Top Sports News

Sep 29, 2026 - Sports

After the Premier League published the ‘core decision’ of its independent commission, we pick out the main elementsThe independent commission’s “core decision” is a 40-page document which appears to confirm the worst interpretation of Manchester City’s behaviour. Central to the finding that the club were guilty of all charges of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules is the conclusion that City’s lucrative sponsorship arrangements were “shams”. Continue reading...

Sep 29, 2026 - Sports

Anybody can lose to Spain. But when England did so at Wembley on Saturday, it served to turn up the temperature for this trip to Czechia. England have form for finding it difficult at this compact stadium. Remember the European Championship qualifier here in 2019 when they lost 2-1?It was not easy at first. Thomas Tuchel shuffled his pack, making the surprise decision to start Jude Bellingham among the substitutes. It was all a little angsty and Czechia, for whom this is the dawn of a new era under the Spaniard Santi Denia after their World Cup wipeout, dared to dream of another upset. Continue reading...

Sep 29, 2026 - Sports

Switzerland cruised to victory after Jack Hendry’s early red card while Lamine Yamal starred for the world championsIt takes the golden boy just seconds. Spain work it from left to right, the ball finding Lamine Yamal by the edge of the area, and he drifts in from the wing to sweep home with a first-time finish.Spain are back at home for the first time since winning the World Cup for the second time. Ivan Perisic, still going at 37, is the Croatian skipper, while Unai Simón has the armband for Spain in Seville. Let’s play. Continue reading...

Sep 29, 2026 - Sports

Switzerland have responded exceptionally well after allegations of capers involving vaccination certificates that threatened to overshadow this international window. Make that six points out of six for Murat Yakin’s stylish team. Switzerland look comfortably capable of breezing out of Group B1 in the Nations League. They have not even played at home yet. Granit who?Sébastien Pocognoli, conversely, has been left to ponder one step forward and umpteen back. Scotland’s second half in Slovenia at the weekend provided hope to the new manager and a supporter base who want to enter a brave new world. Age old, troublesome flaws remain. Continue reading...

Sep 29, 2026 - Sports

The excellent Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane gave England a comfortable win against 10-man CzechiaJames Trafford looks genuinely affronted. The Leeds goalkeeper’s reaction borders on incredulity. Was it a season of frustration for him at Manchester City last time out, he is asked? A wasted year? “I won two trophies,” he says very simply and very firmly.Defiance is the stock in trade of a goalkeeper and Trafford has a nice line in it, on and off the pitch. Thrust into the England lineup against Spain at Wembley on Saturday for only his third cap, he performed well, particularly during the opening 35 minutes when the world champions threatened to run riot. Trafford made two excellent saves that kept England in contention, laying the groundwork for their surge into a 2-1 half-time lead. They ended up losing 3-2 in the Nations League opener after Harry Kane missed a 54th-minute penalty for 3-1. Continue reading...