Category: 6. Sports

iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations and INDYCAR are pleased to announce a long-term licensing agreement for iRacing Studios to produce standalone INDYCAR titles for console and PC.

As part of the agreement, iRacing Studios will release an INDYCAR title for PlayStation, Xbox and Steam in the second half of 2026. The new product will mark the first dedicated INDYCAR game in more than two decades.

“INDYCAR fans have long been clamoring for a standalone title for consoles, and we’re excited to give them what they’re looking for in 2026,” said Tony Gardner, president, iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations. “iRacing Studios’ standalone INDYCAR title will offer all the excitement of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and an immersive experience that fans of all ages can enjoy. We are already very excited about how the game is coming together.”

Said INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles: “The most competitive and challenging racing on the planet deserves a dedicated and widely available gaming experience. iRacing Studios is the ideal partner for us, trusted and known to our core fans and ready to share our sport with a wider and highly engaged audience.”

The iRacing Studios INDYCAR offering will join other iRacing Studios titles NASCAR 25 and the World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing games as officially licensed products that represent some of the top racing series in the world. The game will feature a robust, multilevel career mode, licensed drivers from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone, and online multiplayer. The new product will be built from the ground up, with a dedicated development team creating the game on iRacing Studios’ proprietary and enhanced Orontes engine.

“Our company has grown significantly in recent years with the addition of new development teams and studios,” Gardner said. “Our INDYCAR title will benefit from this growth, as it will be the sole focus of one of these teams. However, the game will also incorporate elements like car and track assets, technology and driving characteristics developed from other iRacing Studios products.”

Real-world INDYCAR teams and drivers will be deeply involved in the creation of the new title, including Team Penske star and iRacing enthusiast Scott McLaughlin. Since transitioning to the series full time in 2021 from Australian Supercars, McLaughlin has won seven races and become a fan favorite.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the development process for iRacing Studios’ new INDYCAR title,” McLaughlin said. “It’s an honor to work with a team that has developed such amazing products to help deliver INDYCAR’s first dedicated title in quite some time. It’s already an exciting time to be an INDYCAR fan for so many reasons, and this game will take the fans’ at-home driving experience to the next level!”

The heritage of the relationship between INDYCAR and iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations dates back more than three decades. The company’s predecessor, Papyrus Racing Games, created the iconic Indianapolis 500: The Simulation in 1989, followed by IndyCar Racing and IndyCar Racing II in 1993 and 1995, respectively.

A standalone INDYCAR title is the latest step in a continuously expanding partnership between INDYCAR and iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations. Separately, the two parties have also extended their license agreement long term for the iRacing simulation. The extension ensures INDYCAR’s continued gaming presence on PC and consoles alike for years to come.

To learn more about the full line of iRacing Studios products, visit www.iracingstudios.com. For more information on iRacing and for special offers, visit www.iracing.com.

The world leader in the online racing simulation and gaming market, iRacing was founded in 2003 by Dave Kaemmer, co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, and John Henry, principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club and co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing.

iRacing has developed dozens of formal partnerships in the motorsport industry to help create the most authentic racing simulation in the world, including with NASCAR, INDYCAR, the FIA, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and numerous other car manufacturers, tracks and racing series. Alongside its PC simulation, iRacing owns two additional game studios and produces the official console games of NASCAR, INDYCAR and the World of Outlaws, as well as the all-ages title iRacing Arcade and fantasy off-road racing game ExoCross.

Kobbie Mainoo wants to leave Manchester United after being squeezed to the margins by Ruben Amorim. The midfielder has not played a minute of the team’s two games this season and was demoted from first choice to substitute when he returned from injury last December.

United would countenance a suitable deal, but there may be a lack of attractive suitors for the 20-year-old this late in a window that closes on Monday. Mainoo has his sights set on joining a club in the Champions League.

Mainoo started England’s Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain last summer, less than two months after he scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City. But his career has stalled under Amorim, who has said Mainoo is competing for a place with Bruno Fernandes, the captain.

The head coach has not found a role for Mainoo in his 3-4-3. Amorim believes the academy graduate does not have the attributes to be a first choice in central midfield and has not been sufficiently impressed by the player’s performances further forward.

Mainoo is not the only United player with an eye on the exit. Alejandro Garnacho is among those to be told they should find a new club and Chelsea made further contact over the weekend regarding the winger but the clubs’ valuations are misaligned. United want £50m while the Club World Cup winners value him at £35m.

A key factor in United’s valuation of Garnacho is that Noni Madueke moved to Arsenal from Chelsea for £52m and Anthony Elanga left Nottingham Forest for Newcastle in a £55m transfer this summer.

Those players’ statistics are inferior to Garnacho’s, which has been pointed out to Chelsea, who have been in negotiations with the United executive in the past few days. Chelsea could go up to £40m, including add-ons, in an attempt to get a deal done.

Fernandes, who missed a penalty in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham, could still be the subject of a bid from a Saudi Arabian club. In the spring Al-Hilal offered about £100m for the Portugal international but he decided against the transfer.

It is understood United and the player have not had further contact from a Saudi club. If Fernandes is sold this may provide funds for United to revive their interest in Carlos Baleba. Brighton’s minimum price for the No 6 is £100m.

Chelsea want their squad to contain four wingers and see Garnacho competing with Jamie Gittens for a place on the left. Tyrique George, another left-sided option, has interest from Roma and is expected to leave. Enzo Maresca can choose from Estêvão Willian and Pedro Neto on the right.

The pursuit of Garnacho continues to hinge on outgoings at Chelsea, who need to meet the terms of a Uefa settlement stipulating they must have a “positive transfer balance” to register new players for the Champions League.

The desire to bring in another winger means Chelsea see Garnacho as a bigger priority than RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, an attacking midfielder. That stance could change if a buyer is found for Christopher Nkunku, who continues to attract interest from Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Leipzig. Nkunku will be an option as an attacking midfielder if he stays. Chelsea also hold an interest in Fermín López but it is understood Barcelona do not want to sell him.

Chelsea are also looking to sell Nicolas Jackson, who has fallen from favour after the arrivals of João Pedro and Liam Delap. Their preference is for the Senegal striker to leave on a permanent deal but their £80m valuation has put off potential suitors. Bayern are interested in Jackson and have held talks over a loan. One compromise could be Chelsea agreeing to a loan that includes an obligation to buy Jackson, who has also been tracked by Villa, Napoli and Juventus.

Other players expected to leave include Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi, who is wanted by Bournemouth on loan. Carney Chukwuemeka has joined Borussia Dortmund in a package worth £24m. Fulham and Crystal Palace are monitoring Sterling.

The Toon teenagers led before the half-time break at the Magpies’ Little Benton Academy courtesy of Sammy Pinnington’s strike before Alex O’Donovan’s emphatic finish before the hour mark doubled the hosts’ lead.

Lorenz Hutchinson’s header halved the deficit for City before Mohamed Waddani, who had recorded two assists, restored United’s two-goal cushion and despite Luqman Aideed’s late effort, the Magpies prevailed in a five-goal encounter, which saw Leicester reduced to nine men in stoppage-time after red cards from Alpha Diallo and David Aungo.

Four changes were made from Saturday’s 2-0 away win against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Under-18 Premier League North as Kacey Wooster, who made his debut for Newcastle’s under-21s in Friday’s Premier League 2 defeat against Chelsea, led the line while 16-year-old defender Isaac Moran, who joined United from Liverpool this summer, was handed his debut for the club at under-18 level.

Newcastle took the lead in the 32nd minute as Pinnington completed a neat attacking move. After Sam Alabi threaded a neat pass into Waddani’s path, the Libya Under-20 international slipped the ball into the box before Pinnington, who joined the Magpies from Luton Town in the summer of 2023, slotted a low effort into the left-hand corner.

United survived an early attack from their Foxes counterparts after the restart as Alfie Dignum’s header struck the post following William Daniels’ teasing in-swinging corner.

The young Magpies doubled their advantage through O’Donovan in the 57th minute as the attacking midfielder collected Waddani’s pass inside the penalty area before slamming a ferocious effort into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Hopes of a third successive clean sheet in all competitions were dashed for Magpies goalkeeper George Mair as Hutchinson pulled a goal back for City in the 67th minute, with the Foxes captain rising high to head the ball across the goal line despite Mair’s attempts to claw the ball away.

Newcastle, however, regained their two-goal cushion four minutes later through Waddani. After O’Donovan’s corner was headed towards goal by Magpies captain Henry Johnson, Waddani was on hand to steer a close-range volley into the net.

A nervy finale followed as Aideed scored for Leicester in the 84th minute, firing the ball home from Bismark Owusu’s inviting cross via the underside of the bar.

With the full-time whistle approaching, the cup contest ended in unsavoury fashion as Diallo was sent off after a dangerous challenge on substitute Oliver Goodbrand, prompting a brawl between the two sides which also saw City substitute Anugo receive his marching orders.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Goerge Mair, Jack Patterson, Isaac Moran (Thomas Old 46), Henry Johnson (c), Noah Morgan, Sam Alabi, Kayden Lucas, Alex O’Donovan (Oliver Goodbrand 72), Sammy Pinnington (Ethan Ndiweni 75), Mohamed Waddani, Kacey Wooster (Alfie Hutchison 72).

Subs not used: Oliver Holland.

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu saw off the challenge from Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova to sail into the second round of the BWF World Championships 2025 badminton tournament in Paris on Tuesday.

PV Sindhu, 15th in the badminton rankings for women’s singles, beat world No. 69 Nalbantova by a 23-21, 21-6 scoreline in 39 minutes.

The Indian badminton player, who has largely struggled for form this season, started off slowly against her 19-year-old opponent and trailed by four point at the first interval.

Sindhu fared better after the restart, and strung together a sequence of seven unanswered points to edge ahead 14-12.

However, Nalbantova, a two-time junior European champion and a Paris 2024 Olympian, didn’t baulk under the pressure and fought Sindhu right till the end.

The Indian veteran was forced to save two game points before she could secure the marathon opener in 23 minutes.

Riding high after coming out on the right side of an incredible exchange, Sindhu opened the second game with four successive points.

The Bulgarian youngster, yet again, fought back to reduce the deficit to 6-5 before Sindhu embarked on an incredible run of 14 straight points before Nalbantova could break the streak.

Sindhu, however, took the next point to close out the match. The 30-year-old will play either Hong Kong China’s Saloni Samirbhai Mehta or Karupathevan Letshanaa of Malaysia in the second round.

A former badminton world champion from 2019, Sindhu is on the hunt for her sixth medal from the global showpiece. She won back-to-back bronze medals in 2013 and 2014 and logged consecutive runners-up finishes in 2017 and 2018.

The numbers are damning as well. In the Tarouba ODI where Pakistan were shot out for 91, Azam and Rizwan made 9 and 0. Through 2024, Azam’s T20I strike rate was 133.21 and Rizwan’s 117.30. Yet, rarely could anyone else dare open the batting. It didn’t matter what the total was, Azam and Rizwan were the flavour of the season. Much of this aura came from the 2021 World Cup where an unbeaten 152-run partnership between them saw Pakistan inflict a 10-wicket defeat on India. But nothing much has transpired since then to inspire similar confidence.

Since 2022, Pakistan have won six out of 24 Tests, 31 out of 54 ODIs, and 34 out of 78 T20Is. Rizwan and Azam’s form too has been indifferent. Azam was once scoring quicker than Virat Kohli, but the control percentage was then waning rapidly. Rizwan was consuming too many deliveries in his effort to anchor chases, making Pakistan’s losses look even worse. Shoaib Akhtar was caustic after the Tarouba defeat, suggesting that they are flat track bullies. “The ball moves a bit and they are in trouble. You can’t carry Rawalpindi pitches everywhere,” the former fast bowler said on a post-match show.

“The environment has changed, and in the last 10-15 years everyone has started playing for themselves. Everyone is playing for their averages. The intent should be to win matches for your country. We need to change the intent, the mindset, and create that atmosphere. You need to play according to modern cricket. How hard is that to understand?” said Akhtar.

A warning shot was fired off earlier this year when Rizwan and Azam weren’t named for the T20Is in New Zealand. Yet these latest decisions aren’t normal, not for Pakistan who have for long functioned best as fractious units that follow no plan, making it impossibly difficult to qualify for the knockouts before miraculously untangling those knots. That’s how they have made it to six T20 World Cup semi-finals in nine editions. Historically too, Pakistan’s reverence for some of their more celebrated cricketers has often outweighed the need for a more democratic performance review.

It was most visible in the late eighties when Pakistan tried to play to the egos of Imran Khan and Javed Miandad. Later, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis weren’t always on the same page, yet nothing much was done to bring order to the chaos. It resonated with the prevailing subcontinent sentiment that perhaps some cricketers could be considered above criticism. The most recent case in point was Kohli who despite not scoring a hundred for several years was never dropped from the India team in any format.

Runs or not, what unfailingly went in Kohli’s favour was the intent and fight he brought in every game. Azam had risen to the status of someone who wouldn’t be questioned in the dressing room but his public persona was far from inspiring. And once those runs started drying up regularly, the criticism became stronger. Former allrounder Mohammad Hafeez is one of them. “Calling them key players would be wrong and unfair. Azam and Rizwan are not Pakistan cricket’s key players at the moment. Key players are those who win matches for Pakistan,” he said on his YouTube channel. “If we look at the past year-and-a-half to two years, the players showing consistent performance are Salman Agha, Saeem Ayub and Hasan Nawaz. Why aren’t we talking about them?”

There has been some chatter, but not enough to suggest that Pakistan are on the cusp of a transition. In fact, since their Champions Trophy win in 2017, no batter has emerged from the shadow of Azam to stand out long enough. Fakhar Zaman has made another comeback, but he is 35. Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah — he has been dropped from the Asia Cup squad — turned heads, but the highs have been few and far apart that Pakistan can’t hope to build on them.

All this has left Pakistan in a spot. The administration was almost always faltering but the lure of Pakistan was such that you wouldn’t know that watching them spinning magical cricket on the field. That doesn’t happen anymore. Even if there was a scandal, you could always depend on a few to pull the team out of the shambles. Azam last represented that hope. And now, he too is being shown the door with Rizwan. This is more like chaos, slowly engulfing the enigma that Pakistan cricket used to be.

Representing the women and competing for the Espirito Santo Trophy are Megha Ganne, 21, of Holmdel, New Jersey, Farah O’Keefe, 20, of Austin, Texas, and Kiara Romero, 19, of San Jose, California. The men’s team, which will compete for the Eisenhower Trophy, is comprised of Ethan Fang, 20, of Plano, Texas, Mason Howell, 18, of Thomasville, Georgia, and Preston Stout, 21, of Dallas, Texas.

The ITA reports that weightlifter Sophia Shania Bedward has agreed¹ to the consequences for her anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).

Shania Sophia Bedward provided a sample collected under the testing authority of the IWF during an unannouced in-competiton doping control performed on 19 September 2024 during the 2024 Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championships, Suva, Fiji, which yielded an adverse analytical finding² (AAF) for Modafinil metabolite (Modafinil Acid).

Modafinil is listed under class S6. Stimulants according to the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It is prohibited in-competition and is classified as a non-specified substance. This substance stimulates and accelerates the body functions and is inter alia used for the treatment of sleeping disorders such as narcolepsy.

When notified of the case, the athlete was provisionally suspended with immediate effect.

The athlete did not challenge the ADRV and agreed with the consequences proposed by the ITA. Accordingly, the case was resolved via and acceptance of consequences.

The athlete’s period of ineligibility is from 19 September 2024 until 18 September 2026. In addition, all the athlete’s competitive results as from 19 September 2024 are disqualified.

The decision may be challenged before the appeal division of the Court of Arbitration of Sport by the parties with a right of appeal in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the IWF anti-doping rules.

The ITA will not comment further on this case.

A host of NBA talent – past and present – is set to headline the action when FIBA EuroBasket 2025 gets underway from 27 August to 14 September.

With the United States’ top basketball league not due to tip off until the end of October, some of its brightest European stars have decided to spend their offseason in national colours, adding an extra layer of intrigue around the continental showpiece.

Among those sure to attract the world’s gaze are former NBA champions and MVP award winners Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ blockbuster recruit Luka Dončić.

But the list doesn’t stop there. A total of 18 out of the 24 teams competing will have at least one active NBA player on their roster.

Find out more about which NBA stars have made the final 12-player squads for the event below.

Note: all rosters are subject to change.