The Guardian

Former world No 1 loses 4-2 to Jordan Brown in Belfast ‘I don’t see a future with snooker in it,’ says tearful Allen Mark Allen said he was in a “bad place” and his snooker career could be over after losing to Jordan Brown in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast. The 40-year-old was playing his first match since his world championship semi-final loss to Wu Yize in April. Allen …

⚽ Updates from Tuesday’s Champions League games ⚽ Liverpool v Villarreal | Live scores | Table | Mail Simon Hello world! Another busy night lies ahead in Europe and in the English Football League, with much attention destined to be focused on Paris, scene in recent days of violence and looting but host tonight of one of the prestige fixtures of the group stage as the teams sitting first and secon…

⚽ Updates from the 8pm BST kick-off at Anfield ⚽ Football clockwatch | Live scores | Table | Mail Scott Liverpool make six changes to their starting XI following the 2-1 win at Brentford. Ryan Gravenberch returns after his Premier League suspension, while Cody Gakpo is back from injury. Kostas Tsimikas, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha also step up. Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Bradley …

Redundancies beckon as British Cycling restructures while former cyclists and employees raise concerns over return of ‘toxic culture’ British Cycling’s most successful world track championships campaign in over a decade, in which they topped the medal table in the first qualifying event for the 2028 Olympic Games, was achieved against a backdrop of allegations of misconduct and looming redundanci…

Magnificent 179 puts hosts in charge on day three Nic Maddison dismissed for a duck before close In the first Test in Durban, it was Australia’s lower order hanging in with one established batter that first frustrated, then demoralised South Africa. In the second, on the third day in Gqeberha, South Africa returned the favour. Temba Bavuma played the role of Matthew Renshaw, assembling a near-fla…

England collapse after fast start to run chase Arafat Minhas scores 59, then takes six for 40 After the embarrassment of their English summer this was a welcome sight for Pakistan. A contest in front of their own, no Ollie Robinson to wobble down a lethal Dukes ball, and a format they are far more comfortable with. The result was an impressive victory against England, who fell 87 runs short in th…

Bavuma’s brilliant 179 launched South Africa to 425-9 declared before Rabada’s wicket late on reduced Australia to 3-1 at stumps on day three. 47th over: South Africa 106-5 (Bavuma 42, Mulder 10) Bavuma looks intent on settling in. Cummins gives him a couple of bouncers, but he’s very happy to get out of the way. The tempter outside off stump is allowed to pass by. Contrast that to Mulder, who pl…

Kompany told to rest after struggling with infection His assistant poised to oversee Champions League game Vincent Kompany is touch and go to be in the Bayern Munich dugout against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night as he battles a debilitating virus that has affected his legs. Kompany was unable to attend his team’s training session on Tuesday before the Champions League tie, ceding…

Result is largest margin at any age level of a World Cup DiMaria is first to score six at Fifa finals since Haaland Tournament is in year two of expanded 24-team field The United States began their U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign on Monday with a record-setting 17-0 win over Samoa the biggest win at any age level in World Cup history. The result surpassed the previous record for margin at an 11-a…

Ten Hag says Ronaldo did not complete post-match run Former manager claims club broke promises made to him Erik ten Hag has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo “let the team down” during their time together at Manchester United. Ten Hag has also alleged that promises made by United’s owners went unfulfilled, leading to his sacking by the club in October 2024 . Ronaldo returned for a second spell at United …

As Tottenham edged to victory over Coventry , a familiar face among the post-match salutations. Could that be Dejan Kulusevski? For it was he, playing 526 days since his last Spurs appearance. Much has changed though still much stays the same. Ben Davies’s deflected late clincher catapulted Spurs up to … 16th. When Kulusevski last played on 11 May 2025, Tottenham were 17th, the position in which …

The Eagles quarterback’s recent health issues highlight how football’s toughness culture puts its players at risk Jalen Hurts is likely to miss the rest of the season after an ultrasound revealed blood clots in his lungs. Thankfully, he’s now restricted from playing for the immediate future, meaning he won’t be risking serious complications – or even his life – as he did when he played in their W…

The veteran is adjusting to living in Melbourne and playing in the NBL after 12 years spent on the North American basketball rollercoaster Basketballer Joe Ingles appears as the archetype of the Australian larrikin. There is one box, however, he no longer ticks. The 39-year-old gave up alcohol in 2022 after suffering a serious knee injury, and he has now gone more than 1,500 days without drinking…

Female players including Carlinha and Tayla Carolina have spoken out against the far-right, who they fear will harm the women’s game as well as wider society The day before the first round of Brazilian elections, the Estádio do Morumbi hosted the second leg of the Brazilian Women’s Championship final, in which São Paulo drew 1-1 with Corinthians to win 3-2 on aggregate and secure the Brasileirão …

Football is obsessed by its annual award, but cricket seems less enthusiastic about crowning its own best player in the world It’s time for the Ballon d’Or because it’s always time for the Ballon d’Or. Once the golden ball is presented at the London Palladium this month to Harry Kane/Lamine Yamal/Lionel Messi (let us know in the comments!), the debate will quickly switch to next year’s contenders…