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Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is out for the season with a knee injury

Former UFC fighter Dan Hardy labelled Francis Ngannou’s performance against Tyson Fury “the biggest upset in boxing history” after his split decision defeat in Saudi Arabia. Professional Fighters League star Ngannou dropped WBC heavyweight champion Fury in the third round and appeared to dominate for much of the 10-round bout despite Fury picking up the victory. Hardy believes Ngannou – who signed a multi-fight deal with mixed martial arts league PFL in May – did the “unthinkable” and said he had him winning the fight on his own scorecard. PFL Europe Head of Fighter Operations Hardy told the PA news agency: “For Francis to hold his composure like he did and to outpoint and outbox him was unthinkable. “It is the biggest upset in boxing history even though he didn’t get the decision. “I had him winning the fight. I have my scorecard and I had him 96-93 because of the knockdown in the third and I stand by it. Ngannou certainly won the fight. “It was an unfair decision, Francis deserved the victory and deserved the nod. But it was a close fight, no doubt about it. “I was blown away and I still am. I think right now Ngannou is the king of combat sports, he is the biggest combat sport athlete because of what he achieved on the weekend.” Fury had written off Ngannou’s chances in the build-up, comparing the fight to “a table tennis champion facing (Novak) Djokovic in the Wimbledon final”. Hardy added: “I think (Fury overlooking Ngannou) was a big part of it. “It was a perfect storm on the night and that to me looked like Tyson Fury halfway through training camp expecting a sparring match ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk fight. “I don’t think he looked at Ngannou with the same fear he would Deontay Wilder. “After the third round Fury would’ve been thinking ‘I wish I prepared better for this, I wish I came in lighter’.” Hardy believes former UFC champion Ngannou has a future in heavyweight boxing and that he can go toe-to-toe with the division’s best. He said: “I think we’ll see him fight in Professional Fighters League and then see him move back into the boxing world and have another big fight. “Who else in the top 10 can he give problems to? And the general consensus now is quite a few of them. The two that come to my head are Joe Joyce and Anthony Joshua. It is the biggest upset in boxing history even though he didn't get the decision. Dan Hardy “The Francis we saw against Tyson at the weekend would cause those two serious problems stylistically. “I think he can have a career in boxing if he wants to and he’s going to be ranked soon so the door’s open for him. “Wilder is an obvious opponent, because it would be two of the biggest punchers on the planet. “Wilder does not have the same finesse as Fury.” Read More Having ‘hero’ in opponent’s corner could unsettle Tyson Fury – Carl Frampton What Francis Ngannou must do to beat Tyson Fury: ‘Uncork those big shots’ Luis Rubiales intends to appeal against his three-year ban from football Luis Rubiales intends to appeal against his three-year ban from football When will Conor McGregor return to the UFC? The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

Former Spanish Football Association president Luis Rubiales has said he intends to appeal against his three-year ban from all football-related activity imposed by FIFA. Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation following Spain’s victory over England in the World Cup final on August 20, but Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual. World football’s governing body announced earlier on Monday that Rubiales had been banned for a breach of article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code. Rubiales confirmed in a statement on social media he will appeal against FIFA’s punishment. He ended his lengthy post by saying: “I will go to the last resort so that justice is done and the truth shines through.” FIFA’s statement released earlier on Monday read: “The FIFA disciplinary committee has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), from all football-related activities at national and international levels for three years, having found that he acted in breach of article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code.” FIFA said its decision was subject to a possible appeal before its appeal committee. After Rubiales’ resignation from RFEF was made public on September 10, he stated his desire to “defend my innocence” and insisted he had “faith” in the truth. The actions of the former UEFA vice-president at the World Cup final were widely condemned at the time, after he also celebrated his nation’s victory by grabbing his crotch while standing alongside Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofia in the VIP box in Sydney. Rubiales did apologise for his actions in a video statement a day after, but later in August insisted he would not resign and claimed the kiss was consensual during a speech in front of Spain’s regional federations, clubs, players, coaches and referees in Madrid. All of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad subsequently indicated they would be unavailable for national team duty while Rubiales remained in post before he was banned by FIFA from all football-related activities for an initial 90-day period on August 26. Spain manager Jorge Vilda was sacked soon after on September 5 and the RFEF apologised at the time for the “enormous damage” caused by Rubiales’ actions. After Hermoso formally submitted a complaint about Rubiales to Spain’s national prosecutor’s office that same week, days later the complaint of sexual assault and an allegation of coercion was filed by the office to the high court. Former Levante defender Rubiales’ did eventually resign, but later in September refused to apologise directly to Hermoso and continued to insist it had been a “consensual” kiss. Read More Aryna Sabalenka ‘really disrespected by the WTA’ after poor organisation How Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have fared since their big-money transfers Police investigate ‘freak accident’ death of Adam Johnson in ice hockey match Jurgen Klopp impressed by Alexis Mac Allister in Liverpool’s win against Forest Sam Burgess hopes to bring ‘fresh approach’ to get Warrington back on track FIFA sends ‘support and prayers’ to Luis Diaz as search for his father continues

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Luis Rubiales has been banned from all football-related activities for three years after kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory, Fifa has announced. The former president of the Spanish FA, who was forced to resign from his post in disgrace after Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual, was ruled to have breached Fifa’s disciplinary code under the section of “offensive behaviour”. Rubiales was suspended for 90 days by football’s governing body in the wake of Spain’s 1-0 victory over England, which was marred by the former president’s behaviour during the trophy presentation. Fifa has since been investigating the events that followed the Sydney final on 20 August. Rubiales also grabbed his crotch in celebration while standing alongside Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofia in the VIP box and initially refused to step down or apologise for his actions, insisting that his kiss with Hermoso was “mutual”. In Fifa’s statement announcing the ban, football’s governing body said Rubiales had been notified of its decision and would have 10 days to request an appeal. Under the ban, Rubiales will not be allowed to take part in any football-related activity at national or international level until 2026. Rubiales, 46, is also facing a criminal investigation in Spain into his conduct and a Madrid judge issued a restraining order to keep him away from Hermoso, who is Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer. A former player who rose to the head of Spanish’s football federation, Rubiales had initially played down the significance of the unsolicited kiss and called his critics “idiots” in the aftermath of the World Cup final. Rubiales eventually announced his resignation as president of the Spanish FA during an interview with Piers Morgan but has still not apologised for the incident. Read More Reporter challenges Ten Hag on not starting Varane: ‘Did you actually say why?’ Major military search begins after kidnapping of Luis Diaz’s father How Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have fared since their big-money transfers