The Guardian

Ben Donaldson will be given a rare chance to stake a claim as Australia’s flyhalf in his first start in two years The Wallabies are no closer to finding their World Cup No 10 after Carter Gordon was relegated to the bench despite being fit to play against Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday (Sunday AEST). Instead, Ben Donaldson has been given another chance to impress at flyhalf – his first start in…

Australian free to play again after having suspension reduced ITIA accepts Kyrgios’s use of cocaine was outside of competition Fallen Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has entered a treatment program after accepting a one-month ban for testing positive to cocaine. After admitting his “huge mistake” when initially suspended for failing a drugs test on June 22 at an ATP 250 tournament in Spain, K…

Florian Wirtz has a chance to shine, there’s a Red Bull reunion on Tyneside and Chelsea face litmus test at Arsenal Florian Wirtz is easing himself into his second season at Liverpool after a forgettable first. There were signs of promise against Nottingham Forest , where he set up the second equaliser and would have had a goal of his own if not for an offside in the buildup. It is clear the Germ…

Rita Guarino has been backed in the transfer market after turning around the club’s fortunes last season but concerns remain over a lack of resources Guardian writers’ predicted position: 11th (NB: this is not necessarily Suzanne Wrack’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 10th Continue reading...

Former champion into third round with 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 win ‘I hope to continue making good memories here’ For a second consecutive match at the US Open, Naomi Osaka appeared to be cruising. Everything was in hand as the two-time champion established a set and a break lead in her round two match against Katerina Siniakova, an uneventful return to the third round beckoning. Instead of carrying that gr…

Royal Mail owner made agreement with David Sullivan Staveley was pushing to buy stake in the club Daniel Kretinsky is set to become the biggest shareholder at West Ham after striking an agreement with David Sullivan, dealing a blow to Amanda Staveley’s hopes of buying a stake in the Championship club. Staveley was a guest at the London Stadium for West Ham’s 4-2 win over Wolves earlier this week …

Club owner says deal is largest in women’s game Claimed to exceed some men’s Premier League shirt deals The Women’s Super League club London City Lionesses’ new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with Nike is the largest in the women’s game, according to their American owner, Michele Kang. The length and value of the deal has not been disclosed but sources close to the WSL club are hailing it as a g…

Camilo Durán inspires Celtic’s 3-0 win against Aberdeen Falkirk 1-2 Rangers; Kilmarnock 0-1 St Mirren Wouter Vrancken enjoyed a memorable first Edinburgh derby in charge of Hearts as his rampant side cruised to a deserved 3-1 victory over 10-man Hibernian at Easter Road. James Wilson and Laurent Mendy had the visitors two goals up at half-time before Hibs ralled early in the second half and pulle…

Fifa filed motion opposing Uefa’s request for discovery Uefa said to be considering criminal case v Gianni Infantino Attorneys representing Fifa have hit back at Uefa’s request for discovery in a US federal filing earlier this week. The lawyers called Uefa’s legal efforts “little more than press releases in further support of [a] smear campaign against Fifa and its leadership” and requested the j…

The former Arsenal, Barcelona and France star says players shouldn’t underestimate their ability to change how football works As Fifa continues to face scrutiny from some confederations and fans, Thierry Henry has encouraged players to use their voice as the political battle for control of international soccer unfolds. The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward turned pundit spoke with the Guardian…

The retired second-row on his recovery from addiction, depression and incarceration to find a new life as a meditation teacher “Carefree,” says Ryan Caldwell when I ask him what word is tattooed across his fingers. He looks up from his hands on a rainy morning in Belfast. The former Ireland international, who played the role of enforcer for Ulster, Bath and Exeter, then laughs softly in acknowled…

Issy Wong’s five for 33 sets up win with 27 overs to spare Victory seals series with a match still to play England sealed victory in their one-day international series against Ireland with a straightforward six-wicket win at Derby on Thursday, after seamer Issy Wong took a career-best five for 33. Wong, once again handed the new ball in the absence of Lauren Bell, bowled with accuracy and control…

Slovenian wins stage 12 as Mas strengthens position Tim Merlier claims stage two in Tour of Britain Spain’s Enric Mas extended his overall lead in the Vuelta a España with a late attack on his rivals ⁠as Slovenia’s Jakob Omrzel won stage 12 to Calar Alto on Thursday. Movistar rider Mas burst out of a chasing group including red jersey contenders Primoz ⁠Roglic and Felix Gall ⁠with around ​13km of…

Scuderia bring upgraded engine to their home race Winning at Monza would be ‘new territory’ Lewis Hamilton believes a win for Ferrari at the team’s home race in the Italian Grand Prix would be a phenomenal moment in an already storied career for the seven-time champion. The British driver, who would make history if he takes the flag at Monza, endured a torrid time with the Scuderia last season bu…

Arsenal poised to land PSG’s Élisa De Almeida New United coach Olid promises attacking style Manchester City could be without Vivianne Miedema for at least the rest of 2026, the Guardian understands, after the Netherlands forward sustained a knee injury. According to multiple sources the injury is not an anterior cruciate ligament but is serious and there are fears she will not return until after…