Disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar stabbed multiple times at Florida federal prison: AP sources
Disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar has been stabbed multiple times during an altercation with another incarcerated person at a federal prison in Florida
2023-07-10 20:18
PGA Tour board member quits over 'serious concerns' with Saudi deal
Former AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson has resigned from his post on the influential policy board of the PGA Tour in protest to the proposed merger with Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
2023-07-10 20:16
David de Gea, Sir Alex Ferguson’s last player, ends 88 years of Manchester United history
Sir Alex Ferguson managed Manchester United for 26 years and 1500 games, but he only attended 1497 of them. He missed three: one for his son Mark’s wedding, one for his sister-in-law’s funeral, and a League Cup tie against Scunthorpe in 2010 when he went on a scouting trip. The sense then was that he was watching United’s Champions League opponents Valencia; instead the teenage goalkeeper in the opposition side, Atletico Madrid, was the focus of his attention. A dozen years since he was signed, David de Gea’s departure removes the last survivor of the Ferguson era: for the first time since the relegation season of 1973-74, United in 2023-24 will not feature anyone who has made or will make an appearance for the great Scot. For the first time since 1934-35, there will be none who have played or will play for Ferguson or Sir Matt Busby. Erik ten Hag calls upon Ferguson’s counsel but there are ways in which he makes a break with the past, as Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo can testify. But De Gea was always intended to be part of Ferguson’s legacy: bought when the manager was approaching his 70th birthday, signed with his successors in mind. Ferguson could be selfish and selfless and De Gea reflected the latter: United got 545 appearances from the Spaniard, the seventh most in their history and second only to Wayne Rooney among those Ferguson bought, and 190 clean sheets, 10 more than even Peter Schmeichel. And yet his is a legacy that leads itself to different conclusions. De Gea’s dozen seasons brought a lone league title: the previous 13 produced eight, with four Champions League final appearances and two victories on the biggest stage. De Gea’s last decade comprised of United’s wilderness years; in the worst of them, 2021-22, one of their most eloquent critics was the goalkeeper himself, when his own excellence gave him freedom to express his frustration. But his last game provided a sadly fitting end: De Gea was beaten inside 13 seconds in the FA Cup final, then horribly culpable for Ilkay Gundogan’s ultimately decisive second goal. His final year felt a series of indignities: United’s Europa League exit to Sevilla owed much to a De Gea shocker, capped by an embarrassing error. His last few years at Old Trafford were pockmarked by two problems: an increasing number of mistakes – far more forgivable in his good years – and his limitations in distribution; many of his best saves were with his feet, but he struggled to use them to find teammates. Perhaps August’s 4-0 defeat to Brentford was the beginning of the end in that respect; it was evident he was an imperfect fit for Ten Hag’s style of play. It underlined the way that De Gea seemed old before his time, an old-fashioned goalkeeper in a fast-changing role. He is only two years older than Alisson, three older than Ederson, less than five the senior of his probable successor Andre Onana, but seemingly plucked from another generation, one where a goalkeeper’s job did not extend beyond stopping shots. The hashtag at his peak was “DaveSaves”. The issue was that Dave did not kick as well. De Gea was the future once; at 32, he has become the past. He almost joined Real Madrid in 2015, but for a faulty fax machine, but there is no such scramble for his services now. Even before his contract talks with United ended, it became likelier he would not be first choice. Staying would have always involved a sizeable pay cut; in part because his previous deal was so lucrative. He was famously the world’s best-paid goalkeeper; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used to lazily parrot the line he was the world’s best long after evidence suggested otherwise. But at his peak, he was surely in the top five. He had days when he seemed unbeatable. His 14 saves against Arsenal in 2017 came in an extraordinary display of defiance. United branded him a “legend” in the announcement that he would go. Perhaps he both was and wasn’t: De Gea was sometimes a beacon of excellence in mediocre teams, especially in the years immediately after Ferguson’s retirement. He was named United’s player of the year a joint record four times, but that often reflected a lack of competition. Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar never won the award but they were Ferguson’s two greatest goalkeeping signings. Each chose his exit and each played his last game in a Champions League final, Schmeichel lifting the trophy in 1999. De Gea’s departure has more common denominators with that of the only other goalkeeper to play 500 games for United: Alex Stepney ended up being dropped by Dave Sexton, his fifth manager. He, too, had had his greatest days in his mid-twenties. There was a point when it seemed like De Gea would be a fixture for years to come, perhaps ending up second only to Ryan Giggs in United’s all-time appearance list. But he started to look a man out of time, even before the interest in Onana suggested he would be a man out of the team. But outstanding as De Gea was in the mid-2010s, as the last link to Ferguson is severed, it serves as a reminder that the last decade has scarcely gone to plan. Read More Why Onana is such an upgrade on De Gea for Man United De Gea confirms Man United exit with ‘farewell message’ to fans Man United transfer news: Mount signs and bid made for Onana
2023-07-10 19:54
Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu signs new deal to complete remarkable journey with Luton
Luton midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu is to continue his remarkable journey from non-league football to the Premier League after agreeing a new contract, the Hatters have announced. The 29-year-old midfielder, the first man to have won promotion from the Conference to the English top flight with the same club, has committed himself to an 11th season at Kenilworth Road. Former West Ham trainee Mpanzu has made 364 appearances, the most recent of them in last season’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final victory over Coventry, for the club he initially joined on loan in November 2013 before completing a permanent move in January 2014. He told Luton’s official website: “It’s great to be back and I’m ready to get to work. Hopefully it’s going to be a great new season for us in the Premier League. “I’ve got to play the Brighton game [the opening Premier League fixture] to make that history first, but once I get through pre-season it should be all good. We are looking to fight and stay in this league, I cannot wait to contribute to that this season. “I’ve been at the club for so long, so to get it sorted and get it signed is all good. I’m so happy and looking forward to getting back out there at Kenilworth Road in front of the fans.” Manager Rob Edwards added: “Pelly’s story is such a special one, and everyone knows that now. Ever since we came in, his consistency has been brilliant. He is someone who gives everything. He leaves it all out there. “On and off the pitch, he is just a huge part of what we do, he’s the heartbeat of the dressing room, a brilliant lad who everyone loves, so it’s only right that he now gets this opportunity to play in the Premier League because he’s worked so hard for it.” Meanwhile, Hatters goalkeeper Jack Walton has joined Scottish Championship side Dundee United on a season-long loan. Jim Goodwin told Dundee United’s club website: “Jack is a very good young keeper who commands his area and will put demands on the defenders in front of him by being vocal and a good organiser.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-07-10 19:15
What is a strike in baseball? Robots, rule book and umpires view it differently
The education of robot umpires has been complicated by an open secret in baseball for the past 150 years: The strike zone called on the field doesn’t match the one mapped out in the rule book
2023-07-10 18:29
J-Rod Show gets All-Star stage at home despite challenging second season in majors
This All-Star week in Seattle was supposed to be Julio Rodríguez’s party, and it still might be
2023-07-10 18:23
Tigers still waiting for high draft picks to lead to victories
The Detroit Tigers just picked in the top five of the draft for the fifth time in six years
2023-07-10 18:22
Hannah Waddingham makes controversial statement during British Grand Prix appearance
Hannah Waddingham caused a stir during an appearance at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix over the weekend, when she made a joke about her love of Lewis Hamilton that was sure to divide fans. The actor was being interviewed by Channel 4 when she made the remark, referencing the British driver's controversial title loss to Max Verstappen last season. "I've waited a long time to be here", she said, before quipping: "Am I allowed to say that I'm very much looking forward to seeing Lewis Hamilton, eight-time champion?" Hamilton would've been the eight-time champion, had Verstappen not taken the win. Click here to sign up for our newsletters
2023-07-10 17:55
Cara Delevingne mocked by Formula One pundit in viral interview fail
Cara Delevingne raised eyebrows at yesterday's British Grand Prix (9 July), after she refused to speak to commentator Martin Brundle on live TV, creating a seriously awkward moment. The model appeared on the grid at Silverstone where she was approached by Sky Sports asking for a 'quick chat', to which she politely shook her head and said "no". “Well the deal is everyone has to speak on the grid", Brundle responds, before Delevingne says she 'can't hear anything'. The disgruntled presenter then quipped into the mic: “All right, well I’m sure it would have been extremely interesting.” Click here to sign up for our newsletters
2023-07-10 16:58
Champions League with Larne ‘means a lot more’ to Arsenal old boy Mark Randall
Mark Randall believes lining up for Larne on the club’s Champions League debut will top his experiences with Arsenal. The Irish Premiership champions are set to make history on Wednesday when they begin their two-legged first qualifying round tie against HJK Helsinki in Finland. Former Gunners midfielder Randall made 13 appearances under Arsene Wenger between 2006 and 2009, including two European outings and a brief cameo in a north London derby against Tottenham. The 33-year-old trained and played alongside the likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry back then but is now preparing for what he anticipates will be the highlight of his career. “This will be at the top, I think, because of the achievement for the club and the fans,” he told the PA news agency ahead of the midweek visit to the 10,770-capacity Bolt Arena in Finland’s capital. “It’s little old Larne but it’s a massive achievement and everyone’s really looking forward to it. “I think this tops it because at clubs like Arsenal you get that every year but this is such a massive thing for the club and the town. “It’s not expected over here, especially to have a good run. For me, it means a lot more, competing in that competition for Larne.” Randall helped Larne claim the Irish Premiership title for the first time in their 134-year history last season. The former England Under-18 international made his Champions League debut aged 18 in August 2008 when eventual semi-finalists Arsenal defeated FC Twente in the final qualifying round before he appeared in a group stage clash with Porto four months later. Yet, following just two Premier League substitute appearances for the Gunners and a handful of loan spells, he moved on to Chesterfield in 2011 before arriving on Northern Ireland’s east coast via stints with Italian side Ascoli, MK Dons, Barnet, Newport, Crawley and Hemel Hempstead. Randall is loving life in County Antrim after being tempted over by the vision of millionaire owner Kenny Bruce – co-founder of online estate agent Purplebricks – following the club’s promotion to the top flight in 2019. “This was a new challenge for me and my family,” said the father-of-three. “We were looking to get away from England and this came up. “I was a hundred per cent in, my wife was a bit worried at the start but as soon as she came over she absolutely loved it, the kids love it here, so it’s probably the best thing we’ve ever done. “I wanted to come over and play in a league where I could win things instead of being in League Two, League One just floating about at mid-table teams. “I could see the vision before I signed when I met Kenny and the manager (Tiernan Lynch) and they’ve been true to their word. “I love it here. People around the town are just really great people. After games we’ll go and have a beer with the fans and it’s just little things like that that make a massive difference.” Randall was initially tipped for big things by long-reigning Arsenal boss Wenger. He has no real regrets about his time in north London but concedes his attitude and work ethic perhaps dipped below the required level. “It’s the best coaching you will get at that age,” said Randall, who remains in contact with former Gunners team-mate Kieran Gibbs from that era. “Back then, they had unbelievable players that you can learn so much from on a daily basis. “At a top Premier League club, you’re going to get the best facilities, best training ground, best food and the lower you go, you don’t really get that. “Probably, if I’m honest, my attitude and maybe my work ethic weren’t up to scratch as the top players are. They are 100 per cent professional and maybe that’s where I let myself down.” Larne’s greatest European adventure follows two successive Europa Conference League qualifying campaigns, which included a run to the third round in 2021-22. They will play next week’s second leg against HJK at Cliftonville’s Solitude stadium in Belfast after the synthetic pitch at their Inver Park home failed to satisfy FIFA criteria. The 32-time Finnish champions have far more experience at this level and even reached the group stage in 1998-99, leading to clashes with Kaiserslautern, Benfica and PSV Eindhoven. “We feel like on our day we can give anyone a good game,” said Randall. “I don’t think it’s going to be a walk in the park for them.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Football rumours: Romelu Lukaku willing to take pay cut for permanent Inter move The sporting weekend in pictures Third Ashes Test: England keep series hopes alive in latest Headingley thriller
2023-07-10 16:16
RTÉ executive board stood down after payment scandal
New director general Kevin Bakhurst says there can be no repeat of recent "shameful events".
2023-07-10 15:19
Morocco's historic Women's World Cup debut inspires girls even if some in the Arab world ignore it
Morocco's national women's team will make its debut this month at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the first to qualify from an Arab world where many are crazy for the men’s game
2023-07-10 14:55