Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been fined $100,000 (£79,000) by the NBA for making what the league deemed an “offensive and derogatory” homophobic comment during a courtside interview. The 23-year-old’s remark came after the Hornets’ narrow 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Ball was discussing his team’s defensive strategy during the game’s final moments, which saw Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo miss a crucial last-second attempt. The specifics of the comment have not been disclosed, but the NBA deemed it in violation of its policies promoting inclusivity and respect. Following the incident, Ball addressed the media after scoring 31…
Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi
England captain Harry Kane has hinted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America might not be his last international tournament, as the prolific striker remains in peak form at 31. Kane extended his record as England’s all-time leading scorer to an impressive 69 goals in 103 appearances during Sunday’s 5-0 demolition of the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League. Despite being rested for Thursday’s 3-0 win over Greece, Kane remains a cornerstone of England’s ambitions under the incoming manager Thomas Tuchel. In an exclusive with PA, the Bayern Munich forward dismissed notions that his advancing years…
French football giants Lyon face the prospect of demotion to Ligue 2 at the end of the season if they fail to address their mounting financial problems. The ruling, issued by the French National Directorate of Management Control (DNGC), also includes a ban on the club signing players during the January transfer window. The club, owned by American businessman John Textor, is grappling with debts of £422 million, as recently disclosed by his Eagle Football Group. Textor, who also owns stakes in Premier League side Crystal Palace and Brazilian club Botafogo, is under pressure to stabilize Lyon’s finances. As part…
Former Green Eagles midfielder Adebayo Gbadebo has called on the Super Eagles to remain focused and use their recent 1-1 draw against Benin Republic as a learning experience. Speaking from Bangkok, the Thailand-based coach commended the team for securing early qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals but stressed the importance of not underestimating future opponents. The draw in Thursday’s Group D encounter at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan ensured Nigeria topped the group, guaranteeing their place in the AFCON finals in Morocco with one game to spare. Mohamed Tijani’s early goal for Benin Republic put…
Arsenal Women continued their remarkable revival under interim manager Renee Slegers with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Goals from Alessia Russo, Frida Maanum, and substitute Stina Blackstenius ensured the Gunners stretched their unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions since Slegers stepped in following Jonas Eidevall’s resignation last month. The Gunners wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Russo finding the back of the net after just 63 seconds. The England striker, left unmarked, fired a precise volley into the bottom corner, marking her fifth goal of…
Brighton & Hove Albion edged a thrilling Women’s Super League clash against West Ham United, clinching a 3-2 victory courtesy of a late goal from Fran Kirby. The England star delivered the decisive moment in the 85th minute, finishing off Kiko Seike’s pass with a shot that kissed the post before crossing the line. The result keeps Brighton in third place, maintaining their impressive start to the season. Brighton dominated much of the first half, with Rachel McLauchlan opening the scoring in style. Latching onto Kirby’s clever flick, McLauchlan cut inside and curled a superb shot into the bottom corner…
LeBron James continued to redefine greatness in his 22nd NBA season, recording his fourth consecutive triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers edged past the San Antonio Spurs 120-115 in the NBA Cup. The 39-year-old icon tallied 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, marking the first time in his storied career that he has achieved four straight games with a triple-double. His performance also tied the Lakers’ franchise record for consecutive triple-doubles, a feat previously accomplished by Russell Westbrook in 2021 and Magic Johnson in 1987. Despite the milestone, James was critical of his offensive rhythm, underscoring his versatility and…
Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ 20-year-old sensation, delivered a standout performance, scoring 50 points to lead his team to a 139-130 victory over the Washington Wizards. This incredible achievement makes Wembanyama the fourth-youngest player in NBA history to reach the 50-point milestone, joining the ranks of Brandon Jennings, LeBron James, and Devin Booker, who also accomplished the feat at 20. Wembanyama, who was the first overall pick in last year’s draft, achieved his new career high in just 26 minutes on the court, knocking down eight three-pointers in the process. Reflecting on his game, Wembanyama noted, “Every time we…
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has suspended Premier League referee David Coote as new allegations regarding his conduct have emerged, triggering investigations by both PGMOL and UEFA. Coote, 42, is currently under scrutiny following the release of a video in which he appeared to make disparaging comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Further controversy arose when The Sun published images allegedly taken during the summer’s European Championship, in which Coote appears to be seen sniffing a white substance through a rolled-up US banknote. As Coote was officiating at the Euros as part of his duties as a…
Retired football star Diego Forlan, 45, made his professional tennis debut in Uruguay, stepping onto the court in Montevideo’s Uruguay Open alongside Argentine partner Federico Coria. Although the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker and Coria lost 6-1, 6-2 to Bolivian duo Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos in a 47-minute match, the atmosphere was electric, with fans rallying behind Forlan as he explored his passion for tennis on an international stage. Forlan and Coria, who entered the tournament as wildcards, put up an enthusiastic effort despite the challenging matchup. Both teams held serve initially, but Arias and Zeballos gained…
