List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

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

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

This All-Star week in Seattle was supposed to be Julio Rodríguez’s party, and it still might be

The Detroit Tigers just picked in the top five of the draft for the fifth time in six years

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

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

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

New director general Kevin Bakhurst says there can be no repeat of recent "shameful events".

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

What the papers say Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who was on loan at Inter Milan last season, is reportedly willing to take a £1million pay cut for a permanent move to the Italian club, the Telegraph reports. Lukaku featured in the Champions League final for Inter, scoring 10 goals and assisting six times in his 25 matches in Serie A last year. Bayern Munich have reportedly sent a revised offer of £70million plus add-ons to Tottenham for Harry Kane, the Guardian said. The Daily Mail says Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard is keen to sign free agent Wilfried Zaha, who saw his Crystal Palace contract expire this summer, for around £16million per season. Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has completed a medical at Arsenal and the Metro says he has returned home for a farewell party before he completes his move to the club. Social media round-up Players to watch Harvey Barnes: The Leicester winger is reportedly keen on a move to Newcastle following the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship, according to Football Insider. Rasmus Hojlund: The 20-year-old has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Manchester United, who are set to submit a new bid to Atalanta for the Danish striker. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is happy his old team McLaren is competitive in Formula One again

Matt Turner stopped two penalty kicks, and the United States beat Canada 3-2 in a shootout after a 2-2 draw for a berth in a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal against Panama