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  • Afghan players know things are ‘not correct’ – Trott

    Afghan players know things are ‘not correct’ – Trott

    Afghanistan’s players know “full well” things are “not correct” in their home country, says coach Jonathan Trott amid criticism of women’s rights under Taliban rule.

    Female participation in sport has effectively been outlawed in the country since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

    At the start of this year, nearly 200 UK politicians demanded England boycott Wednesday’s Champions Trophy match between the sides.

    However, the one-day international will go ahead in Lahore, Pakistan and former England batter Trott told the BBC: “Hopefully we can make a difference.

    “I know the players want to do that. They have expressed that on their social media platforms.

    “All they are doing is asking for equality and trying to grow the game of cricket, for fairness and an uplift in their country.”

    Trott has coached Afghanistan since 2022 but still lives in Birmingham. He travels when the players meet for camps in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which is home to their main training base and hosts many of their fixtures.

    Under Taliban rule, there has been an assault on women’s rights. Woman have been banned from parks and universities. The Taliban also raided the homes of female athletes and many women’s cricketers fled Afghanistan for their safety.

    Some of Afghanistan’s highest profile men’s players, including superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan, have spoken out against the issues.

    The men’s team has been allowed to continue to compete on the world stage, despite the banning of its women’s team being an apparent breach of International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations.

    “These guys are brave,” Trott said. “They know the difference between right and wrong. It is a real tricky situation for them.

    “They know who they are playing for and representing.

    “We work hard to bring joy to the country and the guys are passionate, brave and proud of being able to do that, but knowing full well that there are things that are not correct.”

    Asked if his side could bring change in Afghanistan, Trott said: “I don’t know but I hope it could.

    “This side has that ability at the moment.”

    The Afghan female cricketers who fled to Australia played a match there last month. They have said they are “proud” of the men’s team but wanted to be treated the same.

    In January, a cross-party letter, signed by nearly 200 UK politicians, was sent to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) calling for England to refuse to play the match.

    The ECB has been critical of the ICC’s response, calling for it to take unified action, but when that was not forthcoming agreed the match would go ahead.

    Trott was born in South Africa, which was banned from the global sporting stage because of the apartheid regime. In contrast, the ICC’s stance is that the Afghanistan team should not be punished for government policy.

    “I can see the world’s concern,” Trott said. “I am concerned. I have daughters who play cricket.

    “I am proud of where I come from and the change the country made for the betterment of everybody. Hopefully one day I can see that in Afghanistan.”

    After defeats by Australia and South Africa respectively, both England and Afghanistan will likely have to win both of their remaining matches to progress to the semi-finals.

    England are expected to make one change for Wednesday’s match in Lahore after bowler Brydon Carse was ruled out of the tournament with a toe injury.

    Rehan Ahmed has been called up in his place, but the leg-spinner is not expected to arrive in Pakistan until Wednesday so Jamie Overton is most likely to replace Carse.

  • McIlroy’s miss and Scheffler’s arrest dominate Full Swing’s return

    Despite failing to add to his tally of four majors last year, Rory McIlroy plays the prominent role in the third season of Netflix’s Full Swing docu-series which has just dropped on the streaming service.

    This is golf’s inside the ropes answer to the hit Formula 1 series Drive to Survive.

    Initially McIlroy was reluctant to become involved. The Northern Irishman made only a limited appearance in the first season, which charted the 2022 golf campaign.

    This time it appears that much of his time in 2024 was spent with Netflix cameras in tow. He admits: “Sometimes I struggle with the balance of being the best golfer, the best husband or the best dad.”

    It is a candid admission, although detail is in short supply. Nevertheless following the 35-year-old through the ups and downs of last year provides plenty of drama and intrigue.

    His close friendship with 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry is reflected with the cameras following their success together in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last April. There is a lovely moment when McIlroy reproaches himself for eating with just a fork “like an American”.

    This episode leads into the US PGA Championship, a week in which McIlroy filed for divorce from his wife Erica and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested and taken to jail after a traffic incident on his way into the course.

    It is clear the world number one is less giving of his time to the Full Swing crew, but they did well to access police camera footage of the dramatic early morning arrest.

    This was the most stunning moment of the 2024 golf season, although charges were dropped within a fortnight. “Are you guys aware that I am playing in the golf tournament?” Scheffler pleaded as he was bundled into the back of a police car.

    As well as allowing the Netflix crews to follow him around major championship venues, McIlroy also grants them a lengthy interview that covers the main touch points of the golfing year.

    But the door is shut on the cameras after Bryson DeChambeau pipped McIlroy to the US Open crown at Pinehurst in June.

    Having expressed happiness that he and Erica were back together by the time that major was played, it also becomes abundantly clear that McIlroy still rues his capitulation at that event in North Carolina.

    He says his short missed putt on the 16th “let Bryson back into the championship” and that the climax to the tournament was the hardest of his career.

    McIlroy exited Pinehurst without talking to reporters because he did not want to speak to anyone. “I think I did everyone a favour,” he says of his sharp exit from the scene of the year’s second major.

    Familiar voices from the first two seasons – Amanda Balionis, Dan Rapaport, Dylan Dethier and Henni Zuel – provide commentary to maintain the narrative of the year.

    Their contributions are necessarily yet frustratingly superficial. Dedicated golf fans will be aware their expertise runs far deeper than what they reveal in their basic excerpts.

    Influencer Paige Spiranac is a new addition discussing the crossover appeal of DeChambeau. The show does a good job of explaining the way the two times US Open champion has reinvented himself into a fan favourite.

    But for those who dedicatedly follow professional golf, the series is not especially revelatory. Then again, this show is not aimed at those viewers.

    The idea is to make general sports fans care more about pro golf in the way Drive to Survive has done for Formula 1. And it largely succeeds, which is why Netflix commissioned this third season.

    We see the biggest names on the movie set of Happy Gilmore 2, while Ludvig Aberg grants engaging access to his major debut when he was runner-up at last year’s Masters.

    Assuming the young Swede maintains his current trajectory, following his recent win at Torrey Pines, he will surely have many more fans as he furthers his quest for a first major title. If he does then the series will have done its job.

    McIlroy is less in need of such exposure, but his prominence in the third season of Full Swing reinforces its value to growing the appeal of the pro game.

  • Sheffield United 1 3 Leeds United

    Sheffield United 1 3 Leeds United

    Leeds United produced a remarkable late comeback for the second week running to win at second-placed Sheffield United and move five points clear at the top of the Championship.

    The hosts took the lead in the first half when Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier palmed the ball into his own net after tipping Callum O’Hare’s header on to the bar and then seeing Tyrese Campbell’s follow-up hit the post.

    The Whites improved after the break and deservedly levelled when Junior Firpo’s thumping header from Dan James’ cross flew past Michael Cooper in the home goal.

    Ao Tanaka then headed Leeds into the lead in the 89th minute after Firpo had flicked on a corner, and with the Blades still stunned Joel Piroe thumped home a superb third from 20 yards moments later.

    Leeds, who also came back from a goal down late on at home to Sunderland last week, are now unbeaten in 16 Championship games and seven points clear of third-placed Burnley.

    This chastening defeat means Sheffield United remain two points ahead of the Clarets as their own run of four successive wins comes to an end.

    With manager Daniel Farke in the stands serving a one-match ban for being booked for the third time this season amid the celebrations of his side’s winner against the Black Cats last week and skipper Ethan Ampadu out with a knee injury, the away side made a very uncertain start.

    Meslier nearly turned the ball into his own goal from a Sydie Peck corner and was caught under a long throw in the opening 10 minutes.

    The Frenchman then made a super save from O’Hare’s deft header after Ben Brereton Diaz’s cross, but his luck quickly turned as he knocked the loose ball into the corner of his net after Campbell headed the rebound against the post.

    Leeds twice got in behind the home defence in the closing minutes of the first half, but both times Manor Solomon was unable to take advantage.

    Meslier made a good stop to keep Campbell out at the start of the second half and left-back Firpo then missed a good chance when he miscued a header from Tanaka’s cross.

    The Dominican made no such mistake a few minutes later, powering home an excellent header from James’ cross to spark pandemonium in the away end.

    Vini Souza drew a save from Meslier as the Blades looked to retake their lead in both the game and the title race, before substitute Willy Gnonto forced a smart save from Cooper from 18 yards.

    The reprieve was brief for the home side.

    Tanaka headed in at the back post from the subsequent corner and in the blink of an eye it was 3-1, Leeds top scorer Piroe collecting James’ pass from the right before hammering a beauty into the top corner from 20 yards.

    Both managers spoke before and after the game about how this match would not be defining in the promotion race, but it is hard to see past Farke’s side taking the title now after two victories in which they showed the mentality and quality of champions.

    Leeds, who have not lost in the Championship since 30 November, welcome play-off-chasing West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (12:30 GMT), while Sheffield United must pick themselves up for a trip to Queens Park Rangers (15:00) on the same day.

    Reaction: Farke proud after ‘worst possible start’

    Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder:

    “It was a tight game. Congratulations to Daniel [Farke] – they’re a top side and put in a great performance.

    “We started well. We wanted to make it difficult for them, which we did, and we lost a bit of control at the back-end of the first half.

    “They’re top for a reason and we said at half-time we might have to suffer a little bit.

    “They were chucking people forward and maybe we could have done better, but to find a left-back in the middle of the goal and him to score how he did…

    “I think we’d have all shook hands on a draw at 89 minutes, so to concede the second from a set-piece was disappointing.”

    Leeds United manager Daniel Farke:

    “I’m proud of the boys – this is one of the toughest places you can go, and it was the worst possible start.

    “The reaction the boys showed was outstanding. We were able to find not just another gear but another two or three.

    “It was a tight win but a deserved one. It was a really good night for us and a priceless three points.

    “Each and every point brings us closer to where we want to finish, but you have to keep going.

    “We were seven points clear of third before this round of matches and we are seven points clear now. In this league the momentum can change quickly and you can need some luck.”

  • Man Utd to make up to 200 more staff redundant

    Man Utd to make up to 200 more staff redundant

    Manchester United will make up to 200 jobs redundant to “return the club to profitability”.

    About 250 members of staff were made redundant last year in a first wave of cost-cutting measures by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

    In a meeting with staff on Monday, United chief executive Omar Berrada informed employees that there would be a fresh round of redundancies as part of a “transformation plan”.

    The club said: “The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019.”

    It added that “approximately 150-200 jobs may be made redundant, subject to a consultation process with employees”, with the process expected to take between three and four months.

    As of 30 June 2024, Manchester United had 1,140 employees, so 450 redundancies would be 39% of the club’s workforce.

    Last week the club revealed a loss of £27.7m in their second quarter financial results and the Red Devils have lost more than £300m over the past three years.

    United are on course for their lowest finish in the Premier League era as Ruben Amorim’s team are 15th in the table after Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Everton.

    The club added that additional measures are being taken to “improve the club’s financial sustainability and enhance operational efficiency.

    “This will create a more solid financial platform from which the club can invest in men’s and women’s football success and improved infrastructure”.

    Berrada said: “We have a responsibility to put Manchester United in the strongest position to win across our men’s, women’s and academy teams.

    “These hard choices are necessary to put the club back on a stable financial footing.

    “We have lost money for the past five consecutive years. This cannot continue.

    “Our two main priorities as a club are delivering success on the pitch for our fans and improving our facilities. We cannot invest in these objectives if we are continuously losing money.”

    Man Utd braced for more redundant

    What other changes will there be?

    United also announced the appointment of Marc Armstrong as the club’s chief business officer on Monday.

    The transformation plan will include some staff moving from Old Trafford to the club’s Carrington training base and a reduced presence will be maintained in London, but all the club’s leadership will be Manchester-based, including Armstrong.

    Free lunches will no longer be provided for staff at Old Trafford, saving more than £1m a year, while the catering arrangements at Carrington will be unchanged for the remainder of the season.

    The club’s annual donation to the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association (MUDSA) will remain at £40,000 and the club is in talks with the Manchester United Foundation (MUF) about its level of contribution.

    Ratcliffe has announced a string of cost-cutting measures since his investment in United, with the club saying at the time that the first round of redundancies would save between £40m-£45m.

    In December, Ratcliffe warned more “difficult and unpopular decisions” would be taken to get the club to where he wants it to be. Matchday ticket prices have been increased to £66 per game, with no concessions for children or pensioners.

    Ratcliffe is still to decide whether to rebuild Old Trafford, which could cost £1.5bn, or build a new ground, which would likely cost more than £2bn.

    Ratcliffe’s impact on Man Utd’s football operations

    Ratcliffe’s Ineos group completed a deal worth about $1.6bn (£1.25bn) for a stake in Manchester United in February 2024.

    Ineos then took over football operations at Old Trafford and quickly began a restructure with Ashworth appointed sporting director, Berrada as chief executive and Jason Wilcox as technical director.

    In June, Ineos opted to keep Ten Hag as manager but then sacked him and his coaching staff, at a cost of £14.5m.

    United paid Sporting £11m to bring in coach Ruben Amorim as Ten Hag’s replacement in November, and they also paid £4.1m to hire and then fire Ashworth.

    United’s latest accounts showed a net loss of £113.2m in the year to 30 June 2024.

    It follows losses of £28.7m in 2022-23 and £115.5m in 2021-22, with total losses across the past five years exceeding £370m.

    During Ratcliffe’s first full season as co-owner, United could finish in the bottom half for the first time since 1989-90, when they were 13th in the old First Division.

    According to last season’s ‘merit’ payments from the Premier League, if United remain in their current 15th position they will receive £16.9m – almost £20m less than the £36.7m they earned for finishing eight last term.

    Winning the Europa League is the team’s only realistic avenue of qualifying for next season’s Champions League and should they fail to do so, they will suffer a £10m annual drop in their sponsorship deal with Adidas.

    That is likely to put further pressure on United’s chances of bolstering Amorim’s squad in the summer and will bring greater scrutiny on the wisdom of so many of United’s recent transfer dealings.

  • Lions watch week three: Fly-halves, back three & captain

    Lions watch week three: Fly-halves, back three & captain

    We are now more than halfway through the tournament which will help decide the bulk of the British and Irish Lions touring party.

    With all the home nations facing off against each other, it was the perfect Six Nations weekend to stake a claim. Ireland overcame Wales in Cardiff and England squeezed past Scotland at Allianz Stadium.

    TodayPriceNG’s Rugby Union Weekly pundits have had their say on who Lions head coach Andy Farrell will be keeping his eye on.

    Former Lions captain Sam Warburton also gives his thoughts on who should be the squad’s captain.

    Pick your Lions XV in the comments section below.

    Fly-halves

    The Calcutta Cup – a fixture Scotland fly-half Finn Russell has lit up in recent years – was seen as a perfect opportunity for the two-time Lion to restate his credentials as the starting fly-half.

    Russell, especially in the opening half, looked back to his old self as he helped pick apart England’s defence with his wide passing game.

    However, Gregor Townsend’s side failed to capitalise on their dominance and came up short 16-15, with Russell missing all three kicks he had at goal – including a last-gasp match-winning conversion from the corner.

    Despite kicking at 38% in this year’s Six Nations, former Scotland captain John Barclay is not concerned and still backs 32-year-old Russell to start.

    “I still think Finn Russell [is in pole position],” Barclay told Rugby Union Weekly.

    “I am not bothered about his kicking. His kicking last year and across the season for Bath has been great. He is a good kicker.

    “It was the best he has played in the championship. Look at how he got Scotland’s backline moving with his passing game. And his kicking game was good too.”

    England fly-half Fin Smith backed up his player-of-the-match performance in round two against Scotland with another assured display.

    The Northampton Saint is 10 years younger than Russell and stepped up to kick a pressure penalty from halfway to continue his bid for a spot as one of Farrell’s fly-halves.

    Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast, who recently turned 22, is the least experienced contender and won only his sixth cap in Cardiff.

    Ireland remains on course for a Grand Slam after Prendergast, who kicked 17 points, helped guide them through a tricky spell when Garry Ringrose was given a 20-minute red card in the 34th minute.

    A particular standout moment came when he spiraled a 50-22 over the head of Wales full-back Blair Murray. The execution was “utter filth”, according to Barclay.

    Having backed up his player-of-the-match performance against Scotland, Warburton believes Prendergast has edged into the top spot.

    “Without putting too much pressure on him, I see a world-class top-level 10,” Warburton told Rugby Union Weekly.

    “You just watch him play and you think ‘he is Test level’. There are still imperfections, but what he is displaying at 22, with how calm and composed he is, is that level.”

    Utility backs

    Versatility is vital on Lions tours as players often need to play a midweek game a few days after a weekend match.

    That could help Marcus Smith, who for the second match in a row helped England to narrow wins from full-back.

    The Harlequin started all England’s November Tests at fly-half and despite three defeats was a constant bright spark.

    However, a missed tackle on Duhan van der Merwe resulted in Scotland’s second try to put questions over his physicality in defence.

    Fin Smith’s form may have hit his chances of a starting spot at fly-half, but Marcus Smith’s ability to cover two positions could give him the edge over an out-and-out 10 if he can hit top form against Italy and Wales.

    Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn, who featured at 10 regularly for his former club Edinburgh, scored a hat-trick against Italy from fly-half in the 2023 Six Nations, but now plays across the back three for Toulouse.

    The 28-year-old’s passing lacked precision in the first half against England, with a forced one-handed pass hitting wing Kyle Rowe in the face.

    “Kinghorn has played himself out of my team,” Warburton said. “He still goes on tour because he is versatile. I will go for Hugo Keenan as someone who is just really safe at the back.”

    England wing Tommy Freeman has scored a try in all three rounds this campaign, and showed his power to crash over against Scotland from close range.

    Former England wing Ugo Monye believes he is a “dark horse” to go on tour, with his ability to play centre also enhancing his chances.

    “I am not sure why he is not in many Lions conversations. His error count is so low and aerially he is so brilliant,” Monye told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.

    “He scored England’s only try against Scotland, and changed the game against France with his aerial game to get above Louis Bielle-Biarrey [for his try].”

    Captain – Doris, Itoje or Morgan?

    England captain Maro Itoje led from the front by producing crucial turnovers to help his side win back the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2020.

    The 30-year-old second row took over as skipper from Jamie George before the Six Nations and is a two-time Lion with six appearances in Tests.

    Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson told Rugby Union Weekly that Itoje, who in 2021 was voted by his team-mates as player of the series in South Africa, has “some super-human tendencies” which could make him a Lions captain.

    “All of a sudden it feels like he has become the player we all thought he was going to be when he has got the armband on,” Dawson added.

    Number eight Caelan Doris missed his side’s win over Wales because of injury, but given Farrell made him Ireland captain in 2024 is in a strong position.

    Warburton says any of Doris, Itoje or Wales captain Jac Morgan would make a strong Lions captain, but is leaning towards Itoje.

    “Doris is definitely captaincy-worthy but the number one criteria for your captain has got to be that he is a banker to start, and I think there are some really good number eights,” Warburton added.

    “On form, who is inked in and who has worked with Farrell on Lions tours before? There is a relationship there which is important – that is why Maro is edging it for me.”

  • Galatasaray accuse Mourinho of making ‘racist statements’

    Galatasaray accuse Mourinho of making ‘racist statements’

    Galatasaray said they would “initiate criminal proceedings” against Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho after claiming he made “racist statements” following the teams’ 0-0 draw on Monday.

    It was not clear which statements Galatasaray were referring to.

    Speaking in the news conference after the Istanbul derby, Mourinho said the home bench had been “jumping like monkeys” and also repeated his criticism of Turkish referees, saying it would have been a “disaster” to use an official from the country.

    Monday’s match was refereed by Slovenian Slavko Vincic after both clubs requested a foreign official take charge of the fixture.

    As well as the threat of legal action, Galatasaray said they would submit “official complaints” to football’s governing bodies.

    Mourinho – a former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager – and Fenerbahce are yet to responded to the accusations.

    After the game Mourinho was asked about the performance of 19-year-old defender Yusuf Akcicek and said: “I have to thank the referee. After the big dive in the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys on the top of the kid… with a Turkish referee you would have a yellow card after one minute and after five minutes I would have to change him.”

    He added: “I went to the referee’s dressing room after the game, of course the fourth official was there, a Turkish referee. I told him ‘thank you for coming here, you come for a big match’ and I turned myself to the fourth official and I said ‘if you were a referee this match would be a disaster’.”

    In a statement, Galatasaray said: “Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.

    “We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to Uefa and Fifa.

    “Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce – an institution professing to uphold ‘exemplary moral values’ – in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.”

    On Tuesday Fenerbahce’s vice president Acun Ilicali denied what Mourinho said was racist.

    “We will [stand] with our coach,” he told Sky Sports News. “Jose Mourinho is very important for us – we are happy to be with him. We can clearly say [we are] behind our coach and supporting him 100%.

    “It is nothing to do with racism. In this situation [Galatasaray are] trying to manipulate, it’s simply just resembling [animals]. You use animals [such as] ‘running like a rabbit’. So many things. ‘You are like a snake,’ we say. This is giving examples of animals for behaviours not a person.”

    Two-time Champions League winner Mourinho, 62, was appointed Fenerbahce manager last summer and was banned and fined earlier this season for condemning refereeing standards in Turkey.

    Before Monday’s game he had welcomed the decision to use a foreign official after previously describing the environment in the country as “toxic”.

    “I think it’s important for the credibility, for the image of the match,” Mourinho said.

  • Canada beats US in revenge hockey rematch played on political thin ice

    Canada beats US in revenge hockey rematch played on political thin ice

    Canada has beaten the United States after the two countries battled it out on the rink in a championship game that proved to be about more than just ice hockey.

    The 4 Nations Face Off final ended 3-2 in overtime.

    On any ordinary day, this fixture would have been a significant one for the two neighbouring countries who have long been friendly rivals on the ice.

    But heating up the rivalry this time was the looming threat of an economically damaging trade war, as well as Donald Trump’s persistent musings to annex Canada and make it the 51st state.

    Trump himself was invited to attend the game in Boston by Team USA’s general manager Bill Guerin. The US president was unable to make it, but made a point of calling the team to wish them good luck.

    He also repeated his desire to absorb Canada, writing in a Truth Social post ahead of the game that he hoped the country “will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished and very important, Fifty First State”.

    Canada’s public safety minister David McGuinty later told reporters he took Trump’s quip as a sign that the president was “worried about the outcome” of the game.

    After Canada’s victory, outgoing PM Justin Trudeau – dubbed “Governor Trudeau” by Trump – posted on X: “You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game.”

    For fans across North America, the final was a “dream match-up,” ice hockey writer Daniel Nugent-Bowman told the BBC. Not since the 2014 Winter Olympics had the top men’s ice hockey players from Canada and the US faced off in such a consequential game.

    Both countries boast some of the biggest stars in the National Hockey League (NHL), like Canadians Mitch Marner and Connor McDavid, and Americans Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel. The game was a chance for this new generation of players to prove themselves.

    But in Canada, the game was also a personal one, giving both die-hard and casual fans an opportunity to bask in national pride at a time when the country’s sovereignty looks to be threatened by its closest neighbour.

    The first game between Canada and the US of this tournament, played on 15 February in Montreal, saw the American national anthem booed by Canadian fans, despite the announcer asking fans beforehand – in both English and French – to show respect to the opposing team.

    Vocal protests of the US anthem have become a common sight at sports games in Canada over the past month since Trump threatened a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods.

    When it came to singing the Canadian anthem, fans – including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – belted it out at the top of their lungs.

    Three fist fights then broke out on the ice in the first nine seconds of the game between the American and Canadian players. It was an astonishing sight, even by ice hockey standards where fights are common.

    Matthew Tkachuk, a Team USA player who was among those involved in the brawls, told reporters afterwards that his team needed to deliver a message that “It’s our time right now.”

    Perhaps the loudest message sent that day was Team USA’s decisive 3-1 win against Canada.

    Few Canadians would dispute how integral ice hockey is to the country’s national identity.

    The sport has served as a backdrop to some of the most patriotic moments in Canada’s history, like Sidney Crosby’s overtime gold medal goal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

    Historically, Canada has had the upper hand against the US. The two countries have met 20 times in best-on-best tournaments since the 1976 Canada Cup, with Canada winning 14 of those games.

    Canadian fans boo US anthem as tariffs spur ‘buy local’ pledge
    Three fights in first nine seconds as US beat Canada
    Trump tariffs ‘made something snap in us’ – many Canadians see US rift beyond repair

  • Smith to bat at three in England’s Champions Trophy opener

    Smith to bat at three in England’s Champions Trophy opener

    Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith will bat at number three in England’s Champions Trophy opener against Australia on Saturday.

    Smith, 24, has only batted in the position once in professional 50-over cricket. He will also take the gloves from Phil Salt.

    Salt remains as opener alongside Ben Duckett while Joe Root drops down to number four.

    Durham’s Brydon Carse also returns after a toe injury in a three-strong pace attack that also includes Mark Wood and Jofra Archer.

    England XI: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (capt), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

    While Smith’s selection is not a surprise, his promotion to number three is given his limited experience.

    He has not batted higher than number five in his seven previous one-day internationals with his one previous 50-over innings at number three coming for Surrey against Kent in 2019.

    Coach Brendon McCullum is a huge admirer of the wicketkeeper, who has impressed since making his Test debut under the New Zealander last July.

    Smith scored his first Test hundred against Sri Lanka last August and was then picked for the 50-over series against Australia at the end of the summer – the first after McCullum was appointed as white-ball coach.

    In those five matches he scored 124 runs with a high score of 49 and kept wicket ahead of Salt, who then reclaimed the gloves in India.

    His selection means Liam Livingstone and Joe Root will share the responsibilities of being England’s fifth bowler.

    They did so in the third ODI against India in Ahmedabad last week when they returned figures of 1-104 in 13 overs.

    World champions Australia are yet to name their XI but will be without all three of their famed pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who have all been ruled out of the tournament.

    England go into the Champions Trophy on the back of defeats in their past four ODI series, including the 3-0 thrashing by India, but spinner Adil Rashid said England believe they can win the title.

    “Regardless of what happened in India, we’ve got that belief that we’ve got the talent, we’ve got the world-class players, the match-winners in the squad to win the tournament,” he said.

  • Spurs’ Wembanyama expected to miss season with blood clot

    Spurs’ Wembanyama expected to miss season with blood clot

    San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s number one draft pick in 2023, is expected to miss the rest of the 2024-25 regular season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

    The Spurs said condition was discovered, external when the Frenchman, 21, returned to San Antonio following the All-Star game in San Francisco on Monday.

    Thrombosis occurs when blood turns into clumps inside a blood vessel, creating a blood clot.

    Wembanyama, the reigning Rookie of the Year, has averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 46 games this season, while leading the NBA in blocks with 176.

    But the injury means he will no longer be eligible for All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year, or other awards because he will not reach the league’s 65-game minimum.

    Wembanyama was drafted by the Spurs with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, becoming just the second European player to be selected with the top pick.

    He could potentially return for the NBA play-offs but the Spurs – who play the Phoenix Suns on Thursday evening – are currently 12th in the Western Conference and are unlikely to qualify.

  • ‘I’m not the worst’ – but is Nunez too wasteful for Liverpool?

    ‘I’m not the worst’ – but is Nunez too wasteful for Liverpool?

    “I wasn’t the best three weeks ago, and I’m not the worst now.”

    That is how Darwin Nunez framed the disappointment he experienced as Liverpool missed the chance to go 10 points clear in the Premier League title race in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

    The Uruguay striker’s wastefulness in front of goal, a persistent concern since he joined for an initial £64m in 2022, again reared its head as he blazed over from six yards with the target gaping at Villa Park.

    It is only one month, though, since Nunez produced stoppage-time heroics with a late double to clinch a 2-0 win at Brentford and strengthen the Reds’ grip in top spot.

    But his miss, which had an expected goals value (xG) of 0.75 – meaning he would be expected to score 75% of the time in that scenario – was described as “one of the worst we’ve seen this year” by ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler on TNT Sports.

    It also left head coach Arne Slot with his head in his hands as he later lamented the loss of two points.

    ‘If I fall, I get up’ – but what do stats say about Nunez?

    On Thursday, Nunez posted on social media: “If I fall, I get up. You’ll never see me give up. I’m going to give it my all until the last day I’m here in Liverpool. Resilience!”

    But do the numbers suggest the Uruguay international can still play a pivotal role for Liverpool going forward?

    Nunez, who was heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League in January, is now in his third full season at Anfield since joining from Portuguese side Benfica on a six-year-deal.

    In that time he has scored 39 goals in 131 appearances – an average of one every 182 minutes

    But the data suggests he has 13 fewer goals than would be expected, with an overall xG of 52.4.

    Nunez has missed just short of one big chance per Premier League game (0.99) since his debut in the competition, according to Sky Sports.

    Liverpool signed Nunez following an excellent 2021-22 campaign in which he scored 34 times in 41 appearances for Benfica, including against the Reds in both legs of their Champions League quarter-final.

    But that remains an outlier in the 25-year-old’s career to date as the only season in which the striker has overperformed his xG in league competition.

    His tally of 26 league goals in 2021-22 was eight more than expected, achieved with an impressive – and since unmatched – shot conversion rate of 30.6%.

    Last season, Nunez had an xG underperformance of -5.4 in the Premier League, a decline on -2.4xG in his first campaign.

    While he has four league goals from an xG of 4.0 this season, his shot conversion rate of 10.3% across all competitions is vastly inferior to that of Liverpool’s other established forward players such as Mohamed Salah (22.3%), Cody Gakpo (22.2%) and Luis Diaz (21%), who have each also made at least 35 appearances in 2024-25.

    In terms of his performance compared to other Premier League strikers this season, Nunez ranks outside the top 20 in a number of key areas.

    His shot conversion rate of 15.4% ranks tied 22nd and he is 24th for minutes per goal (223), while 30 players have bettered his xG performance (0.0) following Wednesday’s miss.

    For comparison, Chris Wood is setting the standard with a shot conversion rate of 39.1% and his 18 goals a significant overperformance of his 10.4 xG.

    ‘I cannot see him being there past the summer’

    Darwin Nunez is a frustrating player.

    When he came in, he became a fans’ favourite just because of the work-rate that he gives.

    But, on the flip side, his composure in front of goal has never been good. When you are at a big club, it is what you are measured on. Is he good enough to be in a Liverpool team that is competing on all fronts? Probably not.

    It showed against Aston Villa – that was a huge miss. At a team like Liverpool, you are expected to finish that.

    Nunez does not have that composure. His mind is going one hundred miles an hour and he cannot slow down his thought process, that was what happened. That miss could be costly come the end of the season.

    There is still a lot of talk around the future of Mohamed Salah. But, even if he leaves, I do not think Nunez will be the backup ready to step in. If I am being honest, I cannot see him even being there past the summer.

    How do Liverpool fans feel?

    Ruhel: Nunez’s missed chances probably cost Jurgen Klopp’s team a league title last season. His abysmal finishing will probably cost Slot’s team a league title this season.

    Ray: Nunez is a big disappointment. His stats showed he wasn’t good enough for Liverpool but Liverpool still bought him. Speed of thought is crucial when playing at this level and he hasn’t got it. He tries hard but this is not enough. He will be gone at the end of the season.

    Ryan: Really, really tired of Nunez now. Not just based on Villa. Yes, he ‘works hard’, but he’s playing for Liverpool in the Premier League. That shouldn’t be a brag, it’s mandatory. He’s a very poor finisher and has been the star of his own catalogue of missed opportunities. He needs offloading and replacing this summer.

    Liam: I just cannot understand the persistence and logic behind playing Darwin Nunez. That miss tonight is one of the worst I have seen all season and I have seen nothing so far that indicates he has the ability to play for a club top in the Premier League.

    Pete: Trying to make sense of the Nunez agenda on here. Diogo Jota missed an absolute sitter and Marcus Rashford was ineffective yet again but the narrative is Nunez.

    The Anfield Wrap Sports journalist Mo Stewart: I think he knows the narrative around him, and I think that’s part of it, it almost feels like he’s playing for his Liverpool career. He knows that he needs to have at least one or two big moments, big contributions if he wants to stay here.