Fasika Zelealem

BBC Sport has ended Football Focus after 52 years, citing changing audience behaviour and a shift toward digital, on-demand and social-media football coverage. The programme’s former Saturday lunchtime slot will be taken by The Football Interview, hosted by Kelly Somers. Alex Scott, the final Football Focus presenter, is expected to remain prominent in the BBC’s football and sports programming.

Arsenal could field a formidable starting XI if they sign Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa. The projected team includes David Raya in goal, a defence built around William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, a midfield featuring Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Odegaard, and an attack led by Christos Tzolis, Bukayo Saka and Osimhen. The article also assesses Arsenal's existing depth, injury absences and unresolved competition for places across the squad.

Prince William told Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson that Princess Charlotte is training in the 400m and hurdles and watched Hodgkinson win gold at the Paris Olympics. Hodgkinson, who received an MBE in 2025, opened the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham with the fastest heat of her career, recording 1:57.28 and advancing to the semi-finals. She said training in Portugal had gone well and that she was targeting another consecutive European title.

Ferrari may eventually need a successor for Lewis Hamilton if he leaves the team, although Hamilton says he remains committed to Formula One and is planning for several more years in the sport. The article presents Max Verstappen as Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur's dream replacement and a potential partner for Charles Leclerc, but Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull through 2028. Ferrari's preference for two strong lead drivers contrasts with its historical reliance on a clear number-one driver, while Ollie Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto are cited as other possible future options.

Liverpool may risk losing 10 players for little or no transfer fee as their contracts approach expiry. Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic, Calvin Ramsay and Harvey Davies are identified as having uncertain futures. Van Dijk is attracting interest from Chicago Fire, Jones is wanted by Inter Milan, and Alisson could consider a return to Serie A or Internacional. Several other players must use the coming season to prove their value to head coach Andoni Iraola, while injuries, inconsistent form and limited opportunities have complicated their positions.

Manchester United are reportedly shifting their transfer priorities after signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, with Michael Carrick and INEOS considering spending the remaining budget on Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini rather than Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. Scalvini is valued at around £32 million, roughly half the £64 million previously associated with Scott. United are also considering loaning Joshua Zirkzee to Juventus after his difficult start at the club.

Sir Chris Hoy says he is doing as well as can be expected while approaching three years since his metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis and the terminal prognosis that doctors gave him. He remains stable on continuous treatment and credits exercise, cycling and an active lifestyle with helping him cope and potentially improving the effectiveness of his medication. Hoy is using his experience to raise millions for cancer charities, challenge perceptions of stage-four cancer and advocate for proactive prostate-cancer screening for men.

Emma Raducanu is expected to miss the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open while recovering from a stress fracture in her right leg. The absence has already contributed to a 12-place drop in the WTA rankings to No. 49, following early Grand Slam exits in 2026. The Canadian Open is also missing Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and injured Carlos Alcaraz. Tournament director Valerie Tetreault said the frequency of withdrawals highlights the need to reconsider tennis's demanding schedule and protect fans' ability to see leading players compete.

During a W75 Vacaria quarter-final in Brazil, Daria Egorova threw her racket after losing a point, reportedly striking a tournament official outside the court. Martina Capurro argued that Egorova should have been disqualified, but the supervisor allowed play to continue and Egorova won 6-4, 6-4. Capurro then kicked the umpire’s chair and later appealed publicly to the ITF, criticizing the explanation that the racket throw was unintentional and caused little damage.

Argentina lost the World Cup final 1–0 to Spain after Ferran Torres scored in extra time, ending Argentina’s reign as champions and removing its FIFA World Champions 2022 kit badge. Spain also displaced Argentina at the top of FIFA’s world rankings. The defeat was followed by fan anger over refereeing, a petition for a replay, and a post-match confrontation involving several Argentine and Spanish players and staff. FIFA is reportedly considering arranging a 2026 Finalissima rematch after the original fixture was abandoned because of the Iran conflict.

The article revisits the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying dispute between McLaren teammates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Alonso was penalized five grid places for blocking Hamilton in the pit lane, while McLaren was barred from scoring Constructors' Championship points and from receiving a winning trophy if either driver won. Hamilton inherited pole position and went on to win, while Alonso later left McLaren at the end of the season. The controversy is recalled ahead of Hamilton's return to the Hungaroring with Ferrari, where he has won a record eight times.

David Robertson received a 20‑year ban and fine in 1985 after being found guilty of repeatedly moving his golf ball to improve its lie during Open qualifying. His caddie quit mid‑round after witnessing the actions, and officials cited protection of the sport’s integrity in issuing the suspension. Robertson later returned as an amateur but said the stigma followed him. As the Open returns to Royal Birkdale, Rory McIlroy discussed current course conditions and strategy adjustments due to weather and recent changes.

Nicky Butt criticised Thomas Tuchel for not giving Kobbie Mainoo any playing time at the World Cup and urged the midfielder to refuse to play in England’s third‑place match against France. Butt argued Tuchel’s management contributed to England’s semi‑final exit and called for both Tuchel and FA technical director John McDermott to be removed. He suggested Eddie Howe or Mauricio Pochettino as suitable replacements, while expressing doubts about the feasibility of appointing Pep Guardiola.

Tom Kim celebrated his Scottish Open victory, ending a three‑year title drought and earning praise and a congratulatory message from Tiger Woods. He reflected on guidance from top players, the challenges he has faced since early career success, and the emotional significance of winning a tournament central to his development. Strong performances at recent majors and appreciation from Scottish fans underscored his resurgence and gratitude for personal and professional support.

Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur held a secret wedding in Old Woodhouse, Leicestershire, coinciding with the Wimbledon men’s final. The ceremony was attended only by family, with celebrations continuing at a nearby pub. Both players exited Wimbledon early, enabling the discreet event. Photos captured their arrival in a Porsche Carrera and their exit from the church. De Minaur’s recent comments about his struggles and self‑doubt following his defeat by Flavio Cobolli were included, along with his intention to take a break from competition.

Wimbledon enforces an 11pm curfew established in 2009 to limit disruption to residents, control noise and lighting, and ensure spectators can access public transport before services end. Matches are stopped if they risk passing the deadline, and referees often intervene early to avoid mid‑game suspensions. A recent shift of the singles finals to a 4pm start to boost global TV audiences has drawn criticism, with concerns that late finishes increase the likelihood of stoppages for fading light or roof closure, disrupting match flow and altering playing conditions.

Several Manchester United players will miss the start of pre‑season due to World Cup commitments, leaving Michael Carrick without key squad members. Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez and others remain on international duty, while eliminated players may return at varying times. Manuel Ugarte faces a long absence after suffering an ACL injury. Harry Maguire, left out of England’s squad, is available for club duties and has expressed disappointment at his omission despite a strong season.

Rachel Stuhlmann attended Wimbledon, where she met former tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, who recently debuted as a BBC broadcaster. Stuhlmann, known for her large social media following, had once been informally recommended for BBC coverage but the opportunity did not materialize. The pair collaborated on content during the tournament, while Bouchard drew attention for a lighthearted moment in the commentary booth during Matteo Berrettini’s match. The article highlights their activities, social media presence and fan engagement during the event.

Lionel Messi publicly dismissed false rumours of an affair with journalist Sofi Martinez after Argentina’s World Cup win over Cape Verde. He jokingly referenced the allegations during a friendly exchange with her, and Martinez denied the claims. Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, privately supported Martinez, urging her to ignore the speculation. Martinez described the negative impact of the rumours on her family and suggested she was targeted because of her gender. As Argentina advance to the quarter-finals, Messi shifts focus back to the tournament.

Anthony Gordon appeared to sing the old ‘God Save the Queen’ lyrics during the national anthem before England’s 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico, prompting reactions from fans online. The anthem change following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022 was noted as the source of the mix-up. England advanced to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals against Norway, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice and describing the victory in Mexico City as one of the proudest moments of his international career.

Caroline Wozniacki shared photos from her Wimbledon visit with a caption referencing the tournament shortly after Rory McIlroy was seen attending matches, drawing renewed attention to their past relationship. Novak Djokovic acknowledged McIlroy and other golfers during a post‑match interview while pursuing additional Wimbledon records. Wozniacki's current status, including her recent comeback attempts and family commitments, is outlined alongside McIlroy’s appearance wearing his Masters Green Jacket.

Lewis Hamilton entered the British Grand Prix weekend concerned after Ferrari warned of a straight-line speed deficit, but early performances showed stronger competitiveness than expected. He credited ongoing upgrades from the team for improved results. Ferrari principal Frederic Vasseur rejected Toto Wolff’s suggestion that Ferrari may be exceeding cost‑cap limits, arguing their upgrade pace matches rivals and urging restraint in such accusations.

Novak Djokovic paused his Wimbledon post‑match interview after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas to jokingly challenge Rory McIlroy for his Masters jacket. Elsewhere, Mirra Andreeva became emotional and broke down in tears following her second‑round loss to Barbora Krejcikova, just weeks after winning the French Open.

Wimbledon permanently replaced human line judges with an automated AI-based electronic line-calling system using 18 cameras to improve accuracy and consistency. The technology provides near-instant rulings with prerecorded voice calls and eliminates the need for around 300 line judge roles. The change also ends the Hawk-Eye challenge system, aligning Wimbledon with procedures already used at the Australian Open and US Open.