Hands off our junior talent, Rugby Australia tells French clubs
MELBOURNE :Rugby Australia (RA) has warned French clubs to stop poaching young talent from the country and said it will take up the matter with the game's global governing body.
France Sport News
Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt hit in face by liner in Mets-Twins - ESPN
MINNEAPOLIS — Veteran umpire Hunter Wendelstedt went to a hospital for further examination on Wednesday after he was struck in the face behind first base by a line drive foul ball.
Arsenal defeat Real Madrid to reach Champions League semis
MADRID: Arsenal staved off Champions League holders Real Madrid’s superstars and rich history of unlikely comebacks to snatch a 2-1 victory on Wednesday and reach the semifinals with a superb 5-1 aggregate triumph. The Gunners’ 3-0 quarter-final first leg triumph last week gave them a vital cushion in the Spanish capital as they made the final four for the first time since 2009, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain. Bukayo Saka, who missed a first-half penalty, sent Arsenal ahead and although Vinicius Junior levelled the 15-time winners were never close to making up the deficit. Gabriel Martinelli rubbed salt in their wounds with a stoppage-time winner for Arsenal, who have never lifted the Champions League trophy. Los Blancos, far more brittle than when they won a Champions League and La Liga double last season, were convinced they could turn the game around but created too little against Arsenal’s tight defense. The Premier League side held their nerve to reach the semifinals for only the third time in their history. Kylian Mbappe chested home in the opening stages but was clearly offside, with the forward gesturing to the crowd to turn up the volume to create the fabled aura which helps Madrid pull off near-impossible feats at the Santiago Bernabeu. David Alaba was booked for hacking down Saka as Madrid tried to add the grit they badly lacked in their first leg demolition in London, and the Arsenal winger also had a drive fielded well by Thibaut Courtois. Arsenal were awarded a penalty seemingly out of the blue when the VAR booth instructed French referee Francois Letexier to review an incident from an earlier corner. Raul Asencio pulled back Arsenal forward Mikel Merino in the area and Letexier pointed to the
Onana to return in goal for Man Utd against Lyon: Amorim
LONDON: Andre Onana will start in goal for Manchester United in their season-defining Europa League match against Lyon on Thursday, manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed. The Cameroon international made two costly errors in last week’s 2-2 draw in France in the first leg of their quarter-final and was dropped for Sunday’s 4-1 defeat against Newcastle. Back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir played at St. James’ Park but Onana will be back in goal at Old Trafford. “Onana, he will play tomorrow,” Amorim said at his pre-match press conference. The Portuguese coach said: “As a coach and former player first of all I try to do things that can help a player in this situation. “We speak about managing players physically but we also have to manage them also mentally. “We had one weekend where I felt it was better for Andre Onana not to play and a good thing for Altay (Bayindir) to play.” The United boss also confirmed that forward Joshua Zirkzee will miss the rest of the season. The Netherlands international, 23, limped off in the second half of Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle after suffering a hamstring injury. “Joshua is out for the season,” he said.
Gabon forward dies following fall from 11th floor of building - ESPN
Gabon forward Aaron Boupendza died following a fall from the 11th floor of a building in China, the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) said on Wednesday. He was 28.
Gabon striker Boupendza dies after 11th floor fall
LIVERVILLE: Gabon international striker Aaron Boupendza died on Wednesday at the age of 28 when he fell from the 11th floor of a building in China, according to the national football federation (Fegafoot). “The Gabonese international died following a fall from the 11th floor of his building in China where he was playing for Zhejiang FC,” the federation said in a statement on X. “Aged 28, Boupendza leaves us with the memory of a great striker who left his mark on the CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) in Cameroon.”
Andreescu returns to WTA Tour from long absence, loses in 3rd-set tiebreaker
Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu fell just short in her return to WTA Tour action after falling 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (2) to Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands on Wednesday in first-round action at the Open de Rouen in France.
Andre Onana will play – Ruben Amorim brings goalkeeper back as Man Utd face Lyon
Ruben Amorim has confirmed Andre Onana will get the chance to make amends for last week’s mistakes as the Manchester United goalkeeper returns to the starting line-up for Thursday’s key Europa League quarter-final against Lyon.