The Guardian

Prolonged league suspension due to war and falling behind Saudi spending power are weakening the sport in Iran Just three months ago, Iran was one of the biggest stories in football as Team Melli arrived at the World Cup to try to play in the US, a country that had been bombing and firing missiles at Tehran and other targets. A disallowed goal and a last-minute effort that hit the bar in the fina…

Captain looking forward to intimidating atmosphere when Wearsiders host AZ, after 53 years away When Sunderland last played European football, club directors viewed it as a useful means of raising the cash necessary to fund floodlight upgrades at Roker Park necessitated by England’s widespread adoption of colour television. Back in the autumn of 1973 a lighting system compatible with the demands …

Lions to play five fixtures in New Zealand in 2027 Sky has held live rights for men’s Lions since 1997 The inaugural women’s British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand next year is expected to be broadcast live on Sky Sports in a significant boost for the women’s game. Sky has held live rights for men’s Lions fixtures since the 1997 tour of South Africa, and the broadcaster is understood to be in …

Plus: more costly (and beneficial) red cards, plus attacks with triple half-century of international goals Mail us with your all of your questions and answers “When did fans wearing replica kits become a thing?” asks Alex Ecob. “Older footage shows people in regular clothes and a few scarves/flags in the team colours. What kickstarted the trend? Did one club get there first?” As the question sugg…

Álvaro Arbeloa played in some great defences but whether he knows how to coach one remains to be seen. ­Fulham have been fragile since appointing the Spaniard and they were fortunate not to be dragged into a penalty shootout by West Ham as this entertainingCarabao Cup tie drew to a close. West Ham equalised twice during the first half and they almost did it again after Oscar Bobb made it 3-2 in t…

Max Rushden is joined by Philippe Auclair , Sid Lowe , Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon to discuss the weekend’s action around Europe Max Rushden is joined by Philippe Auclair , Sid Lowe , Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon to discuss the weekend’s action around Europe. On the podcast today: Harry Kane scored his 150th goal for Bayern Munich against Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg, while Ballon d’Or ri…

Argentina will host Benin in October in Buenos Aires AFA president invites Messi to enjoy ‘deserved farewell’ Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina to make a farewell ⁠appearance in a home friendly in October following his international retirement, the Argentinian football association (AFA) has confirmed. “We invited ⁠the best player in ⁠the world ​to play, the icon of our selection, our c…

Tottenham scored a consolation goal but consolation was otherwise absent for Roberto De Zerbi at Anfield. Spurs’ miserable start to the season continued as they were soundly beaten by a much-changed Liverpool side and a quality of finishing that De Zerbi can only dream of. Alexis Mac Allister, for the second midweek running, Cody Gakpo and the substitute Dominik Szoboszlai each produced an outsta…

England captain hits unbeaten 114 off 49 balls in first T20 Sonny Baker claims three wickets in 119-run victory As he nears the end of a hectic ­summer Harry Brook was offered the chance to rest rather than play this series and how Sri Lanka must wish Pakistan’s red-ball side had extended him enough to force a ­lay-off. As it turned out the 27-year-old could hardly have looked fresher as he inspi…

The bad news for everyone else is that Arsenal’s next generation is already here. Two mesmerising goals in a man-of-the-match display from Max Dowman underlined why the 16-year-old has been compared to a certain Lionel Messi by his manager, Mikel Arteta, as Ipswich were swatted aside with ease. Almost as impressive was the performance of 17-year-old Marli Salmon, who oozed class in central defenc…

Texas star called clip of coach slapping reporter ‘hilarious’ Manning: ‘Nothing funny about it … I need to do better’ Rowe posts that she accepts apology, will move forward Texas’s star quarterback, Arch Manning, has apologized after joking about an AI-generated video that depicted Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN college football reporter Holly Rowe after last Saturday’s game. Manni…

The player who invented the Peanut Punch talks about his nomadic childhood, love of Chicago and time as a cop By No Helmets Required Defensive back Charles Tillman played 168 games for his hometown team Chicago Bears across 13 NFL seasons. Nicknamed “Peanut” as a child by his mother, he became renowned for the Peanut Punch, where he would whack the ball out of the hands of unsuspecting receivers.…

Webb wants to stop ‘ridiculous situations’ Says VAR officials in United v City had ‘tunnel vision’ Howard Webb has described the law around accidental handball as “a bit of a nonsense” and called for its reform to stop referees being drawn into “ridiculous situations”. The chief refereeing officer for English football made his remarks on Tuesday, when he also fronted up over the error that allowe…

Faye Carruthers and Suzanne Wrack are joined by Marva Kreel and Chris Paouros to discuss the weekend’s WSL action On the podcast today: Faye Carruthers and Suzanne Wrack are joined by Marva Kreel and Chris Paouros to discuss the weekend’s WSL action. Chelsea hit five goals past Manchester United with five different goalscorers. Crystal Palace show they are not here to just make up the numbers as …

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! It’s been quite the stomach-churning white-knuckle ride for Leeds United over the past decade. Their fans have been forced to endure more highs, lows, loops, corkscrews and rolls than a thrill-seeking visitor on Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers. There have been b@nter eras, multiple owners, near-misses, promotions, relegations and managerial churn…