The drama and trauma of a batting collapse
England’s dramatic loss to India at the Oval by six runs, when well set for victory on Aug. 4, prompted thoughts about where that failure sits in the pantheon of batting collapses.
Aryna Sabalenka Sport News
McLaren to auction 2026 F1 car before it has been raced
LONDON: Champions McLaren claimed a first on Thursday by announcing the auction of one of their 2026 Formula One cars before it has even been raced. The F1 car, which will be driven by Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris, is one of a trio of future chassis offered by McLaren in the December 5 sale organized by RM Sotheby’s ahead of this year’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The other two are a 2026 Arrow McLaren Indycar, to be raced at the Indianapolis 500 next May by Mexican Pato O’Ward, and McLaren’s inaugural 2027 World Endurance Hypercar that will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. McLaren Chief Executive Zak Brown said the auction would be the first time a future Formula One car had been sold before it had been unveiled to the public. The as-yet unnamed 2026 car, likely to be the MCL40 after this year’s MCL39, will be the team’s first for a new era in Formula One with a big change in technical and engine regulations. The successful bidder will have to wait until 2028 to take delivery, with a 2025 show car offered on lease until then to the buyer who will also have behind the scenes access to the team and events. The other cars will be delivered after the respective series have ended. McLaren are the only team to have won the ‘Triple Crown’ of the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans and will try to add to their success when they return to endurance racing in 2027.
Tottenham condemns racist abuse of Mathys Tel after UEFA Super Cup
LONDON: Tottenham has slammed the “cowards” who racially abused French forward Mathys Tel after the team’s loss to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout in the UEFA Super Cup. The 20-year-old Tel, who is Black, was one of two Tottenham players who failed to convert their penalties as they lost the shootout 4-3 to PSG after a 2-2 draw. “We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night’s UEFA Super Cup defeat,” Tottenham said in a statement. “Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards — hiding behind anonymous user names and profiles to spout their abhorrent views.” Tottenham said the club will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take “the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify.” “We stand with you, Mathys,” Spurs added. Tel, who joined the team on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich in the offseason after a loan spell last season, came on as a substitute in the 79th minute when Tottenham was 2-0 ahead. He hit his penalty wide of the goal in the shootout.
UEFA pays tribute to slain Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid
DUBAI: UEFA unfurled a banner with the message “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians” on the pitch on Wednesday ahead of the UEFA Super Cup showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur in Udine, Italy.
UAE jiu-jitsu athletes claim three medals at World Games Chengdu 2025
CHENGDU: Three UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team athletes have succeeded in winning medals on the second day of the World Games Chengdu 2025.
Saudi Arabia’s Lana Nazer wins Outstanding Yoga Teacher award
JEDDAH: Lana Nazer, a pioneer in Saudi Arabia’s wellness movement, has won a major honor at the Asian Yoga Excellence Awards 2025.
FIFA moves ahead with new human rights strategy for World Cup games, but advocates are skeptical
ATLANTA: Human rights scandals have marred World Cup tournaments for years, but FIFA is testing a new protocol requiring all host committees to develop action plans to protect human rights for the 2026 games in North America. With the games less than a year away, though, FIFA’s commitment to upholding human rights is still under scrutiny. Human rights advocates who wanted more enforceable standards and clearer directions for local officials say FIFA watered down a more robust model for the plans. “Even though where we landed is very different than what we had consulted them on, the existence of the framework is in many ways unprecedented.
Week 5 of 2025 Esports World Cup concludes with three more champions crowned
RIYADH: With five weeks now in the bag, the 2025 Esports World Cup is approaching the finish line with just two weeks to go.