Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Emma Raducanu’s promising run at the Italian Open came to a swift halt on Monday as world number three Coco Gauff proved too powerful, defeating the British number two 6-1 6-2 on the clay of Rome. Despite the heavy scoreline, the match marked a positive milestone for Raducanu, who had strung together three consecutive wins on clay for the first time in her career — a surface she has historically found difficult. But against the American star and reigning US Open champion, Raducanu was quickly reminded of the gap that still exists between her and the game’s elite. “I didn’t…

In a move that has stunned the footballing world, Carlo Ancelotti has been confirmed as the next head coach of Brazil’s national team. The appointment of the Italian master tactician marks a radical shift for a footballing nation long defined by its home-grown flair and cultural pride. Ancelotti, 65, will take charge officially on 26 May following the conclusion of his duties at Real Madrid. And with Brazil desperate to end a 24-year wait for World Cup glory, the stakes could hardly be higher. Desperate Times, Decisive Measures Since lifting their fifth World Cup title in 2002, Brazil’s fortunes on…

In a heartwarming announcement that has drawn praise from across the women’s football community, international football stars Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis have revealed the arrival of their first child together. The couple, who have been together since 2021 and got engaged in 2023, shared the news on Instagram, posting a touching photo with their newborn son. “Our little man is here, Jagger Mewis-Kerr,” read the caption accompanying the photo on Kerr’s Instagram account. The announcement, made just six months after the couple revealed they were expecting, has been met with an outpouring of support from fellow athletes, fans, and…

Arsenal’s Champions League dream came to a crushing end in Paris as Mikel Arteta’s side were once again left grappling with the pain of “what might have been.” A 2-1 semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain sealed their fate, continuing a painful pattern of near-misses under the Spaniard’s tenure. Arteta had boldly declared before the second leg that Arsenal had arrived in the French capital to “make history.” Instead, they became another scalp for a rampant PSG side who have ruthlessly dismantled the Premier League’s elite in this campaign, having already dispatched Manchester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. Despite a valiant…

David Beckham and Gary Neville have completed a full takeover of Salford City as part of a newly formed consortium, marking a significant new chapter in the club’s journey. The move sees the duo buy out the remaining members of the Class of ’92—Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Phil Neville—who had co-owned the club since their 2014 acquisition of the then-eighth-tier side. While the quartet will no longer hold shares in the club, they will remain involved across technical, football, and commercial roles, as well as the club’s charitable SCFC foundation. Beckham and Neville’s takeover is backed by…

Real Madrid are pushing to secure the early arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold in time for the Club World Cup this summer, with the Spanish giants hoping to complete a deal before his Liverpool contract officially expires. The 26-year-old England international recently confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2024–25 season after 18 years at the club. His current contract runs until 30 June, but the Club World Cup — organised by FIFA and set to be staged in the United States — begins on 14 June, leaving a two-week gap in eligibility. BBC Sport understands Real Madrid…

At the inaugural meeting of the 2026 World Cup taskforce, US President Donald Trump suggested that the opportunity for Russia to participate in the tournament could act as a diplomatic lever to end the war in Ukraine. The Russian national team has been banned from international football since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. The ban, imposed by both FIFA and UEFA, excludes Russia from all major competitions, including the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Trump, who is running for a second presidential term in the November 2024 election, has repeatedly…

Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Head of Global Football Development, has reignited the debate around one of the sport’s most contentious rules — offside. The former Arsenal manager has proposed a fundamental shift in how offside is judged, aiming to give attackers more freedom and revive the excitement of attacking football. Currently, a player is deemed offside if any part of their body, excluding the hands and arms, is ahead of the last outfield defender when the ball is played. But Wenger’s new proposal, dubbed the ‘daylight rule’, suggests that a player should be considered onside if any part of their body…

Audi has announced its second major shake‑up of Formula 1 leadership in under a year as it accelerates preparations for its factory‑backed debut in 2026. The German marque has eliminated the chief executive role for its F1 project and elevated Mattia Binotto, formerly chief operating and technical officer, to Head of the Audi F1 Project. Binotto, who joined Audi in July 2024 after a decade at Ferrari, will now oversee both the chassis and power‑unit divisions across Audi’s Hinwil design centre in Switzerland and its Neuburg an der Donau engine plant in Germany. “This streamlined structure brings clarity to our…

Stephen Curry rose to the occasion once again, guiding the Golden State Warriors to a 103-89 victory over the Houston Rockets in a decisive Game 7 clash of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. With the series tied at 3-3, and the final game taking place in a hostile Houston environment, the seasoned Warriors delivered a clutch performance that reminded fans why they remain perennial playoff contenders. Curry, who scored 14 of his 22 points in a dominant fourth-quarter display, was quick to highlight the collective effort that sealed the win. “A lot of resilience and everybody stepping up,” said…