* Benfica manager strongly criticised by Kick It Out * Uefa investigating Real Madrid’s players claims The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has accused José Mourinho of gaslighting for his response to Vinícius Júnior’s allegations of racist abuse. Vinícius reported that he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid’s Champions League playoff first leg. On Wednesday Uefa said it would “investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour”. Continue reading...

Club admit they have concentrated on commercial development of Old Trafford, but Farington complex is part of the switch to cricket and facilities The 2025 season for Lancashire’s men started full of cheerful high hopes. In the spring many, including a now bashful Spin, tipped them for immediate promotion back to Division One of the County Championship after being relegated in the last game of 2024 – as they had done in 2013, 2015 and 2019. It didn’t turn out like that. Two months later, hope had turned to heavyweight disgruntlement after a run of hapless performances. By the end of May, they were the only team in either division not to have a win under their belt. An innings defeat against Leicestershire in less than three days was the final straw. Continue reading...

* Six Russians and four Belarusians set for Milano Cortina * All athletes will compete under their nation’s flags Ukraine’s sports minister has condemned the decision to allow six Russians and four Belarusians to compete under their nation’s flags at next month’s Winter Paralympics as “disappointing and outrageous”. “The flags of Russia and Belarus have no place at international sporting events that stand for fairness, integrity, and respect,” said Matvii Bidnyi in response to the International Paralympic Committee’s decision on Monday. “These are the flags of regimes that have turned sport into a tool of war, lies, and contempt. In Russia, Paralympic sport has been made a pillar for those whom Putin sent to Ukraine to kill – and who returned from Ukraine with injuries and disabilities,” he added. Continue reading...

Steve Borthwick’s response to stinging defeat in Scotland is to hand a first start to English rugby’s young tyro A week can be a long time in the Six Nations, never mind in politics. One minute England are contemplating title showdowns in Paris, the next they face a must-win game against Ireland to remain in contention. A swift riposte to the defeat in Scotland last weekend is required urgently and Steve Borthwick’s team selection reflects the management’s desire for a significant gear change. It has clearly played straight into the hands of Henry Pollock, whose ambition to start for England is about to be realised after seven caps off the bench. His promotion reflects the need to re-energise all involved in the Murrayfield meltdown, as does the starting return of Tom Curry and Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman’s shift back to the wing and Marcus Smith’s bench resurrection. Continue reading...

* Medal table | Live scores and schedule | Results | Briefing * Follow us over on Bluesky | And you can email Tanya Good morning! We’re racing towards the finishing line now in Milan, stylish snow suit in one hand, espresso in the other. Nine golds hang glistening on the line to be claimed . The final snowboarding events swoosh onto our screens soon, with the men’s and women’s slopestyle; while out on the mountains, cowbells and exhaution in the cross-country team sprint skiing. Continue reading...

Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti thrashed the world record-holders, world champions and favourites The noise at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium has been through the roof every time a competitor in Italian blue has appeared on the ice. It was no different on Tuesday with the roar of the crowd powering the host nation to another gold medal. Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti thrashed the world record-holders, world champions and favourites Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman and Ethan Cepuran of the US to win the men’s team pursuit gold medal in speed skating. Buoyed by raucous cheering from the home crowd, the Italians won their country’s first Olympic title in this event since the Turin Games in 2006, beating the Americans by a whopping 4.51sec – a lifetime in speed skating. Giovannini even hit the NBA point guard Steph Curry’s trademark ‘night-night’ celebration as he crossed the finish line to signify this truly was a lights-out performance. How many hours, days and weeks had he dreamt of that moment? Continue reading...

Paying homage to 1956, when Cortina previously hosted the Winter Olympics, a trio of Getty Images photographers have been using vintage Graflex cameras at the 2026 Games. In a modern twist, they have been adapted to record images on smartphones, enabling live transmission of the content captured Continue reading...

* Brazilian accuses referee of ‘poorly executed protocol’ * Real Madrid eventually play on after 10-minute delay Vinícius Júnior declared that “racists are above all cowards [who] need to put their shirts in their mouth to demonstrate how weak they are” and attacked the failure of the referee to act after he was allegedly abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win in Lisbon. The Brazilian was seemingly minded to walk off and the Madrid coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, said that they would have joined him, although they did eventually play on after a 10-minute delay. Kylian Mbappé said afterwards that Prestianni should not be allowed to play in the Champions league again. Vinícius had run to the referee, François Letexier, when Prestianni said something to him after celebrating the only goal of the night on 50 minutes. Prestianni covered his mouth as he spoke but Mbappé later backed the Brazilian’s accusation that the word used had been “mono” or monkey. The referee performed the gesture that confirmed that he was activating the anti-racism protocol and the game but following conversations between players, managers and officials the two teams did eventually play on. Continue reading...

Japan’s skaters stole the spotlight as the Americans largely struggled in their attempts to end a two-decade medal drought Japanese teenager Ami Nakai was the surprise leader after the short program of the Olympic women’s figure skating competition on a night when her country’s skaters largely stole the spotlight from Team USA’s Blade Angels in their bid to end America’s two-decade medal drought. Nakai delivered a clean, commanding skate on Tuesday, highlighted by a soaring triple axel for a personal-best score of 78.71, edging three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto (77.23) into second. Only Alysa Liu of the United States was able to break the Japanese hold on the top spots, scoring 76.59 to come in ahead of fourth-placed Mone Choba (74.00). Continue reading...

* Welsh side denied a fifth successive away win * Portsmouth ease worries with victory at Charlton Bristol City denied Wrexham a fifth successive Sky Bet Championship away win as Max Bird’s spectacular late volley secured a 2-2 draw at Ashton Gate. Wrexham twice led through Ollie Rathbone and a Joe Williams own goal, but City were rewarded for a spirited second-half performance. Continue reading...

* Double-touch row continues to rock Olympics * British men’s hopes dim after defeat by Canada Well hell’s bells, who knew the ice could get so hot? The Olympic curling community is still all in a twist about everything that’s gone on in the sport since a row broke out between the Sweden and Canada sides on Friday. “The whole spirit of curling is dead,” Canada’s Marc Kennedy said on Monday night after his team’s 8-2 victory against Czech Republic, which felt like a bold take coming from the man who started this entire farrago by repeatedly telling his Swedish opponent Oskar Eriksson to “fuck off” after Eriksson accused him of making an illegal double‑touch. On Tuesday, the Canadians were outplaying the British. They beat them handily, 9-5, which means Bruce Mouat’s team have to beat the USA team and hope other results go their way if they’re going to make the semi-finals. Continue reading...

Vinícius Júnior and his teammates appeared ready to walk off and the game was put on hold for 10 minutes after the Brazilian told the referee that he had been subject to racist abuse after scoring the goal that gives Real Madrid a 1-0 first-leg lead in their Champions League playoff against Benfica. Vinícius had celebrated the strike dancing in the corner of the Estádio da Luz and in the confrontations that followed, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni said something to him while covering his mouth. Vinícius immediately ran to the referee, François Letexier, who stopped the match and crossed his arms to signal that he was doing so because of an accusation of racist abuse. Both managers came on to the pitch and Vinícius spoke to José Mourinho to explain what had happened. Conversations and confrontations continued as Vinícius sat alone on the bench, but eventually they restarted with the Brazilian on the pitch. The noise that accompanied Benfica’s attempts to get back into it, a red card for Mourinho as he protested a late foul on the edge of the Madrid area, unable to eclipse the feeling that there was something empty, something sadder, about the occasion now, like this match no longer mattered. Its lasting legacy will not be about the football. Continue reading...

Our cartoonist reflects on the Manchester United co-owner’s recent statements and electioneering, via the prism of Cracker’s DCI Bilborough * Buy a cartoon | David’s favourite works of 2025 * And his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now Continue reading...

* Juventus lead twice but go down 5-2 in playoff 1st leg * Juan Cabal sent off at 3-2; Noa Lang and Gabriel Sara star Galatasaray delivered a dominant performance to dismantle 10-man Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff, with Noa Lang and Gabriel Sara starring in a scintillating display. The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute when the Brazilian Sara struck a thunderous long-range shot that left Michele Di Gregorio with no chance. However, Juventus equalised almost instantly when Teun Koopmeiners reacted quickly after Pierre Kalulu’s header was saved by Ugurcan Cakir, converting the rebound in the 16th minute. Continue reading...

* ‘I’m trying to figure out if I can actually do this’ * Woods says he could play in this year’s Masters Tiger Woods has confirmed he has been asked to captain the US team at Ryder Cup next year. Woods, who has not played competitively since the 2024 Open Championship, has also semi-remarkably left the door open to teeing up in the Masters this year. With the US still reeling from defeat by Europe at Bethpage in September, thoughts have turned towards attempts to reclaim the Ryder Cup in Ireland. Woods is the PGA of America’s first choice as captain. The 50-year-old will determine whether he believes he can commit sufficiently to the role. Continue reading...

Steve Borthwick’s response to stinging defeat in Scotland is to hand a first start to English rugby’s young tyro A week can be a long time in the Six Nations, never mind in politics. One minute England are contemplating title showdowns in Paris, the next they face a must-win game against Ireland to remain in contention. A swift riposte to the defeat in Scotland last weekend is required urgently and Steve Borthwick’s team selection reflects the management’s desire for a significant gear change. It has clearly played straight into the hands of Henry Pollock, whose ambition to start for England is about to be realised after seven caps off the bench. His promotion reflects the need to re-energise all involved in the Murrayfield meltdown, as does the starting return of Tom Curry and Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman’s shift back to the wing and Marcus Smith’s bench resurrection. Continue reading...

⚽ Champions League updates from the first-leg matches ⚽ Live scores | Follow us over on Bluesky | And email Scott The early kick-off at the Ali Sami Yen in Istanbul has reached the halfway mark. Gabriel Sara gave the hosts the lead on 15 minutes, slotting into the bottom left from the edge of the box. But Juve hit back immediately, Teun Koopmeiners slotting from close range after Uğurcan Çakır parried Pierre Kalulu’s header. Koopmeiners then completed the turnaround on 32 minutes with an absolute pearler, one-twoing into space down the middle with Weston McKennie, before roofing from distance into the top-left corner. Roland Sallai missed a good chance to equalise for Gala just before the break. So that’s been eventful. The big game of the evening is undoubtedly Benfica v Real Madrid. The absurd Keith Houchen-channeling antics of Anatoliy Trubin have seen to that … Continue reading...

* Top dozen horses for Aintree all rated 160 or above * I Am Maximus is top weight above Nick Rockett The unveiling of the weights for the 2026 Grand National started with a montage of clips from 50 years ago, when the world’s most famous steeplechase was at its lowest ebb, the crowd had dipped below 10,000 and the track was odds-on to be sold off for housing. It was, as Ruby Walsh pointed out on the voiceover, a reminder of how the National has been revived and transformed. A glance back no further than the 2011 Grand National, however, also offers clear evidence of how much the great race has changed, even in the space of 15 years. The field, of course, is now down to a maximum of 34, rather than the 40 runners that we all grew up with, but it is the depth of quality in the names, ratings and weights that were published on Tuesday that stands out. Continue reading...

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! It’s been another rough few days for Europe’s referees. On Saturday, Chris Kavanagh and his assistants had a night to forget at Villa Park without the comfort blanket of VAR. One poor decision is forgivable, two is careless, but there were a hat-trick of howlers, with Tammy Abraham clearly offside for Aston Villa’s opener. Lucas Digne needed his own dedicated review booth, escaping with a yellow card for an agricultural tackle on Jacob Murphy and avoiding a penalty for handball. Officials ruled that Digne handled the ball outside the penalty area, an impressive feat given that he both took off and landed inside the box as he jumped to block a cross. Kavanagh and one of his assistants have been stood down by PGMO, presumably rebranded because they can’t stop dropping Ls. Continue reading...

* Calafiori latest player to pull up before kick-off * ‘It’s happened four times this year … we have to learn’ Mikel Arteta has said he is looking at Arsenal’s warm-up routines “big time” as he seeks an explanation for why his title-chasing players keep pulling up before matches. Riccardo Calafiori dropped out of the lineup for the FA Cup tie against Wigan last Sunday after sustaining an injury in the warm-up, the second time it has happened to the player, and the fourth time in the season overall. Arteta said he was confident the Italian would be available against Wolves on Wednesday but said the club were “looking into” their pre-match habits. Continue reading...

* Interim manager: ‘There is no time to find excuses’ * ‘The position of the club is one that nobody can accept’ Igor Tudor says there is “no time to find excuses” as he attempts to halt Tottenham’s Premier League slide. The 47-year-old former Juventus manager, brought in last week as the sacked Thomas Frank’s replacement until the end of the season, believes instilling the players with confidence is his most important task. “The team need, I believe, first of all, to get some confidence, to get some courage, but also, in same way, the concrete things in the pitch,” Tudor told Spursplay. “Of course, I’m coming here knowing that situation is not easy. There is no time to find excuses. What I said from the first day here, each of us need to give something something more, something extra.” Continue reading...

* ‘He trusts my work, I trust his personality’ * Coach and owner have worked previously together Vítor Pereira believes the trust he has with Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, means he can survive the poisoned chalice of the City Ground job. The Portuguese has become Forest’s fourth manager of the season after Sean Dyche followed Nuno Espírito Santo and Ange Postecoglou out of the door last week as Marinakis acted in an attempt to avoid Premier League relegation. Continue reading...

Wise remembers long throws with Vinnie Jones, training in a park with Gus Poyet and scoring in Europe for Millwall By The Coaches’ Voice As a young player I had been told a few times that I wasn’t quite good enough. Wimbledon manager Dave Bassett was the one who looked at me in a different way. He was the man who gave me that all-important opportunity. In terms of structuring a team, he was on the ball in everything he did. He was a long way in front of a lot of others, but because of the way he was, people looked at him in a different way. If he had been well-spoken and had what you might call an intelligent way about him, people would have looked at him differently. They would have said: “Wow, this guy is miles ahead.” Continue reading...

A man accused of having placed secret cameras in Altach’s changing room is appearing in court next week A man who has been accused of having videos from secret cameras in the changing room and showers of the Altach women’s team is appearing in court next week in a case that has shaken football in Austria. About 30 women have been identified on the recordings, according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Feldkirch, and some are considering a civil lawsuit against the accused. The team play in the top division in Austria. This is an extract from our free email about women’s football, Moving the Goalposts. To get the full edition, visit this page and follow the instructions. Moving the Goalposts is delivered to your inboxes every Tuesday and Thursday. Continue reading...

* Former champions eliminated before final group match * Zimbabwe go through to Super 8 phase Australia have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup after Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was washed out. The African nation’s share of the points means Australia cannot catch them or Sri Lanka at the top of the group table and are eliminated from the competition. Continue reading...