Raphinha hits out at reports of Barcelona exit
BaRaphinha
2023-05-11 00:17
Beth Mead fighting to make World Cup but admits tournament may come too soon
England forward Beth Mead says she will “try my hardest” to make the summer’s World Cup while admitting “it may be a little bit too soon”. Mead, who claimed the Golden Boot and player of the tournament award when the Lionesses won the Euros on home soil last year, has been sidelined since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Arsenal in November. In March, England boss Sarina Wiegman said she was planning for the World Cup without Mead, adding: “If a miracle happens and she goes so fast (in her recovery), then we will reconsider it – but at this moment I don’t expect that.” Speaking on Wednesday as she received an MBE at Windsor Castle for services to football, Mead told the PA news agency: “I’m back on the pitch, back kicking a ball. So it’s starting to be a little bit more normal again, but it’s been a long, tough period. “I will try my hardest to get as close to that as possible. But (the World Cup) may be a little bit too soon for me this time around.” Mead also told Sky Sports she was “ahead of schedule” in her recovery, before adding that her World Cup participation is “out of my control”. The showpiece in Australia and New Zealand gets under way on July 20, with Wiegman set to name her squad for the tournament later this month. Mead is one of four Arsenal players to have sustained ACL injuries this season, with England captain Leah Williamson another, along with Vivianne Miedema and Laura Wienroither. On the broader picture in terms of ACL injuries, Mead told PA: “I think there’s more that can be done. Obviously, we’ll be delving into that a lot more as individuals and as a club and in the women’s game in general. “I think it’s becoming like six more times likely than male players and we’ve got that figure and that’s something that can help. “It’s a long injury and you don’t want to be seeing any player going out with it, but some of the best players that you want to be seeing in World Cups and things like that (have sustained the injury). “We’ll try and help push that out there more and get more research done on that.” Also receiving an MBE on Wednesday was Mead’s England team-mate Lucy Bronze, who has been out of action herself after undergoing knee surgery last month. The Barcelona defender, whose club play Wolfsburg in the Champions League final on June 3, said: “I think (the World Cup) is really far in the future and I should be back training within a few weeks now. The surgery was two weeks ago but very minor compared to some of the other girls. “I’m hoping to get back fit for the Champions League final.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ben Stokes left out of Chennai Super Kings side despite return to fitness Joy Neville to make history as first woman to officiate at men’s Rugby World Cup Jarrod Bowen knows from Danny Dyer what a trophy would mean to West Ham fans
2023-05-11 00:17
UFC London ticket prices as July fights are announced
A UFC Fight Night will take place in London in July, just four months after the MMA promotion last came to the UK. In March, the UFC held its first UK pay-per-view event in seven years, as British champion Leon Edwards retained the welterweight title against rival Kamaru Usman at the O2 Arena. On Saturday 22 July, the UFC returns to the venue for a Fight Night, with Wigan’s Tom Aspinall set to face Marcin Tybura in a heavyweight main event. Liverpudlian star Molly McCann will also be in action, with more fights to be announced in due course. Ticket prices for the event are also yet to be revealed, but they are expected to be cheaper than they were for March’s UFC 286 event. At UFC 286, the average ticket price was £225.50, whereas the same type of seat was £88 at the Fight Night staged by the UFC in March 2022. As Fight Night events are of a smaller scale than pay-per-views, ticket prices for July’s card should be lower than those from UFC 286, but it is possible that they will still be more expensive than 2022’s Fight Nights in London. Furthermore, all three UFC events at the O2 Arena since March 2022 have been affected by touts, who have sold tickets at drastically-escalated prices – on top of the increased base price. A statement by the UFC on Friday (21 April) read: “Following three consecutive sold-out events in London, fans are encouraged to register their interest early to have the best chance of securing tickets via ufc.com/London and to follow @UFCEurope on social media for the latest updates on this event. “Tickets go on sale from 10am BST on Friday 26 May, via AXS and Ticketmaster. Fight Club members can purchase tickets early at 9am BST on Wednesday 24 May, whilst those who registered their interest early in this event will gain priority access at 10am BST on Thursday 25 May.” All UFC London fights announced so far Tom Aspinall vs Marcin Tybura (heavyweight) Molly McCann vs Julija Stoliarenko (women’s flyweight) Ketlen Vieira vs Pannie Kianzad (women’s bantamweight) Jai Herbert vs Fares Ziam (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Tom Aspinall vs Marcin Tybura revealed as UFC London main event UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list UFC London main event revealed as British star returns from injury Mark Zuckerberg wins first jiu-jitsu tournament, takes home multiple medals Conor McGregor shoves Michael Chandler in trailer for The Ultimate Fighter
2023-05-10 23:58
Twins reinstate Farmer 4 weeks after hit by pitch in face, demote Miranda to Triple-A
The Minnesota Twins have reinstated infielder Kyle Farmer from the injured list four weeks after he was hit by a pitch in the face and needed oral surgery
2023-05-10 23:58
AT&T Byron Nelson DraftKings picks 2023: Best PGA DFS golf lineup
Breaking down AT&T Byron Nelson DraftKings picks for the week at TPC Craig Ranch with top plays, top fades and building a PGA DFS golf lineup.One week before the PGA Championship and it's a trip to Texas for the PGA Tour as we play the AT&T Byron Nelson this week at TPC Crai...
2023-05-10 23:51
Giannis Antetokounmpo tweets ominous warning after All-Defensive Team snub
For the first time in four seasons, Giannis Antetokounmpo was not selected for the All-Defensive First Team. He was not happy about the snub.Giannis Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He was the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year. He's made All-Defensi...
2023-05-10 23:49
Tom Aspinall vs Marcin Tybura revealed as UFC London main event
Tom Aspinall will headline UFC London in July, returning from injury to take on Marcin Tybura. British heavyweight Aspinall suffered a knee injury just 15 seconds into the main event of UFC London last July, as he took on Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall, 30, has not fought since, but the Wigan fighter will return almost a year to the day after his ill-fated clash with Blaydes. Aspinall (12-3) faces Tybura (24-7) at the O2 Arena on 22 July, as the Briton looks to bounce back from his only loss since 2016. Meanwhile, his Polish opponent enters London on the back of a two-fight win streak, having outpointed Blagoy Ivanov in February after beating Alexandr Romanov via decision in August. Prior to those victories, Tybura was outpointed by Alexander Volkov, whom Aspinall submitted in the first round at UFC London in March 2022. This March, the UFC staged its first-pay-per view in the UK since 2016, as Leon Edwards retained the welterweight title against Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 286. The upcoming July event, meanwhile, will be a Fight Night. Also in action that evening will be Liverpudlian star Molly McCann, who faces Julija Stoliarenko at flyweight, and Wolverhampton lightweight Jai Herbert, who fights Fares Ziam. A women’s bantamweight bout between Ketlen Vieira and Pannie Kianzad has also been announced. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC London ticket prices as July event is made official Conor McGregor shoves Michael Chandler in trailer for The Ultimate Fighter Mark Zuckerberg wins first jiu-jitsu tournament, takes home multiple medals
2023-05-10 23:47
US Soccer Federation hires Onyewu as vice president of sporting
Former defender Oguchi Onyewu was hired by the U.S. Soccer Federation as vice president of sporting, a newly created role the governing body said is not a replacement for departed men’s general manager Brian McBride
2023-05-10 23:26
Braves Rumors: Another bat added, Joc Pederson reunion, shortstop battle
Braves rumors: Atlanta adds Chad Pinder to infield mixAlex Anthopoulos values versatility, and that's exactly what Chad Pinder can bring to this Atlanta ballclub if called upon. Pinder has plenty of experience playing shortstop, second base, third base and both corner outfield spots. He can p...
2023-05-10 23:24
Seville to host Billie Jean King Cup finals in 2023 and 2024
The International Tennis Federation says the Spanish city of Seville will host the Billie Jean King Cup finals for the next two years
2023-05-10 23:23
NBA best bets today (Predictions for Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, Mitchell Robinson and more)
The Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers both could close out their playoff series on Wednesday night, but they are underdogs against the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors.After a brutal 0-3 night on Tuesday, I’m looking to bounce back with three player props and a moneyline parlay fo...
2023-05-10 23:19
Neville appointed as first woman to officiate at men's RWC
Irish referee Joy Neville will become the first woman to officiate at the men's Rugby World Cup after being named on the 26-person panel by...
2023-05-10 23:16