Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Brazil midfielder Paqueta set for Flamengo move ahead of World Cup after asking to leave West Ham

    Brazil midfielder Paqueta set for Flamengo move ahead of World Cup after asking to leave West Ham

    In a significant transfer development, West Ham United has officially permitted Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta to proceed with medical assessments and negotiate personal terms with Brazilian club Flamengo. This move signals the imminent conclusion of the midfielder’s challenging tenure in the English Premier League.

    The transfer, valued at a reported £35 million (approximately $48 million), follows Paqueta’s formal transfer request. West Ham had initially sought to retain the 28-year-old player until the season’s conclusion to bolster their campaign to avoid relegation from England’s top football division.

    Paqueta’s time at the London club was notably overshadowed by an extensive Football Association investigation into potential gambling regulation violations. The protracted inquiry, which concluded only in July 2025 with Paqueta cleared of all misconduct charges, spanned two years and reportedly inflicted considerable psychological distress on the player.

    In an official club statement, West Ham acknowledged the player’s personal circumstances: “Lucas has articulated that, due to personal and family considerations, he desires to return to his native Brazil and initiate a new chapter following his recent exoneration. Despite implementing comprehensive measures to encourage him to remain with our squad, he maintained his firm position regarding departure. Consequently, both the head coach and club management have acquiesced to his transfer appeal, albeit with reluctance.”

  • Seifert leads New Zealand past India for T20 win despite Dube’s 65 off 23

    Seifert leads New Zealand past India for T20 win despite Dube’s 65 off 23

    In a dramatic reversal of fortunes, New Zealand clinched a decisive 50-run victory against India in the fourth T20 international held in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, despite an explosive batting performance by Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube.

    The Black Caps posted an imposing total of 215-7 from their allotted 20 overs, propelled by a formidable 100-run opening partnership between Devon Conway (44 off 23 balls) and Tim Seifert, who dominated with 62 runs from just 36 deliveries featuring three sixes and seven boundaries. Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 39 from 18 balls provided crucial late momentum, particularly during a 19-run assault in Jasprit Bumrah’s penultimate over.

    India’s response began disastrously as they lost Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck. The situation deteriorated rapidly with Suryakumar Yadav departing for 8 and Sanju Samson (24) falling to Mitchell Santner’s spin attack. At 82-5 in the 11th over, the match seemed beyond reach until Shivam Dube unleashed a breathtaking counterattack.

    Dube electrified the stadium with a spectacular 65-run blitz from merely 23 balls, achieving his half-century in just 15 deliveries—the fastest by an Indian in T20 internationals. His innings included seven massive sixes and three fours, briefly reviving Indian hopes during a 63-run partnership with Harshit Rana. However, Dube’s runout in the 15th over effectively ended India’s resistance, resulting in their dismissal for 165 in 18.4 overs.

    New Zealand’s bowling unit delivered a coordinated performance with captain Mitchell Santner claiming 3-26, supported by Jacob Duffy (2-33) and Ish Sodhi (2-46). Despite this defeat, India maintains an unassailable 3-1 series lead heading into the final match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.

  • England’s Root says no malice in Brook’s ‘Stone Cold’ century celebration

    England’s Root says no malice in Brook’s ‘Stone Cold’ century celebration

    England cricket captain Harry Brook has ignited both celebration and conversation with an unorthodox tribute following his spectacular century against Sri Lanka. After blasting 136 runs from a mere 66 deliveries in Tuesday’s One-Day International, Brook marked the achievement by emulating WWE legend ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s iconic gesture—forcefully smashing his batting gloves together in the ring-inspired celebration.

    The performance proved instrumental in England’s series-clinching victory, with Brook forging a dominant 191-run partnership with veteran batsman Joe Root (111 not out) to propel the team to 357-3, securing a 53-run win and a 2-1 series outcome.

    While the celebration was intended as lighthearted locker room humor, it arrives against a backdrop of Brook’s ongoing efforts to rebuild team trust. The newly appointed captain had previously apologized for a 2025 altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand, publicly acknowledging his fortune in retaining leadership duties.

    Teammate Joe Root immediately came to Brook’s defense, contextualizing the celebration as devoid of malicious intent. ‘That’s his way of trying to show that he wants approval from the group through humour,’ Root stated. He further emphasized that this blend of competitive intensity and relatable camaraderie demonstrates Brook’s emerging leadership qualities, highlighting his ‘calmness and clarity under pressure’ alongside his capacity for humor.

    Brook confirmed the tribute was simply about ‘celebrating tonight with the boys,’ aligning with his stated approach to leadership through performance and leading from the front. The team now shifts focus to a three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka before commencing their T20 World Cup campaign next month.

  • Head coach Golemac hails Dubai Basketball’s resilience

    Head coach Golemac hails Dubai Basketball’s resilience

    Dubai Basketball has solidified its dominant position in the ABA League with an impressive 98-82 victory over FMP at Coca-Cola Arena, maintaining their status as the league’s only undefeated team. The Monday night showdown showcased the UAE-based team’s exceptional form, pushing their remarkable record to 14-0 in their second season competing in the regional basketball championship.

    Head Coach Jurica Golemac praised his squad’s resilience and defensive prowess following the convincing win. “This was a serious performance and a well-deserved victory,” Golemac stated. “Defensively, especially in the second half, we demonstrated the competitive standard we aim to maintain, while our team spirit continues to strengthen with each game.”

    The match marked a triumphant return for Džanan Musa, one of Dubai Basketball’s most significant acquisitions, who had been sidelined with injuries for much of the season. The Bosnian shooting guard delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 21 points in just over 21 minutes of play. Supporting contributions came from Aleksa Avramović, who added 13 points, 6 assists, and three rebounds while effectively controlling the game’s tempo during crucial phases.

    Dubai’s frontcourt demonstrated consistent efficiency with Mfiondu Kabengele contributing 16 points and Kenan Kamenjaš finishing with 13 points and seven rebounds. The team’s balanced scoring distribution prevented any prolonged offensive droughts throughout the contest.

    Despite Filip Barna’s strong performance of 21 points and six rebounds for FMP, supplemented by scoring efforts from Scott, Stefanović, Stanojević, and Gašić, the visitors couldn’t match Dubai’s overall efficiency and strategic execution during key moments in the second and fourth quarters.

    The victory sets the stage for Dubai Basketball’s upcoming challenging encounter against Red Star at Belgrade Arena for EuroLeague Round 25. Reflecting on the team’s continued success, Golemac emphasized the long-term perspective: “The season extends over many months, and we’ve faced various challenges, but the collective character of this group is evident—we maintain positivity, continue developing, and concentrate on each game as it comes.”

  • Assefa targets repeat of record-breaking London win

    Assefa targets repeat of record-breaking London win

    The upcoming London Marathon on April 26th promises an unprecedented clash of athletic excellence as four of the six fastest female marathon runners in history prepare for a historic confrontation. Reigning champion Tigst Assefa leads the stellar lineup, determined to replicate her record-shattering 2025 performance where she established a women-only world record of 2:15:50.

    This year’s competition intensifies as Assefa faces her most formidable adversaries: Olympic gold medalist Sifan Hassan and world champion Peres Jepchirchir. The Ethiopian athlete enters the race with unfinished business, having suffered dramatic sprint-finish defeats against both competitors in recent global championships. Their rivalry has produced some of the most memorable moments in modern marathon history.

    “My victory in last year’s London Marathon, coupled with setting the women-only world record, stands among the most significant achievements of my professional journey,” Assefa stated. “To accomplish this again, I must outperform exceptional champions like Peres and Sifan. They have consistently proven to be challenging opponents, and our encounters have created spectacular racing narratives. I aspire to emerge victorious this time.”

    The women-only world record distinction applies to races conducted without male pacemakers or competitors. Assefa previously held the outright women’s world record after her spectacular 2:11:53 performance in Berlin during 2023. She currently ranks as the second-fastest female marathoner historically, though this status comes with complexity.

    Ruth Chepngetich, who recorded the fastest women’s marathon time of 2:09:56 in Chicago 2024, received a three-year competitive ban after admitting to anti-doping violations following a positive test in March 2025. Notably, Chepngetich’s achievements preceding that sample remain officially recognized.

    The competitive landscape has transformed dramatically since Paula Radcliffe’s longstanding record of 2:15:25 stood unchallenged until 2019. In the subsequent seven years, eight women have surpassed this benchmark, including Dutch sensation Hassan (2:13:44) and Kenyan standouts Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:14:00) and Jepchirchir (2:14:43), all competing in this edition.

    Further enhancing the event’s appeal, Uruguay’s Julia Paternain joins the elite field. Raised in the United Kingdom, Paternain gained international attention for her astonished reaction to capturing an unexpected bronze medal at last year’s world championships.

    The women’s elite announcement follows earlier revelations regarding British contenders, including Emile Cairess and Eilish McColgan. Meanwhile, the wheelchair competitions feature another historic narrative as Britain’s David Weir attempts to prevent Swiss legend Marcel Hug from matching his record eight London Marathon victories.

  • Australian Open: ‘Extremely lucky’ Djokovic into semifinals as Musetti retires

    Australian Open: ‘Extremely lucky’ Djokovic into semifinals as Musetti retires

    In a dramatic turn of events at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic secured an unexpected passage to the semifinals following opponent Lorenzo Musetti’s mid-match retirement due to injury. The Serbian tennis legend found himself trailing significantly, having dropped the initial two sets 6-4, 6-3, before the Italian fifth seed was compelled to withdraw during the third set.

    The match witnessed a stark contrast in performance, with Djokovic uncharacteristically accumulating 32 unforced errors throughout the contest. Musetti demonstrated superior court coverage and shot selection, consistently pressuring the defending champion with precise groundstrokes and tactical brilliance. The Italian established dominance early, breaking Djokovic’s serve multiple times while maintaining his own service games with composure.

    However, the momentum shifted abruptly when Musetti required medical attention for an upper right leg injury while trailing 1-2 in the third set. Despite attempting to continue, his mobility became severely compromised, ultimately forcing his retirement at 1-3 down in the set.

    Djokovic, who described himself as ‘extremely lucky’ during post-match comments, acknowledged Musetti’s superior performance: ‘I feel really sorry for him—he was the far better player today. I was on my way home tonight. He should have been the winner, no doubt.’

    The victory carries historical significance, marking Djokovic’s 103rd singles win at Melbourne Park, surpassing Roger Federer’s previous record. It also represents his 54th Grand Slam semifinal appearance, extending his own existing record. The Serbian now awaits the winner between defending champion Jannik Sinner and American eighth seed Ben Shelton as he continues his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

  • “It’s ‘Operation Don’t Come Last’ at the Olympics”

    “It’s ‘Operation Don’t Come Last’ at the Olympics”

    North Yorkshire athlete Axel Brown is preparing for his second and final Olympic appearance as pilot of the Trinidad and Tobago bobsleigh team at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The 33-year-old from Harrogate, who previously competed for the Caribbean nation at Beijing 2022, will steer the sled at speeds approaching 100mph (160km/h) in what he confirms will be his Olympic swan song.

    Brown’s unconventional journey to winter sports began twelve years ago when, after being released from an American football team just before the Sochi 2014 Olympics, he discovered bobsleigh through television coverage. “You don’t grow up in Harrogate thinking you’re going to be an Olympic bobsleigher,” Brown reflects on his unexpected career path.

    After seven years competing for Great Britain, Brown made the strategic decision in 2021 to represent his mother’s native Trinidad and Tobago. As pilot, his responsibilities extend beyond mere participation. “I steer the sled to ensure we’re efficient, smooth and don’t crash – because that’s a very real part of the sport,” he explains of the technically demanding role.

    The Harrogate athlete acknowledges the psychological dimensions of the sport, noting that even at slower courses reaching 70mph (113km/h), bobsleigh requires “a healthy level of fear.” He maintains that complacency could be dangerous, stating: “If there’s a day when I was completely not scared of bobsleigh, that’s probably the day to walk away.”

    Brown’s previous Olympic performance saw him finish 28th out of 30 teams in the two-man event at Beijing 2022, ahead of Jamaica and Brazil. However, he considers qualification for Milano Cortina 2026 his true “gold medal” moment, achieved under significantly more challenging circumstances. With reduced nation spots and requiring top-17 global ranking, Brown describes the qualification process as “right at the limit of what was possible.”

    For his final Games, Brown embraces modest ambitions under the banner “Operation Don’t Come Last,” while anticipating the emotional significance of competing with family present after COVID restrictions prevented their attendance in Beijing. Beyond his athletic career, the self-described non-thrill-seeker plans to convert a barn for residential purposes with his partner, embracing a quieter life after retirement from breakneck speeds.

  • Malaysia football officials quit over foreign-born players scandal

    Malaysia football officials quit over foreign-born players scandal

    The entire executive committee of Malaysia’s Football Association (FAM) has collectively resigned amidst an escalating international scandal involving allegedly falsified citizenship documents for seven foreign-born national team players. The unprecedented mass resignation follows FIFA’s investigation into player eligibility violations that has rocked Malaysian football.

    FIFA, world football’s governing body, initiated proceedings after Malaysia’s 4-0 victory against Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier last June. The investigation centered on seven athletes of diverse origins: Spanish-born Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, and Jon Irazabal Iraurgui; Argentinian-born Rodrigo Julian Holgado and Imanol Javier Machuca; Netherlands-born Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano; and Brazilian-born Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo.

    The controversy involves FIFA’s ‘grandfather rule,’ which permits foreign-born players to represent nations where their biological parents or grandparents originated. According to FIFA investigators, FAM allegedly fabricated birth certificates to falsely indicate the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysian cities including Penang and Malacca, when original documentation showed their grandparents’ birthplaces corresponded with the players’ own countries of origin.

    FIFA’s disciplinary committee imposed 12-month playing suspensions and fines against the seven athletes while ordering FAM to pay 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately $440,000). The global body additionally overturned three of Malaysia’s previous match results—against Singapore, Palestine, and Cape Verde—awarding 3-0 defeats instead.

    FAM maintained the discrepancies resulted from an ‘administrative error’ and asserted the players’ citizenship legitimacy. After FIFA rejected their appeal, the association escalated the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In a significant interim development, CAS lifted the players’ suspensions this week pending its final verdict expected in late February.

    The mass committee resignation aims to ‘safeguard FAM’s reputation and institutional interests’ while enabling necessary reforms ‘without distraction or perceived conflicts.’ Current operations will be managed by a reduced team led by FAM’s secretary-general with support from the Asian Football Confederation.

    This scandal highlights broader regional trends where Southeast Asian nations increasingly naturalize foreign athletes to enhance competitive performance. Indonesia has incorporated Dutch-born players of Indonesian descent, while Malaysia granted citizenship to 23 foreign athletes since 2018 specifically for national team representation.

  • Djokovic gets lucky to join Pegula, Rybakina in Melbourne semi-finals

    Djokovic gets lucky to join Pegula, Rybakina in Melbourne semi-finals

    Melbourne witnessed a day of dramatic developments at the Australian Open quarterfinals where fortune favored the experienced while emerging stars demonstrated championship form. Novak Djokovic’s path to the semifinals took an unexpected turn when his opponent, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, retired due to injury while leading 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 on Rod Laver Arena.

    The Serbian champion, pursuing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, acknowledged his extraordinary luck in advancing without completing the match. ‘I feel really sorry for him—he was the far better player,’ Djokovic confessed. ‘I was on my way home tonight. He should have been the winner today, no doubt. I am extremely lucky to get through this one.’

    Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, commanding performances defined the day. Jessica Pegula delivered a masterclass against compatriot Amanda Anisimova, securing a 6-2, 7-6(7/1) victory in an all-American encounter. The sixth seed has yet to drop a set throughout the tournament, demonstrating remarkable consistency as she pursues her first major title at age 31.

    Elena Rybakina produced the day’s most impressive upset, dismantling world number two Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1. The 2022 Wimbledon champion displayed composed dominance against the Polish star, who was seeking to complete her career Grand Slam. Rybakina attributed her success to evolved mental fortitude: ‘Now I feel like I’m just doing my job, trying to improve each day. So it’s kind of another day, another match.’

    The tournament now sets compelling semifinal matchups. Djokovic awaits the winner between Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton, while Pegula and Rybakina prepare for their seventh career meeting, currently tied at three victories each. In the other women’s semifinal, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will face Ukrainian twelfth seed Elina Svitolina.

  • ‘Animals in a zoo’: Players back Gauff call for more privacy

    ‘Animals in a zoo’: Players back Gauff call for more privacy

    A coalition of elite tennis professionals has united in support of Coco Gauff’s appeal for enhanced privacy protections during major tournaments, with World No. 2 Iga Swiatek delivering a particularly vivid critique comparing the current surveillance environment to being treated like “animals in a zoo.”

    The movement gained momentum following Gauff’s quarter-final elimination at the Australian Open, where broadcast cameras captured the American player’s private emotional moment after her defeat. The third-seeded athlete had deliberately sought solitude in a secluded stadium area to process her frustration away from public view, only to discover the moment had been televised.

    “I specifically attempted to locate a space where my reaction wouldn’t be broadcast,” Gauff explained. “The fact that this was still captured suggests we need to have serious conversations about privacy boundaries. Currently, the locker room stands as our only truly private sanctuary.”

    Swiatek, who also exited in the quarter-finals, expanded on the metaphor while acknowledging its deliberate exaggeration: “The fundamental question is whether we’re professional athletes or zoo specimens under constant observation, even during our most private moments. While competition viewing is expected, the perpetual monitoring extends beyond reasonable boundaries.”

    The Polish star spoke from recent experience, having herself become unintended social media content when footage circulated of her being denied arena access for forgetting her accreditation. “Our profession involves being watched during matches and press conferences,” Swiatek noted. “Becoming meme material for accidental moments outside that scope feels unnecessary and invasive.”

    Sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula, who advanced to the semi-finals, endorsed her colleagues’ concerns regarding the omnipresent broadcasting apparatus. “Coco’s assessment about locker rooms being our only refuge is unfortunately accurate,” Pegula stated. “The sensation of perpetual surveillance while simply navigating your daily routine creates an uncomfortable environment. I’ve witnessed viewers zooming in on players’ personal devices online—such intrusions cross clear ethical lines.”

    While American player Amanda Anisimova expressed greater personal tolerance for the scrutiny, she acknowledged the problematic nature of broadcasting private distress: “There’s certainly enjoyment in sharing positive moments publicly. However, disseminating footage of athletes during vulnerable periods without consent presents genuine ethical concerns. Coco had no agency in that decision, which makes it particularly difficult.”