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When it comes to transfers, Arsenal are set to be one of the more active Premier League sides over the coming months, with Mikel Arteta even admitting that the club will undergo a “big” window of recruitment.

Arsenal laying groundwork for key summer signings

A lot of groundwork has already been laid on Arsenal’s summer deals by sporting director Andrea Berta, not to mention his boardroom predecessors Edu and Jason Ayto.

Arsenal back off with Liverpool now favourites to sign "dream" striker

Arne Slot’s side are in pole position right now.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 6, 2025

Predating Berta’s arrival at the Emirates, Arsenal entered advanced talks to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad as far back as January, and the Gunners are now hoping to finalise the Spain international’s capture despite very mixed messages.

Members of the media are convinced that Arsenal are set to sign Zubimendi, while Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay and the player himself have publicly tried to pour cold water over an imminent move to N5.

Arsenal will be mindful that the 26-year-old publicly rejected a move to Liverpool at the last minute in 2024, and supporters will also be erring on the side of caution when it comes to celebrating Zubimendi’s capture, at least until he’s pictured hoisting the red shirt aloft.

In any case, they’ve worked extensively on his transfer, not to mention a potential move for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenia international is one of Arsenal’s top striker targets alongside Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP, but as things stand, it appears Berta is prioritising a deal for the former.

Fabrizio Romano shared news on Friday that Arsenal are advancing for Sesko, but cautions fans that it still isn’t on the verge of being done just yet.

With critics eager to see Berta sign a much-needed striker this summer, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has shared another update on their pursuit of Sesko.

Benjamin Sesko keen to join Arsenal with talks ongoing

According to the reliable reporter, Sesko is keen to join Arsenal, and the north Londoners are currently in very positive talks with his representatives.

Arteta’s side are moving forward with conviction when it comes to agreeing personal terms, but Berta will also have to dig deep into the Arsenal coffers to get this one over line.

Called an “underrated” striker by members of the press, Sesko bagged 21 goals in all competitions last season, which is a fairly modest return, but the club’s repeated attempts to sign him in the last 12 months show what a big fan Arteta must be of the player.

At this stage, Arsenal may as well just go all in and finally acquire the 22-year-old’s signature.

In May 2025, Tottenham Hotspur brought home the Europa League to finally end 17 years of trophyless pain. Having fallen short so often since their EFL Cup triumph in February 2008, there will have been profound joy and relief that their hoodoo is over at last.

Ange Postecoglou endured a largely dismal second season at Spurs in 2024/25, but the club’s European campaign may yet reignite his tenure, amid plenty of poor performances in the Premier League, with Spurs dropping way short of expectations.

But after a dazzling night in Bilbao against Manchester United, European nights are set to continue with Spurs back in the Champions League.

5 managers who could replace Ange Postecoglou at Spurs

Failure to win the Europa League may yet bring about the end of Ange’s reign at Spurs, but who would do a good job in his place?

2 ByDominic Lund Jan 6, 2025

Spurs have a rich history on the European stage, and here, we have taken a look at the 11 best European matches in Spurs’ history.

11 Tottenham 3-0 Inter Europa League last-16, first leg (2012/13)

This victory over Inter wasn’t as seismic as the one from their maiden Champions League campaign in 2010/11, but it proved that Spurs could perform at their very best in Europe.

Having finished second in the group stage behind Serie A side Lazio, Spurs progressed to the knockout stages.

An impressive 3-2 aggregate victory over Lyon in the last 32 set up a tie against Inter, and the first leg at White Hart Lane certainly didn’t disappoint.

Goals from Gareth Bale, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen gave the home side a 3-0 win over the 2010 Champions League winners with one of the club’s finest European results.

They lost the second leg 4-1, but progressed on away goals before losing to Basel in the quarter-finals.

10 Tottenham 2-0 Bayern Munich UEFA Cup third round, second leg (1983/84)

Having won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963 and the UEFA Cup in 1972, Spurs were going for their third European trophy during the 1983/84 season.

The Lilywhites lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their third-round clash against the Germans, meaning all was to play for in north London.

Steve Archibald levelled the tie with 40 minutes left before Mark Falco netted a late winner, taking Spurs into the quarter-finals.

They reached the final and defeated Anderlecht 4-3 on penalties, marking the last European trophy won by Spurs.

The 16 Best Champions League Knockout Games of All Time (Ranked)

After Inter’s crazy semi-final win over Barcelona, here’s a look at the best knockout ties the Champions League has thrown up over the years.

ByBarney Lane Feb 12, 2025 9 Man City 4-3 Tottenham Champions League quarter-final, second leg (2018/19)

While this may have been a defeat on the night, Spurs’ gritty display at the Etihad saw them qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League in dramatic fashion.

The first leg finished 1-0 in favour of the north Londoners, and was followed by a frantic start to the second leg, as Man City went into half-time leading 3-2, trailing on away goals.

Sergio Aguero finally put City ahead in the tie during the second half, but Fernando Llorente levelled things up on aggregate once more to hand Spurs the advantage.

Entering the final minutes, City were desperately searching for a winner, and it looked as though Raheem Sterling had put the club through with in the last minute, only for VAR to incredibly rule it out as Spurs reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time.

8 Milan 0-1 Tottenham Champions League last-16, first leg (2010/11)

Spurs had enjoyed a wonderful debut season in the Champions League group stages. Not only had they defeated defending champions Inter, but they managed to lose just once on their way to reaching the last 16.

Their reward? A tie against Milan. Harry Redknapp set his team up well at the San Siro that evening as a goal from Peter Crouch secured them a 1-0 victory. The game will be best remembered for the clash between Joe Jordan and Gennaro Gattuso on the touchline.

7 Tottenham 3-1 Inter Champions League group stage (2010/11)

Earlier in the 2010/11 season, Spurs played host to Inter at White Hart Lane in the Champions League group stages. Gareth Bale had scored a stunning hat-trick in a 4-3 defeat to the same team a few weeks prior, but this was a different story.

Bale was the star of the show yet again, but this time, Spurs won. Goals from Rafael van der Vaart and Peter Crouch gave the home side a two-goal advantage before Samuel Eto’o reduced the arrears with 10 minutes to go.

Bale assisted Roman Pavlyuchenko to seal a wonderful 3-1 win that put the club on the brink of qualifying for the last 16 on a night that seemed to rekindle the famous “Glory Glory” nights in north London.

6 Tottenham 1-0 Manchester United Europa League final (2024/25)

In truth, this wasn’t the greatest of European spectacles, but the euphoria pouring out of the stands at the final whistle more than made up for it as Spurs won their fourth European trophy.

Tottenham entered the Europa League final in terrible form, placing 16th in the Premier League (ironically one place above opponents Manchester United) and in the last chance saloon in terms of breaking their run of seasons without silverware.

But having gained a reputation for becoming chokers when it mattered most, Ange Postecoglou’s side delivered a winning performance after 17 years of waiting, with Brennan Johnson’s scrappy effort settling a tense finale against United.

The Red Devils were largely toothless throughout, with Rasmus Hojlund’s goalbound effort the closest they came to an equaliser, but Micky van de Ven’s sensational acrobatic clearance denied a route back into the game for Ruben Amorim’s side.

Spurs had their backs against the wall for much of the second period, determined not to let another opportunity slip away. A key stop in the dying moments from Guglielmo Vicario effectively secured glory for the Lilywhites, and nearly two decades of failure were over in a flash.

5 Tottenham 1-1 Anderlecht UEFA Cup final, second leg (1983/84)

Spurs reached their third UEFA Cup final in 12 years as they took on Anderlecht over two legs.

The first game in Brussels saw the teams draw 1-1, leaving the tie finely poised for the second leg in north London. That game also finished 1-1 thanks to a late goal from captain Graham Roberts and the match drifted into extra time.

No more goals were scored, with Spurs eventually winning the game on penalties to claim their second UEFA Cup.

4 Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Wolves UEFA Cup final, second leg (1971/72)

The 1971/72 season saw the inaugural edition of the UEFA Cup take place. It became the third competition organised by UEFA and was fairly similar in structure to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, which had been played between 1955 and 1971.

Spurs would go on to play Wolverhampton Wanderers in the final of the competition, and enjoyed a relatively stress-free route to the final, defeating Milan in the semi-finals.

Spurs won the first leg 2-1 at Molineux before sealing their first UEFA Cup by drawing 1-1 with the Old Gold at White Hart Lane in the second leg.

3 Tottenham 5-1 Atletico Madrid European Cup Winners' Cup final (1962/63)

During the first half of the 1960s, Spurs were arguably the finest team in England. They became the first club to win the league and FA Cup double in the 20th century during the 1960/61 season, before retaining the FA Cup the following season.

The 1962/63 campaign saw Bill Nicholson’s side fail to win any domestic honours, but they did reach the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup after defeating Rangers, Slovan Bratislava and OFK Beograd to set up a final showdown against holders Atlético Madrid.

The Spanish side weren’t quite up to the level of their city rivals, Real Madrid, but still posed a challenge. However, Nicholson’s side sent them packing with a stunning 5-1 victory.

Captain Danny Blanchflower rallied his side as doubles from Jimmy Greaves and Terry Dyson, plus a strike from John White, secured the club their first European trophy.

In the process, Spurs became the first British side to triumph in a European competition.

2 Tottenham 3-1 Real Madrid Champions League group stage (2017/18)

Mauricio Pochettino was building something special at Spurs, and the 2017/18 season was their second in the Champions League under his leadership.

They crashed out in the group stages during the 2016/17 season, but the following year was very different indeed.

Despite being in a group containing Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and APOEL, Spurs won five of their six matches, including a wonderful 3-1 win over Madrid.

A brace from Dele Alli and a goal from Christian Eriksen gave the home side a 3-0 lead before Cristiano Ronaldo netted a consolation.

Considering Madrid had won the competition in the previous two seasons – and would go on to secure a historic victory against Liverpool that year – this is arguably one of the best results in Spurs’ history.

Crystal Palace are believed to be interested in completing the signing of a “wonderful” player in the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

Crystal Palace set for busy summer

The Eagles will hopefully finish this season by winning the FA Cup, with Oliver Glasner’s side preparing to take on Manchester City in the final later this month, but either way, a busy summer is expected at Selhurst Park. Young Eintracht Frankfurt defender Tamiou Kpebane has been linked with a move to Palace at the end of the season, likely being seen as one for the future rather than an immediate key player.

With Eberechi Eze potentially moving on in the summer, a top-quality replacement could be needed for the Englishman, and Lyon star Rayan Cherki has been mentioned as a target. The 21-year-old has scored 29 goals and registered 44 assists for the Ligue 1 side.

Burnley have sealed promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, incredibly conceding just 16 goals in their 46 league matches, and centre-back Maxime Esteve has been a big reason for the Clarets’ success. Palace are said to be interested in signing the 22-year-old, as Glasner looks to bring in defensive reinforcements.

Crystal Palace set to move for "wonderful" Jobe Bellingham

According to The Boot Room, Crystal Palace ‘will push’ to sign Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham once the window opens in the coming weeks, with Manchester United also battling to acquire his signature. His current club are demanding at least £20m for him.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a superb season for the Black Cats, helping them reach the Championship playoffs and winning the league’s Young Player of the Season award.

Bellingham stands out as a hugely exciting option for Palace, as the teenager looks to forge his own impressive career alongside his brother Jude.

Crystal Palace now looking to beat Wolves to signing of £8.5m striker

Crystal Palace now face a battle to secure the signing of a promising player.

ByBrett Worthington May 1, 2025

At just 19, he already has 87 appearances to his name for Sunderland, performing with maturity at the heart of their midifeld and being hailed by teammate Luke O’Nien.

“Listen, Jobe’s a wonderful player. I’m one of his biggest fans, more than his dad. Don’t tell him that. I think Jobe’s wonderful. He’s a wonderful addition. He even comes in at half-time to give his perspective. That’s how much he’s grown into the game. Even though he’s not playing, he’s in at half-time. We’re asking for his perspective on the game because he’s a leader in our team.”

If Palace could pip United to Bellingham’s signature, it could be a major coup, with the midfielder having the potential to be a key man for the next decade, even though future interest could admittedly emerge from huge clubs.

The Brisbane Heat batter talks about his 140 in the BBL semi-final, his day job making bats, and more

Interview by Mohammad Isam07-Feb-2024How did January 22, 2024 change your life?
Getting all those runs in the Big Bash semi-final was probably the best time to do it. I put my name on the big stage. I said, “Hey, I’m here.”Tell us what happened.
I was actually busy playing on my Xbox that day. I looked at the time – it’s four o’clock, I better go play some cricket. Oh no, I’m running late. I got to the ground, and the rest…What did you do differently in that innings?
Everything just clicked. I was just watching the ball. Everything seemed easy. Just watching it and hitting it. It’s pretty much my game. I just watch and react.From getting big scores in the KFC T20 Max to getting a big score in the Big Bash is a huge leap.
I was hitting the ball well all season but I hadn’t got any runs. I thought I should keep sticking to my process. I was doing it right in training. For it to happen the way it did was perfect.Adam Gilchrist said he was a fan of yours after your innings of 62 off 23 against Sydney Sixers in January last year.
It was unreal. Gilly was my favourite player growing up. I got to meet him a couple of days later. I was more nervous meeting him than I have ever been playing. We talked about bats. I make my own bats. We talked about what he said.Related

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How tough is the Big Bash?
It is a very tough competition. The pitches this year weren’t the best. It was a tough adjustment as well. Once we did, it was perfect.Brisbane Heat won the title after 11 years. What changed in the team that won the title this year?
We were runners-up the season before. The whole group was devastated by it. To come out the next season, start so well – everyone was just hungry. We didn’t want to lose a single game. I think we lost just two games [one game] the whole season.Guys like you and Nathan McSweeney, the Heat captain, have come through a system in Brisbane…
I never came through a system. I started playing grade cricket. There’s Under-19s in Queensland but I never had any of that. I didn’t really care about cricket back then.So how did you eventually get into it and break through?
At the age of 23 or 24, I lost 30 kilos working in the gym. I got down to about 95-100 kilos. I started cricket training. I started playing fifth grade and finished the season in third grade. The next season I started in third grade and finished in first grade. I have been in first grade ever since. About 12 months after I played my first first-grade game, I played in the Queensland 2nd XI. It was my first taste of the pathway.I was working full-time at [equipment manufacturer] Cooper Cricket when I started playing first grade. I was playing on the weekend and training once a week. I was not taking it that seriously.Then I had this discussion with my boss at Cooper. We spoke for about two hours. He said that the job is always going to be here for you. So during the off season I went up to Darwin to play cricket for four-five months, to try to be a professional cricketer. I didn’t do that well. I came back to Brisbane for the T20 Max, and that’s when I got the big scores. I got 147 not out and 159 off 59 balls. I hit 17 sixes. I was like, “Hi guys, I’m here. I can’t really do much more. You have to give me a chance.” I got one of the centuries against Darren Lehmann’s son’s team.

“Now I have about six years to have a good crack at cricket. Hopefully I can keep getting contracts around the world, which will be lovely”

Were you surprised at the speed at which the BPL and ILT20 came calling after your innings?
Absolutely. I scored the century on the Monday night; the next day my manager said that he was in talks. I told him not to tell me anything till the final, but he said I had to get home and pack. “You are leaving on Friday.” Okay, cool.What will you do to adjust to conditions in Bangladesh in the BPL?
I haven’t had to change too much, to be honest. I have been batting really well. I have been smoking it everywhere in the nets, which is nice. The only thing is that it doesn’t really bounce as much as Australian pitches. Staying a bit lower is making the difference.I am loving Bangladesh. I love the people, I definitely love the food. I just love spicy food as well. My favorite restaurant in Brisbane is Café Hyderabad. I get the Chicken 65 from there. It is so tasty.How do you see your career going from this point?
Hopefully play as much cricket as I can. I just love cricket. I am an absolute nuffy!You spoke about Cooper Cricket. Making bats must require a lot of patience?
We have a process. My boss, Rod Grey, the owner, is a signwriter by trade. We have a CNC [wood lathe] machine. We play around with shapes in it. We can put a rough shape into it and finish it off by hand. It saves us about two or three hours.Brown on his method: “I just watch and react”•Matt King/Getty ImagesWhat kind of bat do you like to use?
I always use a mid-middle bat. The traditional one is the low-middle with a low spine. Mine is a mid-middle with a load of high spine. Pretty much a flat one, and that shapes away at the toe. We use English willows.Have you had a chance to try other kinds of bats?
I have tried Kashmir, Siberian, and Aussie willow. English willow is the best one. Australian willow is good for white-ball cricket. It is a lot harder. Siberian willow cannons but it breaks also.I know you have your own brand, so to speak, but do you have a favourite brand?
Puma. Gilly’s Puma. I collect bats as well, so I try to find old Puma bats.Are you looking to turn fully professional now?
This is it. So now I have six years to have a good crack at it. Hopefully I can keep getting contracts around the world, which will be lovely.I need to score some runs first. It would be nice to get a gig as a replacement player in the IPL. I would love to play in the [Persian] Gulf and America too. Otherwise, I will just be at home working at Cooper and in the gym. Anyone in particular you turn to for advice?
I have a had a lot of good talks with Colin Munro. Darren Lehmann also speaks so truly. He was always honest, which I personally needed. It made a huge difference to me. Same with Munro. Even McSweeney. He and I played four years together in club cricket before he moved to South Australia. He has seen me at my best and he has seen me at my worst. He is one of the best.Do you remember the day before you hit 140 in the Big Bash? Effectively the last day of a normal life.
I trained, went home and played Xbox. During that day as well. It was pretty much what I did in those two days. After the game I didn’t have a beer. I had a tiny niggle on my hip. We celebrated and sang the song. We went into the final – it was the big thing.

And is there a Test cricketer who also played tennis in the Davis Cup?

Steven Lynch12-Jul-2022Jonny Bairstow has scored four centuries in his last three Tests – how many people have matched (or even beaten) this? asked Charlie Bowen from England
This purple patch by Jonny Bairstow has brought him 589 runs from 578 balls in his last five Test innings. After being out for 8 against New Zealand at Edgbaston, he added 136 in the second innings, then hammered 162 and 71 not out in the third Test at Trent Bridge. After that, he hit 106 and 114 not out against India at Edgbaston.Two other Englishmen have scored four centuries in three Tests: Wally Hammond in 1928-29, and Graham Gooch in 1990. Overall, only ten other players have done it: the Australians Doug Walters (1968-69) and Ricky Ponting (2005-06), but not Don Bradman; South Africans Alan Melville (1938-39 to 1947) and Jacques Kallis (2007-08); two of the West Indian Three Ws, Everton Weekes (1948-49) and Clyde Walcott (1953-54 to 1954-55), but not Frank Worrell; the Pakistan pair of Mohammad Yousuf (2006-07) and Younis Khan (2014-15); India’s Sunil Gavaskar (1970-71); and Aravinda de Silva of Sri Lanka (1997-98). Weekes actually made five centuries in successive innings over four Tests, the first of them against England in 1947-48, the rest in India the following year.England scored at almost five an over hunting down 378 against India. Was this the fastest such chase in a Test? asked Stuart from South Africa
England rattled along at 4.93 an over in that remarkable chase at Edgbaston last week. Only two successful fourth-innings chases of more than 300 were completed more quickly, and neither involved quite as many runs: Pakistan’s 302 for 5 to beat Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 2013-14 came at 5.25 an over, while West Indies’ 344 for 1 against England at Lord’s in 1984 came at 5.19 an over.However, England’s 299 for 5 to beat New Zealand at Trent Bridge a few weeks ago came at a higher rate than any other successful chase of 200 or more – an unmatched 5.98 an over.Imtiaz Ahmed played in all of Pakistan’s first 39 Tests before missing one. I believe this was a record at the time – is it still? And what is the record for each country? asked Najib Ahmed from Pakistan
You’re right that the long-serving wicketkeeper Imtiaz Ahmed appeared in all of Pakistan’s first 39 Tests, from their inaugural match in 1952-53 to the first Test in England in 1962. That was indeed a record at the time, but has since been surpassed by Alistair Campbell, who played in all of Zimbabwe’s first 56 Tests; Andy Flower appeared in their first 52 as well. Next come Habibul Bashar, a fixture in Bangladesh’s first 30 Test matches, and the Zimbabwean Grant Flower (also 30).For the other countries, Ranjan Madugalle appeared in Sri Lanka’s first 18 Tests, Jack Blackham in Australia’s first 17 (the first 17 of all Tests), Clifford Roach in West Indies’ first 16, and Curly Page in New Zealand’s first 14. Amar Singh, the legendary CK Nayudu and Wazir Ali all played in India’s first seven Tests. William Milton and Charles Vintcent played in South Africa’s first three, while Tom Emmett and George Ulyett both appeared in England’s first three Tests before missing the fourth.Asghar Afghan and Rahmat Shah have played in all six of Afghanistan’s Tests to date, while Andy Balbirnie, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, William Porterfield, Paul Stirling and Stuart Thompson have appeared in all three of Ireland’s.Carlos Brathwaite’s 113 is the record for a List A hundred from No. 9, while Andre Russell holds the ODI record for the highest score from that position for his 92 vs India•AFPIn the recent Irish one-day competition, Barry McCarthy scored a century from No. 9. Has anyone else made a higher List A score from No. 9 or lower? asked David Evans from Ireland
Barry McCarthy’s 110 – more than twice as many as he had made in any other senior innings – came for Leinster Lightning against Northern Knights in Ireland’s Inter-Provincial one-day tournament at Pembroke CC in Dublin last week. His runs came from 59 balls, and included ten sixes.There has been only one higher score from No. 9 or lower in a List A match: for the West Indians against the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI at the Colts ground in Colombo in October 2015, No. 9 Carlos Brathwaite pounded 113 from 58 deliveries. The tourists had been in some strife at 109 for 7, before Brathwaite piled on 193 in less than 17 overs with Andre Russell, who hit 89 from 54 balls. Russell himself holds the ODI record for a No. 9, with 92 not out for West Indies against India in Antigua in June 2011.Is it true that someone once played for Australia in Test cricket and tennis’ Davis Cup? I can’t work out who it is… asked Jamie Millican from Australia
It isn’t true – but someone did come very close: Leslie Poidevin was Australia’s 12th man for the first Ashes Test in 1901-02 and, after England won by an innings in Sydney, was in line for a probable debut in the second match in Melbourne. But he picked up a finger injury in practice, and was replaced by Reggie Duff – who scored a century on debut as Australia squared the series. Duff claimed a regular berth, and Poidevin’s chance was gone.Poidevin went on to play several seasons in England, first for WG Grace’s London County and then for Lancashire. A good all-round sportsman, he was selected for the Australasian Davis Cup tennis team in 1906, alongside the future Wimbledon champion Tony Wilding, a New Zealander. They lost in the semi-final to the United States. Poidevin also competed at Wimbledon in 1909 and 1910, when he reached the semi-final of the men’s doubles. An interesting account of his varied life was published by Red Rose Books in 2021.Only two Test cricketers have also played Davis Cup tennis – Cotar Ramaswami (India) and Ralph Legall (West Indies). Wicketkeeper Legall’s Tests came at home in 1952-53, against an Indian side managed by Ramaswami. The pair share another unusual distinction: the exact date of both their deaths is unknown.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

The former India bowler and World Cup winner talks about a day in his life as a policeman on the front lines of the fight against Covid-19

Interview by Nagraj Gollapudi09-Apr-2020Joginder Sharma, a deputy superintendent of police in the Hisar district of Haryana, is a recognisable face for most sports fans in India. But the man who bowled India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, has been politely declining requests for selfies and autographs over the past few weeks. As a senior-ranking police officer, his primary duty right now is to make sure citizens in his jurisdiction follow the safety guidelines put in place by the Indian government to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.Sharma talks to us about how the common man is gripped by the fear of the disease that has infected nearly a million and a half people globally. In these precarious times, he says, cricket becomes secondary.Has this been the most challenging time in your job as a police officer?
I have been actively working as a cop since leaving cricket in 2017, and I have seen many things, encountered different challenges. But this has been the biggest. The toughest thing [to tell people] is that there is no vaccine yet created to fight coronavirus.Right now, despite India being in lockdown, we still need to get out to do our duty. Lives are being lost, and our job is to save lives. At the same time we need to protect ourselves and our police force. That is a challenge.Luckily in Hisar, where I am posted, so far there has been just one case, and even that person has recovered. Touch wood, I hope it stays like that.When does your day begin?
My day starts around six in the morning. Today I started at 9am and am returning home now [8pm]. But I need to be ready for emergency calls, so effectively I am available for duty 24 hours, and I can’t say no.ALSO READ: R Ashwin: ‘There is a lesson in all this: we take the game too seriously’What is your brief for the day these days?
The area that I need to oversee is mostly in the rural belt of Hisar. Right now it involves guarding various checkposts and instructing not just truck and bus drivers but also common people about the virus. The basic message is: do not get out of the house unless you need to. If someone is outside without any purpose, we can sanction them under various legal acts.Of course, if people are out to fetch essential home supplies like groceries or there is a medical emergency, we allow that as long as they are maintaining social distancing, wearing protective gear like masks and respecting the guidelines set by the government.Are there any common misconceptions you hear?
The question I am asked multiple times is: “What is coronavirus? How does it spread?” Most of these questions come from people who are poor, including migrants. Some have young families. Many do not have TV and other means of getting the information the government is trying to put out about the epidemic. But the percentage of people who are unaware is minuscule. Most are aware.Last Sunday, Indians switched their lights off for nine minutes at 9pm to mark the battle against the pandemic. But there were reports that firecrackers were set off in many places at that time. Harbhajan Singh tweeted asking how one could fight such stupidity.
Everyone has the right to express their feelings. Some feel something is right, some feel it is wrong. Having said that, our priority is to end the coronavirus in our country. This is the first battle in our life that can be won by staying at home. If you stay home, only then will it end. By lighting firecrackers it will not end. Yes, I understand that you may be trying to express solidarity, but it is not appropriate.Do people recognise you as a World Cup winner?
Yes, many people do – by reading the name plate on my uniform, since I wear a mask these days. Many want selfies and autographs, but I tell them that they need to wait till this is over.The jobs healthcare workers and others, like you, do at this time is dangerous. Do you feel endangered?
I think the biggest service is being done by the doctors, nurses and cleaners – they have the most high-risk jobs.Personally, one time I got scared was when some groups of migrants were desperate to get back home to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, even though no modes of transport were working, due to the national lockdown. Me and my team had to stop them and explain the situation to them. Eventually they were moved to makeshift shelter homes. Although we were using megaphones, some interactions had to be on a one-on-one basis. It was tough.ALSO READ: Mark Nicholas: This is a time for healing and we are all in chargeIt must be difficult to explain social distancing in a country like India, which is densely populated?
Yes. In these shelter homes we also have to ensure they get bedding, medicines, look at whether the space they are staying in is clean. At those times we have to make sure they maintain the right distance as they gather outside.Is cricket at all on your mind?
Hardly. Most of my day I am busy with police work. Once I am home I need to keep track of the news and the data related to the coronavirus cases. I need to keep tabs on how many cases there are, the number of people who are in quarantine, if there is anyone sick among those in quarantine, and so on. I need to monitor and collate all this data and send it onward.When was the last time you saw your family?
Although I live in Rohtak, which is just 110km from Hisar, about one and a half hours by road, I have decided not to go home. I don’t want to take a chance because I am in contact with people all day and I don’t want go home and put my family at risk.Cricketers and athletes have been making contributions to charity and advising fans to stay at home. What more would you suggest they can do?
In our country everyone – from cricketers to people in Bollywood to NGOs – is trying to reach out and help in their own way. That is very good.The one message we all can spread is: stay at home till the government relaxes restrictions. Stay at home, enjoy time with your family. Let us remind everyone through social media and all available mediums. I want to say to everyone that the entire world is fighting the coronavirus. Follow the government’s instructions. Do not put your life in danger. Stay home, that is the only solution right now.The entire cricket world is anxious to know whether the IPL will happen.
Until the coronavirus is cleared, it should not happen. Once everything is back to normal, it should definitely happen.If the IPL happens now, it would be a big danger because crowds will come to watch. Even if you restrict it to players, each team will have a minimum of about 15 players. There are team meetings, there is support staff, so about 30-40 people travel with each team. So it should not happen now. Strictly no.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Tuesday that the fan who interfered with a live ball in Monday's game against the San Franciso Giants, and a handful of other times over the past few years, has been banned from attending games for the remainder of the 2025 MLB season.

During Monday's game, the fan interfered with a hit from Giants third baseman Christian Koss in the eighth inning, reaching over the outfield wall and catching the live ball with his glove. After it was initially ruled a home run, umpires reviewed the play and determined it was a ground rule double.

Shockingly, it's not the first time the individual has been seen interfering with play at Diamondbacks game. The individual is a season-ticket holder and has been caught catching potential home run balls at the wall multiple times over the past few seasons.

Following Monday's incident, the organization banned for the rest of the season and issued the following statement:

"While our policy is not to publicly disclose information about our season ticket holders, the Arizona Diamondbacks are making this statement due to public speculations and multiple media inquiries regarding the fan interference during last night's game. This particular fan has been involved in multiple offenses at Chase Field. Consequently, we have terminated his Advantage Member account and he is prohibited from returning to Chase Field for the remainder of 2025. This fan will have the opportunity to return to Chase Field in 2026 so long as he meets certain terms and abides by our Fan Code of Conduct."

The team did not specify what requirements the fan would need to meet in order to see the ban lifted in 2026, but for now, he won't be allowed back at the stadium.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla – Lionel Messi waited almost three years to lift his first league title in North America. Now that the Argentine has helped Inter Miami lift their first franchise title, he admitted it was their main objective this season, and he appreciated the team-wide effort by Javier Mascherano's side to accomplish it.

Getty Images Sport'The team made a huge effort'

Messi, after being awarded MLS MVP postgame, acknowledged that the trophy was the culmination of a long effort:

"Three years ago, I decided to come to MLS, and today we are MLS champions,' he said. "We reached the semifinals of the [CONCACAF] Champions Cup. Last year, we went out early in the league and were eliminated in the first round. This year, winning the MLS was one of our main objectives. The team made a huge effort – it was a very long year, with many matches – and we were up to the task all season. This is the moment I had been waiting for, and that we, as a team, were waiting for. It’s very beautiful for all of us. They deserved it."

Messi was brilliant in the deciding game of the season, having a hand in all three of Inter Miami's goals and notching two assists. This is his 48th title. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMascherano hails Messi's impact

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano asserted that Messi had been 'important' in the Herons' MLS Cup run in a glowing post-match summary of his star man's impact. 

"He was making a big effort in these last two, three, four games, which showed how important it is for him to win. I didn't tell him to do that, but it shows how special it is. He came here to win this trophy," the coach said. 

The Herons took the lead against Vancouver, but conceded a second-half equalizer – before a duo of Messi assists gave them daylight and saw off a Vancouver side that didn't quite have enough on the day. 

Getty Images Sport'We faced a very, very good team'

Mascherano admitted, though, that Vancouver were far from a simple opponent, and gave the Herons real trouble throughout. Emmanuel Sabbi hit the post when the game was locked at 1-1, and Mascherano conceded that had he found the net, the game could have been radically different.

"We faced a very, very good team. In the second half in the first 15 to 20 minutes, they put us under pressure. We were very lucky that the ball touched the two posts. But sometimes that's the luck you need to be champions," he said. 

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Getty Images SportSaying goodbye to Alba and Busquets

Messi also took a moment to congratulate departing stars Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets on legendary careers after both announced their upcoming retirements this season. 

“Given what they’ve been – as players, both were among the greatest in history, each in his position, with the careers they had and the titles they won – it’s wonderful that they can retire with this MLS title. I don’t think they’re fully aware yet of what they’re experiencing, of what it means to retire. Today, something very beautiful ends for them, something to which they dedicated their whole lives. Now a new life begins for them. I wish them the very best, because they are two friends I care for deeply. I’m happy they can leave with this title.”

Arsenal might just have landed two of South America's most exciting young talents in Independiente del Valle's Quintero twins, Edwin and Holger. The duo, who are currently 16 years old, are set to complete their paperwork in London this week and will officially complete their switch from the Ecuadorian side in August 2027, when they will have turned 18.

Arsenal secure double Ecuadorian coup

According to , Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to secure the signings of Edwin and Holger Quintero, Ecuadorian twins who are currently plying their trade in the youth academy for Ecuador's Serie A giants Independiente del Valle. The former, in particular, has drawn comparisons to Neymar from the Ecuadorian media, making waves for his trickery as a right winger. Holger, on the other hand, is an attacking midfielder. Having already represented the Independiente under-20 team at the age of 15, the 16-year-old duo are believed to soon break into the senior side. 

also claim that the Gunners had been monitoring the Quintero brothers' progress for well over a year. Arsenal’s academy recruitment team view their latest signings as a significant step toward securing the club’s long-term future. The success of the pathway to the first team – highlighted by the rapid progress of Miles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman – has played a key role in persuading the Quintero twins to join the project. The pair are in London this week to finalise contractual formalities, with a formal announcement to follow at a later date. They are set to complete their move to the Emirates in August 2027, when they turn 18, for an undisclosed fee at this time.

AdvertisementAFPEcuador's brightest stars are shining in the Premier League

Ecuador have slowly but surely emerged as one of the more intriguing talent exporters in the world, especially for clubs battling for the ultimate crown in the Premier League. Moises Caicedo, the former holder of the record for the most expensive British transfer when Chelsea sensationally splashed £115 million (€130m/$152m) in 2023, arrived at Brighton for just £4m. Now, he is considered to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Piero Hincapie, who arrived at the Emirates from Bayer Leverkusen on a loan with an option to buy for £45m (€52m) next summer, earned the reputation of having the potential to be one of the best players in his position.

Kendry Paez, one of South America's biggest talents to have emerged in recent memory, is also playing for Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg on loan from the Blues. The common denominator? All these aforementioned names have emerged from the Independiente youth academy. 

Arsenal investing heavily in youth

One of the regularities at Arsenal under the reign of head coach Mikel Arteta has been the trust him and his coaching staff have placed on the prodigies emerging at the Hale End Academy. Lewis-Skelly was integrated into the first team dynamics in 2024, with his debut coming in September last year. Since then, he has emerged as one of the most exciting young full-backs in Europe, aggregating 53 appearances in total and becoming a full-time England international. 

Arsenal now boast the two youngest players ever to debut in Premier League history. Nwaneri set the record in 2022, making his debut at just 15 years and 181 days old, while Dowman followed closely behind, debuting earlier this season at 15 years and 235 days.

The trio are expected to become the cornerstones of the Gunners' project in the future. Given everything we've seen from these young talents, it's safe to say that Arsenal's future is in good hands.

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Getty Images SportGunners look primed to lift major silverware this season

Arteta's troops have begun the 2025-26 season exceptionally. They currently top the Premier League charts, bagging 30 points after 13 games to hold a healthy five-point lead over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. They have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in Europe at the moment, as evidenced by their 3-1 hammering of Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week. 

However, Arteta and his players will be well aware of not paying heed to any labels or shouts terming them as the 'favourites' to win major silverware this season, even though there will undoubtedly be a lot of belief within the team that they can achieve magical things this season. 

The 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday may not have proved that they can be easily beaten, but it definitely served a reminder that the seemingly unshakeable Arsenal team can be rattled. A lot of work is left to be done, but the early signs have been promising.

حسم نادي فينيزيا الإيطالي موقفه من مستقبل لاعبه المغربي سعد الحداد، بعد الأنباء التي ترددت عن وجود اهتمام من النادي الأهلي بالحصول على خدماته خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وتألق سعد الحداد مع منتخب المغرب تحت 20 عامًا في مونديال الشباب والذي أقيم في تشيلي وحصل أسود الأطلسي على اللقب أمام الأرجنتين.

اقرأ أيضًا.. خاص | بعد اهتمام الأهلي.. ديبورتيفو لاكورونيا يفجر مفاجأة بشأن عقد زكريا الدهشوري

وخلال حديث خاص مع بطولات، قال فيليبو أنطونيلي، المدير الرياضي لنادي فينيزيا: “حتى الآن لم أتلق أي اتصالات، ربما تواصلوا مع وكيله”.

وأضاف أنطونيلي مؤكدًا تمسك ناديه باللاعب: “سعد الحداد أحد مواهبنا، وهو الآن مع الفريق الأول، وسيكون عليه أن يثبت قيمته هنا أيضًا كما فعل مع منتخب المغرب”.

وعن إمكانية رحيل سعد الحداد في يناير أو مع نهاية الموسم، أوضح: “نيتنا هي الإبقاء عليه حتى يونيو، لأننا نؤمن بقدراته، وإذا وصل عرض مهم سنقوم بتقييمه”.

وسُئل المدير الرياضي عن وجود أي عروض للاعب بعد مشاركته في كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا، ليرد بإيجاز: “لا، حتى الآن لنرى ما سيحدث”.

بهذا التصريح، يضع فينيتزيا حدًا للجدل حول مستقبل الموهبة المغربية، ويؤكد غياب أي مفاوضات رسمية مع الأهلي في الوقت الحالي.