Draft

Wizards win NBA Draft Lottery to capture first pick

  • Washington went 17-65 in the 2025-26 campaign, their second-worst record in team history after a 15-win season in 2023-24 -- the Wizards losing 26 of their last 27 games, including the final 10 in a row.
  • The Washington Wizards, who had the worst record in the NBA this past season, won the NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday to claim the top pick in next month's draft.
  • Washington went 17-65 in the 2025-26 campaign, their second-worst record in team history after a 15-win season in 2023-24 -- the Wizards losing 26 of their last 27 games, including the final 10 in a row.
The Washington Wizards, who had the worst record in the NBA this past season, won the NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday to claim the top pick in next month's draft.
Washington went 17-65 in the 2025-26 campaign, their second-worst record in team history after a 15-win season in 2023-24 -- the Wizards losing 26 of their last 27 games, including the final 10 in a row.
That gave the Wizards a 14% chance at the top pick, and they bagged the selection that that could add a star player to their struggling lineup.
The Wizards obtained star guard Trae Young from Atlanta in a January trade and power forward Anthony Davis in a February trade with Dallas.
The top pick would be another key player in trying to bolster a squad that has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since reaching the 1979 NBA Finals.
The Wizards have not reached the playoffs since 2021 and have not won a playoff series since 2017.
A.J. Dybantsa, a 19-year-old forward of Congolese and Jamaican origin, and Darryn Peterson, a 19-year-old guard, are considered the most likely US college stars to be taken first overall.
The NBA Draft, the annual allocation of top available talent, will be staged on June 23-24.
Utah received the second pick with Memphis third and Chicago fourth, all three clubs moving up despite longer odds of doing so in the selection process.
The fifth pick went to the Los Angeles Clippers from Indiana in a trade for Croatian center Ivica Zubac.
Brooklyn received the sixth pick followed in order by Sacramento, Atlanta (from New Orleans), Dallas, Milwaukee, Golden State, Oklahoma City (from the Clippers in a trade for Paul George), Miami and Charlotte.
All 14 teams that missed the NBA playoffs were entered into the lottery, with teams that finished worst in the regular season given the best chance at landing the first selection.
Washington, Indiana (19-63) and Brooklyn (20-62) each had a 14% chance at the first choice with Utah and Sacramento, both 22-60, each having an 11.5% opportunity.
The current system ensured the worst overall team selected no lower than fifth, but concerns over late-season tanking to boost lottery hopes have led NBA commissioner Adam Silver to say there will be changes to the lottery system before next season.
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Pr

Arsenal on brink of Premier League title, Villa slip up in Champions League chase

  • If City fail to beat Palace at home on Wednesday, Arsenal could seal the title on home soil against Burnley on May 18.
  • Arsenal are on the brink of a first Premier League title in 22 years after surviving a hugely contentious finale to beat West Ham 1-0, while Aston Villa were held 2-2 at Burnley on Sunday.
  • If City fail to beat Palace at home on Wednesday, Arsenal could seal the title on home soil against Burnley on May 18.
Arsenal are on the brink of a first Premier League title in 22 years after surviving a hugely contentious finale to beat West Ham 1-0, while Aston Villa were held 2-2 at Burnley on Sunday.
Leandro Trossard's 83rd minute goal reestablished the Gunners' five-point lead over Manchester City.
But West Ham had an equaliser deep into stoppage time ruled out after a VAR review for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya before Callum Wilson fired home.
"They showed a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
"When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave. The action deserved that."
Arsenal also did north London rivals Tottenham a favour in the battle to beat the drop as they can move four points clear of West Ham with victory over Leeds on Monday.
West Ham's defeat means Crystal Palace, Leeds and Nottingham Forest are all now mathematically safe. 
Victories over already-relegated Burnley and Palace, just days before the latter play in the Conference League final, will end Arsenal's long wait to be champions of England.
Fresh from sealing their place in the Champions League final with victory over Atletico Madrid in midweek, Arteta's men burst out of the blocks.
Mads Hermansen made a brilliant save to deny Trossard from a corner before the Belgian's follow-up header came back off the crossbar.
But the nerves that have accompanied Arsenal's quest to finally get over the line, after finishing second for the past three years, took hold after half-time.
Raya had to make a huge save to deny Mateus Fernandes giving West Ham the lead with little over 10 minutes to play.
Moments later the deadlock was broken at the other end.
Trossard had not scored since December, but ended a 25-game drought with a powerful low drive after patient play by Martin Odegaard teed him up.
Arteta wheeled away in delight, while Odegaard sank to his knees in celebration.
But there was another huge moment to come as Raya flapped at a corner under pressure from Pablo and Wilson drilled in the rebound.
After a lengthy VAR review, the referee deemed the Portuguese forward had impeded the Arsenal goalkeeper.
If City fail to beat Palace at home on Wednesday, Arsenal could seal the title on home soil against Burnley on May 18.

Palace, Forest safe

Villa left the battle for a place in the top five open after failing to beat Burnley.
Unai Emery's men booked their place in the Europa League final on Thursday with a 4-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest, but suffered a European hangover at Turf Moor.
Villa extend their lead over sixth-placed Bournemouth to four points and move six ahead of Brighton in the battle for Champions League qualification.
However, they face a tough end to the campaign with matches against Liverpool and Manchester City either side of the final against Freiburg in Istanbul.
Jaidon Anthony punished a slow Villa start to put Burnley in front after Emi Martinez spilled Lesley Ugochukwu's shot.
Ross Barkley headed the visitors level from a corner before half-time.
Ollie Watkins then pounced on a long punt forward by Martinez to put Villa in front and headed up to fourth in the table.
Burnley, though, hit back to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat.
Zian Flemming fired home from Hannibal Mejbri's inventive flick to keep the fight for the top five alive.
Everton's bid for a place in Europe next season suffered from again failing to hold onto a lead in a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.
The Toffees twice led at Selhurst Park through James Tarkowski and Beto's brilliant individual goal.
Ismaila Sarr's 20th goal of the season in all competitions and Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled for the Eagles, who are now mathematically safe..
Elliott Anderson struck late against his former club Newcastle to secure a 1-1 draw and also guarantee survival for Forest.
Harvey Barnes had put the visitors in front, but England international Anderson salvaged a point.
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RCB

Leaders Bengaluru edge to last-ball win over Mumbai

  • The 36-year-old rocked Mumbai at the start of their innings with three wickets in his first 12 deliveries. 
  • Rasikh Salam scrambled two runs off the final delivery from Raj Bawa as Royal Challengers Bengaluru returned to winning ways on Sunday with a nervy two-wicket defeat of Mumbai Indians.
  • The 36-year-old rocked Mumbai at the start of their innings with three wickets in his first 12 deliveries. 
Rasikh Salam scrambled two runs off the final delivery from Raj Bawa as Royal Challengers Bengaluru returned to winning ways on Sunday with a nervy two-wicket defeat of Mumbai Indians.
Naman Dhir top-scored with 47 as Mumbai clawed their way to 166-7 but a blazing half-century by Krunal Pandya set Bengaluru on their way at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, their second ‘home’ this season.
Victory for the defending champions and current leaders Bengaluru eliminated Mumbai from the race for the playoffs as well as Lucknow Super Giants who were beaten by Chennai Super Kings earlier in the day.
"It’s a crucial two points for us. If we’d lost that one, we would have been under pressure," said swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar whose 4-23 earned him the player of the match award. 
The 36-year-old rocked Mumbai at the start of their innings with three wickets in his first 12 deliveries. 
After removing Ryan Rickelton in the first over, he then had Rohit Sharma caught behind for a belligerent 22 and, next ball, stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav caught smartly at wide slip by Virat Kohli for a golden duck. 
Tilak Varma staved off the hat-trick and orchestrated a rescue act in the company of Dhir on an up-and-down surface of unpredictable bounce. 
They added 82 for the fourth wicket but once Dhir fell, the innings petered out with only 35 runs coming in the last five overs.
Bengaluru lost Kohli for a second successive duck, caught at mid-off off Deepak Chahar.
South African Corbin Bosch then ripped through the middle order with four wickets, as the holders made heavy weather of a challenging chase. 
But the left-handed Pandya, promoted to No. 5, took it upon himself to punish his former franchise, unleashing a breathtaking array of strokes that had a capacity crowd eating out of his hands.
Pandya steadied the ship alongside England's Jacob Bethell (27) during a fourth-wicket stand of 55 and then went on the attack with Jitesh Sharma. 
They looked on course for victory when Pandya smacked two sixes off AM Ghazanfar in the 18th over but he was dismissed off the last ball for 1 46-ball 73 to put the game back in the balance.
Bawa was tasked with defending 15 in the final over but failed to do so, bowling three wides and a no-ball and then conceding a six over cover off the fourth ball to Bhuvneshwar. 
“I have bowled many times and taken a few wickets, but (it’s) the six I will enjoy the most,” said Bhuvneshwar.
Amidst mounting tension, Rasikh carried the night, consigning Mumbai to their eighth loss in 11 matches.
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Sports

Jeeno defends title at LPGA Mizuho Americas Open

  • Jeeno made bogey at the par-five 13th after a poor chip, shrinking her lead to one stroke, but Yin made bogey at the par-three 16th.
  • World number two Jeeno Thitikul fired a three-under par 69 to hold off China's Yin Ruoning and win her second consecutive LPGA Mizuho Americas Open title by four strokes on Sunday.
  • Jeeno made bogey at the par-five 13th after a poor chip, shrinking her lead to one stroke, but Yin made bogey at the par-three 16th.
World number two Jeeno Thitikul fired a three-under par 69 to hold off China's Yin Ruoning and win her second consecutive LPGA Mizuho Americas Open title by four strokes on Sunday.
The 23-year-old from Thailand made four birdies and a bogey to finish 72 holes on 13-under 275 at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey.
"It means the world. It means a lot to me," Jeeno said. "I called my coach earlier in a practice round and everything went out of my head, which really helped."
Long-time Jeeno coach Kris Assawapimonporn's advice was to not push so hard and let go of her worries.
"Give the credit to him," she said. "Sometimes you don't try to fix things to be perfect. It helped me a lot to stay in my bubble, focus on what I can do.
"What I have to think about is my rhythm, what I can control."
Jeeno will try to capture her first major title at the US Women's Open next month at Riviera.
"It's always my dream, not goal but dream, to win a major," Jeeno said. "I don't want to put anything on my shoulders right now. I'll just play golf.
"Whether I win a major or not, I think I've done enough."
Jeeno captured her ninth career LPGA title and second of the year after taking the LPGA Thailand title in February.
That made her the fourth multi-time LPGA winner this season after top-ranked American Nelly Korda, South Korean Kim Hyo-joo and Australian Hannah Green.
Jeeno's friend Yin, 23, fired a 69 to finish second on 279, one stroke ahead of Mexico's Gaby Lopez and Americans Alison Lee and Jenny Bae, who matched her low round of the year with a 66.
Yin, also a runner-up at the Chevron Championship in her prior start, reached all 18 greens in regulation but missed a chance for her sixth LPGA crown and first since the 2024 Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur.
"You need to leave yourself an uphill pull on these greens and I didn't do that on the back nine," Yin said.
"My game is quite on spot. I just need to make less three putts."
Jeeno seized command with birdies on the second and third holes while France's Celine Boutier, second by two when the day began, made bogeys on three of the first six holes to fall back.
Yin made a charge with a birdie at the second and four birdies in a row ending at the par-five eighth, but stumbled with a bogey at 11.
Jeeno made bogey at the par-five 13th after a poor chip, shrinking her lead to one stroke, but Yin made bogey at the par-three 16th.
Jeeno sank an eight-foot birdie putt at 16 and closed out the triumph with a long birdie putt at the 18th hole.
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Pr

Three talking points from the Premier League

  • The top five in the Premier League are assured of Champions League qualification, while sixth could also be enough if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League final later this month.
  • Arsenal are closing in on a first Premier League title for 22 years after the decision to rule out a late West Ham equaliser had huge ramifications at both ends of the table on Sunday.
  • The top five in the Premier League are assured of Champions League qualification, while sixth could also be enough if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League final later this month.
Arsenal are closing in on a first Premier League title for 22 years after the decision to rule out a late West Ham equaliser had huge ramifications at both ends of the table on Sunday.
Callum Wilson's stoppage time strike looked to have given the Hammers a lifeline in the relegation battle and Manchester City hope in the title race.
But a VAR review for a foul on David Raya rescued Arsenal and edged north London rivals Tottenham closer to survival.
Dropped points for Aston Villa and Liverpool has left the fight for a place in the Champions League next season open as in-form Bournemouth and Brighton close in.
AFP Sports looks at three talking points from the Premier League weekend:
Fortune favours the Gunners
Arsenal's demons were set to reappear at the London Stadium in a frantic finale.
Runners-up for the past three seasons, Mikel Arteta's team have wasted numerous opportunities already this season to leave City for dead in the title race.
Now, though, they appear to have scaled the final big hurdle after a hugely contentious call fell their way.
"You need a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action," said Arteta. "They were very brave."
Two games against already-relegated Burnley and Crystal Palace, just days before the latter play in the Conference League final, separate the Gunners from glory.
And Arsenal might not even need six points with City still to travel to high-flying Bournemouth in one of their three remaining games.
Bournemouth dream big
Bournemouth’s 11,000 capacity Vitality Stadium could be playing host to the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain next season after they stretched a remarkable unbeaten run since losing Antoine Semenyo to City in January to 16 games.
Semenyo’s replacement Rayan has proven another smart piece of business by the Cherries and the Brazilian struck the only goal in a 1-0 win over Fulham in which both sides were reduced to 10 men.
Bournemouth look nailed on to at least qualify for European competition for the first time in the club’s history.
The top five in the Premier League are assured of Champions League qualification, while sixth could also be enough if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League final later this month.
Four points adrift of Liverpool and Villa with two games to go, Bournemouth lead Brighton by two points in the battle for sixth.
Slot promises change
The growing frustration among the Liverpool support towards Arne Slot was in evidence as another lacklustre performance from the defending champions allowed Chelsea to snap their six-game losing streak in a 1-1 draw.
Slot’s decision to replace teenager Rio Ngumoha with Liverpool chasing a winner in the second half was met with howls of derision, while widespread boos greeted the final whistle.
Reports suggest the Dutchman will survive a desperately disappointing second season, thanks in large part to the credit he earned in delivering the title during his first year in English football.
Slot has bemoaned the toll that injuries have taken on a short squad despite a record £450 million ($613 million) outlay in the transfer market last summer and promised big changes will be made for next season.
"I do. Not this season, by the way. This season they will have their opinion and it will not change," he said on whether he can regain the faith of the Liverpool support.
"But if we can have the summer that we are planning to have, then I'm 100 percent convinced that we will be a different team next season than we are now. Different in terms of results, different in how things look."
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Pr

Arteta praises 'brave' officials after ruling out West Ham equaliser for 'clear foul'

BY STEVEN GRIFFITHS

  • But Kavanagh eventually disallowed the goal for a foul by Pablo on Raya after being advised by the VAR officials to consult the pitch-side monitor.
  • Mikel Arteta praised referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR officials for their "brave" decision to disallow Callum Wilson's equaliser for a "clear foul" in the final seconds of Arsenal's contentious 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.
  • But Kavanagh eventually disallowed the goal for a foul by Pablo on Raya after being advised by the VAR officials to consult the pitch-side monitor.
Mikel Arteta praised referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR officials for their "brave" decision to disallow Callum Wilson's equaliser for a "clear foul" in the final seconds of Arsenal's contentious 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.
Arteta's side looked as though they had suffered a huge blow in the Premier League title race when Wilson slammed home in stoppage-time after Gunners keeper David Raya dropped the ball.
But Kavanagh eventually disallowed the goal for a foul by Pablo on Raya after being advised by the VAR officials to consult the pitch-side monitor.
West Ham were furious with the decision but Arteta claimed justice was done.
"Today I have to congratulate them. They showed a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action," he said.
"When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave. The action deserved that. 
"In my opinion, it is very clear. They are the rules and we ask for consistency.
"But today I realised for the referees to be in that position and make that call and change the course of one the two teams, what a responsibility. What a big call."
The controversial decision left Arsenal on the brink of winning the title for the first time in 22 years.
They sit five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who host Crystal Palace for their game in hand on Wednesday.
The north London club will be crowned champions if they beat Burnley at home on May 18 and win at Palace on May 24.

'Beauty of the Premier League'

"I am going to certainly remember this day. It was a rollercoaster of emotions," Arteta said.
"We knew it was going to be tough day; West Ham are fighting for their lives and we are trying to win the Premier League.
"So much at stake. We started the game so well and had three big chances. Then the injury of Ben White, we had to make a change and adapt, we had to make difficult decisions. 
"We threw everything we had to try and win it. We were rewarded for that courage."
With the long-awaited title now in touching distance, Arteta singled out Raya and Martin Odegaard for their priceless contributions.
Raya made a brilliant save with his foot to keep out Mateus Fernandes' close-range effort when the score was still 0-0.
Odegaard, used sparingly by Arteta in recent weeks, came off the bench to provide the assist for Trossard's winner with a clever run and pass.
"If you want the chance to major trophies, you need moments and actions and the individuals creating those magic moments and David certainly - like Martin Odegaard - created a moment to win us the game," said Arteta, who has also led Arsenal to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.
"Martin made an incredible action to win us the game after David's save. In the end, this is the beauty of the Premier League."
Asked how he felt about Arsenal being two games from title glory, Arteta added: "Now we leave and enjoy what we have done today, because as I said it has been an incredible week. 
"Those players, the way they are standing in front of the opportunity and showing resilience, it is remarkable."
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WTA

Prizmic follows Djokovic exploit by reaching Italian Open last 16

BY TERRY DALEY

  • - Osaka eyes Swiatek clash - Naomi Osaka will face three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek in the last 16 of the women's tournament after easily seeing off Diana Schnaider 6-1, 6-2.
  • Dino Prizmic followed up knocking out Novak Djokovic from the Italian Open by beating France's Ugo Humbert 6-1, 7-5 on Sunday to reach the last 16 in Rome.
  • - Osaka eyes Swiatek clash - Naomi Osaka will face three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek in the last 16 of the women's tournament after easily seeing off Diana Schnaider 6-1, 6-2.
Dino Prizmic followed up knocking out Novak Djokovic from the Italian Open by beating France's Ugo Humbert 6-1, 7-5 on Sunday to reach the last 16 in Rome.
Prizmic had to qualify for the main draw but the Croatian player looks like he could be a contender after another brilliant display of power and precision on clay.
The 20-year-old raced into a 5-0 lead in the first set, which he closed out in just 28 minutes against a shellshocked Humbert, who was seeded 31st.
Such was Prizmic's dominance in the first set that he could even afford to try a trick shot between his legs and give up a point in game six.
Humbert battled back in the second set but after he gave up his serve for the third time in game 11 Prizmic closed out on his second match point.
After his superb performance on the Pietrangeli court Prizmic will face 13th seed Karen Khachanov in the next round.
"I just want to play my game and to be myself on the court and we will see," Prizmic later told reporters.
"Maybe for me the goal is to be top 30 at the end of the year but I just want to stay healthy and to play as much as I can."
As it stands Prizmic will already be up 11 places to 68th come Monday week, just before the start of the French Open, after his best ever performance in a Master 1000 tournament.

Zverev eases through

Alexander Zverev kept up his bid for a third title at the Foro Italico with a straight-sets win over Alexander Blockx, 6-1, 6-4 on centre court where the threat of rain looms large.
Second seed Zverev, who was heavily beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Madrid final last weekend, will face Italy's Luciano Darderi, who beat Tommy Paul 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the fourth round.
Zverev barely had to get out of second gear against Blockx, who was beaten in the Madrid semis by Zverev.
The German, who won the men's singles title in the Italian capital in 2017 and 2024, is on the same side of the draw as Prizmic.
"There's a lot of young guys who are playing great tennis. He's definitely one of them," he said.
"But I'm going to go match by match, I think that's the most important thing, not to look too far ahead and focus on the things that you can control." 
Home hope Lorenzo Musetti will face clay court specialist Casper Ruud in the last 16 after winning a tough match with Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.
Musetti was in tears at the end of a clash which featured 81 unforced errors, and told Sky Sport that wasn't right physically without specifying what was wrong. 

Osaka eyes Swiatek clash

Naomi Osaka will face three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek in the last 16 of the women's tournament after easily seeing off Diana Schnaider 6-1, 6-2.
The four-time Grand Slam winner beat her Russian opponent in just 54 minutes to equal her best result of a difficult season in which she was knocked out of Indian Wells and Madrid at the same stage by Aryna Sabalenka.
But with Sabalenka suffering a shock early elimination on Saturday, 15th seed Osaka could yet be a contender.
She will play Swiatek on Tuesday after the Pole swept aside Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-0 in just over an hour.
"For me those matches are the most fun. I'm excited at the thought," said Osaka of a clash with Swiatek.
Pole Swiatek suffered her earliest exit in five appearances in Madrid last month when she retired in the third round due to a viral illness. 
She was knocked out at the same stage in Rome last year as defending champion and took nearly three hours to win her opening match against Caty McNally.
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has not won a clay tournament since capturing the last of her four French Open titles in 2024.
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Pr

West Ham's Bowen slams decision to rule out Wilson goal against Arsenal

  • The Premier League is physical.
  • West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen blasted the controversial decision to disallow Callum Wilson's stoppage-time goal in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
  • The Premier League is physical.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen blasted the controversial decision to disallow Callum Wilson's stoppage-time goal in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Hammers trailed to Leandro Trossard's late strike at the London Stadium, but appeared to have rescued a last-gasp draw when Wilson fired home after Arsenal keeper David Raya dropped the ball.
West Ham's celebrations were curtailed by a prolonged VAR intervention that ended with referee Chris Kavanagh changing his decision, ruling that Pablo had fouled Raya, after consulting the pitch-side monitor.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side remain in the relegation zone, one point behind fourth-bottom Tottenham, who have a game in hand against Leeds on Monday in the battle to avoid crashing into the Championship.
"A real blow. We thought we'd done so well to get back in it and had it taken away from us," Bowen said.
"When you look at the screen for five minutes you'll find something, a lot of grappling and a lot of holding. Do I think it's the right decision? No.
"Where's the consistency? As a fan you don't want to celebrate a goal and then wait eight minutes and it's taken off you."
West Ham had appealed for fouls by Declan Rice and Trossard that could have led to a penalty in the Wilson incident.
And Bowen claimed officials are not consistent enough when dealing with potential fouls at set-pieces.
"Corners are physical. The Premier League is physical. That's why everyone loves it. You have to expect contact at corners," he said.
"If you give that you have to give all the holding calls in the world and that's not the way people want the game to go down.
"I don't want to sound bitter but last week we had one with Tomas Soucek held at Brentford and we didn't get a penalty. But then you can't give one like that today."
West Ham boss Nuno added: "The way the game finished, we're all upset of course.
"I didn't pay attention to the replay just to not get more upset but there's a referee, there's VAR, there's circumstances in the past that would be judged different. Let's not say much further than that.
"Due to the recent seasons it's been happening and even the referees don't know what is a foul, what isn't a foul. It creates a lot of doubt and speculation around it."
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Pr

Arsenal survive VAR drama to move closer to title with dramatic win at West Ham

BY STEVEN GRIFFITHS

  • Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed City, whose 3-0 win against Brentford on Saturday had kept the pressure on the leaders.
  • Arsenal moved closer to the Premier League title in controversial fashion as a hugely contentious decision to disallow Callum Wilson's stoppage-time goal handed the leaders a vital 1-0 win against West Ham on Sunday.
  • Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed City, whose 3-0 win against Brentford on Saturday had kept the pressure on the leaders.
Arsenal moved closer to the Premier League title in controversial fashion as a hugely contentious decision to disallow Callum Wilson's stoppage-time goal handed the leaders a vital 1-0 win against West Ham on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta's side struggled to break down West Ham in a tense derby at the London Stadium before Leandro Trossard struck with a deflected effort seven minutes from full-time.
But Arsenal's title rivals Manchester City will be furious that West Ham were denied a last-gasp equaliser for Pablo's foul on Gunners keeper David Raya, whose fumble was fired home by Wilson.
Pablo had his arm across Raya's chest in the incident but the contact was minimal, with West Ham also claiming fouls by Declan Rice and Trossard at the same moment.
In what could be the defining image of the title race, referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR officials took an age to disallow the goal, with the verdict eventually sparking outraged jeers from West Ham fans, while Arteta clenched his fists in relief.
Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed City, whose 3-0 win against Brentford on Saturday had kept the pressure on the leaders.
City can close within two points of Arsenal if they win their game in hand at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
But Arsenal know they are guaranteed to seal the title if they win their last two games against Burnley and Crystal Palace.
The Gunners' mental strength has been questioned numerous times in recent years, but they showed spirit and desire in equal measure to edge ever closer to a long-awaited first title in 22 years.
Arsenal have also reached their first Champions League final since 2006, beating Atletico Madrid in the last four on Tuesday, and will face Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Budapest on May 30.
Winning their 14th English title and a maiden Champions League crown would make it the greatest season in the club's 139-year history.
Thierry Henry, a key figure in the unbeaten "Invincibles" side who were the last Arsenal team to win the title in 2003-04, recently said Arteta's squad would be known as the "unforgettables" if they lift both trophies.
For the thousands of Arsenal supporters crammed into one end of the London Stadium, this was a result they will never forget if the title is secured over the next two weeks.

Arsenal on brink of immortality

Third-bottom West Ham's hopes of avoiding relegation are fading.
They are one point behind fourth-bottom Tottenham, who can take a huge step towards survival if they beat host Leeds on Monday.
Trossard went close for Arsenal from an early corner, his close-range header well saved by Mads Hermansen before the winger headed the rebound onto the crossbar.
Arsenal suffered a blow when Ben White limped off midway through the half, forcing Rice to move from midfield to a makeshift right-back role.
After being penned in for so long, West Ham were inches away from taking a shock lead just before half-time. 
Valentin Castellanos threw himself at Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross with a diving header that Raya saved at full stretch.
Arsenal had lost control of the game with Rice out of position and Arteta responded at the break, sending on Cristhian Mosquera so the England star could return to midfield.
Even that couldn't shift the momentum back in Arsenal's favour.
Raya made a brilliant save to keep Arsenal level, sticking out his foot to block Mateus Fernandes' shot after the midfielder looked certain to score from five yards.
It was a priceless contribution as Arsenal netted in the 83rd minute.
Martin Odegaard played a one-two with Rice and cleverly worked the pass into Trossard, whose strike from 12 yards took a hefty deflection on its way past Hermansen.
There was nearly a sting in the tale for Arsenal when Raya's drop was lashed in by Wilson, but VAR came to the Gunners' rescue, leaving them three wins from immortality.
smg/dmc

FRA

Jorge Martin wins French MotoGP and Ogura ends Japan's drought

  • Ogura finished third to become the first Japanese rider to finish on a MotoGP podium since Katsuyuki Nakasuga at the Valencia Grand Prix in 2012.
  • Jorge Martin overtook MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi on the penultimate lap to win the French Grand Prix on Sunday, while Ai Ogura secured Japan's first podium finish for 14 years.
  • Ogura finished third to become the first Japanese rider to finish on a MotoGP podium since Katsuyuki Nakasuga at the Valencia Grand Prix in 2012.
Jorge Martin overtook MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi on the penultimate lap to win the French Grand Prix on Sunday, while Ai Ogura secured Japan's first podium finish for 14 years.
Italian rider Bezzecchi seemed to be heading for his fourth win of a season which is only five races old when Spaniard Martin nipped in front of him on the 26th lap of 27.
The Spaniard, world champion in 2024, stood up in his saddle with his arms aloft as his crossed the line to record his first victory of the season.
Ogura finished third to become the first Japanese rider to finish on a MotoGP podium since Katsuyuki Nakasuga at the Valencia Grand Prix in 2012.
Martin's performance cut the lead on his Aprilia teammate Bezzecchi in the championship standings to a single point after he picked up additional points by winning the sprint race on Saturday.
"I rode a great race," Martin said.
Bezzecchi was gracious in defeat. "It was a very tough race.. and I knew it wasn't the strongest today. So I am very happy (with the result)," the Italian said.
Ogura's first podium of his career after a gutsy ride moves the 25-year-old Trackhouse rider up to fifth place in the riders' standings.
Reigning world champion Marc Marquez of Ducati missed the main race after suffering a fractured foot during Saturday's sprint and underwent surgery in Madrid Sunday that will also rule him out of next week's Catalan GP.
gj-dmc/ea

CSK

Record-equalling Patel sets up Chennai victory over Lucknow in IPL

  • However, Patel was the star turn in the Chennai innings as he equalled Yashasvi Jaiswal's record for the fastest half-century in the IPL.  Patel needed just 13 balls to reach his first 50 in the competition, going on to top-score with 65 from 23 balls with eight sixes. 
  • Urvil Patel smashed a record-equalling half-century but it was impact player Prashant Veer who steered Chennai Super Kings over the line to a five-wicket win over Lucknow SuperGiants in the IPL on Sunday.
  • However, Patel was the star turn in the Chennai innings as he equalled Yashasvi Jaiswal's record for the fastest half-century in the IPL.  Patel needed just 13 balls to reach his first 50 in the competition, going on to top-score with 65 from 23 balls with eight sixes. 
Urvil Patel smashed a record-equalling half-century but it was impact player Prashant Veer who steered Chennai Super Kings over the line to a five-wicket win over Lucknow SuperGiants in the IPL on Sunday.
Veer was dropped twice in the 19th over, bowled by Avesh Khan, but struck 18 not out from 12 balls, hitting two successive sixes off Aiden Markram to see Chennai to 208-5 and victory with four balls to spare at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
However, Patel was the star turn in the Chennai innings as he equalled Yashasvi Jaiswal's record for the fastest half-century in the IPL. 
Patel needed just 13 balls to reach his first 50 in the competition, going on to top-score with 65 from 23 balls with eight sixes. 
He added 81 for the second wicket with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad who made 42 from 28 balls. 
"I just wanted to bat according to the situation and hit the ball," said Patel. 
"Ruturaj said the wicket was slow and to be ready for it. I tried to maintain a stable base and then hit."
It was Chennai's third win in a row – sixth in 11 matches overall – as they climbed to fifth in the table, still in contention for a top-four playoff spot. 
For Lucknow, it was an eighth loss in 11 games and they remain bottom of the log. 
Put into bat, Lucknow relied made a terrific start, clubbing 91 in the powerplay thanks to opener Josh Inglis. 
The Australian hammered a superb 85 off 33 balls to post his first IPL half-century for the SuperGiants. 
His fifty, which included four sixes and six fours, came off just 17 balls making it his fastest T20 half-century. 
When he fell to Jamie Overton in the tenth over, having taken his boundary count to 10 fours and six sixes, Lucknow were 112-3 and looking at an imposing total.
But Overton then removed Rishabh Pant and Akshat Raghuwanshi either side of Markram being run out to leave Lucknow on 147-6 in the fifteenth over. 
Overton finished with 3-36 and was named player of the match. 
"It was nice to get a couple of wickets and obviously getting Josh out at that point was crucial," said the England paceman.
Shahbaz Ahmed made sure the tail wagged with 43 not out off 25 balls but it wasn't enough to prevent Chennai veering to victory. 
str/bsp/ea

Giro

French rookie Magnier wins his second stage of Giro d'Italia

  • The 22-year-old Quick-Step rider also won the opening stage Friday and was dressed in the colours of the leading sprinter in what is his debut Giro.
  • Paul Magnier showed nous beyond his years by snatching victory at Sofia in the third stage of the Giro d'Italia to pip Italian hope Jonathan Milan and Dylan Groenewegen.
  • The 22-year-old Quick-Step rider also won the opening stage Friday and was dressed in the colours of the leading sprinter in what is his debut Giro.
Paul Magnier showed nous beyond his years by snatching victory at Sofia in the third stage of the Giro d'Italia to pip Italian hope Jonathan Milan and Dylan Groenewegen.
The 22-year-old Quick-Step rider also won the opening stage Friday and was dressed in the colours of the leading sprinter in what is his debut Giro.
Milan opened his sprint early with Magnier sitting on his wheel until the line where he made a bike throw, a manoeuvre in which he pushed his weight off the back of the saddle to propel the bike 30 centimetres forwards.
"Now I know I can compete with the best," said Magnier, after his second win.
The 175km run from Plovdiv along the magnificent Maritsa river to the Bulgarian capital took the peloton over the 9.2km Borovec Pass climb where King of the Mountains jersey wearer Diego Pablo Sevilla led a three-man break that was only captured and overtaken 300m from the finish line.
Team UAE set off three riders down already, a heavy toll from the carnage of Saturday's mass fall that deprived them of Adam Yates, Jay Vine and Marc Soler, all potential contenders for the title.
Another favourite, Colombian Santiago Buitrago, also had to withdraw leaving Jonas Vingegaard looking even at this early stage ever more likely to win the 21-day event.
Monday is a rest and travel day before stage 4 on Tuesday for a picture postcard coastal run in the Abruzzo region where Uruguayan Guilleromo Silva will ride in the overall leader's pink jersey.
Vingegaard will have to wait until stage seven for a first real mountain with a near 14km climb up Mount Blockhaus in the Apennines.
Stage 10 should also cause a shake up with a lengthy 42km time-trial between Viareggio and Massa.
bur-dmc/gj/ea

PAK

Bangladesh-Pakistan Test evenly poised after Mehidy takes 5 wickets

  • Bangladesh closed the day on 7-0 in their second innings to increase their lead to 34 runs, after bad light ended play with Mahmudul Hasan Joy unbeaten on two and Shadman Islam yet to score.
  • Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets to give Bangladesh a slender lead after Pakistan debutant Azan Awais hit 103 on a rain-hit third day of the first Test on Sunday.
  • Bangladesh closed the day on 7-0 in their second innings to increase their lead to 34 runs, after bad light ended play with Mahmudul Hasan Joy unbeaten on two and Shadman Islam yet to score.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets to give Bangladesh a slender lead after Pakistan debutant Azan Awais hit 103 on a rain-hit third day of the first Test on Sunday.
Pakistan made 386 all out in response to Bangladesh's first innings total of 413 in Dhaka.
Bangladesh closed the day on 7-0 in their second innings to increase their lead to 34 runs, after bad light ended play with Mahmudul Hasan Joy unbeaten on two and Shadman Islam yet to score.
The left-handed Azan, who resumed on 85, completed his hundred off 153 balls to become the 14th Pakistani and sixth player overall to score a century on debut against Bangladesh.
He became pace bowler Taskin Ahmed's 50th Test wicket after captain Najmul Hossain Shanto caught the opener at slip.
"It's a very blessed feeling for me because I know it's my debut match and I performed really well for my country," a visibly moved Azan said.
"When I was going in to bat I was a little nervous, but I performed very well for my team."
Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals but kept coming back as Abdullah Fazal, another debutant, scored 60, Salman Agha made 58 and Mohammad Rizwan chipped in with 59.
Rizwan and Agha made 119 for the sixth wicket, one of three century partnerships for the visitors, before rain wiped out a large portion of the afternoon session.
The pitch offered more assistance to the spinners when play resumed and Mehidy exploited the conditions to perfection, with Pakistan bowled out in 100.3 overs.
Mehidy, who bowled 38 overs of his off-spin, was rewarded for his patience.
"On a true wicket like this, as a spinner my mindset is that I will not get help from the pitch in the first three days," Miraz said.
"If I bowl in good areas and the batter makes a mistake, then I have a chance of taking wickets. My job was to make sure I did not concede runs from one end."
"In the second innings I will come as an attacking bowler when the ball is turning," he said.
str/fk/pbt

WTA

Prizmic follows up on Djokovic exploit by reaching Italian Open last 16

  • Alexander Zverev kept up his bid for a third title at the Foro Italico with a straight-sets win over Alexander Blockx, 6-1, 6-4 on centre court.
  • Dino Prizmic followed up on knocking Novak Djokovic from the Italian Open by beating France's Ugo Humbert 6-1, 7-5 on Sunday to reach the last 16 in Rome.
  • Alexander Zverev kept up his bid for a third title at the Foro Italico with a straight-sets win over Alexander Blockx, 6-1, 6-4 on centre court.
Dino Prizmic followed up on knocking Novak Djokovic from the Italian Open by beating France's Ugo Humbert 6-1, 7-5 on Sunday to reach the last 16 in Rome.
Croatian Prizmic had to qualify for the main draw but looks like he could be a contender after another brilliant display of power and precision on clay.
The 20-year-old raced into a 5-0 lead in the first set, which he closed out in just 28 minutes against a shellshocked Humbert, who was seeded 31st.
Such was Prizmic's dominance in the first set that he could even afford to try a trick shot between his legs and give up a point in game six.
Humbert battled back in the second set but after he gave up his serve for the third time in game 11 Prizmic closed out the match on his second match point.
After his superb performance on the Pietrangeli court Prizmic will face one of Karen Khachanov or Botic van de Zandschulp in the next round.
Alexander Zverev kept up his bid for a third title at the Foro Italico with a straight-sets win over Alexander Blockx, 6-1, 6-4 on centre court.
Second seed Zverev, who was heavily beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Madrid final last weekend, will face one of Tommy Paul or Italy's Luciano Darderi in the fourth round.
Another home hope in Lorenzo Musetti is in action on centre court later when the eighth seed takes on Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo.
td/ea

Liga

Barcelona need a point against Real Madrid to win La Liga

  • Adding to the raft of statistics, Barca could become the first team to clinch La Liga in a Clasico since 1932, when Madrid won their first Spanish league.
  • Barcelona only need a draw against Real Madrid in a high-stakes Clasico to clinch back-to-back La Liga titles later Sunday, with Madrid in disarray after a dressing-room bust-up between two of their leading players.
  • Adding to the raft of statistics, Barca could become the first team to clinch La Liga in a Clasico since 1932, when Madrid won their first Spanish league.
Barcelona only need a draw against Real Madrid in a high-stakes Clasico to clinch back-to-back La Liga titles later Sunday, with Madrid in disarray after a dressing-room bust-up between two of their leading players.
Hansi Flick's side have an 11-point lead over their age-old rivals and while one point would be enough, a victory would keep them on course to make history -- and celebrate in style.
If Barcelona win their last four league games this season, starting with the battle against Alvaro Arbeloa's fracturing Madrid in Catalonia, they will match the all-time league record of 100 points.
Should Barca beat Madrid and then Real Betis the following weekend, they will become the first team to win all their home matches in a 38-game La Liga season.
The tension around Madrid after a season in which they will finish without a trophy for just the fifth time this century burst to the surface in extraordinary fashion this week.
A post-training clash between French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and teammate Federico Valverde left the Uruguayan requiring hospital treatment for a head injury, and out for a fortnight.
Valverde's explanation that he "accidentally" collided with a table during the argument "causing a small cut on my forehead" failed to smooth over the situation.
The club imposed a 500,000-euro ($590,000) fine on each player and says they have apologised to each other and to their teammates, the club's staff and to Madrid supporters.
Arbeloa said he was happy that the club had acted swiftly and that the players had "acknowledged their mistake, expressed their regret, accepted the consequences of what they have done, and asked for forgiveness."
"For me, that's enough. What I'm not going to do is burn them at the stake in public, because they don't deserve that... because of what they've shown me over these four months and over these years," the Madrid coach added.
He said despite the confrontation, Tchouameni would be in the squad for the Clasico.

Barcelona cohesion

Barcelona coach Flick said the incident at Madrid was something you see in other clubs, but it was not "normal".
"It happens around the world, so it's not only a thing at Real... was I surprised? Maybe a little bit," Flick told reporters.
"But in the end, I don't care about that, because it's not my club, it's not my team. So I don't have to think about that."
Flick was at pains though to stress that in contrast to Madrid, everybody at Barcelona was on the same page.
"The most important thing, and what I really appreciate a lot in this club, is that we are all going the same way," the German explained.
"When something happens, we are talking in the same way."
Adding to the raft of statistics, Barca could become the first team to clinch La Liga in a Clasico since 1932, when Madrid won their first Spanish league.
"We want to win the title, the second in a row," Flick said.
"It's amazing, not normal, here in Spain. So this is what we want to do, nothing else, nothing more."
Madrid will not be able to count on Kylian Mbappe. The French forward has been recovering from a hamstring injury and trained with his teammates on Friday, but he was not on the squad list issued by the club on social media on Sunday.
Barcelona's young star Lamine Yamal will also watch from the stands -- the 18-year-old's own hamstring injury is expected to sideline him until the World Cup.
The Catalan club offered their condolences to Flick, 61, ahead of the game, after his father passed away.
"We share his pain and stand with him during this very difficult time for him and his family," said Barca in a statement.
rbs-gj/ea

Sports

Adam Yates out of Giro d'Italia with concussion after crash

  • A podium contender, UAE Team Emirates lead rider Yates went down in a massive pile-up that forced his teammates Jay Vine and Marc Soler to abandon the race on Saturday.
  • British rider Adam Yates has been forced to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia with concussion before Sunday's third stage a day after being involved in a heavy crash. 
  • A podium contender, UAE Team Emirates lead rider Yates went down in a massive pile-up that forced his teammates Jay Vine and Marc Soler to abandon the race on Saturday.
British rider Adam Yates has been forced to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia with concussion before Sunday's third stage a day after being involved in a heavy crash. 
A podium contender, UAE Team Emirates lead rider Yates went down in a massive pile-up that forced his teammates Jay Vine and Marc Soler to abandon the race on Saturday.
Vine suffered concussion and a fractured elbow, while Soler sustained a fractured pelvis, UAE Team Emirates medical director Adrian Rotunno said on Sunday, adding that neither rider required surgery. 
On Sunday, Yates, 33, who finished the stage with his face covered in mud and blood, also withdrew from the race. 
"Yates suffered heavy abrasions and a laceration to his left ear," the team doctor said. 
"He was initially assessed on site for concussion, and cleared to continue, but subsequently he has shown delayed concussive symptoms. He will not take the start of stage 3 today. 
"All three are under observation of our medical staff and will travel home in the coming days to continue their recovery and rehab."
Bad luck continues on the Giro for the third-place finisher in the 2023 Tour de France, who also crashed in his two previous participations in 2017 and 2025, although he managed to finish the race each time, in 9th and 12th place respectively. 
The twin brother of Simon Yates, winner of last year's Giro, will now focus on his role as Tadej Pogacar's mountain lieutenant during the Tour de France in July.
Italian Andrea Vendrame (Jayco-AlUla), who finished the second stage on Saturday but is suffering from fractures in his lower back, is also a non-starter on Sunday. 
Two other riders, Colombian Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain) and Norwegian Adne Holter (Uno-X), had already abandoned the race on Saturday.
jk/smr/ea

Sports

Anxiety, anticipation as World Cup one-month countdown begins

BY ROB WOOLLARD

  • - 'Iran will play' - The war also sparked uncertainty about Iran's participation in the World Cup.
  • The one-month countdown to the 2026 World Cup gets under way on Monday with anticipation crashing into anxiety as soaring ticket prices, political tensions in Donald Trump's America and the war in Iran cast an early shadow over the football showpiece.
  • - 'Iran will play' - The war also sparked uncertainty about Iran's participation in the World Cup.
The one-month countdown to the 2026 World Cup gets under way on Monday with anticipation crashing into anxiety as soaring ticket prices, political tensions in Donald Trump's America and the war in Iran cast an early shadow over the football showpiece.
A record 48 teams and millions of fans are set to descend on the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first ever World Cup co-hosted by three nations.
The sprawling, nearly six-week-long spectacle kicks off at Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11 before culminating in the final at New Jersey's 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Yet a turbulent build-up has meant the 23rd edition of the World Cup risks feeling like a morning-after headache before the party has even started, with a potent cocktail of affordability concerns, politics and conflict already souring the mood.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino insists the pre-tournament unease is overblown, dismissing the tide of downbeat headlines as "negative press."
"The truth of the matter is that it's very difficult to find something negative around this World Cup," Infantino told a business conference in Beverly Hills this week.
But Infantino's bullish optimism has not been broadly shared around the football world.

'Extortionate' tickets

The skyrocketing cost of tickets for the tournament has triggered a global backlash which has left FIFA and Infantino scrambling to manage the public relations fallout.
Fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has branded the World Cup pricing structure as "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal", citing ticket prices that have put the tournament -- expected to help generate $13 billion for FIFA -- out of reach for many.
The most expensive ticket for the final in 2022 cost around $1,600 at face value; in 2026 the most expensive face value ticket being sold by FIFA now weighs in at an eye-watering $32,970.
Infantino says the prices are appropriate for the United States, which will host the bulk of the tournament's fixtures.
"We have to look at the market -- we are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world. So we have to apply market rates," Infantino said.
FIFA has reported more than 500 million requests for tickets, compared to 50 million combined for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
However despite claims that the tournament is a sellout, seats for many games -- including the United States' opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12 -- remain available on secondary ticket market sites.
Even staunch Infantino ally Trump has balked at the cost, reacting with surprise this week when informed of the $1,000 price tag for the USA clash with Paraguay.
"I did not know that number," Trump told the New York Post. "I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you."

'Exclusion and fear'?

As fans mull the cost of watching the World Cup, other critics have zeroed in on the feverish political climate in the United States, which is hosting 78 of the tournament's 104 games. 
The re-election of Trump to the White House has upended the 2026 tournament's initial billing as a "Unity Bid" that would showcase the harmonious relationship between the three North American co-hosts.
Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly talked about making Canada a "51st state" of the United States while launching a trade war with both neighbours.
Human Rights Watch has said the World Cup risks being defined by "exclusion and fear" due to Trump's crackdowns on immigration, demonstrations and press freedom, while Amnesty International warned the tournament could become a "stage for repression."
The US-Israel military strikes launched against Iran in February meanwhile have sent shockwaves through the global economy, with the World Bank warning the conflict in the Middle East could tip millions into hunger.

'Iran will play'

The war also sparked uncertainty about Iran's participation in the World Cup. It is the first time in history a host has been in a military conflict with a participating nation directly before the tournament.
Trump initially suggested Iran withdraw from the tournament, for their "own life and safety."
However FIFA supremo Infantino is adamant that Iran, who are scheduled to play their three group matches in the United States having seen their proposal that they be moved to Mexico rejected, will take part as planned.
"Of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026," Infantino told the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on April 30. 
"And of course, Iran will play (in) the United States of America."
Trump, who hopes to reap political dividends from the World Cup ahead of this year's midterm elections, subsequently said he was "OK" with Iran's presence at the World Cup.
FIFA and Infantino are banking on the controversies being forgotten when the on-field action gets under way and the World Cup serves up its trademark feast of drama and footballing brilliance.
Defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi head into the tournament among the favourites, alongside European champions Spain, 2018 World Cup winners France and England, desperately chasing a first major tournament win since 1966.
At the other end of the scale, the expanded World Cup will welcome several nations for the first time, notably Curacao -- the smallest country by population to ever play in the tournament -- and Cape Verde.
rcw/gj

umpires

Japan baseball umpires wear 29 in tribute to unconscious colleague

  • Umpires in the six professional games on Saturday in Japan wore the number 29 on their headgear to pray for Kawakami's recovery, reports published late Saturday by Kyodo News and other media said.
  • Professional baseball umpires across Japan wore the number 29 on their helmets in solidarity with a colleague who is still unconscious three weeks after being hit on the head by a bat.
  • Umpires in the six professional games on Saturday in Japan wore the number 29 on their headgear to pray for Kawakami's recovery, reports published late Saturday by Kyodo News and other media said.
Professional baseball umpires across Japan wore the number 29 on their helmets in solidarity with a colleague who is still unconscious three weeks after being hit on the head by a bat.
Umpire Takuto Kawakami was behind home plate during a game in Tokyo on April 16 when slugger Jose Osuna swung his bat, which flew out of his hands and struck the left side of Kawakami's head.
The 30-year-old, whose umpire number is 29, was taken to hospital where he had emergency surgery and was placed in intensive care.
Umpires in the six professional games on Saturday in Japan wore the number 29 on their headgear to pray for Kawakami's recovery, reports published late Saturday by Kyodo News and other media said.
"It started from everyone asking if there was something we could do together," umpire Fumihiro Yoshimoto told reporters after a game at Koshien Stadium in western Japan, Kyodo reported.
"All we can do is hope for his return," he added.
Reports last week said Japanese baseball was considering punishing players for dangerous swings.
Two days after the incident, the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) implemented a rule requiring all umpires to wear helmets.
Kawakami was wearing a face protection mask with a baseball cap underneath.
Even after the announcement late last month that he had been moved from the intensive care unit to a general ward, treatment was still ongoing, Kyodo said, while sports tabloid Sponichi Annex said Sunday Kawakami remained unconscious. 
NPB could not immediately be reached Sunday for comment on the reports.
kh/dh

Sports

Thunder top Lakers for 3-0 NBA series lead, Cavs claw back against Pistons

  • But the Lakers, still without injured scoring champion Luka Doncic, couldn't conjure a crucial win as their series shifted to Los Angeles.
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder used another explosive second half to beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 131-108 on Saturday, pushing the Lakers to the brink of elimination in the NBA playoffs.
  • But the Lakers, still without injured scoring champion Luka Doncic, couldn't conjure a crucial win as their series shifted to Los Angeles.
The Oklahoma City Thunder used another explosive second half to beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 131-108 on Saturday, pushing the Lakers to the brink of elimination in the NBA playoffs.
Ajay Mitchell scored 24 points and handed out 10 assists without a turnover to help the Thunder take a 3-0 stranglehold on the best-of-seven Western Conference semi-final series.
The Lakers will host game four on Monday trying to become the first NBA team to rally from 3-0 down to win a playoff series.
"I'm not giving up on this series," defiant Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "We're going to try to win on Monday. We're going to try to extend the series and we're going to try to take this thing back to OKC."
The Cleveland Cavaliers, fueled by 35 points from Donovan Mitchell and clutch shooting from James Harden, avoided falling in a similar hole, grabbing a crucial 116-109 game-three victory over the Detroit Pistons to cut their series deficit to 2-1.
The Cavs, who dropped the first two games in Detroit, remained unbeaten at home in these playoffs.
But the Lakers, still without injured scoring champion Luka Doncic, couldn't conjure a crucial win as their series shifted to Los Angeles.
Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 21 points and James added 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
But the Thunder's depth was just too much for the depleted Lakers.
"That's the strength of their team," Redick said.
With reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander connecting on just seven of 20 shots from the floor, second-year guard Mitchell -- starting in place of injured Jalen Williams -- stepped up.
"He's a gamer," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 23 points. "It might be a shock to the world, but this is no shock to us."
As in game two, the Lakers took a two-point lead into half-time, this one largely on the strength of 11 first-half three-pointers.
But again the Thunder exploded in the third period, opening the second half on a 21-6 scoring run.
After that it was all but over. The Lakers connected on just eight of 22 shots from the field in the third period, including just one from three-point range. Their turnovers began to mount, and the Thunder pushed their lead to as many as 27 in the fourth quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander said the Thunder, who swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round, will "absolutely" be aiming to finish off the Lakers on Monday.
"We would never want to waste an opportunity to win a basketball game," he said. "We've got to do the same thing we did in the first three games -- be the aggressor, play the right way together."

Harden on target

In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell added 10 rebounds and four assists. Harden, a three-time NBA scoring champion, scored nine of his 19 points in a tight fourth quarter, drilling a trio of baskets that included a dagger trey that pushed Cleveland's lead to four with 25.9 seconds left.
"I love it," Harden said. "When your number's called, just getting to my spots. And it's something that I work on literally every day."
Harden's lackluster offensive numbers and late-game miscues in games one and two sparked criticism, but the veteran said he'd taken the "chatter" in stride.
"Chatter is going to be chatter regardless," he said. "Whether you do something good, whether you do something bad, you give me opportunities in this fourth quarter, and I take advantage of them."
The Cavs withstood a 27-point triple-double from Detroit's Cade Cunningham, who added 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Cleveland led 64-48 at half-time and pushed the lead to 17 early in the third before the Pistons clawed back.
Detroit managed to edge ahead with less than four minutes to play before Cleveland responded again.
They will try to get the series back on level terms when they host game four on Monday.
bb/dh

Pr

Japan's Mitoma injured as World Cup looms

  • "It looked like a hamstring injury, but let's wait if it's an injury or not."
  • Japan's Kaoru Mitoma could face a battle to be fit for next month's World Cup after suffering an apparent hamstring injury while playing in the English Premier League on Saturday.
  • "It looked like a hamstring injury, but let's wait if it's an injury or not."
Japan's Kaoru Mitoma could face a battle to be fit for next month's World Cup after suffering an apparent hamstring injury while playing in the English Premier League on Saturday.
The winger limped off in the 58th minute of Brighton and Hove Albion's 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers after suddenly clutching the back of his left thigh while chasing a ball and going down.
Mitoma reportedly left the stadium on crutches which will be a huge worry for Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu, who is due to name his World Cup squad on Friday.
"We have to wait for the scan, then we can clarify it," said Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler when asked by reporters about Mitoma's injury after the match.
"Of course, it didn't look great, but I'm a positive person and I stay positive regarding it.
"It looked like a hamstring injury, but let's wait if it's an injury or not."
Japan will begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas on June 14. 
They will also face Tunisia and Sweden in Group F.
bur-dh/hol