The Guardian

IFA points to ‘unprecedented crisis of confidence’ ‘Proper vision and direction for world football’ required Gianni Infantino’s decision to sack his chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, after the Frenchman’s criticism of the World Cup sell-off plan has hardened some opposition to the Fifa president, with the efforts to force him out expected to intensify over the next few days. On Tuesday Israe…

Women’s peloton returns after death of Finlay Tarling, who died during the Volta a Portugal last week The 2026 Tour of Britain Women starts in Cumbria on Wednesday under a cloud after the death of the Welsh rider Finlay Tarling in the Volta a Portugal last Friday. Tarling was in a collision with a non-race vehicle during the race’s eighth stage and, while police investigations into the exact circ…

Audio to be used during live broadcasts for first time Move is part of an expansion of the RefCam system The Premier League will permit audio of on-field conversations between players and referees during live broadcasts for the first time this season. The use of audio by the Premier League’s domestic TV rights holders, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, is part of an expansion of the RefCam system, which…

Tourists return to England having won just two of their last 13 Test series amid rapidly changing personnel Last Friday was a glorious anniversary for Pakistani cricket, 10 years on from a 10-wicket win against England at the Oval. Younis Khan, their greatest run-scorer, hit a double hundred. Yasir Shah, a magical leggie and Lionel Messi lookalike, took a five-fer. Misbah-ul-Haq, their 42-year-ol…

Despite another reset with a new manager and fresh strategy, the boardroom drama persists at Stamford Bridge Perhaps, in hindsight, it was always going to end this way. As some of the world’s wealthiest investors scrambled to find funds after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine set a series of dominoes toppling that forced Roman Abramovich to sell Chelsea , it threw together some unexpected alli…

Root not planning on ‘ripping up’ work of Stokes and McCullum Talked up Dan Lawrence’s off-spin bowling on his return to Test side Joe Root says he is not planning on “ripping up” the work of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as his England side prepare to face Pakistan in the first Test in Leeds, on the Yorkshireman’s return to the captaincy. The three-match series is the first since the retiremen…

Mosengo-Omba says Fifa’s congress backs Infantino Fecofa president admits he did not support sell-off plan One of Gianni Infantino’s closest allies has said he would “take a bullet” for the Fifa president and is confident that he still has the overwhelming support of its all-powerful congress despite mounting pressure. But Véron Mosengo-Omba, who served as Fifa’s chief member associations officer…

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! A senior Fifa blazer held in such rare high regard that the prescient synth-pop duo Erasure named a single after him long before he entered the intoxicating world of football administration, Kevin Lamour was a lone dissenting voice inside Fifa’s lair when Gianni Infantino’s plot to flog part of the World Cup to private investors – potentially on…

Former Arsenal captain succeeds Pape Thiaw Senegal reached last 32 of this summer’s World Cup Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the head coach of Senegal. The Senegal-born former Arsenal captain has been out of work since leaving his post as manager of the Serie A side Genoa last November and replaces Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed after Senegal’s defeat by Belgium in the last 32 at this summer…

Two fans were wearing shirts with XX-XY message Another fan told to cover shirt supporting trans people League: ‘This should not have happened’ At least three fans were asked by WNBA security personnel to cover shirts that had messages about transgender women participating in women’s sports during Sunday’s game in Atlanta between the Dream and the Indiana Fever. The league said in a statement Mon…

Andoni Iraola has his hands full – replacing Mo Salah and restoring faith at Anfield – and will hope big name investors bring stability not disharmony Guardian writers’ predicted position: 4th (NB: this is not necessarily Andy Hunter’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 5th Continue reading...

Our cartoonist on the nine fresh faces in club dugouts and their potential impact as they begin work Buy a cartoon | Some of David’s favourite works And his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now Continue reading...

The finalists – who beat Durham and Nottinghamshire in the last four – will meet at Trent Bridge next month By the 99.94 Cricket Blog This article is from The 99.94 Cricket Blog Continue reading...

Right-back worked with Matthias Jaissle at RB Salzburg Sunderland to announce signing of Dayann Methalie The chance to be reunited with Matthias Jaissle convinced Amar Dedic to swap Benfica for Newcastle in a £29.5m transfer. Dedic becomes Newcastle’s sixth signing of a turbulent summer on Tyneside and the 24-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international is likely to start at right-back at home t…

The former Dallas Cowboys star is on indefinite leave after being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. His future in a competitive business is now in doubt After Tony Romo’s arrest last month, TMZ published a 31-minute “extended cut” of the body-camera footage from the Wisconsin police officer who arrested CBS Sports’ star NFL analyst on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influen…