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Gianni Infantino has been president of Fifa since 2016 and is standing for re-election for a third time [Getty Images]

European governing body Uefa has told Fifa it must release key documents and answer all questions relating to its governance and decision-making by a deadline of 2 November.

At the Fifa Council on Thursday, president Gianni Infantino apologised for his World Cup sell-off plan - but failed to offer a full explanation for how the proposal was devised.

In the letter seen by BBC Sport, Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said that world football's governing body had failed to address "a number of fundamental questions".

"Others remain unanswered, and the information and documentation requested have not been provided," it read.

The letter included eight pages of questions covering a number of issues, from the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) private investment, to the Fifa Peace Prize and the controversial suspended ban given to USA striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.

"The withdrawal of FFE, the acknowledgement of mistakes and the announcement of 'potential governance reforms' do not answer how the relevant decisions were taken or why the Fifa Council was not involved at the appropriate stage," it continued.

"Any refusal to disclose information or documents should be justified individually, with a clear explanation of the specific grounds relied upon.

"These questions require answers now. They cannot be deferred until the next meeting of the Fifa Council - nor can future governance reforms substitute for scrutiny of decisions already taken and accountability for them."

Uefa did not outline what steps it intended to take should Fifa not meet the deadline.

The questions were first put to Infantino at the Fifa Council last week.

Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt - a Fifa vice-president - said afterwards that "if he doesn't answer those questions, he's not fit to be Fifa president".

Fifa has been approached for comment.

Uefa wants answers over Balogun suspension

Infantino has faced intense scrutiny over the case of Balogun, who avoided an immediate suspension after being sent off at the World Cup.

Balogun's ban was lifted by Fifa's disciplinary committee, after US President Donald Trump asked Infantino for the decision to be reviewed.

Fifa insisted the committee was independent but its legal committee is now reviewing a proposal to amend its disciplinary code, which would prevent a repeat, with an update due in December. Uefa has asked why this is necessary.

"President Trump publicly acknowledged having called the Fifa president to request a review of the Balogun disciplinary case. What exactly did he ask him to do, and what was his response?", Uefa has asked. "Would the case have been reviewed in the absence of his intervention?"

"Following that conversation, did the Fifa president or the Fifa secretary general communicate with anyone within Fifa, including members of the administration or the chair of the disciplinary committee, concerning the Balogun case? If so, could Fifa specify with whom, when and the nature of those communications?

"We also request all correspondence and other communications concerning the case between the chair of the disciplinary committee and the Fifa administration, including the Fifa president and Fifa's chief legal officer.

"Could Fifa provide the full written reasons for the decision in the Balogun case, including the information and evidence before the disciplinary committee?

"Who decided that the matter should be determined by a single member of the committee, on what basis…and what were the exceptional circumstances relied upon to justify the decision?"

Uefa also asked why no disciplinary action was taken against DR Congo after the African nation reportedly played an ineligible player in World Cup qualifying. Usually, this would result in the country being disqualified but no action was taken.

Fifa faces question on FFE and funding to associations

Uefa has posed a great number of questions about FFE.

"When was the idea of FFE first explored, by whom and with what objective?" Uefa asked. "Who within Fifa authorised the development of the project, and which members of the Fifa administration were involved?

"What concrete measures will Fifa put in place to ensure that the shortcomings identified in the FFE process cannot occur again in the future?"

Uefa requested information on whether Infantino would have held or expected to hold any position, role or function in FFE, either during or following his tenure as Fifa president.

The relationship with Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital was covered in detail, asking why an agreement granting exclusivity to the company was signed without prior consultation of the Fifa Council.

"Why was Thrive Capital selected as lead investor, without any competitive tendering process and under conditions of strict confidentiality, despite its links to the family of the recipient of the Fifa Peace Prize?" Uefa asked.

Kushner is the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law, while the US president was awarded the Peace Prize.

Uefa also requested answer about the award of the Peace Prize, specifically who decided to establish it, for what purpose, and who decided that Trump should receive it.

When the FFE plan was revealed in the days following the World Cup final, Infantino told the 211 member associations (MAs) they would receive $40m (£30m) if they backed it. He then set a deadline of 19 September for federations to accept his plans if they wanted to access an initial $20m (£15m).

However, once the scheme was abandoned, Uefa and Concacaf called on Fifa to pay at least $10m (£7.5m) from its cash reserves to each of the MAs and, last week, Infantino agreed, proposing to increase the amount of money handed out for football development across the world by $3.4bn (£2.6bn).

The releasing of cash from its reserves will result in double the level of planned distribution funding for MAs from 2027 to 2030, with $25m (£19m) available per member association.

"Why was substantially increased funding for MAs presented in connection with FFE and external investment, rather than being financed directly from Fifa's own resources?" Uefa has asked.

"Given Fifa's strong financial position, why was it considered necessary to seek investment from private investors? What financial or strategic advantages would such an arrangement have offered compared with funding football development directly from Fifa's own resources, particularly in light of Fifa's subsequent proposal to do precisely that on a substantially increased scale?"

Infantino faces questions over additional salary

Reports in the lead-up last week's Fifa Council suggested Infantino had received an additional salary from Fifa's US World Cup organising entity (FWC2026 US Inc.) which was not disclosed in Fifa's annual report.

Uefa has asked Fifa to "clarify the nature, amount and basis of these payments, why they were not disclosed and whether they were reviewed and approved by the competent Fifa bodies."

It added: "Could Fifa also confirm whether the additional remuneration was treated as taxable income and whether the corresponding income tax was paid?"

Uefa also raised the extended, 27-minute half-time interval during the World Cup final, and the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks at all matches.

It wanted answers on the "seven-year, $4m (£3m) lease of office premises in Trump Tower, New York, involving Eric Trump, for premises reportedly unused for much of the year".

Uefa wrote: "These matters, taken together, raise questions that extend beyond the ordinary institutional relationship between Fifa and the government of a World Cup host country.

"Could Fifa provide a detailed explanation of these arrangements and interventions, including the decision-making processes followed, the identification and management of any potential conflicts of interest, the financial implications for Fifa and the extent to which the competent Fifa bodies were informed or consulted?"

Also brought up was the impartiality of the chair of the Fifa electoral committee before next year's presidential election who, Uefa says, "attended the entire 2026 World Cup as an accredited individual, with his expenses covered by Fifa for more than five weeks".

It also asked for a full list of the guests seated in the VIP and VVIP sections "including their names, positions and the reasons for their invitations".

• Could Wenger really take on Infantino and run for Fifa presidency?
• Fifa to offer extra £2.6bn for football development
• Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 30: Ben Rortvedt #47 of the Los Angeles Dodgers plays against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 30, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Intermittent Dodgers catcher Ben Rortvedt is a free agent again, opting for free agency on Saturday after getting sent outright to the minors and off the 40-man roster in September.

Rortvedt was acquired by the Dodgers while off the 40-man roster at each of the last two trade deadlines, and filled in while both Will Smith and Dalton Rushing were injured in both seasons. Rortvedt even started four postseason games behind the plate in 2025 before Smith was fully ready to return from a broken hand.

This year, Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia took over catching duties in August after getting acquired at the trade deadline, holding down the fort with Smith and Rushing injured again. Rortvedt caught 16 games and started nine games behind the plate, and five hits in 27 at-bats during his time on the active roster. He was designated for assignment when Smith returned on September 1, then sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City two days later.

Rortvedt was with the Dodgers during workouts and through their postseason run, but was not active for either the National League Division Series or NL Championship Series.

“Ben’s a great teammate, he’s a major league player,” manager Dave Roberts said when Rortvedt was designated for assignment. “And I’ll always be grateful because he helped us win a championship last year. Great guy.”

Rortvedt was active with the Dodgers for four weeks, and ended the season nine days shy of four full years of major league service time. But as someone with at least three years of major league service time who was sent outright to the minors during the season and optioned to stick around, they can elect free agency at the end of the season, per Article XX(D)(1) of the collective bargaining agreement:

Any Player who has at least 3 years of Major League service, or who qualified as a “Super Two” Player under Article VI(E)(1)(b) as of the conclusion of the prior championship season, and whose contract is assigned outright to a Minor League club may elect, in lieu of accepting such assignment, to become a free agent. In the event that such a Player with at least 3 years of Major League service does not elect free agency in lieu of accepting such assignment, he may elect free agency during the period between (i) the end of the then current Major League season and (ii) the next following October 15, or 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time on the second day after the date the Player’s Club plays in its final post-season game that season (whichever occurs later) (the “Election Period”), unless such Player is returned to a Major League roster prior to making such election.

Saturday was the second day after the Dodgers played their last postseason game. Another player who elected free agency at the beginning of that period was outfielder Alek Thomas, who opted for free agency on September 29.

Thomas was designated for assignment on September 5, was sent outright to Triple-A three days later, and finished out the season with Oklahoma City, and hit the game-winning three-run double in the Triple-A championship game on September 26.

Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league outfielder Jose Requena on May 12, Thomas spent most of his season in Triple-A, but was called up to man center field on August 22 after Andy Pages had his left hand broken by an errant fastball.

Thomas played in seven games for the Dodgers, including six starts in center field. He delivered run-scoring singles in each of his first three games, and totaled four hits in 19 at-bats plus a walk with the Dodgers. Thomas has somewhere in the neighborhood of three years, 156 days of major league service time, 16 days shy of four full years, but with at least three years he had the right to elect free agency after getting sent outright, off the 40-man roster, to the minors during the season.

Brentford said matchday safety is of "utmost importance" following the incident during the game against Liverpool [Getty Images]

Brentford say they are working with the police following a "dangerous" incident in which a rugby ball was kicked from a height towards the pitch during their Premier League game with Liverpool.

A video on social media shows a man standing on a rooftop near the Gtech Community Stadium, kicking a rugby ball towards the pitch while others laugh and cheer.

Another clip from inside the ground shows the rugby ball being taken away from the pitch by a member of staff as play continued.

In a statement, Brentford, who were beaten 2-1 on Saturday, said "such behaviour is dangerous and potentially very harmful".

"The matter has been referred to the police and the club is supporting the relevant authorities in their investigation to help identify those responsible and take appropriate action, which may result in criminal prosecution," the statement added.

"The matchday safety of fans, staff, players and officials is of utmost importance, and the club will support all efforts to ensure action is taken."

Brentford, who had Yehor Yarmolyuk and Vitaly Janelt both sent off in the second half, are sixth in the league table after the defeat.

• Latest Brentford news, analysis and fan views
• Ask about Brentford - what do you want to know?

Tennessee guard Juke Harris (2) moves the ball during a college basketball exhibition game against Xavier on Oct. 15, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

The Tennessee Volunteers are a top ten team coming into this year’s college basketball season. Tennessee, which completely reloaded through the transfer portal, will begin the year as the No. 8 team in the land, according to the preseason AP poll.

This will be Rick Barnes’ 12th year leading the program in Knoxville, and perhaps his most talented on the offensive end. Former Wake Forest standout Juke Harris leads the way, along with VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr., Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson and Cal transfer Dai Dai Ames. The Volunteers return just two contributors from last year’s team — Troy Henderson and DeWayne Brown.

Florida begins as the top team in the country, followed by Duke. Tennessee will face Duke on Tuesday night in a scrimmage. Illinois, UConn and Arizona round out the top five.

Michigan State lands at No. 6, which Tennessee will face in a non-conference matchup.

Florida led the way in the SEC, along with Texas (7), Tennessee (8), Arkansas (12), Alabama (20), Kentucky (23) and Vanderbilt (24).

Tennessee officially opens the season on November 3rd against Wofford.

2026-27 College Basketball AP top 25 poll

1. Florida
2. Duke
3. Illinois
4. UConn
5. Arizona
6. Michigan State
7. Texas
8. Tennessee
9. Virginia
10. Houston
11. Louisville
12. Arkansas
13. St. John’s
14. Miami (FL)
15. Gonzaga
16. Michigan
17. Kansas
18. Iowa State
19. Texas Tech
20. Alabama
21. USC
22. UCLA
23. Kentucky
24. Vanderbilt
25. BYU

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule 2026: Dates, times, TV channels, live streams, winners for every race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series is back for another exciting season of racing in 2026.

From the season opener at Daytona to the championship at Homestead-Miami, the 25-race schedule promises plenty of action from February through November. 

Corey Heim was the story of the 2025 season, winning seven of the last nine races and 12 overall, but he will only be a part-time presence in 2026, opening the door for more emerging drivers to step up. 

Here's everything you need to know to watch every Craftsman Truck Series race during the 2026 season. 

Where to watch NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026

• TV channels: FS1, Fox
• Live stream:fubo

All but two Craftsman Truck Series races in 2026 will be broadcast by FS1, with the others on Fox. Fans can stream every race via fubo.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule 2026DateRaceTrackTime (ET)WinnerFeb. 13Fresh From Florida 250Daytona International Speedway7:30 p.m.Chandler SmithFeb. 21Fr8 Racing 208EchoPark Speedway1:30 p.m.Kyle BuschFeb. 28OnlyBulls Green Flag 150Grand Prix of St. Petersburg12 p.m.Layne RiggsMarch 20Buckle Up South Carolina 200Darlington Raceway7:30 p.m.Corey HeimApril 3Black's Tire 200Rockingham Speedway4:30 p.m.Corey HeimApril 10Tennessee Army National Guard 250Bristol Motor Speedway7:30 p.m.Christopher BellMay 1SpeedyCash.com 250Texas Motor Speedway8 p.m.Carson HocevarMay 8Bully Hill Vineyards 176 at the GlenWatkins Glen International4:30 p.m.Kaden HoneycuttMay 15ECOSAVE 200Dover Motor Speedway5 p.m.Kyle BuschMay 24North Carolina Education Lottery 200Charlotte Motor Speedway10 a.m.Layne RiggsMay 29Allegiance 200Nashville Superspeedway8 p.m.Layne RiggsJune 6DQS Solutions and Staffing 250Michigan International Speedway1:30 p.m.Corey HeimJune 19Navy 250Naval Base Coronado7 p.m.Layne RiggsJuly 11LiUNA 150Lime Rock Park1 p.m.Grant EnfingerJuly 18Faith Fest 250North Wilkesboro Speedway12:30 p.m.Chandler SmithJuly 24TSport 200Indianapolis Raceway Park8 p.m.Layne RiggsAug. 14Black's Tire 250Richmond Raceway7:30 p.m.Kaden HoneycuttAug. 22Team EJP 175New Hampshire Motor Speedway1:30 p.m.Layne RiggsNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs schedule 2026DateRaceTrackTime (ET)TV/WinnerSept. 17UNOH 250Bristol Motor Speedway8 p.m.Jake GarciaSept. 26Race to Stop Suicide 200Kansas Speedway1 p.m.Kaden HoneycuttOct. 9Ecosave 250Charlotte Motor Speedway5 p.m.Layne RiggsOct. 16Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150Phoenix Raceway7:30 p.m.Kaden HoneycuttOct. 23Love's RV Stop 225Talladega Superspeedway4 p.m.FS1, fuboOct. 30Black's Tire 200Martinsville Speedway6 p.m.FS1, fuboNov. 6Truck Series Championship RaceHomestead-Miami Speedway7:30 p.m.FS1, fubo

MORE:Printable 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule

NASCAR Truck Series radio coverage 2026

• Radio station:SiriusXM

Listen live to Truck Series races all season on SiriusXM, which will provide coverage every week. 

New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.

Related Links

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Duncan Ferguson appointed Glentoran head coach

Glentoran have appointed Duncan Ferguson as their new head coach in a move that signals an aggressive attempt to return to the top of the Northern Irish Premiership.

The 54-year-old former Everton and Rangers striker arrives on a multi-year contract, replacing Declan Devine who departed the club in September.

The decision represents a calculated gamble on high-level experience over local league familiarity. While Ferguson brings a pedigree from the top of the English game, including two spells as interim boss at Everton following the departures of Marco Silva in 2019 and Rafael Benitez three years later, his record as a primary manager is less established.

Previous roles at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle provide some managerial foundation, but the appointment is viewed as a risk given his primary reputation as a number two.

Owner Ali Pour has framed the appointment as a reflection of the club's ambition to win trophies. Glentoran have not secured a league title since 2009, despite the adoption of a full-time professional model and significant investment.

The club currently occupies third place in the Irish Premiership, having recorded six wins and four losses in their first 12 league outings this season.

To bridge the gap in league knowledge, Ferguson will be supported by assistant manager Gary Bollan, a former Dundee United teammate. His first match in charge takes place this Saturday at home against Ballymena United.

After a couple of years of his teams being underrated in the preseason polls by voters, it seems that Tom Izzo and his Michigan State basketball team won't be able to fly under the radar any longer. On Monday, the first Coaches Poll of the 2026-27 college basketball season was released, and the Spartans came in firmly in the top ten at No. 6 in the country.

There is a lot of hype and excitement around this iteration of MSU basketball, and it makes sense, as Jeremy Fears Jr. is being tabbed as a unanimous preseason All-American, and several outlets have him as their preseason Player of the Year.

Only Florida, Duke, Illinois, Arizona, and UConn are ahead of the Spartans this year in the polls, making them the second-highest-ranked Big Ten team in the first polls.

The last three years looked like this:

• 2025-26: No. 22
• 2024-25: Unranked
• 2024-25: No. 4

It's a clear shift and sign of respect for Izzo, who will continue the pursuit of his second National Title.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State basketball to start season firmly in the Top Ten

The Michigan Wolverines went 37-3 overall and 19-1 in Big Ten play last season on the way to the national championship. This is a totally new year for Michigan, and the Wolverines will have to prove themselves all over again.

In the first AP Poll of the 2026-27 college basketball season, released Monday, the Wolverines are ranked 16th in the country. That is a far cry from finishing number one in the final college basketball rankings last season. Dusty May is no longer the head coach of this basketball program after leaving for the Dallas Mavericks, and Mike Boynton Jr. is the new head coach for Michigan basketball.

Florida opened at No. 1 with 47 of the 59 first-place votes. Michigan is only the third-highest Big Ten team in the poll, behind Illinois at No. 3 and Michigan State at No. 6. UConn, the team Michigan beat in the national championship game, starts the year at No. 4.

Michigan Wolverines have a different looking roster this season

The defending champions are outside the top 15 to begin the 2026-27 college basketball season because this is a different roster. Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara, the team’s three leading scorers last season, are all in the NBA now.

Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney are still on the team, but Michigan has several players who will need to prove themselves on this roster. J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam are transfers who are looking to play a huge role in this basketball program this season. They have a lot of work to do even though the Wolverines are the defending national champions.

Why Kyren Williams' complaint about opportunity with Rams makes little sense originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Rams lost to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, dropping to 2-4 on the year and sitting in last place in the NFC West.

It's an unthinkable spot for the Rams to be in, but with the struggles of their special teams unit and inconsistencies on both sides of the ball, it's not a huge surprise they're in such a bad spot. But following this loss, the Rams faced an awkward challenge from a player.

Kyren Williams, according to Adam Grosbard of LA Daily News, shared a complaint with reporters about his playing time and opportunities in this Week 6 game. But it doesn't really make sense, as Williams actually saw a decent share of work in this game.

Kyren Williams' complaint about playing time makes little sense

"Rams RB Kyren Williams on why the offense's energy is inconsistent drive to drive: 'Can't tell you. Probably because I'm not out there,'" Grosbard shared.

This quote from Williams is a bad look on its own, especially after another brutal loss, this time to a 1-4 Cardinals team that looked set on finishing near the bottom of the NFL this season.

But Williams' complaining about his playing time and his workload doesn't really make much sense following Week 6 against the Cardinals.

Williams played 42 snaps on offense, or 72.4% of the Rams' total offensive snaps. Considering his average this season is less than that, at 70.7% of the snaps, Williams actually was on the field more often than he had been at the beginning of the year.

MORE: Cam Skattebo's lack of rushing attempts is a major cause for concern for Giants

While he did have just 10 rushing attempts, the lowest of the year for Williams, he still led this running game for the Rams. He also caught three of six targets, which was four more targets and one more reception than Blake Corum had in Week 6.

So, Williams led the backfield in snaps, as he was on the field over 70% of the time, and also led the backfield in touches. But he's complaining about his playing time with this postgame quote.

Williams has been "out there," unlike what he claimed. His real gripe may be with a lack of volume, which is a more sensible complaint given it was the fewest rushing attempts he's had in a game this season.w

But Williams was on the field enough this week and got the bulk of the work out of this backfield. Corum isn't going away anytime soon either, so Williams might have to get used to this workload, even if he wants to be more heavily involved.

More NFL news:

• Colts fans are calling for Daniel Jones benching after ugly Titans loss
• Travis Hunter made NFL history, but the Jaguars still left London with a loss
• Falcons forced to use silent count at home, raising serious questions about fan support
• Giants' QB plans get complicated after Jameis Winston collapse, J.J. McCarthy surge
• Aaron Rodgers blasts Buccaneers' field as 'one of the worst surfaces in the league'

TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 18: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus during the Serie A 2026/27 match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Nderim Kaceli/BSR Agency/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a night like Juventus had on Sunday when they were handed a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Lazio, the last thing the Bianconeri needed to see happen was a little more salt to the wound added in the following hours of an already very unstable situation.

And then the morning after happened.

After injuring his shoulder (yet not coming off the field) during the second half of the loss to Lazio, Francisco Conceição took a trip to J Medical on Monday morning to get things evaluated. The result of those tests, as Juventus announced later in the day, resulted in the news that Conceição had actually separated his shoulder — an injury that had already been reduced after the game and ultimately is the thing that might not keep him out as long as it could have been.

Conceição will be out at least three weeks — which runs right into the November international break — and has begun conservative therapy immediately to fit into that timetable.

The shoulder injury was first reported in the early hours of Monday morning by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The full update from Juventus’ website is as follows:

Following the injury to his left shoulder sustained during the match against Lazio, Francisco Conceição underwent diagnostic tests this morning at J|medical.

The tests revealed a glenohumeral dislocation, which had already been reduced yesterday evening. The player will undergo conservative treatment and has already begun a rehabilitation programme aimed at a return to competitive action.

Conceição came on in the 67th minute as a substitute for Douglas Luiz in the aftermath of Lazio extending their lead to 2-0 in the 66th minute. As much as Juve hoped bringing on more attacking players would potentially turn the tide, it didn’t go as they hoped, seeing Rino Gattuso’s squad extend their lead even further in the dying minutes.

Now, Conceição is out until the next international break at the bare minimum. And what makes matters worse is that his backup, Edon Zhegrova, is not on the Europa League squad list for the league phase, so there’s one less option to try and fill the void against Rennes on Thursday night and then AZ Alkmaar in a couple of weeks.

So here’s to hoping that Nico González can rediscover that form he had from the first couple of weeks of the season when he was a huge surprise and unexpected contributor. Let us hope.

John Jones-Imagn Images

Why Brian Windhorst thinks LeBron James may want to watch Knicks’ NBA title celebration on Opening Night appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia 76ers start their season against the New York Knicks on opening night, and Brian Windhorst believes that LeBron James might want to see the ring ceremony. Typically, when opposing teams play the defending NBA champion on opening night, they stay in the locker room during the ceremony and come out when it’s time to play.

Brian Windhorst says LeBron James admires Madison Square Garden:

“LeBron has had 4 of his own ring nights of his own. And i know the Sixers won’t be out there on the court while the Knicks are accepting their rings and the banner goes up. But I wonder if LeBron would like to be… pic.twitter.com/1qIwKynXqi

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

— JayTakes (@SportsWithJay0) October 19, 2026

But in a recent episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst shared why he thinks James would want to see Knicks Ring Night.

“LeBron has had 4 of his own ring nights of his own. And i know the Sixers won’t be out there on the court while the Knicks are accepting their rings and the banner goes up. But I wonder if LeBron would like to be out there just to feel the Garden. He’s praised the Garden 100 times and if you give him 100 more times he would praise it 100 more times. He truly loves the Garden. I wonder if part of him wants to just stand out there just as a fan of the game and as a fan of basketball,” Windhorst said.

James praised the Knicks on the Mind The Game podcast and even said he looked to join the team in free agency, in a quote ESPN obtained during media day in September, but decided against it after they won the NBA title.

“I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden and finishing my career in the Garden. One of the best places I’ve ever played…I think it’s the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player. But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t.’ I couldn’t do it.”

Related: 76ers’ Joel Embiid fires back at ‘sacrifice’ narrative with defiant declaration

Related: Victor Wembanyama MVP? LeBron James, 76ers NBA champs? Brett Siegel’s 2026-27 awards, season predictions

Austin Wells has not established himself as a reliable contributor on offense yet, and the New York Yankees could use an upgrade at catcher.

The Yankees reportedly explored catching upgrades at the trade deadline, but were unable to land anyone. However, one of their reported targets is now a free agent, and the Yankees need to go after him.

Ryan Jeffers was ultimately not moved by the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, but as a free agent, he is free to sign with any team. This season, Jeffers had an .814 OPS in 94 games. He hit 14 home runs and had a total of 35 extra-base hits.

Jeffers has a .753 career OPS and has played in 607 career games. He has been to the postseason twice, and on the Yankees, he could play on a true contender. In four seasons, Wells has a .697 OPS, but has been a steady defender.

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Jeffers has not been a good defender recently, but he would be such an upgrade offensively that the Yankees may be willing to put up with it. However, the Yankees' defense as a whole is a concern, so perhaps they will be wary of adding a poor defender behind the plate.

At the same time, the offense completely disappeared in October, and efforts to improve need to be made. Surprisingly enough, Wells was one of the Yankees only hitters to perform well in the postseason. However, that is not enough to cover up four years of offensive woes.

More MLB: Orioles Name New GM After Disappointing 2026 Season

Mar 31, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green looks on during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Dan Mount, Editor

The Ottawa Senators have rewarded their head coach with a shiny new deal. News of the Travis Green extension emerged on Monday morning. The news was announced by the Senators’ president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios. The contract is extension will run through the end of the 2030-31 season.

Members of the Senators’ coaching staff, including assistants Nolan Baumgartner, Ben Sexton, Mike Yeo and goaltending coach Justin Peters – also earned multi-year contract extensions with the team. However, the Travis Green extension takes priority in this roundup.

Travis Green Extension Signed by Ottawa Senators

Green took over behind the Senators’ bench in May 2024 to become the team’s 14th head coach in modern franchise history. The Castlegar, British Columbia native has a record of 95-60-18 with the club. Green is tied for fifth all-time for the most coaching wins in Ottawa’s franchise history.

The Ottawa Senators have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first two seasons with Green behind the bench. However, the Senators are only 2-8 in those two appearances, including a four-game sweep against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The 55-year-old also had head coaching stints with the New Jersey Devils and the Vancouver Canucks. Green was the Canucks’ head coach from 2017 to 20222 and was with the Devils in 2024.  His all-time record across nine seasons is 236-219-53, with a 517 winning percentage.

Green built up his resume with a solid tenure as the Utica Comets head coach. Utica serves as the AHL affiliate for the Devils.

Green’s Playing Career

Ottawa’s head coach also had a decorated career as an NHL player. Green played in 970 games across 14 seasons and had stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, and the Boston Bruins. The BC native collected 193 goals and 262 assists. Green also represented his native Canada at the international level. He was part of three Canadian squads at the IIHF World Championships. This includes being a member of the gold medal-winning squad in 1997 in Helsinki, Finland.

He scored 25 goals twice in his career by hitting that mark in the 1995-96 campaign with the Islanders and in 1999-2000 with the Coyotes. The 1995-96 season in Long Island was the only time Green hit the 70-point mark.

Mar 5, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green on his bench during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn ImagesThe Last Word

The Travis Green extension comes at a time where Ottawa is 6-3 and sits in a tie for second on 12 points with both the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Speaking of the Panthers, the return of Brady Tkachuk to the Canadian capital city will be the next time the Sens take on the ice. Both Tkachuks will make their way across the border for a Wednesday night tilt with the Senators.

Ottawa has tightened up its defensive structure since Green came into the fold. The Senators play a 200-foot game and have gotten much more fundamentally sound in their own end of the ice. This has translated into some strong play at both ends of the ice.

Ottawa can pile up the goals with strong offensive players like Tim Stutzle and others. However, the Senators are now a well-rounded squad and have gotten to the postseason in both seasons with Green in charge. This has happened despite some roster turnover and players like Brady Tkachuk moving on. The Travis Green extension seems like a smart investment for Staios and the Senators’ brass.

Main photo by: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

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Chiefs’ Chris Jones on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
Credit: CBS SportsNEED TO KNOW

• Chiefs star Chris Jones was seen in a screaming match with defensive line coach Joe Cullen on Sunday, Oct. 18
• CBS sideline reporter Melanie Collins said it was “hard to tell exactly what’s going on” between Jones and Cullen
• After Cullen put his hand on Jones’s shoulder, the Chiefs star appeared to swipe it away

Chiefs star Chris Jones was involved in a screaming match with a team staffer during Kansas City’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend.

During the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 22-6 victory over the Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 18, the longtime Chiefs defensive tackle was seen shouting at defensive line coach Joe Cullen on the sideline— even swiping Cullen’s arm away.

The broadcast showed Jones, 32, screaming at Cullen, 58, while the Chiefs led 9-3. CBS Sports sideline reporter Melanie Collins told viewers that Jones and Cullen “have been in a screaming match down here on the sideline on the Chiefs bench.”

Chiefs’ Chris Jones on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
Credit: CBS Sports

Collins said it was “hard to tell exactly what’s going on” between the coach and Jones, adding, “I’ll give you an update as I hear more, but frustrations boiling over here for the Chiefs defense.”

Cullen appeared to put his hand on Jones’ shoulder during their argument before Jones swiped it away.

Color commentator Trent Green told viewers Jones and Cullen “have a great relationship” and speculated that Jones didn’t like “the fact that he put his hand on his shoulder.”

Jones and Cullen shared a similarly fiery moment in December 2023 when the Buffalo Bills defeated the Chiefs, 20-17. At the time, the broadcasters chalked it up to regular interaction between “defensive linemen and defensive coaches.”

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The Chiefs advanced to 5-0 following Sunday’s win.

Additionally, quarterback Patrick Mahomes tied Tom Brady’s record for the fewest starts (131) to reach 100 wins in league history, according to ESPN. “It’s always an honor to be in any conversation, as far as winning football, with him. That’s the GOAT,” Mahomes, 30, told reporters after the game.

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The quarterback play for the Browns was highly discussed heading into the year, and the talk hasn't cooled down despite the team being 4-2. The reason for that is that while the team is playing well, the quarterback play has not matched the results in the standings.

Browns head coach Todd Monken spoke about the play of Watson after the team's win on Sunday.

Monken stated, "Deshaun (Watson), he knows he can play better. We can play better around him. But he's just got something in him. The ability to make a play when needed."

Watson led the Browns on a fourth game-winning drive this year, which shows the clutch factor is there with him, but wouldn't it be nice not to have to rely on that? The Browns cannot keep counting on those to go their way, so they need Watson to start playing complete games.

Monken has said he is capable of it, Watson has hinted at it as well. Now would be a perfect time to do so with a division lead in their control.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns HC on Deshaun Watson: 'He knows he can play better'

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

What Giants’ Cam Skattebo said about benching that John Harbaugh wouldn’t call a benching appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh came off a bit testy after the club’s 34-27 Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints when media members asked him about Cam Skattebo’s benching. After the star running back logged six plays with zero rush attempts or targets, Harbaugh claimed that he did not actually bench Skattebo, as not giving him the ball was not by design. Now, the former fourth-round pick shares his side of the story.

Skattebo claimed that he was simply punished for fumbling the ball so much in recent weeks, according to MB Fantasy Life. The fumble in the club’s 27-27 Week 5 tie with the Washington Commanders was apparently the final straw. The 24-year-old stated he just needs to be prepared for the next time his number is called.

“I got punished for what I did,” Skattebo said. “I understand it, so I gotta be ready when coach calls my name, and that wasn’t today. Yeah, it’s hard. But I’ve made mistakes. I own up to them, and if that is what they want to do- is keep me on the sidelines because of [fumbling]- I totally understand. I can’t make mistakes at this level of the game. When you make mistakes like that, consequences are to be made.”

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Cam Skattebo on not having a carry in the Giants' loss to the Saints on Sunday:

"I got punished for what I did [the fumble last week]. I understand it so I gotta be ready when coach calls my name and that wasn't today."

John Harbaugh on the running backs:

"We didn't bench Cam…

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 19, 2026

The Giants had 20 total rush attempts between six different players against the Saints on Sunday. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy led the way with two scrambles for 26 yards, while Tyrone Tracy was the most involved running back with six carries for 18 yards and a touchdown. Harbaugh stated he was trying to get four different running backs involved in the offense, but Skattebo was the only one who didn’t log a single rush attempt.

Cam Skattebo will have a chance to get himself out of the doghouse for the club’s Week 7 matchup. The Giants are scheduled to take on the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 25.

Related: Giants RB Najee Harris admits confusion over RB situation after Cam Skattebo benching

Related: Giants’ Jameis Winston sounds off on uncertain outlook after getting benched for JJ McCarthy

J.J. McCarthy’s performance on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints was the “best we’ve seen him on an NFL field,” according to former Jets and Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan.

McCarthy relieved Jameis Winston with the Giants trailing 34-10, and the Giants proceeded to score 17 fourth-quarter points in a 34-27 loss. McCarthy 11-for-21 and passed for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the fourth quarter in relief of Winston, who was 14 of 26 for 152 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

“I certainly would play J.J. McCarthy [going forward] and, to me, this is the best we’ve seen him on an NFL field,” Ryan said Monday on Get Up. “Two hundred and 40 yards in a quarter and you’re going to play the ‘Jameis Experience’?

He added: “I think we’ve seen that. He’s a backup quarterback at best. This kid right here [McCarthy], there’s a reason why he was taken as high as he was. I never liked him that much, but, quite honestly, I never saw this. He played his tail off in this thing in the biggest moments.”

Giants +10 point spread is listed at -118 on ProphetX for Sunday’s contest against Houston. For a closer look, check out our in-depth guide to the best sportsbook promos to shop for odds.

Like former NFL coaches Mike Tomlin and Jason Garrett, Ryan think it’s obvious who coach John Harbaugh should start next week against the Houston Texans.

“I don’t think there’s a choice,” he said. “I think this kid goes in there and let’s go. Put Jameis on the bench....and then let’s go play.

“I’m telling you man, enough is enough.”

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Three-time Super Bowl champ Tedy Bruschi said the Giants should “kick the tires” on McCarthy as the starter.

“Why not?” he said. “I mean, you got to.”

He added: “You’ve got two quarterbacks that can get hot in Jameis and this kid, right? Go ahead and start J.J., if he sucks it off, then you take him out and put in Jameis. I don’t care, just switch back and forth.”

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) looks on before running off the field after Michiganís 21-18 win over Penn State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

The Michigan Wolverines went into halftime of Saturday’s game against the Penn State Nittany Lions down 0-3 after an abysmal offensive performance. After the half, Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham made the decision to bench quarterback Bryce Underwood and insert freshman Tommy Carr.

Carr gave the offense a much-needed spark, leading multiple scoring drives en route to a 21-18 victory. During the game, reports emerged that Underwood spent part of Michigan’s bye week in California with his private quarterback coach, leading to questions about why the struggling quarterback wasn’t with his team.

Whittingham addressed the situation during his Monday press conference.

“We never have optional practices. We did practice or had meetings Monday through Thursday. Then after Thursday, the players were free to do what they needed to do Friday, Saturday, Sunday,” Whittingham said via Anthony Broome.

Bryce Underwood practiced with Michigan last week, then went out to California for the weekend. The CBS broadcast insinuated he was away from the team.

Kyle Whittingham: “We never have optional practices. We did practice or had meetings Monday through Thursday. Then after Thursday, the players were free to do what they needed to do Friday, Saturday, Sunday. And my understanding is Bryce went down to California and worked with a personal trainer, so he wasn’t just on vacation. He went down there and was working his tail off those three days, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.”

— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) October 19, 2026

“And my understanding is Bryce went down to California and worked with a personal trainer, so he wasn’t just on vacation. He went down there and was working his tail off those three days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.”

Whittingham also revealed that he knows who the starter will be for the Wolverines’ upcoming matchup with the Indiana Hoosiers, although he’s keeping his lips sealed.

“We saw good stuff out of what Tommy did in that second half, and we know exactly what we’re doing and the plan going forward,” Whittingham said. “We’re not going to tip our hand to the opponent, but we have a good plan in place, and that’s about all I can say on that right now.”

The Wolverines will likely need to win out to make the College Football Playoff, and it’s hard to imagine the staff determining that Underwood puts the team in the best place to do that after what both quarterbacks showed on Saturday.

The post Michigan coach addresses Bryce Underwood going to California to work with personal coach appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

An additional undercover space, nicknamed The Retreat, has been built [BBC]

Cheltenham racecourse is set to reopen after a major revamp to improve the track's drainage.

Three fixtures, scheduled to take place in April and May, were cancelled for improvement works to take place following a wet winter which caused issues on the tracks.

The upgrade of the 600 metres (1,968 ft) drain started in April, as well as the redevelopment of some bars and undercover spaces.

Jon Pullin, clerk of the course, said the track "is looking in good shape despite the challenging summer" and was set to reopen on Friday.

"We worked closely with specialists throughout the project to make the right decisions for the long-term management of the track," said Pullin.

"This has been a significant project and one that we normally wouldn't undertake on this scale during the summer break. However, it has given us the opportunity to upgrade the drainage system ready for a new season."

Guy Lavender, chief executive of the racecourse, previously said that the investment follows a wet winter causing issues on the track.

He also said upgrades had taken place to improve the experiences of racegoers ahead of the November meet.

"We've refurbished the bars and put a lot of investment into the facilities and the grandstand to make sure not only they look better, but that it's easier for people to get a drink and find undercover spaces," he said.

"It's an incredible place and we're really proud of it."

Lavender added that the best part of the work being finished is "having people back here".

"We've got a lot of work to do to invest in it over the years, but having everyone back in and seeing the horses come into the stables the night before is really exciting," he added.

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More on this story

• Cheltenham cancels final three racing fixtures
• Racecourse fixtures moved after winter flooding
• Racecourse 'struggling' due to weather conditions

It's time to take a look at the standout performers from the past week of the volleyball season.

We'd like you to choose the lohud Volleyball Player of the Week, presented by White Plains Hospital. Finalists and their credentials are listed below. The poll will remain open until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. The winner will be announced Wednesday on lohud sports social media.

Nominees are based on play from Oct. 12-18.

Past winners: Michaela Lopane, Harrison; Xavia Barchella, Harrison; Morgan Jimenez, Nanuet; Makayla Glenn, Putnam Valley; Caelyn Faison, Lakeland; Nina Fasce, Yorktown.

Let's meet the candidates.

Khloe Kisthart, Somers

The sophomore setter had 71 assists, 29 digs, six kills and three aces over the last week.

Gabriella Pauletti, Blind Brook

The sophomore setter had 42 assists, nine aces, three blocks and four kills

Paige Swift, Irvington

The senior setter had 31 assists, 21 digs, nine kills and an ace over two matches in the last week.

Phil Strum is local sports editor for The Journal News/lohud. Debbie Schechter covers volleyball for The Journal News/lohud.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Vote for lohud Volleyball Player of the Week, presented by White Plains Hospital