Category: 6. Sports

  • World Cup heat: Fifa should consider 9am start for final, says expert

    World Cup heat: Fifa should consider 9am start for final, says expert

    While such suggestions may seem far-fetched to some, a more flexible approach is something global players’ union Fifpro is now calling for after what it calls the “wake-up call” of the Club World Cup.

    At a news conference on Monday, its medical director Dr Vincent Gouttebarge said extended half-time breaks of 20 minutes in extreme heat to keep players’ core temperatures within their normal range should be considered.

    Alexander Bielefeld, Fifpro’s director of policy, claimed the weather was of “increasing concern”, and that while postponing matches for heat was “slightly trickier” than in a domestic league “we clearly believe that from a health and safety perspective this is something that must take priority over commercial interests.”

    Fifa guidelines currently rely on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a measure of heat stress combining temperature and humidity. If the WBGT exceeds 32C, short ‘cooling breaks’ are mandatory in both halves of a match.

    In contrast, Fifpro believes breaks should be introduced once the WBGT goes above 28C, and that if it exceeds 32C matches should be delayed. On this basis, so far at the Club World Cup both PSG v Atletico Madrid in Pasadena and Chelsea v ES Tunis in Philadelphia “should have been postponed to a better place in the day and, if not available (another slot), then rescheduled”.

    “We are partially happy, because Fifa have been quite responsive once the tournament was underway [and] have actually modified how they’ve been dealing with heat during matches, based on our input,” said Fifpro general secretary Alex Phillips.

    “Obviously it would have been better if that had happened in advance, but they’ve put in place measures such as additional water and towels around the pitch.

    “There’s a question at some point [over] what the industry sees as a precautionary threshold to players, but also to spectators, to potentially delay kick-off later on. You can apply so many pragmatic measures, such as shading, hydration, cooling, etc. At some point, that probably won’t be enough. And that’s a discussion which we need to have, even though this is a difficult conversation based on commercial interests.”

    Earlier this year, researchers from Queen’s University Belfast warned the temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums being used for the 2026 World Cup could exceed potentially dangerous levels, with Miami and Monterrey posing the greatest risk as they do not have air-conditioned stadiums.

    While Dallas and Houston do have cooling systems, it said there was still a risk to spectators if games were played in the afternoon. Significantly, the report also suggested afternoon games be avoided in New York, along with Kansas City, Boston and Philadelphia.

    Fifpro says any afternoon kick-offs at six venues; Kansas City, Miami, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas and Atlanta carry an “extremely high-risk” of a “heat-stress injury”. Only two; San Francisco and Vancouver are rated “low-risk”.

    When asked if Fifpro will make recommendations to Fifa before the World Cup when it comes to kick-off times at certain venues, Phillips said, “We have absolutely no power to force them to, we can only use informal pressure.

    “We will use common sense arguments. We can use the MLS [Major League Soccer] protocols. They don’t play matches at midday in Florida, for example, and haven’t done for a number of years. So those kind of arguments are strong.”

    However, with more matches next year (104) than at any previous World Cup, Fifa may feel its ability to adapt scheduling and postpone matches is limited.

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  • Mpetshi Perricard shatters Wimbledon serve speed record with 153 mph blast – ATP Tour

    1. Mpetshi Perricard shatters Wimbledon serve speed record with 153 mph blast  ATP Tour
    2. Frenchman rips Wimbledon-record 153 mph serve  ESPN
    3. Taylor Fritz next match at Wimbledon 2025: TV schedule, scores, results for tennis grand slam  sportingnews.com
    4. Wimbledon Betting Odds and Match Previews for June 30, 2025, Men’s Singles  Sportsbook Wire
    5. Fritz vs. Mpetshi Perricard Prediction at the Wimbledon – Monday, June 30  Bleacher Nation

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  • Wimbledon 2025: How has the first day of electronic line-calling gone?

    Wimbledon 2025: How has the first day of electronic line-calling gone?

    The emptiness of the courts is noticeable on Centre Court and Court One, where the vast space behind the baseline is now occupied only by the ball kids.

    Britain’s Cameron Norrie said it “looks cool” with the line umpires in place and contributes to the “tradition” of the tournament.

    “Obviously there’s a lot of jobs and people that love tennis, which will definitely be missed from them,” he said.

    But while many players agree line judges are part of the spectacle, few can argue with the accuracy of the calls.

    “As a player it’s pretty black or white with the calls,” added Norrie.

    “In, out… there’s no mistake, nothing happening. Definitely you’ve got to feel for those linesmen and those people. That’s a bit tough for them, but it’s pretty black or white with the calling.”

    The theatre of players challenging the calls has also been a notable absence with fans unable to get involved with the drama of a close call being replayed on the big screen.

    American 12th seed Frances Tiafoe said he would have liked to see Wimbledon keep line judges.

    “I actually like [it] with them [line judges] on the court, because I think for fanfare it’s better,” he said.

    “If I were to hit a serve on a big point, you go up with the challenge, is it in, is it out? The crowd is, like, ‘ohhh’. There’s none of that.

    “If I hit a good serve now and they call it out, you may still think it’s in, but it doesn’t matter. I think that kind of kills it.”

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  • HEAT ANNOUNCE SUMMER LEAGUE INFORMATION – NBA

    HEAT ANNOUNCE SUMMER LEAGUE INFORMATION – NBA

    1. HEAT ANNOUNCE SUMMER LEAGUE INFORMATION  NBA
    2. Heat’s schedule now set for San Francisco, Las Vegas summer leagues  Sun Sentinel
    3. Anthony Chiang: Heat Las Vegas Summer League schedule (all times Eastern): Friday, July 11 vs. Hawks…  HoopsHype
    4. Evaluating the Miami Heat summer league roster: Ware, Larsson, more | Five on the Floor  BVM Sports
    5. Heat top draft pick will play in Summer League  WPLG Local 10

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  • New Dragons check in for 25/26

    The countdown to the new season is officially under way as our new Dragons arrived at Rodney Parade this morning for day one of pre-season – and we were there to capture all the latest images.

    New players Fine Inisi, Fetuli Paea, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Thomas Young, Tinus de Beer, Levi Douglas, Seb Davies and Mackenzie Martin all arrived at their new home for onboarding, meetings and to pick up kit ahead of day two at USW.

    Watch the new Dragons this season at Rodney Parade. Season Memberships are available NOW. Call 01633 670690 during office hours or click HERE to buy online!

    #WeAreGwentRugby

     


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  • NBA Offseason: Every free agency deal, extension & trade for all 30 teams

    NBA Offseason: Every free agency deal, extension & trade for all 30 teams

    Kevin Durant reportedly heads to Houston via trade after spending 2 1/2 years in Phoenix.

    NBA free agency tips off on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.  Players have already been eligible to discuss new deals with their current team.

    Here’s a look at all of the reported and official free-agent deals, extensions and trades for all 30 teams so far.


    Free Agent Tracker | Trade Tracker | All NBA Transactions


    Atlanta Hawks

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    • Kristaps Porziņģis joins via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    Georges Niang departs via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)
    • Terance Mann departs via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)

    > Complete Hawks roster


    Boston Celtics

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    • Georges Niang joins via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)
    • Anfernee Simons joins via trade with Trail Blazers (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    • Jrue Holiday departs via trade with Trail Blazers (per multiple reports)
    • Kristaps Porziņģis
     departs via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)

    > Complete Celtics roster


    Brooklyn Nets

    Re-signing

    • Day’Ron Sharpe returns on 2-year deal (per ESPN)
    • Ziaire Williams returns on 2-year deal (per ESPN)

    Additions

    • Terance Mann joins via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Nets roster


    Charlotte Hornets

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions


    • Vasilije Micić
    joins via trade with Suns (per multiple reports)
    • Collin Sexton joins via trade with Jazz (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    • Jusuf Nurkić departs via trade with Jazz (per multiple reports)
    • Mark Williams
    departs via trade with Suns (per multiple reports)

    > Complete Hornets roster


    Chicago Bulls

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    • Isaac Okoro joins via trade with Cavs (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    Lonzo Ball departs via trade with Cavs (per multiple reports)

    > Complete Bulls roster


    Cleveland Cavaliers

    Re-signing

    Sam Merrill returns on 4-year deal (per multiple reports)

    Additions

    • Lonzo Ball joins via trade with Bulls (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    Isaac Okoro departs via trade with Bulls (per multiple reports)

    > Complete Cavaliers roster


    Dallas Mavericks

    Re-signing

    • Kyrie Irving agrees to 3-year extension (per multiple reports)

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Mavericks roster


    Denver Nuggets

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Nuggets roster


    Detroit Pistons

    Re-signing

    • N/A

    Additions

    • N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Pistons roster


    Golden State Warriors

    Re-signing

    • N/A

    Additions

    • N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Warriors roster


    Houston Rockets

    Re-signing

    • Steven Adams agrees to 3-year extension (officially announced)
    • Aaron Holiday agrees to new deal (per ESPN)
    • Jeff Green
    agrees to new deal (per ESPN)
    • Jabari Smith Jr.
    agrees to 5-year extension (per ESPN)
    • Jae’Sean Tate
    agrees to new deal (per ESPN)
    Fred VanVleet agrees to 2-year extension (per multiple reports)

    Additions

    Kevin Durant joins via trade with Suns (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    • Dillon Brooks departs via trade with Suns (per multiple reports)
    • Jalen Green
    departs via trade with Suns (per multiple reports)

     

    > Complete Rockets roster


    Indiana Pacers

    Re-signing

    • N/A

    Additions

    • N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Pacers roster


    LA Clippers

    Re-signing

    • Nic Batum returns on 2-year deal (per ESPN)
    • James Harden agrees to 2-year extension (per multiple reports)

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Clippers roster


    Los Angeles Lakers

    Re-signing

    • N/A

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Lakers roster


    Memphis Grizzlies

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    • Cole Anthony joins via trade with Magic (officially announced)
    • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope joins via trade with Magic (officially announced)

    Departures

    Desmond Bane departs via trade with Magic (officially announced)

     

    > Complete Grizzlies roster


    Miami Heat

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    Davion Mitchell returns on 2-year deal (per The Associated Press)

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Heat roster


    Milwaukee Bucks

    Re-signing

    Bobby Portis agrees to 3-year extension (per ESPN)

    Additions

    • N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Bucks roster


    Minnesota Timberwolves

    Re-signing

    • Joe Ingles returns on 1-year deal (per ESPN)
    • Julius Randle returns to 3-year deal (per ESPN)
    • Naz Reid returns on 5-year deal (per ESPN)

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Timberwolves roster


    New Orleans Pelicans

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    • Saddiq Bey joins via trade with Wizards (per multiple reports)
    • Jordan Poole
    joins via trade with Wizards (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    • CJ McCollum departs via trade with Wizards (per multiple reports)
    Kelly Olynyk departs via trade with Wizards (per multiple reports)

    > Complete Pelicans roster


    New York Knicks

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Knicks roster


    Oklahoma City Thunder

    Re-signing

    • Ajay Mitchell returns on 3-year deal (per ESPN)
    • Jaylin Williams agrees to 3-year extension (per ESPN)

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Thunder roster


    Orlando Magic

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    Desmond Bane joins via trade with Grizzlies (officially announced)

    Departures

    • Cole Anthony departs via trade with Grizzlies (officially announced)
    • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope departs via trade with Grizzlies (officially announced)

    > Complete Magic roster


    Philadelphia 76ers

    Re-signing

    • Justin Edwards returns on 3-year deal (per ESPN)

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete 76ers roster


    Phoenix Suns

    Re-signing

    Collin Gillespie returns on 1-year deal (per ESPN)

    Additions

    • Dillon Brooks joins via trade with Rockets (per multiple reports)
    • Jalen Green
    joins via trade with Rockets (per multiple reports)
    • Mark Williams joins via trade with Hornets (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    Kevin Durant departs via trade with Rockets (per multiple reports)
    • Vasilije Micić departs via trade with Hornets (per multiple reports)

    > Complete Suns roster


    Portland Trail Blazers

    Re-signing

    • Garrett Temple returns on 1-year deal (per ESPN)

    Additions

    • Jrue Holiday joins via trade with Celtics (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    • Anfernee Simons departs via trade with Celtics (per multiple reports)
    Deandre Ayton departs via buyout (per ESPN)

    > Complete Blazers roster


    Sacramento Kings

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Kings roster


    San Antonio Spurs

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Spurs roster


    Toronto Raptors

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    N/A

    Departures

    N/A

    > Complete Raptors roster


    Utah Jazz

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    Jusuf Nurkić joins via trade with Hornets (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    Collin Sexton departs via trade with Hornets (per multiple reports)
    Jordan Clarkson departs via buyout (per ESPN)

    > Complete Jazz roster


    Washington Wizards

    Re-signing

    N/A

    Additions

    • CJ McCollum joins via trade with Pelicans (per multiple reports)
    Kelly Olynyk
    joins via trade with Pelicans (per multiple reports)

    Departures

    • Saddiq Bey departs via trade with Pelicans (per multiple reports)
    • Jordan Poole
    departs via trade with Pelicans (per multiple reports)

     

    > Complete Wizards roster

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  • Victory Lane Variety Creates Suspense at Mid-Ohio

    Victory Lane Variety Creates Suspense at Mid-Ohio

    The next stop for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the unofficial home of Graham Rahal, who was born and raised not far from the facility where his father often won races. Rahal also happens to be a former race winner at this 13-turn, 2.258-mile road course.

    So, yeah, Rahal feels a special connection. But he’s not the only one.

    Scott Dixon has dominated Mid-Ohio races in this series like no other driver. He has won six of the 19 races held in this iteration of the sport. He also has finished second and third once each and netted a pair of poles. When it comes to this series, Dixon is the undisputed king of Mid-Ohio.

    SEE: Mid-Ohio Event Details

    Reigning series champion Alex Palou has recently staked a fitting claim to this track, as well, winning the 2023 race and standing on the podium in each of the four races in which he has driven for Chip Ganassi Racing. It’s fair to say he, too, feels right at home at Mid-Ohio.

    Want other series drivers who are particularly fond of this place? Try Pato O’Ward, who won last year’s race and added a pole in 2022, along with Josef Newgarden (two wins and a pole) and one-time winners Alexander Rossi (one pole), Will Power (five poles), Colton Herta (two poles) and Scott McLaughlin. They all love racing on this track.

    Give all of this, it’s not a surprise that Mid-Ohio lays claim to a surprising fact: Eight different drivers have won the past eight races, and each of them will compete in this weekend’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport.

    Add in a few other drivers who have had podium finishes at this track – Marcus Ericsson and Felix Rosenqvist come to mind – and it’s easy to see why nearly half of this weekend’s field will be optimistic when the green flag drops Sunday shortly after 1 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).

    The competition has been just as strong among teams at this track north of Columbus, with Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske sharing the record for most wins (12 each). Arrow McLaren earned its first Mid-Ohio win last year. Andretti Global and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing also have won races in recent years.

    Palou brings a 93-point series lead over Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood into this event, and it could be another opportunity to tighten his grip before the schedule turns to a pair of oval races at Iowa Speedway (July 12-13). At Mid-Ohio, Palou’s average finish with Chip Ganassi’s team is 2.0; Kirkwood’s average finish in two races with Andretti Global is 12.5.

    O’Ward could use a productive weekend to close his wide gap to Palou. He stands 111 points in arrears with eight races left this season.

    Again, O’Ward might consider this a good track for him, but so does Palou. So does Dixon, Newgarden, Rossi, Power, Herta, McLaughlin, Ericsson, Rosenqvist and of course Rahal. You get the idea. There will be many eager for this annual return to Mid-Ohio.

    The action begins Friday with the weekend’s first practice at 4:30 p.m. (FS2, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).


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  • Raducanu in control as Kartal grabs glory – Wimbledon

    1. Raducanu in control as Kartal grabs glory  Wimbledon
    2. Kartal gets British Wimbledon charge off to flying start  Business Recorder
    3. Katie Boulter stuns Paula Badosa as Sonay Kartal’s rapid rise continues  The Times
    4. Britain Wimbledon Tennis  WV News
    5. Hot Shot: Kartal lands a scorcher to take down Ostapenko at Wimbledon  WTA Tennis

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  • Boulter upsets Badosa on Centre Court; Paolini survives at Wimbledon

    Boulter upsets Badosa on Centre Court; Paolini survives at Wimbledon

    No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini prevailed in a three-set battle at Wimbledon on Monday, but No. 9 seed Paula Badosa was not so fortunate as she lost to British hope Katie Boulter.

    Wimbledon: Scores Order of play | Draws

    Here’s the lowdown on these two first-round tussles involving Top 10 players:

    Paolini prevails: Italy’s Paolini, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, posted a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over returning mom Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia. Paolini took 1 hour and 51 minutes to execute the comeback on No. 2 Court.

    Paolini went 0-3 in her first three Wimbledon main-draw showings (including two losses to former champion Petra Kvitova) but that all changed last year in London, when she stormed to her second straight Grand Slam final.

    Paolini lost to Barbora Krejcikova in last year’s Wimbledon final, but that run bolstered her grass-court confidence. And she needed all of that mettle to hold off Sevastova on Monday.

    After giving birth to her daughter Alexandra in 2023 and a serious ACL injury the following year, former World No. 11 Sevastova was contesting her first Grand Slam main draw since the 2022 Australian Open.

    The Latvian sent out an upset alert early, taking the first set as she showed flashes of the form that led her to three straight US Open quarterfinals between 2016 and 2018 (including a semifinal finish in 2018).

    But Paolini regrouped in the second set, where she hit 10 winners to Sevastova’s two. Sevastova took a medical time-out after the second set, where she was undone by 13 unforced errors.

    Paolini maintained the momentum in the third set, where she once again had the wherewithal to dictate play on the steamy Monday. In a near-carbon copy of the second set Paolini had 13 winners while Sevastova had three.

    The win continues Paolini’s magical career turnaround at Grand Slam events. She started her career 4-12 in Grand Slam first-round matches, but since 2023, the Italian has gone a perfect 7-0 in her first-round matches at Slams.

    Paolini is one of five women to have reached the third round or better at each of the last six Grand Slam events (along with Iga Swiatek, Elina Svitolina, Coco Gauff and Badosa).

    Boulter notches fourth Top 10 win: World No. 43 Boulter, though, stopped Badosa’s run of third-round showings at Slams with an upset victory on Centre Court.

    Boulter, the British No. 2, outlasted Badosa 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in 1 hour and 51 minutes on the biggest court of her home Slam. Boulter has now reached the second round or better at every Wimbledon this decade.

    It’s a landmark victory for Boulter, who came into the match just 3-16 against Top 10 players in her career. This marks her first Top 10 win since she defeated Jessica Pegula back in the first week of the 2024 season at United Cup.

    More to come…

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  • João Fonseca handles nerves amid partisan crowd for debut victory against Jacob Fearnley

    João Fonseca handles nerves amid partisan crowd for debut victory against Jacob Fearnley

    Wimbledon 2025 – João Fonseca keeps calm, carries on, reaches round two

    Fonseca admitted after the match that he was feeling the nerves – coming into his Wimbledon debut against a Briton is no easy welcome to the Championships.

    But the world No.54 looked as if he had been playing at SW19 since he was born, so co-ordinated with each shot and winning 84 per cent of his points on first serve.

    This also marks the Brazilian’s third consecutive debut triumph in a Grand Slam main draw, achieving victory on his maiden outings at both the Australian Open and French Open this year.

    “Probably the place that you play, you just feel like you want to win a lot,” Fonseca explained of what brings out the best of him at majors. “You’re playing a Grand Slam. It’s an opportunity. It’s once in a year, so you just give it all. I was very focused today and I gave my best. So I’m very happy, I worked very much for this one.”

    For Fearnley, he falls short of consecutive second-round appearances at Wimbledon and bids farewell to the home crowd, who roared him on through the challenging conditions in south-west London.

    On the other side of the net, Fonseca looks to just be getting started. At the tender age of 18, he is the first player that young to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles second round since Carlos Alcaraz in 2021.

    Having reached the second round at Melbourne Park and the third round at Stade Roland-Garros, what lies in store for the boy from Rio de Janeiro at the Championships 2025?

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