List of All Articles with Tag 'all'

The Atlanta Braves could be heading into the offseason off a second World Series in three years, but which free agents should Alex Anthopoulos let leave?Anything can happen when it comes to October baseball, but all signs currently point to the Atlanta Braves capturing the franchise's secon...

Steelers Rumors: Does a James Washington reunion make sense?Pittsburgh drafted James Washington in the same class as Mason Rudolph. Consider those two Kevin Colbert selections that just didn't work out.While Colbert's regime was largely successful at identifying skill position talent...

Manchester United say they are working “through the final stages” of their internal investigation into Mason Greenwood having completed the “fact-finding phase”. The 21-year-old has been suspended by the club since January 30, 2022, over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online. Greenwood was facing charges including attempted rape and assault until the Crown Prosecution Service announced six months ago that the case had been discontinued. The forward has remained suspended by United throughout this period and the club are now close to announcing their decision on his future, having shelved plans to do it before their Premier League opener. A club statement read: “Following the dropping of all charges against Mason Greenwood in February 2023, Manchester United has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations made against him. “This has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain, and we have heard from numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case. “Throughout this process, the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim has been central to the club’s inquiries, and we respect her right to lifelong anonymity. “We also have responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner. “The fact-finding phase of our investigation is now complete, and we are in the final stages of making a decision on Mason’s future. Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation Manchester United statement “Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation. Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer. “Once made, the decision will be communicated and explained to the club’s internal and external stakeholders. “This has been a difficult case for everyone associated with Manchester United, and we understand the strong opinions it has provoked based on the partial evidence in the public domain. “We ask for patience as we work through the final stages of this carefully considered process.” The Athletic reported on Wednesday that chief executive Richard Arnold told the club’s executive leadership in the first week of August that United were planning to bring Greenwood back. The academy graduate has scored 35 goals in 129 matches for the club, with his last appearance coming on January 22, 2022. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Lauren Hemp hails ‘special’ England as Ella Toone toasts ‘best shot’ of her life Sarina Wiegman v Jorge Vilda – a look at the coaches in Women’s World Cup final Harry Kane embracing new pressure after Bayern Munich move

Manchester United say they have concluded their investigation into Mason Greenwood’s conduct but that no decision has yet been made on his future. Chief executive Richard Arnold will determine if the 21-year-old, who has not played for United since January 2021, will return to feature at Old Trafford – with intense internal conversations currently going on. United had intended to announce their decision before their first Premier League game of the season, Monday’s 1-0 win over Wolves, but the process has taken longer than they anticipated. The club also plan to explain their findings to stakeholders, including sponsors and commercial partners, the women’s team – some of whom are currently at the World Cup in Australia – and fans’ groups. Greenwood was suspended in January 2021 by United after images and audio emerged, seemingly of him, threatening a woman, and he was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges six months ago and United launched their inquiry. The club stressed the wellbeing of the victim – who has to remain anonymous – has been of paramount importance, while they also have a duty of care to Greenwood. United said in a statement: “Following the dropping of all charges against Mason Greenwood in February 2023, Manchester United has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations made against him. “This has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain, and we have heard from numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case. “Throughout this process, the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim has been central to the club’s inquiries, and we respect her right to lifelong anonymity. We also have responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner. The fact-finding phase of our investigation is now complete, and we are in the final stages of making a decision on Mason’s future. “Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation. Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer. Once made, the decision will be communicated and explained to the club’s internal and external stakeholders. “This has been a difficult case for everyone associated with Manchester United, and we understand the strong opinions it has provoked based on the partial evidence in the public domain. We ask for patience as we work through the final stages of this carefully considered process.” Read More Manchester United delay decision over Mason Greenwood’s return Australia vs England LIVE: Women’s World Cup 2023 result and reaction Sarina Wiegman v Jorge Vilda – a look at the coaches in Women’s World Cup final

England head coach Sarina Wiegman and Spain boss Jorge Vilda will lead their teams into the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday. Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at the two coaches. Dutch courage brings England Euro joy Having guided her native Netherlands to success at Euro 2017 and then on into final of the 2019 World Cup, where they lost to the United States, Wiegman took over the Lionesses in September 2021. Wiegman – a former captain of the Dutch national team during her playing career and also having a spell as a PE teacher – went on to lead England to Euro 2022 glory on home soil with victory over Germany at Wembley last summer. The only defeat so far of Wiegman’s tenure came in a friendly against Australia at Brentford in April – and England fans will be hoping that impressive run is extended again on Sunday. Vilda steadies ship after player unrest Vilda had spells in the youth set-ups at both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but saw his dreams of a playing career cut short by two major knee injuries when he was 17. Having moved into a coaching role at CD Canillas in Madrid, Vilda held assistant roles with Spain’s Under-17s and Under-19s, enjoying success in their European Championship and World Cup campaigns. He was appointed senior head coach of the women’s national team in 2015, taking them into the Euro 2017 quarter-finals and also the World Cup, where they reached the last 16. Following Euro 2022, where La Roja were beaten by hosts England in the quarter-finals, a group of 15 players threatened to quit if Vilda remained in his position, claiming his regime was affecting their “health” and “emotional state”. He, though, was backed by the Spanish Football Federation, with the players subsequently frozen out of his squad, before some returned to the fold for the World Cup, including Aitana Bonmati, Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey. Same again for Lionesses? Wiegman named an unchanged side for the 3-1 semi-final win over against Australia. Her faith proved well-founded as England stepped up to the challenge of restricting the counter-attack threat of the Matildas, although there was little the well-drilled defence could do to prevent Sam Kerr crashing in a fine 25-yard equaliser. England had plenty of possession against Australia, particularly in the first half, and will certainly need to show similar bravery in their challenges against the Spaniards. Some ruthless finishing saw Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo all on the scoresheet on Tuesday – and more of the same will be needed in the final when clear chances are expected to be at a premium. Chelsea forward Lauren James will be available again following a two-game ban following her red card in the last-16 win over Nigeria, handing a potential selection headache for Wiegman. La Roja’s own ‘Total Football’ Vilda grew up steeped in Johan Cruyff’s football philosophy, with his father Angel having worked as the late Dutchman’s fitness trainer at Barcelona. Based around a 4-3-3 possession-based game, Vilda wants his team to play with a distinctly recognisable style. That belief never waivered as Spain bounced back from a 4-0 humbling by Group C winners Japan to thrash Switzerland 5-1 as they booked a place in the last eight, then went on to beat the Netherlands after extra-time before defeating Sweden in Auckland. England should expect to face high-tempo passing and movement as well as a relentless press in attack. Alexia Putellas, twice a Ballon d’Or winner, continues to be used sparingly in the tournament, having worked her way back from an ACL injury which ruled her out of Euro 2022. Teenager Salma Paralluelo came off the bench to open the scoring in the semi-final against Sweden and the 19-year-old will be out to prove herself the woman for the big occasion once more if given another opportunity by Vilda on Sunday. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Chris Jones' absence from training camp and two other flaws could prevent the Kansas City Chiefs from repeating as Super Bowl champions this season.The Kansas City Chiefs overcame a lot to win their third Super Bowl title in franchise history. Some examples include trading away a top-tier w...

Harry Kane insists he will relish the “new pressure” of challenging to win titles every year at Bayern Munich and knows success in Germany can put his name in the Ballon d’Or conversation. It has been a whirlwind week for the England captain after he departed boyhood club Tottenham on Saturday for an initial £100million fee, which could rise to £120m with add-ons. Kane made his Bayern debut later that same night in the DFL-Supercup but his wait for a first trophy goes on after RB Leipzig inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the Bundesliga champions. The 30-year-old is eager to add team success to a host of individual honours on his CV during his time in Munich. “A lot of people talk about the trophies and why I came here, but ultimately it was to improve,” Kane told Sky Sports. “To feel a new pressure of having to win titles every year, having to go far in the Champions League and pushing myself to that limit. “I think if you’re winning games, winning titles, winning Champions Leagues and I’m the one playing up front, it more than likely means I am scoring goals so that allows you to win other individual awards. “But that all comes from what you achieve as a team. That’s my focus first and foremost and that all starts on Friday. “We have a long season ahead. A lot of pressure for Bayern Munich to win the league and go far in the Champions League. That is what I am excited to try and challenge myself with.” An outstanding 2017 resulted in Kane finishing 10th in the Ballon d’Or list but Spurs have endured a difficult few seasons since they made the Champions League final in 2019. With Kane aware his chances of winning silverware were reducing at Tottenham, the forward made the decision to leave the north London club after a 19-year association. He hinted part of the decision to leave Spurs was to play in the Champions League and have no regrets at the end of his career. Kane added: “If you’re winning your league, winning the Champions League and we obviously have the European Championship next summer as well, I think as we’ve seen with the Ballon d’Or, you have to be winning team trophies to achieve that. “Yeah, if I am scoring goals and we’re winning trophies then of course that will come into question, but it is not really what my focus is on right now. A lot of people talk about the trophies and why I came here, but ultimately it was to improve Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane “I’ve always said throughout my whole career I never want to retire and feel like I could have done more or pushed myself more. That was a big part of the decision-making coming here. “I felt like to improve and to get better I had to be playing at the highest level. “Of course I want to win every competition that I play in, that’s the goal every season but when you finish your career, you want to make sure you pushed yourself to the limits and that’s what I’ll continue to do.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jurrien Timber set for lengthy absence as Arsenal reveal he needs surgery Massive congratulations – Harry Kane lauds Lionesses after win over Australia England book place in World Cup final – The Sydney victory in pictures

Arsenal’s season has been rocked by a serious knee injury to summer signing Jurrien Timber which will require surgery. The Netherlands international moved to the Emirates Stadium from Ajax this summer but was forced off on his Premier League debut – Saturday’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. Timber, 22, limped off at half-time against Forest following a heavy challenge on Brennan Johnson that earned the full-back a booking. He emerged for the second half but lasted just five minutes before going down off the ball and being replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu. An Arsenal statement on Wednesday read: “Further to detailed assessments with consultant specialists since Saturday, we can confirm that Jurrien has sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. “Jurrien will undergo surgery in the coming days and will be out of action for a period of time. “The support and expertise from our medical team and everyone at the club will now be focussed on Jurrien’s rehabilitation programme, to ensure he recovers well and is back playing as soon as possible.” Timber was a £38.5million signing for the Gunners and played in the Community Shield penalty shoot-out win over Manchester City before suffering the setback against Forest. Despite losing Timber, Arsenal are still expected to allow Nuno Tavares to leave the club in the coming days, with Forest a potential destination for the former Portugal Under-21s full-back. While signed primarily to play at right-back, Timber had started life at Arsenal on the left side of defence, filling in as Oleksandr Zinchenko recovered from a calf problem. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

English football has long found one specific hurdle to be insurmountable. Whether it’s the men’s or women’s game, reaching a final has been a step too far for even the most talented of teams; so-called ‘golden generations’ tried their luck yet no matter how hard England tried or how much they reinvented their game, it couldn’t be done. That was the case until Sarina Wiegman came along, that is. A manager who is regarded as “phenomenal”, a “genius”, and undoubtedly one of the all-time greats. The Lionesses had a precise problem, so they looked to someone with the exact talents they needed and the tournament record to back it up. She won a European Championship on home soil and then guided the Netherlands to a World Cup final: that’s the perfect CV when you’re looking to recruit someone to replicate those exact jobs. England’s moment of jubilation was yet another milestone to add to her career’s record. A semi-final of the tallest order lay in her wake – a 75,000-strong home crowd up against an injury-hit team who were yet to find their World Cup sparkle and now had to face the ruthlessness of Sam Kerr – but the challenge tumbled in front of her. Wiegman is famed for her stoic attitude, her ability to remain unmoved by anything that would elicit even the faintest sense of emotion in most human beings; it is little wonder that Georgia Stanway felt the need to clarify that her coach is not, in fact, a robot, in a press conference earlier this tournament. That’s why Wiegman’s reaction to those who praise her achievements is unsurprising. “I really appreciate it,” she responded when her record was brought up after success against Australia. “We made the first final in 2017 and thought this is really special, it might not ever happen again. Then you make the second, the third and the fourth and still think: ‘This might never happen again, because there is so much competition.’ “I know it is special, but then tomorrow I will wake up and will just want to prepare for Spain, because we want to win!” She may not be the sort to play up the magnitude of her own achievements but that doesn’t matter one bit for England. It is in laser-sharp focus, her tournament experience and ability to picture the perfect tactics to find a path through the tournament that they have unearthed the keys to their full potential. “She’s not bad is she?” said defender Lucy Bronze. “To have done it with her home nation must be something she’s incredibly proud of; to win the Euros back-to-back was astonishing. “This tournament, she’s shown a different side to her, had to make changes, been the last woman standing. For a couple of rounds now, she’s had to roll her sleeves up a little bit, adapt the team. Previously people were like, ‘She keeps the same team and she doesn’t change.’ She's put in a lot of work this tournament to get us to the final, and her experience has really shown through.” Identifying just what has changed to transform this England team into a relentless winning machine is a difficult task, though what is certain is that this new journey carries few parallels to sides of old. There are now two distinct eras either side of Wiegman’s arrival and the former has faded into insignificance. She has been successful in getting this team to a stage they had never reached before, and this time around it hasn’t been as plain sailing as at the Euros. England’s path has been tiresome, their football less refined, but they’ve found a way to slog to a World Cup final. Things were better on Wednesday – maybe even nearing the level of performance seen last summer – but it still required Wiegman to make the most of a bad situation to get the job done. And the crux of the Lionesses’ success has been belief in Wiegman’s ideas, a faith that she will find the needed ingredients, said Chloe Kelly. “I think we just believe, we believe in the backroom staff and what they’re training us to do every day. We’re on the pitch and we just enjoy ourselves. You can see that we’re having fun out there, and when we’re having fun, look at what we do.” Against Australia, Wiegman opted to retain the newfound shape her side have employed at the World Cup, their back three with wing backs, even in the face of their opponents’ potent attacking line. The hosts found ways through, they even managed to score through a Kerr moment of magic, but Wiegman’s refusal to move from her set-up paid dividends. England had the numbers to go forwards, the players in the positions to produce intricate triangles, the forward two of Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo to deal the needed blows. Wiegman was stubborn in her refusal to make early substitutions, even if they had been so crucial to their Euros success. She held off, waited to deploy Kelly at the right moment, and made sure she had the firepower on the bench for if the hosts mounted a comeback. Wiegman hasn’t proved her mettle at this World Cup; she’d done that long ago. But she is the thread that binds this team together, and it may be slightly too easy for her prowess to be outshone by her players’ individual brilliance. “She’s a phenomenal coach, she’s a genius. She doesn’t get enough credit, she’s great to play for,” said Rachel Daly. “She’s great to work under, she’s so honest, and her knowledge about the game is a joke as is everybody on the staff. “They work so hard behind the scenes to make us be the best prepared we can, and I think you can see that.” Read More How England deployed dark arts and cool heads to silence Australian noise When do England play the Women’s World Cup final? Sarina Wiegman asks if she’s in ‘a fairytale’ as England reach World Cup final Massive congratulations – Harry Kane lauds Lionesses after win over Australia ‘Am I in a fairytale?’: Wiegman reacts after leading England to World Cup final England book place in World Cup final – The Sydney victory in pictures

Sarina Wiegman has questioned whether she is “in a fairytale” after guiding England to their first Women’s World Cup final following a 3-1 win against co-hosts Australia. Ella Toone, who replaced the suspended Lauren James for the Lionesses’ quarter-final win over Colombia, scored 36 minutes into her third start of the tournament in front of a capacity crowd of 75,784 in Sydney. Australia captain Sam Kerr, making her first start of competition, equalised for the first-time semi-finalists with a stunning individual goal after the break before Lauren Hemp put England back out in front. Alessia Russo made it 3-1 late in the second half to cap off the historic encounter and set up an all-European final showdown against Spain on Sunday. Wiegman will now appear in a fourth successive final as a head coach after winning the 2017 Women’s Euros with the Netherlands, who she managed in the World Cup final defeat to the United States two years later, before she led England to European glory last summer. Speaking after the semi-final victory pitchside, Wiegman told BBC One: “We achieved the final and it’s unbelievable, it feels like we’ve won it. “But we won this game, it’s an incredible stadium, an away game, of course it was a hard game but again we found a way to win. “We scored three goals, in this team that ruthlessness, whether it’s up front or in defence we really want to keep the ball out of the net, we really want to win and we stick together. We stick to the plan and it worked again.” Am I in a fairytale or something? England boss Sarina Wiegman She added: “The chance as a coach you make it to two finals is really special, I never take anything for granted but I’m like – am I in a fairytale or something?” England defender Lucy Bronze was overwhelmed after finally reaching the World Cup final at the third time of asking after featuring in England’s previous semi-final defeats. “This is the one thing I’ve always wanted, to be in the final of a World Cup and after two times of getting such disappointment, I honestly can’t believe it.” She added: “We all dreamed of being in the final and all our family and friends booked here to stay until the final because they believed in us. To have everybody here and all that support is unbelievable. “It’s been amazing to play against Australia, what a fantastic tournament they had, but I’m so happy to get to the final.” Sunday’s final sees Bronze and Keira Walsh pitted against some of their Barcelona team-mates and the defender praised Spain’s performance in the tournament. Bronze said: “They’ve been very good. Me and Keira know 90 per cent of the starting 11 pretty well so I think we’ll be getting asked a lot of questions ahead of the final.” Captain Millie Bright echoed her team-mate’s sentiments that “the dream remains alive”. “I think it’s a moment that we’ve wanted for so long, we had amazing success last summer, but we always knew there was something missing and it was the World Cup,” she said. “Now we have that opportunity and like Less (Russo) said before, the dream remains alive. What an incredible semi-final.” Bright will lead the team out on Sunday and admitted it will feel “incredible”. She added: “Crazy, to be honest I’m just keeping two feet on the ground and remaining on task and focused,” she said. “I don’t even have any words for that, to be saying we’re going to the final is crazy and overwhelming – there’s so many different emotions. “Just so happy we could give the fans the dream they wanted back home and the fans that are here as well, but to lead them out will be absolutely incredible.”

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the New York Mets. What happens next is anyone's guess.Wainwright still seeks the 200th win of his storied career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He's lost his last three attempts at getting ...

Harry Kane and the Prince of Wales led the congratulations after England swept aside co-hosts Australia 3-1 to reach their first World Cup final. The Lionesses roared past the Matildas in front of a 75,784-strong crowd thanks to second-half strikes from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo. Ella Toone had fired England into the lead in the first half, but Sam Kerr produced a thunderous equaliser before Hemp and Russo helped Sarina Wiegman’s side end their run of World Cup last-four exits. Kane, England’s men’s record goal-scorer, was able to provide instant reaction during an interview with Sky Sports, saying: “Massive congratulations to the Lionesses. “It sounds like a heck of a game and massive congratulations. We’re all behind them and hopefully they can do it in the final.” Mead, player of the tournament when England won the European Championships last summer but who missed this tournament through injury, wrote on Twitter: “World Cup Final baby! Get in Lionesses.” Former England defender Gary Neville said: “An incredible achievement by the Lionesses. One more to go.” The prince tweeted his best wishes to the Lionesses for the final and offered his commiserations to Australia. “What a phenomenal performance from the Lionesses – on to the final,” he said. “Commiserations to The Matildas, you’ve played brilliantly and been fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup.” Gary Lineker, who won the Golden Boot for England at the 1986 World Cup, added: “Absolutely superb performance. “A World Cup final. A World Cup final at football. It’s been a while. What a wonderful achievement.” Retired Euros winner Ellen White expressed her emotions in the BBC studio following a roller-coaster second-half. Kerr levelled with a sensational long-range strike in the 63rd minute, but Hemp put England back in front eight minutes later before Russo finished with aplomb to send the Lionesses into the final. White, England’s women’s record goal-scorer, said on the BBC: “I feel quite emotional because what this team have done, the legacy they have created. To finally say we’re in a World Cup final, I feel so proud of this team. It is ridiculous. “They have had roller-coaster tournament and at times been criticised for the way they played, but the bond they share, to make a World Cup final is incredible and for Sarina to make World Cup finals back-to-back (she led the Netherlands to the 2019 final) shows what a coach she is. “I’ve never seen her like that, quite emotional, but it is because she puts so much into it.” White also hailed England’s current main striker Russo, adding: “She is in her own now. She’s taken the number nine role, grabbed it with both hands and it is a lot of pressure to be England number nine.” Ex-England player Alex Scott said on the BBC: “You almost run out of words for this Lionesses team. “Lauren Hemp and Jess Carter’s clearance, there were so many big moments that sum this team up that they have a unity, resilience and they have the quality too.” Izzy Christiansen, who represented England on 32 occasions, told BBC Radio Five Live: “To be honest I’m out of superlatives to describe Sarina Wiegman. You've just seen another masterclass again from Sarina Izzy Christiansen on England boss Sarina Wiegman “To come in and change the culture, instil a winning mentality, create a brand of football that’s pragmatic, interesting, lets the talent flourish. “We saw in the starting XI that she had all of her best players on the pitch, some managers struggle to find ways to get the best out of their best players. “You’ve just seen another masterclass again from Sarina.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live England book place in World Cup final – The Sydney victory in pictures Sarina Wiegman asks if she’s in ‘a fairytale’ as England reach World Cup final World Cup joy, Ashes glory and netball delight – Big England wins in Australia