List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

Morocco has beaten Colombia 1-0 to make it to the Women’s World Cup knockout round – and to make even more history

Germany has failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time at the Women’s World Cup after being held to a 1-1 draw against South Korea

Tottenham have stepped up their pursuit of new centre-backs for boss Ange Postecoglou amid the ongoing uncertainty over Harry Kane’s future. Kane remains of strong interest to Bayern Munich, who are expected to launch a third bid for the forward after officials from the German club reportedly met with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in London on Monday. While speculation surrounding Kane continues to grow, Tottenham have accelerated their search for new defenders with talks advancing over the transfer of Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven, the PA news agency understands. Postecoglou gave the green light to Van de Ven’s signing soon after arriving in June and dialogue between the teams started last month. No final agreement over a fee – expected to be in the region of £30million – has been reached, but there is a growing confidence the Netherlands Under-21 international will make the move before Spurs’ Premier League opener at Brentford on August 13. After Van de Ven made 36 appearances for Wolfsburg in the 2022-23 campaign, and attracted interest from Liverpool, he made clear his desire to play in England during an interview with De Telegraaf in his homeland. “I have always dreamed of the Premier League because the biggest clubs play there and I also see that competition as the best in the world,” Van de Ven said in June. Tottenham also remain in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over the signature of centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, who alongside Van de Ven has been high on the club’s list of potential targets this summer. A move for both Bundesliga-based defenders has not been ruled out but Spurs are working on other transfers. Blackburn centre-back Ash Phillips is expected to complete his move to Tottenham this weekend. Spurs entered discussions with the Sky Bet Championship club last month for the England youth international, but negotiations stalled over a final transfer fee. After Friday a £2million release clause for Phillips will become active, which will allow Tottenham to complete the signing of the 18-year-old. Phillips’ arrival will not impact on Postecoglou’s desire to boost his senior options in defence, with the centre-back viewed as a player for the future. Tottenham have also opened talks with Rosario Central over 19-year-old forward Alejo Veliz. Veliz impressed at the Under-20 World Cup this summer, scoring three goals for Argentina. Discussions are at an early stage but Spurs are eager to make a number of signings during a busy final month of the summer transfer window. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Great Britain’s team pursuit world title defence ends with crash in qualifying Ally McCoist: Michael Beale and Brendan Rodgers need to put friendship on hold Eddie Nketiah ready to step up again after Gabriel Jesus’ injury

A BBC presenter has been told by the corporation that a comment he made toward a female Australian cricketer was "not appropriate" after he called her a "little Barbie" during a match interview earlier this week.

Ally McCoist admits any friendship between Rangers boss Michael Beale and Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers will be put on hold for the duration of the upcoming season. Beale and Rodgers have previously crossed paths at Chelsea and Liverpool but will lock horns for the cinch Premiership title in the 2023-24 campaign. McCoist talked up the importance of respect between managers of the Old Firm, having memorably clashed with Neil Lennon in a 2011 derby, and is in no doubt that will be there in abundance. But TNT Sports pundit McCoist said: “No, the friendship has not got to be over but it has to be put on pause. “One thing you’ve got to do is have a healthy relationship, you genuinely do, and respect for the opposition manager in the Old Firm. “It has always been the case. Of course you have incidents, myself and Neil Lennon had a wee incident and Walter (Smith) had incidents, you have incidents but there has to be a healthy reaction and relationship between the clubs. “I don’t have any doubt that Michael and Brendan will have that and continue it. They have been friends for a while and it will stay the same.” Both Rangers and Celtic have overseen summers of change with Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos among those to move on from Ibrox while eight players have been signed with Los Angeles’ Jose Cifuentes expected to be the ninth addition with a pre-contract agreement in place, according to Beale. Celtic, meanwhile, saw Ange Postecoglou move down south to take charge of Tottenham in June and ex-boss Rodgers return for his second spell at Parkhead. Rangers begin their league campaign with a trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday night while Celtic kick off with the lunchtime visit of Ross County. “This is the first year in a long, long time where I genuinely don’t know who wins it,” McCoist admitted. “Celtic have lost one or two, lost Jota but I wouldn’t say Brendan left under a cloud. I think there was a section of the Celtic support who weren’t happy because he left at that time and went Leicester and I get that, but you can’t please everyone all the time. “One thing that is undeniable is that he is an excellent coach and knows how to set up a team. I thought he was a little bit unlucky and harshly treated at Leicester because I don’t think he got the money to spend to replace the real quality that needed replacement. One thing you've got to do is have a healthy relationship, you genuinely do, and respect for the opposition manager in the Old Firm Ally McCoist “Just in my opinion, I think he was cut a bit short there. They’ll back him at Celtic. “Over at our place, I think Michael Beale has brought in nine players. I watched them against Newcastle in pre-season, did OK. I watched them against Olympiacos, didn’t look great. Didn’t look good in the first half against Hoffenheim and then looked great in the second half against Hoffenheim. “So, I don’t really know but of course Rangers and Celtic have got to hit the ground running, particularly Rangers with the (Champions League) qualifier coming up. “It is a tough one to call. I don’t know how Rangers’ players will settle in. They brought them in quickly.” :: TNT Sports is the ultimate home for sports fans. You can stream TNT Sports on the discovery+ app and watch on all major TV platforms. This isn’t Just Sport, This is Everything. For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk.

Chris Eubank Jr has insisted that Conor Benn’s UK Anti-Doping ruling ‘doesn’t mean anything’, after the organisation cleared the welterweight to box in Britain again. A fight between Eubank Jr and Benn fell apart in October after the latter failed two drug tests. Benn, 26, was cleared by the WBC earlier this year, with UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) now following suit. However, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has suggested that it may challenge Ukad’s ruling. Eubank Jr, 33, has challenged the ruling in his own way, telling the Daily Mirror on Wednesday (2 August): “Lawyers and court hearings and essays and [Benn’s promoter] Eddie Hearn saying all the things he’s saying... it doesn’t mean anything. “The fact is you got caught twice, and no one’s ever gonna forget it. It doesn’t mean that you didn’t do what you did, because you did do it. “You wanna say: ‘I’m absolved and it was all a big misunderstanding.’ Bulls***.” However, Eubank Jr is still keen to face his fellow Briton after a rematch with Liam Smith in September. Smith stopped Eubank Jr in the fourth round in January, and the pair will now return to the AO Arena in Manchester as the latter eyes revenge. “Boxing’s a business and I still wanna fight [Benn], so the fight will be made at some point,” Eubank Jr said. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Liam Smith: ‘Chris Eubank Jr is a nightmare – not for me, for other people’ Conor Benn may face extra hurdle to fight, Eddie Hearn and British Boxing Board reveal Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend

Eddie Nketiah is relishing the prospect of starting the new season as Arsenal’s main striker and insists manager Mikel Arteta knows he can deliver the goods. England’s record goalscorer at under-21 level is likely to lead the line for the Gunners when the campaign gets under way after fellow forward Gabriel Jesus was ruled out. Jesus recently underwent a minor operation on a knee issue he has had since picking up an injury while with Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. The initial surgery sidelined him for three months but Nketiah stepped up in his absence and hit six goals in six games when domestic football returned. His goals helped keep Arsenal at the top of the Premier League until Jesus’ return and he is ready to repeat the feat. “I don’t think I’m here to fill in for anyone. I’m here to play and contribute to the team,” he said after captaining Arsenal and scoring in a 1-1 Emirates Cup draw with Monaco on Wednesday night. “Obviously, I believe in my abilities and I know I can contribute. The manager has got a tough decision and whenever he calls me, he knows I can deliver and I can help the team, so it’s just about us all collectively playing our part to to achieve our goals. I pride myself on always being ready and whatever role the manager needs me - I will always make sure I do my best Eddie Nketiah “I just really enjoyed it and was able to improve myself, test myself, I played some really big games and I was able to help. “So that’s what it is about, obviously playing at the highest level, competing for trophies and that’s what I want to do. “I pride myself on always being ready and whatever role the manager needs me – I will always make sure I do my best and to the best of my ability so I can help the team – that’s what it’s all about.” Despite hitting a purple patch when he first came into the team after the World Cup, Nketiah has not scored a competitive goal since his last-gasp winner against Manchester United on January 22, a run of 14 games and nearly 10 hours without finding the back of the net. The 24-year-old, however, is ready for the pressure of starting the season as the man up top for Arteta’s side. Asked if he was relishing the challenge amid added expectation on the whole team, Nketiah replied: “Yes, of course. It’s what we play football for. “We train hard every day to get the opportunity to play at the weekend. So not just myself, there’s many players that can obviously play in that position. “So we’re all ready, we’re all good players, we’re all able to contribute at different points in the season, everyone’s going to have different roles. So it’s just about being ready and contribute and hopefully I can do that throughout the season.” Arsenal’s Premier League title tilt gets under way at home to Nottingham Forest next weekend but, before then, Nketiah is aiming for Community Shield success against last season’s treble winners Manchester City. “We want do well, we want to go out there and win the trophy, that’s what it’s about,” he added. “So we will be working hard throughout the week and we’ve had a good game against Monaco, so hopefully that can put us in good stead, make sure we compete and hopefully we can get a trophy on Sunday.”

Southampton boss Russell Martin says James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia will be involved in Friday night’s Sky Bet Championship opener at Sheffield Wednesday “as it stands”. Both players have been linked with an exit from St Mary’s this summer following last season’s relegation from the Premier League, with Ward-Prowse linked with Fulham and West Ham and Lavia attracting bids from Liverpool. But a transfer for either men have yet to materialise and Martin will utilise them at Hillsborough. “Both will be involved tomorrow night, as it stands, I dont know what will change between now and then,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “Do I think they will be Southampton players at the end of the window? I have not got a clue. What I hope, what I think, is probably very different. “It would be pointless for me to come out and say, ‘I think they will be here, I don’t think they’ll be here’, because ultimately I have no control over that. “If they are both not here, or one is not here it is because the club and the player think they have something which is beneficial for everyone. “That will be the case, that is why it has dragged on and why it will probably continue to drag on. But while they have been here, both have been great and both will be involved tomorrow night. As it stands.” Kamaldeen Sulemana is injured and will miss the trip to South Yorkshire, while Sekou Mara is a doubt. Read More Football rumours: Harry Kane will not sign new Tottenham deal Women’s World Cup LIVE: Scores, updates and latest news Josko Gvardiol close to making £77.5m move to Manchester City

Diana Taurasi is on the cusp of another milestone in her illustrious WNBA career as she closes in on becoming the first player in league history to score 10,000 points in the regular season

The Atlanta Braves have baseball’s best record

Newly signed Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku might miss the start of the Premier League season after coming off injured in the team’s final preseason game in the United States

A BBC presenter has been subject to a backlash on social media after making a reference to a female cricketer’s appearance live on air. Former Love Island contestant and TV host Chris Hughes was interviewing cricketer Maitlan Brown for the broadcaster when he called her a “little Barbie”. Hughes was working as a reporter during limited-overs competition The Hundred when the awkward exchange took place. He was speaking to Australian player Brown about her experiences as a member of the Southern Braves team during their match against the Trent Rockets. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The pair were discussing her time with her teammates when Brown said: “We watched Barbie the other night all together and it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together.” Hughes replied by saying: “You’re a little Barbie yourself, aren’t you, with your blue eyes.” He then added: “She’s blushing now.” The comments came in for criticism online, and a spokesperson for the BBC said: “We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate.” Others reacted to the comments online, calling out the inappropriate moment. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.