List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

Michigan State has stumbled from scandal to scandal, including the sexual abuse attacks by sports doctor Larry Nassar

Zach Wilson takes over as the New York Jets’ starting quarterback with Aaron Rodgers out for the rest of the season with a torn left Achilles tendon

Germany has beaten World Cup runner-up France 2-1 in a friendly to lift some of the gloom around the team hosting the European Championship next year

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has announced the NCAA has denied defensive lineman Noah Shannon’s appeal of his season-long suspension for sports wagering

The oldest international rivalry was decided by the youngest player on the pitch. As Scotland and England marked 150 years since they first met, it was scarcely surprising the dominant figure was a man who has been alive for barely 20 of them. Jude Bellingham has made a habit of excelling on foreign soil of late, becoming the Bundesliga’s player of the year, making a superlative start to life in Spain with Real Madrid and now inflicting a first defeat of 2023 on Scotland. Bellingham played a part – two, really – in England’s first goal. He scored their second. He made their third for Harry Kane in wonderful fashion. A booking for a bust-up with Jack Hendry – it may be termed a bit of a stramash in these parts – was a sign of his competitive instincts. A traumatic night for Harry Maguire, the unwitting scorer of Scotland’s goal, was a triumphant one for Bellingham. Wearing the No.10 – it will be instructive if the shirt remains his or ever returns to Raheem Sterling – and operating as a 10, he scored just his second goal for England. A month after his Real debut, he already has five for his new club, but the chances are that Bellingham will become more prolific in his country’s colours. As, aided by Bellingham, England struck twice in four first-half minutes, it was a night of double disappointment for Scotland. Their qualification to Euro 2024 could have been sealed if Norway failed to beat Georgia but instead Erling Haaland and co prolonged their wait. For Steve Clarke, the flagship win of 2023 came against Spain; in the final reckoning, it may count for more, much as overcoming England would have boosted their morale and much as his selection, with the strongest available team, scarcely suggested this was a friendly. The crowd settled instead for spending the second half baiting the England substitute Maguire; his own goal could scarcely have been greeted with a louder cheer had it been scored by Hampden’s darling, John McGinn. Yet goals by England’s two Harrys cancelled each other out, Kane restoring the two-goal margin, just as Scotland’s skipper set up a goal for either side: Andy Robertson initially erred for Bellingham’s strike then made a redemptive contribution to Maguire’s own goal, the left wing-back materialising on the right wing to turn provider. It was the one strike that did not involve Bellingham, such was his ubiquity. After half an hour where England had plenty of possession but chances were rarities, a high-speed move that took them from one end of the pitch to the other, with both Kyle Walker and Bellingham twice involved. Walker’s pace facilitated it and, having scored a belated first England goal in his 77th cap, was aiming for a second with a low drive. It instead became an assist, Phil Foden deftly turning the ball in. It was a marked improvement on his first shot, skied from Marcus Rashford’s low cross. Then Bellingham slotted in after an error by Robertson, stabbing the ball straight to the Real Madrid man. It was nevertheless the product of a new-found predatory sense and a willingness to spend more time in the box. Arguably his finest contribution, however, came for England’s third goal. A slick passing move came to a fine culmination when Bellingham span away from two defenders with enviable ease and released Kane to score his 59th England goal. Gareth Southgate had made six changes but retained four major figures, in Kane, Bellingham, Walker and Declan Rice. The full-back, a player Southgate twice talked out of international retirement, showed his significance as a galloping force on England’s right. Rashford was a frequent outlet on the left, illustrating the importance of having at least one winger with the pace to run in behind defences; it is something James Maddison lacks and the Manchester United man may be winning their particular duel. It was, though, another occasion to forget for the luckless Maguire. Summoned at half-time to replace Marc Guehi, he diverted Robertson’s cross past Aaron Ramsdale, giving the goalkeeper no chance. His every touch was cheered by the Scotland fans and, a century and a half after the first meeting between these countries finished goalless, the home support enjoyed his misfortune when they scored. It was not the only sign of an intimidating atmosphere. God Save the King was drowned out by whistles and boos; Flower of Scotland was roared, choruses about Edward II’s distinctly unsuccessful 14th-century army being used to try and intimidate Southgate’s 21st-cenury troops. Without stretching the historical parallels too far, not every English general has been able to call on someone of Bellingham’s calibre. Scotland, a fast-improving, arguably overachieving, team will not be the last to rue his excellence. Read More Player ratings as Bellingham stars in England win over Scotland Scotland vs England LIVE: Result and reaction as Kane wraps up Three Lions win England want Newcastle duo amid call-up tug-of-war with Scotland Southgate hails Ferguson and confirms England interest in Newcastle starlet Gareth Southgate twice talked Kyle Walker out of international retirement Gareth Southgate felt England did not ‘quite click’ against Ukraine

Luciano Spalletti engineered his first win as Italy coach as the Azzurri beat Ukraine 2-1 in a crucial European Championship qualifier thanks to two goals from Davide Frattesi

New Columbus Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock says he did nothing wrong in asking players to show him photos off their phone

Lionel Messi will sit out Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match in Bolivia

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors says it is “troubled” by North Carolina’s public criticism of the decision made by a committee to deny an eligibility waiver to Tar Heels transfer receiver Tez Walker, adding some committee members have received violent threats

The Seattle Seahawks signed veteran offensive tackle Jason Peters with the team having concerns about the health of both of their starting tackles

Scotland football host England football team in a special friendly to mark the 150th anniversary of the first international fixture played between the two nations. The clash between neighbouring countries in 1872 is recognised by Fifa as football’s first-ever official international match, with 4,000 fans filing into the West of Scotland Cricket Club in Glasgow to witness the event. Now, 150 years later fans from both countries will flock to Hampden Park for the latest renewal of this old rivalry. Scotland are in fine form following a 3-0 victory over Cyprus on Friday to extend their advantage at the top of Euro 2024 qualifying Group A. They have won all five of their qualifiers so far and need just two points from their final three matches to secure a place at next summer’s championship. Meanwhile, England’s winning streak in qualifying ended with a 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Saturday. Gareth Southgate’s side manage to come from a goal down to secure a point despite a disjointed performance with Kyle Walker netting his first international goal but they will be aiming for a more positive result in Glasgow tonight. Follow all the action from Hampden Park and get the latest odds and tips for Scotland vs England right here: Read More Gareth Southgate hails Evan Ferguson and confirms England interest in Newcastle starlet Scott McTominay stars again as Scotland close on Euro 2024 spot with Cyprus win Gareth Southgate looking forward to tough examination against Scotland

Luis Rubiales has refused to directly apologise to Jenni Hermoso over the kiss that ultimately forced his resignation as Spanish football federation president. In an interview with Piers Morgan on Talk TV, Rubiales instead continued to maintain the kiss was “consensual” and went on to suggest that the negative publicity over the affair had been “created by spurious arguments and people”. Rubiales announced his resignation in a statement posted on his unverified X account – formerly Twitter – on Sunday evening, having already been suspended by FIFA pending an investigation into his behaviour. Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation after Spain’s victory over England in last month’s World Cup final. Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual and has submitted a complaint to the national prosecutor’s office. “What happened is bad for everyone,” Rubiales responded when asked by Morgan if he would apologise directly to Hermoso. “We had Jenni lifting me. We had the fleeting kiss, two tenths of a second, but what was created from that is crazy. So what’s left for me is to defend my dignity. So it’s not about that (the apology) Piers, it’s about humility.” So what we had is a spontaneous act, a mutual act, an act that both consented to, which was driven by the emotion of the moment, the happiness, so I maintain that that is the truth of what happened Luis Rubiales Asked again if he wished to apologise, Rubiales continued: “So what we had is a spontaneous act, a mutual act, an act that both consented to, which was driven by the emotion of the moment, the happiness, so I maintain that that is the truth of what happened. “This has turned out to be a snowball created by spurious arguments and people. My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100 per cent non-sexual. “There was no harm, no sexual content, no aggression, nothing like that. As president, once again, I will say… the significance of the kiss to Jenni would have been exactly the same as a kiss to one of my daughters. Between friends and family, that’s very, very common.” Rubiales has been widely condemned for his behaviour following the final, when as well as kissing Hermoso he also grabbed his crotch in celebration while standing alongside Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofia in the VIP box. Despite issuing a general apology for his actions in a video statement issued the next day, Rubiales persistently refused to resign in the wake of a mounting revolt which saw 81 players, including every member of the World Cup-winning squad, indicating their unavailability for the national team squad while he remained in his post. On August 26 he was banned by FIFA from all football-related activities for an initial period of 90 days, while Spain manager Jorge Vilda – about whom concerns over his coaching methods had been expressed – was sacked. Despite continuing to stress that his kiss with Hermoso was “mutual”, Rubiales did acknowledge that it was a “mistake” that was not befitting of his role as Spanish FA president. “Of course, I have said it from the beginning, I made a mistake and I apologised in a sincere manner,” added Rubiales. “I was very happy, I felt like another player. I have apologised unreservedly, that is not the actions of the president of the association. “Because a president can’t behave that way towards the executives at the game on the podium, yes, a president can give a hug, but needs to act in a more diplomatic and colder way.” :: Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored, Monday to Thursday on TalkTV at 8pm. Available on Sky 522, Sky Glass 508, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237 and Freesat 217 as well as on DAB, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung TV Plus, YouTube, the Talk.TV website and TalkTV iOS and Android apps.