AUS

Croc-habitat gets green light for 2032 Olympic rowing

  • But an independent assessment declared it fit for purpose and it was endorsed by governing bodies World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide (formerly International Canoe Federation), along with Olympic organisers.
  • A river home to crocodiles was approved Thursday as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics rowing and canoeing venue by the sport's governing bodies after a "thorough and robust assessment".
  • But an independent assessment declared it fit for purpose and it was endorsed by governing bodies World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide (formerly International Canoe Federation), along with Olympic organisers.
A river home to crocodiles was approved Thursday as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics rowing and canoeing venue by the sport's governing bodies after a "thorough and robust assessment".
The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, around 600 kilometres (372 miles) north of Queensland state capital Brisbane, which will be the Olympics hub, is a controversial choice.
While a saltwater crocodile habitat, the main concerns were around technical specifications and the venue's fairness.
The river is prone to flooding and has strong currents that can create uneven competition conditions, while a lack of accommodation options for rowers and spectators was also an issue.
Thousands of people signed a petition to have the events moved to a purpose‑built facility nearer to Brisbane.
But an independent assessment declared it fit for purpose and it was endorsed by governing bodies World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide (formerly International Canoe Federation), along with Olympic organisers.
World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland said ensuring fair and equal conditions for athletes was the driver in requesting a "thorough and robust" assessment, which looked at river flows, water levels, and wind conditions among other issues.
"Based on the extensive analysis undertaken, we now know that the Fitzroy River is capable of providing fair competition conditions during the period of the Games, consistent with the requirements of Olympic and Paralympic Rowing," he said in a statement.
Paddle Worldwide President Thomas Konietzko was equally enthusiastic.
"The quality and depth of the technical work undertaken has significantly improved our understanding of the field of play and provides confidence to us and our athletes that the course can deliver fair competition for Canoe Sprint athletes," he said.
The threat from crocodiles was not addressed in the assessment but officials have previously said there will be "processes in place" for reporting sightings.
Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris last year played down the issue.
"There are sharks in the ocean and we're still surfing ... it's a can do, not a can't do, please change the mindset here," he said when asked about the issue.
Sightings in the Fitzroy are only occasional, with the apex predators more prevalent further north.
"I thank both Jean-Christophe, Thomas and their teams for their expertise and collaboration as preparations continue at pace ahead of our Games in just under six years' time," Liveris said on Thursday.
"The endorsement provides additional certainty as we move into the next phase of venue planning and Games delivery, ensuring all future design and operational work continues to focus solely on Rockhampton."
mp/oho/tc

Sports

Messi heads Inter Miami to Campeones Cup triumph

  • Mexican giants Cruz Azul have still never won the Campeones Cup.
  • Lionel Messi headed a goal and provided an assist as Inter Miami won the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, beating Cruz Azul 2-0 in the annual clash between Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX champions.
  • Mexican giants Cruz Azul have still never won the Campeones Cup.
Lionel Messi headed a goal and provided an assist as Inter Miami won the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, beating Cruz Azul 2-0 in the annual clash between Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX champions.
It was Inter Miami's first Campeones Cup triumph and came thanks to the Argentine superstar's 100th goal for the reigning MLS Cup winners. A late Messi corner was headed home by Casemiro to seal the win.
Victory gave Messi his first trophy of the year, two months after the heartbreak of losing the 2026 World Cup final to Spain with Argentina.
The trophy came in new head coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez's first game in charge of Miami.
Argentine manager Gonzalez was appointed last month, but due to visa delays only took his first training sessions this week.
Cruz Azul had the game's first big chance, Jose Paradela's shot saved at the near post by Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair.
Miami's opener came in the 24th minute. Though the goalscorer was no surprise, it was a rare Messi header that broke the deadlock.
Luis Suarez crossed from the byline, and the 5-foot-7 Messi outjumped Willer Ditta with a diving header to give Miami the lead.
Suarez nearly turned provider again in the 32nd minute. He received a sumptuous cross-field ball from Messi and scooped it up for German Berterame, whose dinked effort was cleared off the line.
Early in the second half Messi appeared to have scored his 101st Miami goal, racing through one-on-one from a Suarez through ball and placing his shot in off the post, but was ruled offside.
Cruz Azul should have equalized in the 67th minute, but substitute Gabriel Fernandez's glancing header hit the post, and Casemiro blocked the follow-up shot.
A Messi corner gave Miami the two-goal cushion, finding Casemiro, who nodded the ball low to the far post in the 81st minute.
St Clair denied Cruz Azul a late consolation, saving well from a Paradela free kick.
The annual Campeones Cup pits the previous year's MLS Cup winner against the winner of Mexico's Campeon de Campeones.
It was the eighth edition of the cup, which is always hosted by the MLS participant.
Mexican teams had won the three most recent editions before Miami's victory on Wednesday.
Mexican giants Cruz Azul have still never won the Campeones Cup. They lost the 2021 final.
amz/pnb

RSA

Smith still haunted by 'Sandpapergate' as he prepares for South Africa Tests

  • Smith has been back to South Africa for a white-ball series since 2018, but not for a Test and he is bracing for hostile crowds.
  • Steve Smith says he is still traumatised by the infamous "Sandpapergate" ball-tampering scandal in 2018, but the former Australia skipper is undaunted about returning to South Africa for his first Test series since.
  • Smith has been back to South Africa for a white-ball series since 2018, but not for a Test and he is bracing for hostile crowds.
Steve Smith says he is still traumatised by the infamous "Sandpapergate" ball-tampering scandal in 2018, but the former Australia skipper is undaunted about returning to South Africa for his first Test series since.
The prolific batsman was sent home in disgrace, banned for a year and sacked as captain after conspiring to alter the ball using sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town eight years ago.
David Warner, considered the ringleader, was suspended for 12 months and stripped of all leadership roles while Cameron Bancroft was slapped with a nine-month ban.
Smith, preparing for the first Test in Durban on October 9 before the series moves to Gqeberha and Cape Town, said he still suffers flashbacks to a traumatic period of his life.
He is haunted by memories of leaving Johannesburg airport, with cameras clicking furiously around him, and a harrowing Sydney press conference on his return when he broke down in tears.
"I'm not a big fan of cameras ... I get anxious around cameras to be honest," he told News Corp. in an interview published Thursday.
"That was a traumatic experience in my life and when I hear the flash of a camera it makes me revisit that in a way.
"The 24-48 hours of being told by James Sutherland (then-Cricket Australia chief executive) that I was getting banned for a year. That and going through the airport in Johannesburg getting absolutely mobbed, and then flying back and doing that press conference.
"I still have little flashbacks here and there of it."
Smith bore the brunt of the scandal that is considered one of Australian sport's darkest moments, but bounced back emphatically.
He smashed a superb century against England on his return and has gone from strength to strength, with 10,920 Test runs so far at an average of 56.
"It was certainly a difficult period, particularly the initial period a few days after," he said. 
"The mental state I was in was not great. That's somewhere I'd like not to get to again, but I certainly learned from that and have been able to move forward with my life.
"I've tried to kind of erase a lot of 2018 and what happened," he added.
"I can't remember a lot about the series. I've tried to block most of it out of my memory bank."
Smith has been back to South Africa for a white-ball series since 2018, but not for a Test and he is bracing for hostile crowds.
But the 37-year-old is unperturbed, having negotiated multiple Ashes tours to England since 2018, where the Barmy Army abused him relentlessly.
"It's something I'm kind of used to. I've copped a lot at times away from home at different venues across my career and it's something that I take in my own stride," he said.
"I use it as motivation to try and go out and do well and try and take a positive from it."
mp/tc

MAR

Mbappe explains Ceuta shirt stance after criticism

  • "The first thing I want to say is that I have complete solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims, because before being a player, I am human," Mbappe told Spanish daily AS. "But I also wanted to make a gesture and express my thoughts for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in difficult conditions."
  • Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe said on Wednesday that he wanted to make a gesture in support of immigrants who had lost their lives by not wearing a t-shirt in support of the people of Ceuta properly.
  • "The first thing I want to say is that I have complete solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims, because before being a player, I am human," Mbappe told Spanish daily AS. "But I also wanted to make a gesture and express my thoughts for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in difficult conditions."
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe said on Wednesday that he wanted to make a gesture in support of immigrants who had lost their lives by not wearing a t-shirt in support of the people of Ceuta properly.
Real Madrid players Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate were criticised, including by La Liga president Javier Tebas, for wearing the t-shirt partially rolled up ahead of their La Liga win over Elche on Tuesday.
The rest of the team and Elche players wore the t-shirt, which brandished the words "we are all Ceutans", normally, which was intended to be a message of support for people in the Spanish territory in north Africa, which recently has been affected by a migration crisis.
Residents have complained about migrants from Morocco camping on beaches and sleeping in the streets, with the city overwhelmed amid a humanitarian crisis. Scores of people died while attempting the crossing in July.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights, a non-governmental group, estimates the death toll to be at least 141.
"The first thing I want to say is that I have complete solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims, because before being a player, I am human," Mbappe told Spanish daily AS.
"But I also wanted to make a gesture and express my thoughts for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in difficult conditions."
Tens of thousands of migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco on July 30 and 31. Most of them returned in the hours following their arrival, but several thousand remained in Ceuta.
Mbappe said he intended to send a "message of peace" and reiterated he did not mean the gesture as disrespect for residents of Ceuta.
"It wasn't an easy position, a difficult one, because in the end people might think I'm against the people of Ceuta, but no, absolutely not," continued Mbappe.
"I have nothing against them, and I support them 100 percent. But I also wanted to think about all the people who are suffering, because ultimately I'm human, and I don't want to prioritise suffering."

Tebas criticism

Earlier, Tebas said that wearing the t-shirt rolled up was the same as refusing to wear it altogether.
"We saw three players decide not to wear it -- putting it half on is the same as not wearing it... bad, bad," Tebas told reporters.
The initiative for the teams to wear the shirts came from a group of entrepreneurs from the Valencia region. Tebas said that it had been approved but not organised by La Liga and was "not a political act of any type".
La Liga teams playing matches not involving clubs from the Valencia region have not been wearing the top.
The president of Real Madrid's Ceuta fan club, Miguel Angel Montano said he was disappointed by the decision from the trio not to wear the tops properly.
"We were very happy to see (players) wearing the t-shirts, because we need support, but we were baffled when we saw that these three players covered up the message," Montano told Spanish radio station esRadio earlier on Wednesday.
Villarreal hosted Real Betis on Monday and both sets of players wore the t-shirts supporting Ceuta, while Levante players wore the top before their game against champions Barcelona on Sunday, but the Catalan side elected not to use it.
Real Betis and Morocco winger Abde Ezzalzouli defended himself on social media on Tuesday after he was criticised for wearing the t-shirt.
"I want to make one thing clear -- at no point was the t-shirt referring to the people of Ceuta used with a political objective or out of contempt for my people, the Moroccan people," said Ezzalzouli in a post on Instagram.
The former Barcelona winger described it as a social gesture in support of the population of the city "regardless of their nationality".
rbs/bc

LCup

Carrick takes the blame as troubled Man Utd suffer League Cup misery

  • Carrick was a decorated member of the United sides that won Premier League titles and the Champions League under Alex Ferguson.
  • Michael Carrick took the blame for Manchester United's stunning League Cup collapse against Brighton after furious fans jeered his side at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
  • Carrick was a decorated member of the United sides that won Premier League titles and the Champions League under Alex Ferguson.
Michael Carrick took the blame for Manchester United's stunning League Cup collapse against Brighton after furious fans jeered his side at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Carrick and his players were booed off at the final whistle following a miserable 3-2 defeat featuring a blown two-goal lead.
Shea Lacey and Mason Mount put United two up by the 10th minute.
But the hosts suffered a woeful collapse as Charalampos Kostoulas reduced the deficit and Pascal Gross equalised before Maxim De Cuyper grabbed the winner.
For the first time in 50 years, United had lost a home game after leading 2-0.
It was another brutal blow for United after their controversial 1-0 home defeat against Manchester City on Sunday.
Carrick branded the third round loss unacceptable, but took the majority of the responsibility himself.
"We had the game exactly where we wanted it and let it get away from us. That's the story of the game," he said.
"There are a number of things we will look at and dissect. I know quite a bit about where it went wrong.
"We can't accept that as a group. Listen, I take responsibility for that, with the performance towards the end of the second half. That is on me."
Having led United to third place last season in his spell as interim boss, Carrick was expected to oversee a title challenge this term after being appointed on a permanent basis.
But United have already lost three times in six games in all competitions, putting Carrick under pressure to turn the tide at Fulham in the top-flight on Sunday.
Amid criticism of United's close-season transfer recruitment, Carrick's decision to make eight changes against Brighton exposed the lack of depth in his squad.
A defeat in west London at the weekend would leave United in a full blown crisis barely a month into the new campaign.

'It doesn't feel good'

"We will all be better. We have to be better. We have a big game on Sunday that we have to prepare for. We are out of this competition. We've got to get back to winning football matches," Carrick said.
"It doesn't feel good at the moment, let me tell you. It doesn't feel good. We can get back to winning football matches and we can do a lot of things better.
"We want to win and we want to win quickly. It's as simple as that. The next game is Sunday and that is purely all I'm thinking about. We will get better with a number of things."
Carrick was a decorated member of the United sides that won Premier League titles and the Champions League under Alex Ferguson.
His successful interim spell had raised hopes that he could be the man to lead United to their first English title since Ferguson retired in 2013.
But the former England midfielder, whose only previous managerial experience came with second tier Middlesbrough, is in danger of being dragged into a fight to save his job unless results improve quickly.
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, who runs the club's football operations, has already sacked Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim during his reign.
Asked if he understood why the fans were so frustrated by United's latest failure, Carrick said: "It's pretty obvious isn't it? I totally understand the feelings of the supporters. 
"You have to accept it. I totally accept it. It is on me ultimately you know, as a team, what we look like, how we play, what results we get.
"I will take that. I will take the praise and I will stand here and take the criticism and the upset. I totally understand it tonight for the way the game went. We have got to win games."
smg/bc

Chiefs

NFL Chiefs' Kelce among investors bilked in Ponzi scheme

  • Kelce was named in court by prosecutors among the victims in a Ponzi scheme, according to St. Louis TV station KMOV, that saw Siddharth Jawahar sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay $31.35 million to Kelce and other investors, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said.
  • Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, husband of singer Taylor Swift, was among investors defrauded out of millions of dollars by a financial adviser who is going to prison.
  • Kelce was named in court by prosecutors among the victims in a Ponzi scheme, according to St. Louis TV station KMOV, that saw Siddharth Jawahar sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay $31.35 million to Kelce and other investors, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, husband of singer Taylor Swift, was among investors defrauded out of millions of dollars by a financial adviser who is going to prison.
Kelce was named in court by prosecutors among the victims in a Ponzi scheme, according to St. Louis TV station KMOV, that saw Siddharth Jawahar sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay $31.35 million to Kelce and other investors, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said.
Jawahar, 38, was a co-founder and managing partner of Texas-based Swiftarc Capital, whose investors included Kelce.
Judge Zachary M. Bluestone said the duration of the fraud, stemming from 2016, and "enormous" losses involved plus Jawahar's failure to start repaying victims were key factors in the sentence.
Almost all of the funds were consolidated into Philip Morris Pakistan (PMP), and when PMP's value declined, Jawahar instead told investors it was profitable and falsely told clients their money had been made in specific investments when he never made such investments.
The court said Jawahar took more than $35 million from Swiftarc but invested only about $10 million from July 2016 through December 2023, with money spent on private jets, lavish hotels, luxury apartments in Texas and New York, fancy clothes and meals and memberships in private clubs.
Jawahar pleaded guilty in January to three counts of wire fraud.
According to court documents, Jawahar is from India and was illegally in the United States since 2005.
KMOV reported that Sam Graves, a US House of Representatives member from Missouri, had sent a letter asking a federal judge for leniency in Jawahar's sentencing.
js/amz

Pr

Boehly and Walter sell Chelsea stake to Clearlake Capital

  • "Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. ('Clearlake') will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly," said a club statement.
  • Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and director Mark Walter have sold their stakes in the Premier League side to majority owner Clearlake Capital, which has assumed full control, the club announced Wednesday.
  • "Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. ('Clearlake') will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly," said a club statement.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and director Mark Walter have sold their stakes in the Premier League side to majority owner Clearlake Capital, which has assumed full control, the club announced Wednesday.
American billionaires Boehly and Walter were two of the investors who partnered with Clearlake to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich for £2.5 billion ($3.3 billion) in May 2022.
"Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. ('Clearlake') will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly," said a club statement.
"As part of the transition, Clearlake will also acquire Mark Walter's ownership interest and therefore acquire full control of the Club," it added.
Prior to Wednesday night's announcement, private equity company Clearlake held 62 percent of Chelsea, with Boehly and Walter holding the remaining shares with fellow investor Hansjorg Wyss.
Wyss "will remain an important stakeholder and partner in the ownership group," said the club statement.
No financial terms for the deal were disclosed. Boehly and Walter were reported to have valued the club at £5 billion.
The Financial Times reported that the pair were set to receive £950 million in cash, in a deal that values the club at about $5 billion including debt.
In the statement, Boehly said it had been "an honour to serve as Chairman of Chelsea Football Club."
"I have valued my partnership with Clearlake and the wider ownership group, and the collective decisions and investment we have made to support the immediate and long-term success of the Club," he said.
"I am confident that Chelsea is well positioned for continued success under Clearlake's leadership."
Chelsea finished a dismal 10th in the Premier League last season and hired Xabi Alonso as their new manager.
Boehly had reportedly been dissatisfied with the direction of Chelsea, notably regarding recruitment, managers and a potential new stadium plan.
There had been reports that Boehly and Clearlake had attempted to buy each other out of Chelsea several times over the last two years.
Boehly and Walter co-own the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, while Walter recently sold the Los Angeles Lakers basketball franchise for $12.5 billion.
Clearlake Capital co-founders Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano thanked Boehly "for his time and contribution as Chairman."
"There will be no changes to the day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy at the Club," said the statement.
amz/dw 

Liga

Barca hit Racing for seven as Atletico crush Osasuna

BY RIK SHARMA

  • Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the spot for his ninth league goal, extending his lead as the league's top goalscorer.
  • Raphinha scored a hat-trick as La Liga leaders Barcelona ripped Racing Santander to shreds in a spectacular 7-2 triumph on Wednesday.
  • Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the spot for his ninth league goal, extending his lead as the league's top goalscorer.
Raphinha scored a hat-trick as La Liga leaders Barcelona ripped Racing Santander to shreds in a spectacular 7-2 triumph on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 to build form and confidence ahead of Sunday's derby clash against Real Madrid.
Levante's match against Athletic Bilbao was postponed shortly before it was due to kick off because of heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch in Valencia.
On Tuesday Real Madrid had pulled level with Barcelona after a 3-2 win at Elche, but the Catalans reestablished their three-point advantage with an avalanche of goals against Racing, 10th.
As well as Raphinha's treble, Joao Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal also scored for the unstoppable Catalan giants, who have netted 33 goals in seven games across all competitions.
"For me the most important thing is that we are always focused, with every pass. It's like conversation, a good conversation," Barca coach Hansi Flick told DAZN.
Despite their superb start, Raphinha said he still wanted more from himself and his team-mates.
"It's always important to think you need to improve in some way," Raphinha told DAZN.
"So I'll never tell you I'm at my best level, because... I always try to improve as much as I can, and give more to the team than I am given."
With lightning flashing above Camp Nou Barca took the lead with a thunderbolt from Cancelo, before Raphinha won and converted a penalty for Barca's second.
Racing Santander pulled one back when Maguette Gueye barged his way through and produced a neat finish to beat Barca goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
However it proved only brief respite for the visitors, with Cancelo provoking the third with another long-range effort which deflected in off Asier Villalibre.
Raphinha, thriving playing as Barca's centre-forward, bagged Barca's fourth after he was played in on goal by Dani Olmo.
Teenage star Yamal should have added a fifth after the electric Karim Adeyemi was brought down in the box, but Julen Agirrezabala saved his penalty.
Barca reserve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny replaced Garcia at half-time after the Spain international appeared to hurt himself while slipping on the wet pitch as he went to get the ball.
Flick said the goalkeeper had "some problems" with his knee but hoped he would be ready to play at the weekend.
Yamal hit the post and later had a goal ruled out for offside as the rain lashed down in the second half.
Yassir Zabiri pulled another back for Racing after a dreadful error from Szczesny, who tried and failed to dribble the ball, losing it right in front of his goal.
Barcelona's fifth arrived almost immediately with another penalty after Adeyemi was brought down.
Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the spot for his ninth league goal, extending his lead as the league's top goalscorer.
He was replaced by his compatriot Gabriel Jesus, who added the sixth with a sharp finish into the top corner after being played in by Yamal, who netted the seventh after Adeyemi set him up.

Atletico cruise

Atletico Madrid thrashed Osasuna to move third and claim their second straight victory.
Jonathan David, Lee Kang-in, Robin Le Normand and Alex Baena's goals helped Diego Simeone's side cruise to a comfortable home win.
They were without injured striker Julian Alvarez but it did not matter after they secured a second straight win to cut the gap on top two.
Canada international David fired Atletico ahead midway through the first half after his first effort was saved.
Baena whistled a shot from distance narrowly wide as Atletico hunted for a second goal.
It came early in the second half, with David teeing up Lee to drill into the bottom corner. Le Normand claimed Atletico's third in the 63rd minute with an emphatic finish after a corner was cleared into his path.
Johnny Cardoso created the fourth for Baena with a perfect pass for the playmaker to sweep home to finish the rout.
"We controlled it in the first half even though we weren't clinical," said Simeone. "We were clinical in the second half and controlled the game."
Sevilla rose to fourth, level on 13 points with Atletico, with a 1-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna.
rbs/jc

Liga

Barcelona hit seven in Racing Santander rout

BY RIK SHARMA

  • Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the spot for his ninth league goal, extending his lead as the league's top goalscorer.
  • Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona ripped Racing Santander to shreds in a spectacular 7-2 triumph in La Liga on Wednesday.
  • Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the spot for his ninth league goal, extending his lead as the league's top goalscorer.
Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona ripped Racing Santander to shreds in a spectacular 7-2 triumph in La Liga on Wednesday.
Hansi Flick's league leaders preserved their 100 percent record with a thumping victory over their promoted opponents, moving three points clear of Real Madrid.
Joao Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal also scored for the unstoppable Catalan giants, who have netted 33 goals in seven games across all competitions.
"It's always important to think you need to improve in some way," Raphinha told DAZN.
"So I'll never tell you I'm at my best level, because... I always try to improve as much as I can, and give more to the team than I am given.
"I'm happy for the goals, for the win, but we have to keep improving, not just individually but as a team too."
With lightning flashing above Camp Nou, Barca started at rapid pace and took the lead with a thunderbolt from Cancelo.
The defender crashed a shot in off the crossbar from long range in the eighth minute to get Flick's side up and running.
Dani Olmo twice came close before Raphinha won and converted a penalty for Barca's second.
The Brazilian was clumsily brought down by Pedro Felipe and thrashed the spot-kick into the bottom right corner.
Racing Santander pulled one back when Maguette Gueye barged his way through and produced a neat finish to beat Barca goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
However it proved only brief respite for the visitors, with Cancelo provoking the third with another long-range effort which deflected in off Asier Villalibre.
Raphinha, thriving playing as Barca's centre-forward, bagged Barca's fourth after he was played in on goal by Olmo.
Teenage star Yamal should have added a fifth after the electric Karim Adeyemi was brought down in the box, but Julen Agirrezabala saved his penalty.

Romp in the rain

Barca reserve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny replaced Garcia at half-time after the Spain international appeared to hurt himself while slipping on the wet pitch as he went to get the ball.
Yamal hit the post and later had a goal ruled out for offside, as the youngster suffered a more frustrating night than some of his colleagues as the rain lashed down in the second half.
Yassir Zabiri pulled another back for Racing after a dreadful error from Szczesny, who tried and failed to dribble the ball.
Zabiri tackled him to score. Barcelona's fifth arrived almost immediately with another penalty after Adeyemi was brought down.
Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the spot for his ninth league goal, extending his lead as the league's top goalscorer.
He was replaced by his compatriot Gabriel Jesus, who added the sixth with a sharp finish into the top corner after being played in by Yamal.
The winger eventually got his goal when Adeyemi roared down the left wing and set him up for Barca's seventh and final goal.
"We knew that when we best managed to get out from the back with the ball we gave it away, and they did us a lot of damage," said Racing's Aaron Martin.
"We know the level they have... we have to continue and forget about this game."
rbs/jc

Sports

Amorim's Milan beaten by Benfica, Sunderland make dream European return

BY JED COURT

  • Seven-time European champions Milan had won two and drawn two of their opening four Serie A games, but were given a reality check by Benfica on the opening day of the Europa League league phase.
  • AC Milan slipped to their first defeat under Ruben Amorim with a 2-0 home loss to Benfica as the Europa League got under way on Wednesday, while Sunderland won on their return to Europe after a 53-year absence.
  • Seven-time European champions Milan had won two and drawn two of their opening four Serie A games, but were given a reality check by Benfica on the opening day of the Europa League league phase.
AC Milan slipped to their first defeat under Ruben Amorim with a 2-0 home loss to Benfica as the Europa League got under way on Wednesday, while Sunderland won on their return to Europe after a 53-year absence.
Seven-time European champions Milan had won two and drawn two of their opening four Serie A games, but were given a reality check by Benfica on the opening day of the Europa League league phase.
Milan were profligate in front of goal and were made to pay by the visitors, who maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
"I change all the time, we need to start with a base, we have two months of work," Amorim, who said before the game that he does not "know if I'll have the time needed", told Sky Sport Italia when asked if he would change tactics.
"We lost tonight, but we will find the solutions to adapt to these games, because we need to create an idea, but we also need to win, so of course we can adapt."
Benfica, who lost to Milan in the 1963 and 1990 European Cup finals, were able to enjoy their first-ever win over the Italian giants.
Marco Silva's side grabbed a 16th-minute lead through a superb individual goal from Dodi Lukebakio, as the Belgian cut inside from the right and unleashed a left-footed drive into the far bottom corner.
The Portuguese giants extended their advantage eight minutes after the interval when Jakub Kaminski slammed in Souffian El Karouani's left-wing cross.

Sunderland back with bang

Regis Le Bris's Sunderland clinched a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at a raucous Stadium of Light in their first European match since the Cup Winners' Cup second round in 1973.
Sunderland were the stronger team in the first half but failed to take their chances, with Enzo Le Fee going closest when he struck the post.
The Black Cats were awarded a penalty 20 minutes after the restart for Weslley Patati's foul on Le Fee.
The Frenchman, who had a penalty saved by David Raya in Saturday's Premier League loss to Arsenal, stepped up to slot the spot-kick into the corner.
Sunderland were indebted to goalkeeper Robin Roefs when he made an excellent save to deny AZ attacker Valdemar Byskov an equaliser in the 81st minute.
"Now that we are here I'm just trying to enjoy every moment," said Sunderland defender Trai Hume.
"We have a great team, great staff and unbelievable fans. We fully deserve this moment and we are going to keep pushing this season."
Lyon put some of the disappointment of their dramatic Champions League play-off loss to Fenerbahce behind them with a 2-1 victory at Anderlecht.
The visitors quickly took control in Brussels as Noah Nartey put them in front after less than eight minutes.
Keito Nakamura's deflected strike doubled the lead midway through the first half and gave the Japan winger his first Lyon goal since signing from Reims.
Anderlecht pulled one back through teenage striker Mihajlo Cvetkovic's header after half-time, but Lyon held on under severe pressure.
Bayer Leverkusen saw off spirited Slovenian champions Celje 2-0 in Germany.
Leverkusen forged ahead when Celje midfielder Svit Seslar put through his own net in the 15th minute and Argentina international Facundo Medina made the points safe with 16 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere, Olympiacos came from behind to beat Poland's Jagiellonia 2-1, while Sparta Prague brushed aside Ararat 4-1 in Armenia and Cypriots Omonia edged out Celta Vigo.
jc/bc

LCup

Man Utd misery mounts after League Cup collapse against Brighton

BY STEVEN GRIFFITHS

  • It was another brutal blow for United after their controversial 1-0 home defeat against Manchester City on Sunday.
  • Manchester United's problems mounted as they crashed out of the League Cup after blowing a two-goal lead in a stunning 3-2 defeat against Brighton on Wednesday.
  • It was another brutal blow for United after their controversial 1-0 home defeat against Manchester City on Sunday.
Manchester United's problems mounted as they crashed out of the League Cup after blowing a two-goal lead in a stunning 3-2 defeat against Brighton on Wednesday.
Michael Carrick's side slumped to their second successive home defeat following a wretched collapse in the third round at Old Trafford.
United led through goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount inside just 10 minutes.
But Charalampos Kostoulas sparked Brighton's revival and Pascal Gross equalised before Maxim De Cuyper grabbed the winner to leave Carrick shell-shocked as his team were booed off.
It was another brutal blow for United after their controversial 1-0 home defeat against Manchester City on Sunday.
The referees' governing body admitted that VAR officials were wrong to allow City striker Erling Haaland's winner, which left United with only one win from their first four Premier League matches.
Having led United to third place last season in his spell as interim boss, Carrick was expected to oversee a title challenge this term after being appointed on a permanent basis.
But United have already lost three times in six games in all competitions, putting Carrick under pressure to turn the tide at Fulham in the top-flight on Sunday.
A defeat in west London at the weekend would leave United in a full blown crisis barely a month into the new campaign.
Amid criticism of United's close-season transfer recruitment, Carrick's decision to make eight changes exposed the lack of depth in his squad.
At least Lacey offers hope for the future at United, unlike fellow highly-rated teenager JJ Gabriel, who has reportedly expressed his wish to leave Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old midfielder showed why Carrick has put his faith in him after eight minutes.
Taking possession just inside the Brighton penalty area, Lacey bagged his first ever goal for United as he lashed a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Mount doubled United's lead two minutes later, pouncing to fire into the roof of the net after Marcus Rashford's shot was saved by Jason Steele.
But United's defensive issues resurfaced in first half stoppage-time when Kostoulas punished poor marking from Ayden Heaven to drill past Karl Darlow.

Sloppy United

That setback unnerved United and they conceded a 65th minute equaliser as Gross controlled Luka Vuskovic's header and fired home from close-range.
Carrick's men were in disarray and Brighton struck again in the 70th minute when De Cuyper swept Kostoulas's pass into the net from six yards after sloppy United defending.
Carrick sent on Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha in the closing stages but United were unable to find an equaliser.
Brighton have now knocked United out of two cups in the space of nine months after winning in the FA Cup at Old Trafford in January.
It was the first time in 50 years that United had lost after being 2-0 up at home.
Tammy Abraham starred as Aston Villa won for just the second time this season, beating Coventry 3-1 at the CBS Arena.
Villa and Coventry are both in the Premier League relegation zone after dismal starts to the season.
Unai Emery's men, beaten three times in four league games, showed signs of stopping the rot as Abraham slotted home in the seventh minute.
Victor Torp hauled Coventry level with a superb free-kick in the 27th minute.
But Ross Barkley restored Villa's lead five minutes before half-time and Abraham struck again in the 59th minute.
Charly Alcaraz came off the bench to seal Everton's 1-0 win over second tier Wolves with a curling strike in the 80th minute.
Fourth tier Fleetwood Town reached the fourth round for the first time, beating Championship side Sheffield United 1-0.
In the last 16 draw on Wednesday, Fleetwood were handed a home tie against Premier League champions Arsenal.
Holders Manchester City or Norwich will entertain Brighton, Everton take on Newcastle and Sunderland host Brentford.
Liverpool face Chelsea, Bradford meet Peterborough, Fulham entertain Crystal Palace and Bournemouth welcome Villa.
smg/bc

Seahawks

Seahawks rule out Darnold for Sunday game at Arizona

  • The Seahawks lost Darnold early in a 13-10 home victory over New England last week in a rematch of last February's Super Bowl in the NFL 2026 season opener.
  • Reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle will be without injured quarterback Sam Darnold when the Seahawks visit Arizona next weekend, coach Mike Macdonald said on Wednesday.
  • The Seahawks lost Darnold early in a 13-10 home victory over New England last week in a rematch of last February's Super Bowl in the NFL 2026 season opener.
Reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle will be without injured quarterback Sam Darnold when the Seahawks visit Arizona next weekend, coach Mike Macdonald said on Wednesday.
The Seahawks lost Darnold early in a 13-10 home victory over New England last week in a rematch of last February's Super Bowl in the NFL 2026 season opener.
They visit Arizona on Sunday with no plans to put Darnold on injured reserve but no timetable for when he might return from what has been diagnosed as a right gluteal muscle injury, other than to call it a short-term injury.
Darnold exited early with what appeared to be a hip injury after a sack that ended Seattle's first drive.
Medical exams found that the hip joint was unaffected by what the team dubbed a "very unique soft-tissue injury."
Drew Lock, who rallied the Seahawks to victory over the Patriots as a fill-in after Darnold's injury, will likely make his first start since 2024 when Seattle visits the Cardinals.
The Seahawks visit Washington on September 27, play host to the Los Angeles Chargers on October 4 and entertain San Francisco on October 11.
Darnold, 29, was the third pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He went 14-3 last season with Seattle, throwing for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns.
js/bc

Nations

England were 'waiting for death' in World Cup semi-final defeat: Tuchel

  • This is waiting for death'.
  • Thomas Tuchel said that England were "waiting for death" in their World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina as the Three Lions boss mounted another defence of his controversial substitutions. 
  • This is waiting for death'.
Thomas Tuchel said that England were "waiting for death" in their World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina as the Three Lions boss mounted another defence of his controversial substitutions. 
Tuchel is preparing to name his squad for England's first matches since the painful end of their World Cup campaign.
But, ahead of Nations League matches against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic, he revealed that he is still haunted by the pain of their failed bid to reach a first World Cup final since 1966.
England blew the lead given to them by Anthony Gordon as late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez sealed Argentina's 2-1 victory.
Tuchel was widely criticised for surrendering the initiative to Argentina by making a series of defensive substitutions in the second half.
But the German felt that he had to act because England were unable to cope with Argentina's changes, which were far more attacking than his as they chased the win.
"You can try to kill me here. But it's my scar, it's not your scar," he said in a documentary on the England app. "No one is more hurt than me, no one wanted it more.
"They can endlessly torture you and think, 'if I had done different substitutions, then we would have won the match'. You just don't know it."
Tuchel said that a combination of England's visible fatigue and their success at defending with five defenders in World Cup wins against Mexico and Norway influenced his decision to sit on the lead.
The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boss was hired because of his vast experience and success at club level.
He had promised to make England more attacking than under his predecessor Gareth Southgate.
But instead -- influenced by Tuchel's conversative substitutions -- they retreated into their shell and cracked when the pressure mounted against Argentina.
"A key moment if I look back at it and what happened to my decision-making, we conceded a big, big chance right before the water break," he said.
"And I thought, 'We will not survive. This is waiting for death'. We don't have ball possession, we're not defending good, we're not defending properly in our 4-4-2. We need help.
"I think from what I saw and the experience, the information and the level of craziness from Argentina, it was just one offensive change after the other. That was my solution to the problem.
"That's what the intervention of a coach is. I try to help, you don't implement anything for your ego or whatever. You just try to help."
smg/bc

Liga

Improving Atletico cruise to comfortable win over Osasuna

  • Later Wednesday La Liga leaders Barcelona host promoted side Racing Santander, aiming to extend their 100 percent start to the season, while Levante host Athletic Bilbao.
  • Atletico Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 on Wednesday to move third in La Liga and build some form ahead of Sunday's derby clash against rivals Real Madrid.
  • Later Wednesday La Liga leaders Barcelona host promoted side Racing Santander, aiming to extend their 100 percent start to the season, while Levante host Athletic Bilbao.
Atletico Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 on Wednesday to move third in La Liga and build some form ahead of Sunday's derby clash against rivals Real Madrid.
Jonathan David, Lee Kang-in, Robin Le Normand and Alex Baena's goals helped Diego Simeone's side cruise to a comfortable home victory.
They were without injured striker Julian Alvarez but it did not matter after they secured a second straight win to cut the gap on top two Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The comfortable victory was important for an Atletico side with lots of new faces still bedding in, after two defeats in their three matches prior.
Ademola Lookman fired over and Lee was denied by Osasuna stopper Aitor Fernandez as Atletico started well. At the other end Rojiblancos goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a fine save to deny Raul Garcia.
David fired Atletico ahead midway through the first half with a quick reaction to finish off a rebound after his first shot was saved following enterprising work by Alejandro Grimaldo on the right wing.
It was the Canada international's second goal for the club after scoring his first on Sunday to help Atletico beat Real Sociedad and get back on track after losing against Athletic Bilbao and Liverpool.
Baena whistled a shot from distance narrowly wide as Atletico hunted for a second goal.
It came early in the second half, with David teeing up Lee to drill into the bottom corner. Le Normand claimed Atletico's third in the 63rd minute with an emphatic finish after a corner was cleared into his path.
Johnny Cardoso created the fourth for Baena with a perfect pass for the playmaker to sweep home to finish the rout.
Sevilla rose to fourth, level on 13 points with Atletico, with a 1-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna.
Miguel Sierra opened the scoring for the Andalucians and Depor could not fight back, particularly after Angelino's red card before the hour mark for a high tackle from behind.
Later Wednesday La Liga leaders Barcelona host promoted side Racing Santander, aiming to extend their 100 percent start to the season, while Levante host Athletic Bilbao.
On Tuesday Real Madrid pulled level with the Catalan giants with a 3-2 win at Elche, snatched with a 91st-minute goal by Carlos Espi.
rbs/jc

Palestinians

NFL star fined for displaying name of slain Palestinian girl

  • An NFL spokesman confirmed to AFP that Al-Shaair was fined $11,941 for the breach. 
  • NFL player Azeez Al-Shaair was fined more than $11,000 for wearing the name of a Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces on his face markings last weekend, a league spokesman said Wednesday.
  • An NFL spokesman confirmed to AFP that Al-Shaair was fined $11,941 for the breach. 
NFL player Azeez Al-Shaair was fined more than $11,000 for wearing the name of a Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces on his face markings last weekend, a league spokesman said Wednesday.
Linebacker Al-Shaair had the words "Hind Rajab" written on his eye black -- a sticker or paint frequently used by American football players to reduce glare -- for the Houston Texans' clash with the Buffalo Bills.
Rajab was a five-year-old girl whose death in Gaza in 2024 after Israeli troops opened fire on her family's stranded car became the subject of an Oscar-nominated docu-drama.
Long-standing NFL rules forbid personal messages of any kind, including political statements, to be displayed during game days.
An NFL spokesman confirmed to AFP that Al-Shaair was fined $11,941 for the breach. 
He was also fined last season for a similar offense for a personal message, which read "Stop The Genocide."
The NFL policy states that "throughout the period on game day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience... players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the league office."
The league can approve in advance certain items, such as jersey patches, to celebrate anniversaries or memorable events, or to honor or commemorate individuals.
But the NFL will not grant permission for any items on display "which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns," the rule states.
Al-Shaair, 29, from Florida, is a practicing Muslim who has frequently spoken on the situation in Gaza.
"I feel like it's something that's trying to be almost silenced," Al-Shaair told the Houston Chronicle in 2024.
"On either side, people losing their life is not right. In no way, shape or form am I validating anything that happened, but to consistently say that because of (October 7) innocent people (in Gaza) should now die, it's crazy."
Dallas Mavericks basketball star Kyrie Irving swiftly spoke out in support of Al-Shaair, offering to personally pay the footballer's fine.
"I'll take care of his fine," Irving posted on social media.
The Israeli military last month admitted its troops fired on Rajab's family's car and said it had ordered a criminal investigation into the killing, which drew international outrage.
Rajab's body was recovered from the bullet-riddled car in Gaza City days after she was last heard from in a desperate, hours-long phone call to the Palestinian Red Crescent on January 29, 2024.
The Israeli military had previously denied its troops were present in the area near the incident.
amz/js

Witsel

Witsel retires from internationals after 18-year Belgium career

  • Only long-time teammate Jan Vertonghen, with 157 caps, has played more times for Belgium than Witsel.
  • Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, bringing an end to a Belgium career which saw him become their second-most capped player.
  • Only long-time teammate Jan Vertonghen, with 157 caps, has played more times for Belgium than Witsel.
Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, bringing an end to a Belgium career which saw him become their second-most capped player.
The 37-year-old made his 140th and last appearance for the national side in their 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss to eventual champions Spain in July.
"It's time to make way for the youngsters and the new generation," Witsel said in a social media post.
"I never imagined achieving so much when I started out at just 18 years old."
Witsel made his debut in 2008 and became a key player for Belgium's 'golden generation', which also included Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard.
They never managed to win a major tournament, coming closest at the 2018 World Cup when they lost to France in the semi-finals.
Only long-time teammate Jan Vertonghen, with 157 caps, has played more times for Belgium than Witsel.
He joined Ligue 1 club Nice in the close-season from Girona, having previously played for Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.
dar/jc/dmc

Sports

O'Neill expects Celtic recovery after Old Firm misery

  • "Every game that Celtic lose, there's a crisis, and of course even bigger if you lose to Rangers, so we've done enough talking about it," O'Neill said at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
  • Martin O'Neill insists Celtic "will get ourselves right" following Sunday's embarrassing Scottish League Cup loss to arch rivals Rangers.
  • "Every game that Celtic lose, there's a crisis, and of course even bigger if you lose to Rangers, so we've done enough talking about it," O'Neill said at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
Martin O'Neill insists Celtic "will get ourselves right" following Sunday's embarrassing Scottish League Cup loss to arch rivals Rangers.
Scottish champions Celtic, under fire after a timid 3-0 derby defeat at Ibrox, will look to return to winning ways when they host Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener on Thursday.
They have a chance for immediate revenge on Rangers in a rematch in the Scottish Premiership at Parkhead on Sunday.
"Every game that Celtic lose, there's a crisis, and of course even bigger if you lose to Rangers, so we've done enough talking about it," O'Neill said at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
"Our players are disappointed with the performance, we could have done better, I think we accept that, and we just apply ourselves now again for the league fixtures."
O'Neill, who in his second full-time spell as Celtic manager, added: "We were disappointed ourselves, we disappointed the fans and now we just have to rise to the occasion.
"We've got two matches in which to do so before the break. Two big games for us, Ferencvaros will not be easy, but we've done it before, we'll get ourselves right."
Five of O'Neill's starting line-up were playing in an Old Firm match for the first time on Sunday and the 74-year-old said: "I think it was an eye opener to some of the newer lads.
"We've got to find out about players, about whether they're capable of dealing with these games.
"Hopefully, over the course of time, they will be."
jdg/smg/jc

Pr

Man City midfield trio backed to emulate Rodri and Silva

  • But Viana is confident the loss of those two City icons will eventually be off-set by the impact made by Fernandez, Anderson and Bouaddi.
  • Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana believes Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi can replicate the remarkable impact made by Rodri and Bernardo Silva at the Etihad Stadium.
  • But Viana is confident the loss of those two City icons will eventually be off-set by the impact made by Fernandez, Anderson and Bouaddi.
Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana believes Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi can replicate the remarkable impact made by Rodri and Bernardo Silva at the Etihad Stadium.
Viana masterminded the signings of the midfield trio for a combined £327 million ($439 million) during the transfer window.
Fernandez, Anderson and Bouaddi have arrived in Manchester as part of a major rebuild following the departure of boss Pep Guardiola and several key players since the end of last season.
Spain World Cup winner Rodri joined Barcelona and Portugal playmaker Silva moved to Real Madrid, ripping the heart out of City's midfield.
Rodri and Silva won 10 Premier League titles between them, as well as the Champions League among numerous other trophies with City.
But Viana is confident the loss of those two City icons will eventually be off-set by the impact made by Fernandez, Anderson and Bouaddi.
"We cannot forget that we lost very important players in the midfield position like Rodri and Bernardo," he told City's media channels on Wednesday.
"It's important to bring the quality but also the character and the mentality that Enzo has. He's been here for three weeks and it seems that he was here for a year or two already.
"He's that kind of player with the mentality that we were looking for in that position because Rodri and Bernardo were really important in the last decade of the club.
"We all believe that Enzo, Bouaddi and Anderson can be as important as Rodri and Bernardo in the past."
Fernandez was prised from Chelsea for a joint-British record fee of £125 million, Anderson cost £116 million from Nottingham Forest and Bouaddi was valued at £86 million from Lille.
"He's just been with us for two months. He will develop even more," Viana said of Anderson.
"We knew that we had to spend a big transfer fee on him. That means we really believe he will be a Manchester City player for five, six, seven years. He will be a really important player for sure."
Morocco international Bouaddi caught the eye during the recent World Cup and City see the 18-year-old as their long-term option in Rodri's position.
"It's a very high ceiling for him. We all believe that he can be a really important player," Viana said.
"It's a position that we thought we could have to be very decisive during this transfer window and Bouaddi was always the target."
smg/bsp 

GBR

Fitzpatrick 'not comfortable' over Dubai golf finale

  • Fitzpatrick was speaking at Wentworth, where the PGA Championship, the European Tour's flagship event, gets underway on Thursday.
  • Former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick has expressed reservations about heading to Dubai for the season-ending DP World (European) Tour Championship due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
  • Fitzpatrick was speaking at Wentworth, where the PGA Championship, the European Tour's flagship event, gets underway on Thursday.
Former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick has expressed reservations about heading to Dubai for the season-ending DP World (European) Tour Championship due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The Englishman is the defending champion but concerns over his safety and a change in family circumstances have made him reluctant to travel to the United Arab Emirates for the November tournament.
Tour officials are currently reviewing safety protocols for the lucrative climax of the play-off series and the Abu Dhabi Championship which precedes it.
Fitzpatrick, the world number four, said Wednesday: "Being completely honest as things stand right now, I would say I'm not that comfortable.
"A few things have obviously changed for me (in terms of) perspective and stuff. I've had a child in August and that obviously changes things.
"I think for me, as things right now, it would feel a little bit weird given what I'm reading elsewhere. Things can change overnight, I'm sure, and I think it seems to be going down that path of things are getting better."
He added: "I know they changed (the advice) from essential travel only to one step better than that. I know the Tour has been on this for a long time.
"I think if the tour do go, I'm sure they have had the best advice possible but, as things stand right now, I wouldn't necessarily be too keen on going."
Fitzpatrick was speaking at Wentworth, where the PGA Championship, the European Tour's flagship event, gets underway on Thursday.
The 32-year-old is in a group that includes newly-crowned Irish Open champion Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton.
"I think it's arguably the best event on the Tour," said Fitzpatrick.
"To sort of etch your name in history with some of the winners of this event would be an amazing feeling."
jdg/smg/jc

USA

WTA Finals moved to Charlotte from 2027

  • In the men's game, the ATP recently announced that the Next Gen ATP Finals, which bring together the best players aged 20 or under, will take place this year from December 9-13 in Reggio Calabria, Italy, after having been played in the Saudi city of Jeddah for the last three years. gk/chc/nf/bsp
  • The WTA Finals, the tournament which brings together the top eight players from the previous season, will take place from next year in Charlotte, North Carolina, the women's professional tour announced on Wednesday.
  • In the men's game, the ATP recently announced that the Next Gen ATP Finals, which bring together the best players aged 20 or under, will take place this year from December 9-13 in Reggio Calabria, Italy, after having been played in the Saudi city of Jeddah for the last three years. gk/chc/nf/bsp
The WTA Finals, the tournament which brings together the top eight players from the previous season, will take place from next year in Charlotte, North Carolina, the women's professional tour announced on Wednesday.
Following this year's edition, which has been relocated from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Indian Wells in the Californian desert, Charlotte will host the tour's season-ending event "from 2027 through 2029", the WTA said in a press release published on its website.
This "new chapter" for the WTA Finals will take place at the Spectrum Centre, the home of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets.
In its press release, the WTA also announced that the agreement provides for the relocation of its headquarters from St Petersburg, Florida, to Charlotte, although no specific date for the move was given.
The WTA was forced in the summer to relocate this November's edition of the Finals to Indian Wells –- which already hosts a joint WTA 1000 and ATP Masters 1000 event –- from Riyadh, following the cancellation or postponement of various sporting events in the Middle East due to the US-led war on Iran.
The Finals had been held in Saudi Arabia since 2024.
In the men's game, the ATP recently announced that the Next Gen ATP Finals, which bring together the best players aged 20 or under, will take place this year from December 9-13 in Reggio Calabria, Italy, after having been played in the Saudi city of Jeddah for the last three years.
gk/chc/nf/bsp