List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

An illegal streaming gang who offered cut-price subscriptions for Premier League matches to more than 50,000 people have been jailed. The Premier League said five men were convicted of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and contempt of court after generating more than £7 million in five years. Mark Gould, from London, was reported to have masterminded the operation and was handed an 11-year prison sentence at Chesterfield Crown Court on Tuesday. The 36-year-old and co-defendants Steven Gordon, Peter Jolley, William Brown and Christopher Felvus offered illegal access to matches from hundreds of channels around the world, as well as tens of thousands of on-demand films and TV shows. A sixth gang member, Zak Smith, failed to appear at court for sentencing and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, the Premier League said. We are pleased that through rulings such as this, the courts continue to show that they recognise the importance of safeguarding the Premier League's rights Kevin Plumb The league added that the illegal streaming businesses had 30 employees, with one undercover at a specialist anti-piracy company. Brown, from Stoke-on-Trent, denied the offences, claiming to have been an undercover informant acting in the interests of law enforcement authorities and broadcasters But the 33-year-old was unanimously convicted by a jury after a seven-week trial as the Premier League said he used his technical skills to hack legitimate customers’ accounts to access and copy streams – intending for them to take the blame if identified by authorities. The prosecution was supported by Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s trading standards team and the intellectual property protection organisation Fact. Premier League general counsel Kevin Plumb said: “Today’s sentencing is the result of a long and complex prosecution of a highly sophisticated operation. “The sentences handed down, which are the longest sentences ever issued for piracy-related crimes, vindicate the efforts made to bring these individuals to justice and reflect the severity and extent of the crimes. “This prosecution is another concrete example of the clear links between piracy and wider criminality, a warning we repeatedly make. “While most Premier League fans enjoy watching our games in a safe way, those who were customers of these services were effectively supporting individuals involved in other sinister and dangerous organised crime. “The Premier League’s substantial financial contribution to the entire football pyramid is made possible through the ability to sell our broadcast rights. “We are pleased that through rulings such as this, the courts continue to show that they recognise the importance of safeguarding the Premier League’s rights. “We will continue to protect our rights and our fans by investigating and prosecuting illegal operators at all levels.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Umpire Sue Redfern: I’ll feel awkward and fortunate to break new ground in Blast Daniil Medvedev dumped out of French Open in first round by Thiago Seyboth Wild Dean Windass proud as Conor McGregor splashes cash – Tuesday’s sporting social

The Washington Capitals have hired Spencer Carbery as their next coach

Will Madden 24 have crossplay? According to a leak, platform branches have been simplified for the upcoming title indicating cross-platform play is finally coming to the franchise.

Karim Benzema is seriously considering a mega deal from Saudi Arabia to join Al Hilal, in a move that could have a major effect on the summer transfer market. While Real Madrid are hopeful the 35-year-old accepts their offer to stay another season before they go big on a striker in 2024, Benzema could earn €100m a year if he goes now. Al Hilal are currently hopeful of planning for Benzema and Lionel Messi for next season, although those close to both players insist nothing is yet signed. It all forms part of a wider move to make the Saudi Pro League the most attractive for the game's megastars as they go into their thirties, as they gradually seek to bring that age down and make it a genuine domestic powerhouse. Cristiano Ronaldo's spell at Al Nasr has so far not gone as well on the pitch as had been anticipated, but is seen as hugely influential in changing perceptions. A number of players who previously rejected offers from Saudi Arabia sought to re-open negotiations once Ronaldo signed. Madrid have been hopeful of avoiding a move for a striker until next summer, especially since they plan a huge purchase of Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham this window. Benzema's decision may well influence that, though, and potentially hasten a move for Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian has just left Liverpool as a free agent, and already has interest from rivals Barcelona. Read More Jude Bellingham holds key to Man City future as Barcelona move for Ilkay Gundogan Real Madrid at critical juncture after impotent and powerless Champions League exit

David Brooks has been recalled to the Wales squad for the first time since his cancer diagnosis. Brooks, who was diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma while on international duty in October 2021, announced he was cancer-free in May last year. The 25-year-old midfielder returned to club action for Bournemouth in March and started the Cherries’ last two Premier League games. “I am pleased for him because he’s had a long journey,” Wales boss Rob Page said ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey. “I tried to get him on camp (in March) because you want your best players around you. “He definitely falls into that category. We knew we had to manage it. “You don’t go through what he’s gone through and not have little setbacks. Bournemouth have been incredible with the way they have handled it and got him back up to speed. It’s great that we have got him available.” Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson also return, having missed the opening qualifiers in March through injury. Wales’ 25-man squad includes Neco Williams, who broke his jaw last month and was ruled out of the rest of the season by his club Nottingham Forest. Page said last week that he wanted clarity from Forest whether full-back Williams could make next month’s Euro double-header. Skipper Aaron Ramsey and goalkeeper Danny Ward both feature despite fitness concerns. Ramsey has missed Nice’s last three games with a calf problem and is expected to be absent again when the Ligue 1 club conclude their season against Lyon on Sunday. Ward was ruled out of the final three games of Leicester’s ill-fated Premier League run-in with a dislocated finger. Tom Lockyer is unavailable after collapsing during Luton’s Championship play-off final victory over Coventry on Saturday. Luton boss Rob Edwards said on Monday that Lockyer is “fine” and images of the central defender watching the Hatters’ promotion celebrations from his hospital bed were posted on social media. Bristol City youngster Joe Low replaces Lockyer to win a first senior call-up. Morgan Fox, currently without a club after being released by Stoke, Luke Harris and Liam Cullen are the three uncapped players in the party. Wales host Armenia in Cardiff on June 16 before playing Turkey in Samsun three days later. Page’s side made a positive start to Euro 2024 qualifying in March by drawing 1-1 away to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia before beating Latvia 1-0 at home. Wales squad for Armenia and Turkey: W Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), D Ward (Leicester), A Davies (Sheff Utd), J Rodon (Rennes, on loan from Tottenham), B Cabango (Swansea), C Mepham (Bournemouth), J Low (Bristol City), B Davies (Tottenham), C Roberts (Burnley), M Fox (unattached), N Williams (Nottingham Forest), E Ampadu (Spezia, on loan from Chelsea), J Morrell (Portsmouth), J James (Birmingham), A Ramsey (Nice), H Wilson (Fulham), O Cooper (Swansea), L Harris (Fulham), D Brooks (Bournemouth), D James (Fulham, on loan from Leeds), K Moore (Bournemouth), T Bradshaw (Millwall), N Broadhead (Ipswich), L Cullen (Swansea), B Johnson (Nottingham Forest). Read More From Conte and Tuchel’s clash to Kane’s heroics – Premier League best moments From Conte and Tuchel’s clash to Kane’s heroics – Premier League best moments Wales boss Robert Page wants clarity over severity of Neco Williams injury Erik ten Hag talks up Man Utd’s defending as David de Gea wins goalkeeper award Casemiro goal puts Manchester United on verge of Champions League qualification Mauricio Pochettino does not want to keep Joao Felix – Atletico Madrid president

Between 1990 and 1998, the Chicago Bulls won six NBA championships, in arguably the greatest run in North American sports history. In fact, the only two years the Bulls didn't win the title was when Michael Jordan tried his hand at baseball.

The Denver Nuggets are the last of the four ABA teams that merged with the NBA to reach the Finals

Joao Felix is heading back to Atletico Madrid with Chelsea choosing not to retain the Portugal winger following his loan deal, according to the Spanish club’s president Enrique Cerezo. Felix, 23, joined Chelsea on loan in January for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign and went on to score four goals in 20 appearances for the Blues. On Monday, after a difficult campaign in which they finished a lowly 12th in the Premier League, Chelsea announced the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach. And, as reported by Marca, Cerezo said of Felix: “The truth is that I can’t tell you the plan with Joao. “It’s the news we had yesterday, that the new coach doesn’t have him for Chelsea. We don’t have anything planned yet, Joao is an Atletico player now.” Atletico paid £113million to sign Felix, who is under contract with them until 2027, from Benfica in 2019. He has made 131 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side, scoring 34 goals, and helped them win the 2020-21 LaLiga title. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The German government says a panel of historians set up to review the 1972 attack on the Munich Olympics is starting its three-year mission to examine what happened before, during and after the events of five decades ago

Ons Jabeur got a do-over on Court Philippe Chatrier at the French Open and won this time

England boss Gareth Southgate will be an interested spectator as the summer transfer window opens on June 14, with several members of his squad potentially on the move. Skipper Harry Kane’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months amid Tottenham’s difficulties, and he is not alone. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of those whose club futures may lie elsewhere. Harry Maguire Manchester United defender Maguire has been one of Southgate’s most dependable performers in recent campaigns, but has slipped painfully down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag and has been warned his international place could be under threat. The 30-year-old, who cost United £80million when he joined them from Leicester in August 2019, has been linked with West Ham, but also with a loan move to Italy with Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Roma said to be eyeing his situation. Harry Kane Kane and Tottenham both have big decisions to make this summer after the club missed out on European football. The 29-year-old will enter the final year of his current contract and if he does not sign an extension, could leave for free in 12 months’ time. Manchester United are long-term admirers of the free-scoring striker – although it has been suggested Spurs would be unwilling to sell to a Premier League rival – while both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have been credited with an interest. Mason Mount Midfielder Mount was caught up in the malaise which engulfed Chelsea during a chaotic season and six of his last seven appearances before injury ended his campaign prematurely came from the bench. The 24-year-old is out of contract next summer and new boss Mauricio Pochettino has a decision to make with Manchester United leading a posse of interested parties waiting in the wings. Declan Rice Rice’s reputation has continued to blossom despite what at times has been a difficult season for West Ham, and manager David Moyes is bracing himself. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have been linked with a summer move for the 24-year-old midfielder, with Manchester United and Chelsea also touted as possible destinations, while resurgent Newcastle could offer him Champions League football, but know they may not be able to compete financially as they attempt to comply with spending rules. James Maddison Maddison, another player with 12 months remaining on his contract, seemed destined to leave Leicester during the close season regardless of whether or not the Foxes retained their Premier League status. Newcastle pursued the 26-year-old playmaker doggedly last summed and remain keen on him as they strengthen for a European campaign, but they are likely to face competition with Manchester United and Tottenham rumoured to be among his suitors. Jude Bellingham Liverpool’s interest in Borussia Dortmund teenager Bellingham is long-standing, but reports from Spain have suggested his future could lie instead with Real Madrid. Manchester City and neighbours United have also been touted as potential buyers with the 19-year-old former Birmingham midfielder one of the hottest properties in European football. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live I am done – Edwin van der Sar ends long association with Ajax Chelsea appoint Chris Jurasek as chief exec with Tom Glick also leaving his role A look at the numbers behind England’s opening partnerships

Kami Rita Sherpa had stood at the top of the world just days earlier, exultant at having summited Mount Everest for a record 28th time.