Belgian beats Kyren Wilson 6-4 and meets Zhao Xintong in finalBrecel was stuck in toilet before fourth-round win on ThursdayLuca Brecel booked his place in the final of the UK Championship before revealing he had almost missed his fourth-round clash wi…
Ashes squads 2021-22: in pictures
We profile the Australia and England players who will do battle across five Tests in the Ashes series Continue reading…
Carlsen draws first blood against Nepomniachtchi in world title battle
Carlsen edges longest game in world championship historyBoth players miss chances in 136-move game-six epicMagnus Carlsen fought back from the brink of disaster to draw first blood against Ian Nepomniachtchi in the sixth game of their world championshi…
‘Trying to hide heartache merely leads to more grief’: Geoff Hurst at 80 on highs, lows and the boys of ‘66
England’s World Cup final hero endured family tragedy, unemployment and rejection after he retired. But football’s renaissance reminded everyone of the scale of his achievement“Life is such a lottery,” Sir Geoff Hurst says as his face creases with emot…
Leeds chief executive likens call for transfer levy and regulator to Maoism
Angus Kinnear compares part of review to Great Chinese FamineHe sees ‘much to applaud’ but criticises two ‘flawed’ proposalsThe Leeds chief executive, Angus Kinnear, has compared calls for an independent regulator in English football and a transfer lev…
Jack Leach says joke may be on Australia after wet buildup to Ashes | Ali Martin
The torrential rain in Queensland in the runup could result in two ring-rusty teams facing off in first Test at the GabbaIt wouldn’t be an Ashes tour without England players getting chirped by the locals but the latest example left Jack Leach wondering…
Lethal, humble, wise: the making of England record-breaker Ellen White | Suzanne Wrack
Striker has become England Women’s all-time leading scorer after adjusting her game and learning to be one step ahead“I’d have said: ‘You’re having a laugh,’” said Ellen White, when asked whether she could have imagined, as a schoolgirl, becoming Engla…
Wild two-year twists of fate for football clubs in the third tier | The Knowledge
Plus: another brace in braces, more emergency keepers to the rescue, and booting the ball on to major A roadsMail us your questions or tweet @TheKnowledge_GU“Has there ever been an instance of two teams meeting in the English third tier, with one going…
We needed Vaughan to talk about racism years ago, not when he is in the crosshairs | Jonathan Liew
Every day of silence on Azeem Rafiq’s experience was a missed chance to tackle a problem that has blighted English cricketOn Saturday morning the BBC broadcast an interview with the former England captain Michael Vaughan about accusations of racism, th…
Alexia Putellas and Lionel Messi named 2021 Ballon d’Or winners
Barcelona playmaker claims award after a stunning seasonMessi wins his seventh title, edging out Robert LewandowskiAlexia Putellas and Lionel Messi have been crowned winners of the 2021 Ballon d’Or during a glittering ceremony in Paris.Putellas, who wa…