The court also imposed a fine and a three-year stadium ban. La Liga hailed the ruling as a significant step against racism, amidst ongoing incidents targeting players like Vinicius Junior and Nico Williams.
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Luis Suarez has been suspended for six Leagues Cup matches for spitting at a Seattle Sounders official after Inter Miami's final defeat. The incident followed Suarez's confrontation with a Sounders player, leading to a larger altercation. Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles also received bans, while Suarez apologized for his actions, acknowledging his history of disciplinary issues.
The Saudi Pro League has become a global football powerhouse, luring top talent with record-breaking contracts and royal-level perks. Led by Cristiano Ronaldo’s $240M deal, players like Mahrez, Benzema, and Mané have redefined the league’s prestige. With stars in their prime joining, Saudi Arabia is reshaping football’s future, challenging Europe’s dominance and turning the desert into football’s new frontier.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships in Paris, continuing India's medal-winning streak since 2011. Despite a strong start, they lost their semifinal match to China's Chen Boyang and Liu Yi. The Indian duo acknowledged their opponents' confidence and effective serving, while also reflecting on missed opportunities during the crucial third game.
P.V. Sindhu's quest for a record sixth World Championships medal ended in Paris after a quarterfinal loss to Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani. Despite a strong fightback, Sindhu couldn't overcome her younger rival. In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also bowed out in the quarterfinals.
Kylian Mbappé marked his return to World Cup qualifying with a goal as France defeated Ukraine 2-0 in Poland. This victory, alongside Iceland's 5-0 win, starts their campaign strongly. Italy also secured a 5-0 win against Estonia, while Switzerland and Greece dominated their matches. Mbappé's goal tied Thierry Henry's record, fueling his ambition to surpass it.
Germany went down to a shock 2-0 defeat in Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier on Thursday, while Spain kicked off their bid to reach next year's finals with a comfortable 3-0 victory in Bulgaria. Germany have gone out of each of the last two World Cups in the group stage, but have never failed in a qualifying campaign.
400m hurdles star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is far from done with her pet event as she focuses on 400m flat for world championships.
Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay have clinched their spots in the 2026 World Cup, joining Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador. Uruguay and Colombia celebrated dominant 3-0 victories, while Paraguay secured their qualification with a draw. Argentina also triumphed over Venezuela, and Brazil defeated Chile with goals from Estevao, Lucas Paqueta, and Bruno Guimaraes.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic secured their spots in the US Open quarter-finals with dominant straight-set victories, keeping them on track for a potential semi-final clash. Aryna Sabalenka continued her title defense, while other notable wins included Fritz, Lehecka, Vondrousova, Krejcikova and Pegula. Krejcikova staged a remarkable comeback, saving eight match points.
Polish businessman Piotr Szczerek, CEO of Drogbruk, faced public backlash after a video surfaced showing him removing a young fan's cap at the US Open. The incident sparked online outrage, with Szczerek defending his actions and threatening legal action against those spreading misinformation.