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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has threatened players of the men’s national team and support staff with “a formal review” if they leave the ongoing Pakistan tour over security concerns. Several team members had asked to return to Sri Lanka, following the suicide bombing in Islamabad – the city they are staying in – on Tuesday. Players’ families in Sri Lanka had expressed their concerns over safety, in particular.”The support staff were very clear that we wanted to stay and complete the tour,” said Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s head coach. “But as the team management on tour, we heard the players concerns, and made sure we addressed them at length.”Deliberations went late into the night on Wednesday regarding the future of the tour, with players, team management, SLC officials, and Pakistan security officials, all involved in the discussion. PCB chair and Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi himself is understood to have come to the team hotel to reassure Sri Lanka’s players, with other officials from Pakistan’s security establishment also assuring the team their security arrangements remained rigorous. In addition, they had provided assurances that safety protocols around the team hotel would be tightened, with a separate elevator and restaurant area likely to be set aside for the team.With these talks concluding late and other logistics being thrown off by uncertainty, the two remaining ODIs in the series have now been pushed back a day. Naqvi announced that the matches will be played on November 14 and 16, when they had been scheduled for November 13 and 15. The first two matches of the T20I tri-series (featuring Zimbabwe) that follows the ODIs, have also been postponed by a day. That series will now also be entirely be played in Rawalpindi, when some matches had previously been scheduled for Lahore.SLC said the board had assured players of their safety, and instructed the team to continue playing matches as scheduled. The board also laid out consequences for any member of the touring party who defies their instruction.”If any player, players, or member of the support staff return despite SLC’s directives, a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions, and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review,” the board statement said.Through the course of the day, SLC is understood to have stood firm against player requests to return home. Sri Lanka have only played one of the three ODIs that are scheduled, and also have a T20I tri-series to play in Pakistan immediately after. Nevertheless, pressure from players had forced another meeting.SLC’s statement said the board had worked quickly to allay fears.”Following this development, SLC immediately engaged with the players and assured them that all such concerns are being duly addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party.”Naqvi is understood to have decided to meet Sri Lanka’s players to reassure them regarding their safety and encourage them to continue the tour. Earlier on Wednesday, he met with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan, Fred Siriweera. The PCB released a statement saying a detailed briefing on the security provided to the Sri Lankan team was provided, and that Siriweera expressed his satisfaction over the arrangements.A Sri Lankan team had suffered a terrorist attack in Pakistan in 2009, in Lahore. Sri Lanka had been among the first teams to resume tours to Pakistan after the long exile, however.

With the international break coming to an end, Celtic have now reportedly discovered when Wilfried Nancy is likely to take charge for the first time after submitting a £2m compensation offer to Columbus Crew.

The Bhoys have been without a manager since the departure of Brendan Rodgers, but have watched on as Martin O’Neill has rolled back the years on an interim basis. The 73-year-old has taken his old club into a Scottish League Cup final, which will take place with or without him against against St. Mirren on December 14.

As things stand, O’Neill will still be in charge for Celtic’s return to action against St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership this weekend in a preview of that aforementioned final. The veteran manager recently addressed fans, admitting that it was a “bit of a whirlwind fortnight” before the international break.

After this weekend’s clash, however, the Hoops may move closer to their managerial appointment. After being linked with the likes of Kieran McKenna and Ange Postecoglou throughout the process, it looks as though Nancy could be arriving.

Celtic learn Nancy timeline with deal close

As reported by TeamTalk, Celtic have now submitted a £2m compensation package to sign Nancy from Columbus Cew along with multiple members of his backroom team. The board hope to have their new manager in the dugout by November 30, when they square off against Hibernian.

The Bhoys are also reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with the MSL manager, with comparisons to Postecoglou instantly making him a top target around Celtic Park.

Nancy can forget Maeda by making £325k-per-week star his 1st Celtic signing

Celtic’s potential new manager could forget about Daizen Maeda by signing this reported transfer target.

ByDan Emery Nov 18, 2025

Often operating in a 3-4-2-1 system, it will certainly be interesting to see whether Nancy adjusts his ways right away in Scotland. It’s rare that Celtic are seen in such a formation, but it’s one that has brought their potential new manager plenty of success in America.

Having earned plenty of praise during his time in the MLS, Nancy now looks destined to become the next Celtic manager.

He's better than Kenny: Nancy could unearth Celtic's new Kyogo very quickly

Daniel Farke was already on borrowed time in the Leeds United dug-out heading into his lowly side’s clash with Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Indeed, the depressing backdrop heading into this big tie at Elland Road was four defeats from their last five games in the intense Premier League, and now, it’s five defeats from their last six, culminating in the West Yorkshire outfit sinking into that final relegation spot.

At one stage, Leeds looked in control after a scrappy Lukas Nmecha goal found the back of the net after just eight minutes had been played.

But, in the end, Villa’s quality shone through courtesy of a Morgan Rogers brace in the second half, and while Rogers came good in that pivotal second 45 minutes, Brenden Aaronson produced another no-show to trouble his manager’s precarious position even more.

Why Aaronson must now be dropped by Farke

Not even home comforts could save Leeds from a late Villa comeback.

Of course, last time at home, before this disastrous slip-up, Leeds picked up a much-needed 2-1 win over relegation rivals West Ham United, as Aaronson stole the show with a goal and an overall energetic outing.

Unfortunately for Aaronson, his showing against the Villans was a far cry from his standout performance against Nuno Espirito Santo’s visitors.

Against the Hammers, the American attacking midfielder successfully completed all three of his dribbles as a nuisance that the East Londoners had to keep tabs on throughout. On the contrary, on Sunday afternoon, Aaronson routinely lost the ball when attempting to burst forward with pace, with just one of his five dribbles coming off.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

On top of that, the hard-working figure who won eight duels during that 2-1 win was replaced by a weak number 11 who won just five of his 13 duels. Most importantly, too, the right winger only managed one effort on target at Emiliano Martinez’s goal, as Villa always felt like they had the below-par ex-Union Berlin playmaker under control.

If the German continues to select Aaronson, he will be very much on the chopping block for the sack, with both Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto perhaps better suited to this right-wing role, over the hot-and-cold 25-year-old.

After all, the Welshman at least excited the Elland Road masses late on when his goalbound effort was disallowed for a handball by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

That being said, Aaronson isn’t the only underperformer who looks out of his depth in the Premier League.

Not just Aaronson: Big-money signing must be ditched

How much longer will the Leeds hierarchy persist with the former Norwich City boss in the dug-out?

After today’s defeat, they will want to see some immediate positive results, but with Manchester City and Chelsea up next in a very tricky double-header, the near future looks grim.

Still, he could pull off a shock result against either team, as is the unpredictability of the division, particularly if he ditches Lucas Perri in between the sticks, who fell victim to another shaky day at the office on Sunday.

The decisive match-winning free-kick was a wonderfully hit effort from the man of the moment in Rogers, but Leeds fans would have watched on in disbelief as Perri stayed rooted to his spot, with The Athletic’s Beren Cross critical of the ex-Lyon goalkeeper, who “barely moved”.

Away from helping Rogers to collect his brace, Perri also failed to look convincing with just two saves registered, alongside only ten of his passes hitting their intended target, leaving him with a dire 53% pass accuracy come the final whistle.

For a newly promoted side who were on the hunt for a clear upgrade on Illan Meslier in the summer, they might well feel ripped off now that they forked out £13.9m on his services, with the flappy Brazilian conceding an average of two goals a game now, having kept just two clean sheets to date.

Amazingly, Karl Darlow – who cost £400k – might be the better option now, having averaged more saves per game than Perri this season from his limited minutes at 2.6 per clash, with Leeds surely fearing a drubbing at the hands of City up next if their new number one is retained.

Journalist Adonis Storr at the full-time whistle stated that Farke must be “in serious trouble” now, as boos headed his direction with some ferocity at the end, with both Perri and Aaronson needing to be dropped for the next crucial game to try and somehow steer the sinking ship back on course.

If they remain in the XI, Farke will likely be out of a job very swiftly.

Leeds 1-2 Aston Villa: "Sneaky" Elland Road moment that VAR may have missed

There was a controversial moment in Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory at Elland Road.

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Dominic Lund

Nov 23, 2025

Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico has admitted “nobody will be ready” for Lionel Messi’s retirement as speculation grows around a romantic Barcelona return. The Lyon full-back, currently on international duty, reflected on Messi’s emotional Camp Nou visit and spoke about Argentina’s World Cup ambitions while hinting at uncertainty over whether the Inter Miami star could play again for the Blaugrana.

Tagliafico reflects on Messi’s legacy and Camp Nou surprise

Few players have been closer to witnessing Messi’s enduring greatness than Tagliafico. As La Albiceleste prepare for their friendly against Angola, the Lyon defender spoke candidly about what Messi’s eventual farewell could mean for world football and why nobody, not even his teammates, can imagine the day he finally walks away.

The 38-year-old's recent midnight visit to Barcelona’s newly renovated Camp Nou reignited talk of a short-term return to his boyhood club. The Inter Miami star, currently in the MLS off-season, shared an emotional post about “missing the place with his soul,” leading fans to dream of one last dance in Catalonia.

Tagliafico, though, admitted even Argentina’s dressing room remains uncertain about Messi’s next move or when the inevitable end will come.

AdvertisementAFP‘Nobody will be prepared for when Leo is gone’ – Tagliafico

In an interview with , the former Ajax star spoke with both admiration and melancholy when asked about Messi’s possible retirement: “He’s been playing in Argentina for 20 years. It’s completely unusual. Nobody will be prepared for when Leo is gone. He’ll decide when he’s no longer there. Maybe once he stops playing, he’ll stay on the coaching staff or have some role with the national team,”

Turning to Messi’s surprise Camp Nou appearance, Tagliafico confessed that the squad were caught off guard by the images shared online — and admitted even he doesn’t know what the future holds for the World Cup-winning captain.

“There was a huge fuss about the photo he took at Camp Nou because it was a surprise. I don't know what the situation is, because of the Beckham Law. He could go during the MLS break, but I honestly don't know what he'll do . It's not easy either, especially with the World Cup so close. I don't think it will be simple.”

‘We have to prove it again’ – Tagliafico on Argentina’s World Cup mindset

The veteran full-back also discussed Argentina’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup, urging calm despite their success under Lionel Scaloni and downplaying their tag as favourites.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, I think we're about a five," he said. "Not too little, not too much. We're taking it one step at a time, like in the last World Cup.”

He also reflected on the self-confidence and occasional arrogance that defines Argentina’s footballing culture: “We also seek it out, Argentinians, with that arrogance we have. Obviously, being world champions, we have to prove it, but that spice, that mischievousness, is also good, because in the end, they end up respecting us. They have to respect us. People know the calibre Argentina has today. We earned it with our effort. Sometimes there's a bit too much talk, but we’re fine, happy. If things are said, I don't know if it's anger or envy… Things are going well. We have to keep working.”

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Getty Images SportFinalissima plans still uncertain ahead of 2026 World Cup

Tagliafico also addressed reports of a Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain, which could take place at Lusail Stadium in Doha – the same venue where Messi lifted the World Cup in 2022.

“There’s talk and rumors, but nothing is confirmed yet. If it happens, it’ll be a great match. Spain is one of the best teams around right now. In the end, those kinds of competitive matches will show you how the team is doing, but it’s also just one game; it might not reflect what could happen at the World Cup. I’m lucky enough to have played in World Cups, and that changes everything. The first match is a different stimulus, different motivations. You might think, ‘If we beat Spain, we’ll be in a much better position.’

He cautioned that early results shouldn’t be overinterpreted: "On the contrary. We beat Italy in the preparation for Qatar and lost the first match. It makes a big difference. They’re a great opponent, that’s for sure. You can get a sense of their level, but it won’t change much for the World Cup.”

While Spain’s participation depends on their qualification route, Argentina are already looking to maintain momentum heading into 2026 with Tagliafico’s words serving as a reminder that even amid speculation about Messi’s future, the Albiceleste’s focus remains firmly on defending their crown.

PHILADELPHIA — In the bottom of the second, he helped give away two runs. In the top of the seventh, he drove in three. This is the Teoscar Hernández Experience, and for the most part, the Dodgers have decided, it’s worth it. 

“At the end of the day, for me, anything that happened before a big moment like that, it’s in the past,” Hernández said after Los Angeles put the finishing touches on a 5–3 win over the Phillies in Game 1 of the National League division series. “I try to put it in the trash and just focus on the things that I need to do in that at-bat and especially in plays on defense and just trying to help my team.”

He has had plenty of practice. In Game 2 of the wild card series, he camped out under a two-out fly ball, stuck up his glove—and missed the ball. Afterward, he apologized to righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whom he believed he cost an inning or two by forcing him to pitch around the mistake, and promised to try harder. Five innings later, Hernández clubbed a two-run double to pad the lead. The Dodgers won that game, as they did the game before (Hernández home run) and the next one (Saturday’s Hernández home run).

Saturday’s miscue was less egregious, although potentially more costly. With the score tied at zero and runners on first and second, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto lined a ball to right-center field. Hernández is not terribly fleet of foot under the best of circumstances, but he averaged 28.0 feet per second running home to first this season. On Saturday, his rate to the ball was 25.0 feet per second. Center fielder Andy Pages beat him there; by the time the ball made it back to the infield, both runners had scored and Realmuto was at third base. 

“He wasn’t not trying,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “But, yeah, that’s a ball that you don’t want Realmuto to have a triple, certainly a short right field.” 

This sort of inconsistency is easier to swallow when Hernández is hitting, as he did last year, when he had an .840 regular-season OPS and almost singlehandedly won three playoff games en route to the 2024 title. It was that performance that made him beloved in Los Angeles and led the front office to sign him to a three-year, $66 million deal before his age-32 season. But Hernández missed two weeks with a strained groin in May, then battled bruising after fouling a ball off his left foot in July. He has insisted all season that those ailments have not slowed him, but he had a .933 OPS before the groin strain and a .672 OPS afterward. 

For a while, he became a symbol of a team that seemed to be recovering from a World Series hangover. The Dodgers wilted down the stretch, playing .417 ball in July, then coming close to letting the division slip away in August and September. Hernández was certainly not the only problem—the bullpen had a 4.90 ERA in the final month—but his mistakes were glaring. In August, he failed to come up with an easy ninth-inning pop-up; two pitches later, that run scored to give the historically awful Rockies a walk-off win. Reporters and fans began speculating that Hernández might be moved out of right field. The team insisted that was not the plan—if only because the Dodgers were too banged up to accommodate a positional shift. A week later, Roberts benched Hernández for two games. 

“He’s an every-day guy, but I do think that where we’re at, you’ve got to perform, too, to warrant being out there every single day, regardless, right?” Roberts said.

A few days later, Roberts lamented to reporters that he felt Hernández lacked focus. “He’s a guy that I really admire, because he can balance the fun part of baseball but also have that edge,” the manager said. “And I think we’ve lost a little bit of that edge over the last couple months. So I think, for me, I want to see that edge, that fight, that fire, and I’ll bet on any result.”

He had already spoken with Hernández himself. “He was, like, ‘You know what, I’ve got to be better, I gotta play better, I gotta play better defense, I’ve got to dial up the offense,’” Roberts recalled on Saturday. “We talked about it. And he delivered.”

Hernández told reporters he thought he was pressing. He felt a bit of that unhelpful energy early on Saturday, when he chased pitches well below the strike zone—two in his first at-bat, one in his second, another in his third—against Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez and struck out three times. So for his fourth at-bat, this one against lefty Matt Strahm with two runners on, Hernández decided to simplify his approach and just look for a pitch up. 

“Not trying to do overswinging or anything like that,” he said. “Maybe a hit. Try to bring in one run to tie the game.”

He brought in three to win it, and to ensure that the Dodgers get to enjoy the Teoscar Hernández experience at least a few days longer. 

There will be October baseball in Beantown.

Needing a win to clinch a postseason berth, the Red Sox battled back from a 3-1 deficit on Friday night to walk off the Tigers 4-3 at Fenway Park. Ceddanne Rafaela played hero, mashing a triple off the wall in center field in the ninth to bring home Romy Gonzalez and punch Boston's ticket to the playoffs.

Four of the six playoff spots are decided in the American League now that the Blue Jays, Mariners, Yankees and Red Sox have all clinched. The two remaining playoff spots will be decided in the final two days of the regular season as the Tigers, Guardians and Astros jockey for position.

The Tigers, who held a 10.5-game lead in the AL Central at the beginning of September, could have clinched a playoff berth Friday night with a win combined with an Astros loss. The good news for Detroit? The Guardians also lost, falling 7-3 to the Rangers, as did Houston in a 4-3 loss to the Angels.

Despite the loss, Cleveland, which owns the tiebreaker over Detroit, still sits in first place in the AL Central with an 86-74 record. The Guardians can clinch a division title Saturday night with a win over the Rangers combined with a Tigers loss.

The Tigers and Guardians can both clinch a playoff spot Saturday night with a win another loss by Houston to the Angels.

Elsewhere in the American League, the Mariners lost 3-2 to the Dodgers on Friday night. That means the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the playoffs belongs to the AL East champion—either the Blue Jays or Yankees, who remain tied with identical 92-68 records.

Here's how everything stands following the Red Sox' big win:

American League Playoff PictureAL DIVISION LEADERS

TEAM

RECORD

x – Toronto Blue Jays (AL East)

92-68

x – Seattle Mariners (AL West)

90-70

Cleveland Guardians (AL Central)

86-74

AL WILD CARD

TEAM

RECORD

GB

x – New York Yankees

92-68

+6

x – Boston Red Sox

88-72

+2

Detroit Tigers

86-74

—

—

—

—

Houston Astros

85-75

1

علق خالد الدرندلي، نائب رئيس اتحاد الكرة، على مجموعة منتخب مصر في كأس العالم 2026، والتي تضم بلجيكا وإيران ونيوزيلندا.

وقال الدرندلي، في مداخلة مع “ملعب أون” بقناة “أون سبورت”: “مجموعتنا أفضل من مجموعات ثانية كثيرة، لا نريد أن نتفائل ونأخذ الأمر بسهولة، نحن نلعب كأس العالم وقد تحدث مفاجأت، ولا نريد أن نقلل من المنتخبات التي سنواجهها”.

وتابع: “واجهنا بلجيكا من ثلاث سنوات وفزنا عليهم، ونستطيع فعل ذلك، لأن منتخب مصر ليس قليلًا”.

طالع | مواعيد مباريات مصر في كأس العالم 2026

وكشف خالد الدرندلي: “كأس أمم إفريقيا بطولة مهمة جدًا وستغير من حسابات كثيرة في تشكيل الفريق، يجب أن نركز في بطولة إفريقيا وبعد ذلك كأس العالم، لا نريد تمثيل مشرف في المونديال، نريد التأهل للدور المقبل”.

شعور حسام حسن وهو بجانبك في القرعة؟، تابع: “كان سعيدًا بالمجموعة لأنها أفضل من غيرها، يجب أن نحضر لكاس العالم، حسام حسن حديثي معه أن مجموعتنا جيدة ويجب أن نحضر للمونديال”.

وتابع: “تقابلت مع أمين عام الاتحاد الأمريكي، وأبلغني أنه يريد عمل مباراة ودية مع منتخب مصر، نفكر في عمل معسكر بأمريكا قبل 10 أيام من كأس العالم ونخوض مباراة ودية، وهاني أبو ريدة رحب بذلك الأمر، ونحن ليس أقل من منتخبات حققت نتائج في كاس العالم”.

واختتم: “منتخب مصر الثاني يوجد به لاعبين ليسوا قليلين، وهدفنا الفوز بكأس العرب”.

England seamer’s Ashes prospects in doubt after heavy fall

Matt Roller31-Jul-2025

Chris Woakes walks off after injuring himself on the field•Getty Images

Chris Woakes has been ruled out of “any further participation” in England’s ongoing fifth Test against India at The Oval after suffering a suspected shoulder dislocation while fielding on Thursday’s opening day.*Woakes chased a ball from mid-off towards the boundary near the end of the day, and his left hand appeared to slip on the damp outfield as he attempted to steady himself. He landed awkwardly on his left shoulder and stayed down clutching it. He received medical attention from Ben Davies, the England physio, before using his jumper as a makeshift sling on his way to the dressing room.He went for scans overnight after receiving treatment in the dressing room on Thursday evening. On Friday morning, an ECB statement confirmed that he wouldn’t be taking part in the Test at all – even as a batter – and “will continue to be monitored” by the medical staff during the game and “a further assessment will be conducted at the conclusion of the series”.Related

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ESPNcricinfo understands that Woakes’ injury is severe enough that he is considered a doubt for this winter’s Ashes series, which starts on November 21 in Perth. At 36, he is England’s most experienced seamer and while his bowling average in Australia is above 50, he was expected to be part of their touring squad. He is considered highly unlikely to play again this summer.”It’s a big shame, last game of the series, and when anyone gets injured, it’s a shame,” Gus Atkinson said after the first day’s play. “I’m hoping it’s not too bad, and whatever it is, he’ll get full support from everyone.”Woakes bowled 14 overs on the first day, taking 1 for 46, and his injury will leave England a bowler short for the rest of the match. He has taken 11 wickets at 52.18 in the series, bowling 181 overs, and is one of only two seamers – along with India’s Mohammed Siraj – to have featured in all five Tests.Atkinson, who is playing his first Test of the series after recovering from a hamstring strain, said that he was ready to “push the limits” in Woakes’ absence. “Definitely, I feel fresh, I feel good,” he said. “I know I’ve only got this one game to play so I can push the limits a bit.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Grêmio e Estudiantes se enfrentaram neste sábado (8), às 19h (de Brasília), no Estádio Couto Pereira, em Curitiba. Os gols foram marcados por Franco Cristaldo, para o Imortal, e Mendéz, para os argentinos.

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Grêmio x Estudiantes-ARG – Libertadores

🗓️ Data e horário: sábado, 8 de junho de 2024, às 19h (hora de Brasília)
📍 Local: Estádio Couto Pereira, em Curitiba

Gol: Franco Cristaldo, aos 48′ e Mauro Mendéz, aos 83′

Provável escalação do Grêmio:Marchesin; João Pedro, Rodrigo Ely, Kannemann e Reinaldo; Dodi, Pepê, Cristaldo, Everton Galdino e Soteldo; Diego Costa.Técnico: Renato Portaluppi.

Provável escalação do Estudiantes: Matías Mansilla; Eros Mancuso, Luciano Lollo, Zaid Romero e Gaston Benedetti; Enzo Pérez, Santiago Ascacíbar e José Sosa; Mauro Méndez, Edwuin Cetré e Javier Correa.Técnico: Eduardo Domínguez.

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The Little League Classic is meant to be a wholesome event, but Sunday's clash between the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners got off to quite the opposite start.

The very first pitch of the game from Clay Holmes ran up and in, catching Mariners leadoff hitter Randy Arozarena right around the head.

Karl Ravech had barely even finished introducing the game by the time Holmes's pitch clipped Arozarena as the Little League Classic was off to a rather awkward start.

"… on , and he gets drilled by Holmes, right off the bat," said Ravech.

Some words were exchanged between the two teams but Arozarena eventually took first base without incident and play resumed. The outfielder was able to remain in the game.

That certainly wasn't the first pitch fans in Williamsport were anticipating on Sunday evening.