The Guardian

Centre-back signs six-year deal with Xabi Alonso’s side Lacroix is fifth signing of busy summer for club Maxence Lacroix has joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace to become the club’s fifth signing of the summer so far. The France international, who won the FA Cup and Conference League with Palace, has been the Blues’ main defensive target of the window. Lacroix, 26, signs a six-year deal with Xabi …

New Zealander will take over for South Africa series Trescothick named interim coach for Pakistan Tests Stephen Fleming has been confirmed as the new coach of the England men’s Test team, with Joe Root returning for a second spell as captain. Marcus Trescothick will take interim charge for the three-game series against Pakistan which starts at Headingley in three weeks, with Fleming due to arrive…

Asian Football Confederation may hold balance of power Uefa to hold emergency meeting on Thursday The Asian Football Confederation has accused Fifa of undermining the foundations of football by failing to consult the confederations over their plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. In a letter sent on Thursday by president Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa to AFC’s 47 members, …

Big-spending club kick off season on Friday 4 September Champions Manchester City begin against Birmingham Those desperate to see what London City Lionesses will look like with two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas in their ranks do not have to wait long, with the big-spending club kicking off the new Women’s Super League season against Manchester United on Friday 4 September. The Michelle …

Today’s rumours are getting out the paddling pool Having been left behind like an unloved t-shirt by Enzo Maresca as Manchester City departed for their pre-season tour of Asia, Jack Grealish is attracting admiring glances from elsewhere. Eyeing up the England attacker’s shapely calves are Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League, who would certainly have the funds to fulfil City’s desire of slapping a bi…

Updates from Thursday’s live action in Glasgow Medal table | Day six in pictures | Mail Taha Catch up on yesterday’s action: Para track cycling: To the velodrome, for qualifying in the women’s tandem B sprint. There are six pairs in action, with the four fastest advancing to the semi-finals. England’s Elizabeth Jordan – an Olympic champion – with Sylvia Misztal as pilot, finishes at the top of th…

Asia and Africa are bastions of support for Gianni Infantino but Fifa’s money has not always been well spent in the regions Fifa’s justification for its proposed plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors is about giving the 211 member associations more money to develop football. It’s safe to say that in the past, funds have done more developing in some places than in others, with…

48-year-old under scrutiny after last season’s 12th place Former Bournemouth coach guided club to Carabao Cup Eddie Howe has left his role as Newcastle United head coach after 231 games and just under five years at St James’ Park. His exit comes in the wake of a 4-1 defeat by Bristol City in a pre-season friendly at Ashton Gate on Wednesday evening, after which he hinted at changes at the club. “…

The champions are capable of shattering every record in a temporary aligning of the planets, the elusiveness of pure perfection Treble-20. “Ohh, he couldn’t.” Treble-19. “Oh, you spiteful young man.” Bull. “You spiteful person! That is ridiculous! ” As ever, Wayne Mardle – commentating on the World Matchplay final for Sky Sports on Sunday night – put it most succinctly of all. The great individua…

After lifting the trophy 60 years ago, some still supplemented their income by performing in working men’s clubs and as after dinner speakers With each passing World Cup I am reminded of the times I spent in the company of those wonderful “Boys of 66”. What a privilege it was getting to know them in a much simpler era when, unlike today’s mollycoddled stars, household names remained unaffected by…

Substitute’s 75th-minute shot gives Liverpool 1-0 win in New York Chances few and far between in pre-season friendly that fails to ignite Liverpool turned the Empire State Building red when launching a new away kit on Tuesday but neither they nor Wrexham could illuminate Yankee Stadium 24 hours later. It was rough in the diamond, although Rio Ngumoha’s deflected goal made it two wins out of two f…

Move part of an overhaul of its broadcast strategy Sunday evening games were dropped last season The Women’s Super League will bring back Sunday evening kick-offs this season as part of an overhaul of its broadcast strategy after indifferent viewing figures last season. The Guardian has learned that the WSL will offer six different TV slots to broadcasters after releasing its fixtures for the 202…

Aziz Abdul disqualified for ‘Glasgow kiss’ in third round Ugandan boxer: ‘Why can’t they let this fight continue?’ The Commonwealth Games debut of Idi Amin’s grandson ended in ignominy and disgrace as the boxer was disqualified in the third round for head-butting his English opponent – and then launched a bitter verbal assault on the referee. Things then took an even more bizarre turn as Aziz Abd…

England second behind Australia in 4x100m medley relay Scotland win silver in women’s 4x100m medley relay Adam Ramsay-Peaty’s Commonwealth Games ended with a silver medal as England were beaten by Australia’s imperious swimmers in the final swimming event of Glasgow 2026. Australia overhauled South Africa in the closing stages to win the men’s 4x100m medley relay, with England then holding off Pi…

Nagake gave up sport after representing Cameroon ‘I never believed that I would ever be here’ First Madias Ngake lifted the weight of an upright piano to her shoulders. Then, with another staggering act of power and defiance, she sent a 128kg barbell high above her head. And, just like that, the 34-year-old Team England weightlifter had won a silver medal and written one of the most remarkable st…