The merchandise stalls were doing a roaring trade before kick-off as flags and scarves emblazoned with Guardiola’s face were bought by those attending the end of this incredible era.

The arrival of the City team bus was greeted by hundreds of supporters lining up alongside the barriers in front of the Colin Bell Stand entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Guardiola entering the stadium for one last time as their manager.

His tenure has delivered the Premier League title six times, as well as the holy grail of a Champions League plus three FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.

City have never previously seen success like it. Very, very few have. Only the great Manchester United era under Sir Alex Ferguson and Bob Paisley’s Liverpool in the 1970s and ’80s have enjoyed such trophy laden years.

A huge banner was unfurled in the East Stand as the players emerged onto the pitch before kick-off that read ’10 years with Pep – Game changer, history maker, City forever’.

Villa boss Unai Emery, who called Guardiola football’s “only genius” in the build-up to the game, presented his fellow Spaniard with a memento before the match began.

Guardiola barely flinched when his penultimate signing Antoine Semenyo volleyed home the opening goal, instead remaining in his seat and seemingly taking it all in.

To the left, his name will be immortalised at Etihad Stadium forever, with the newly expanded north end renamed the ‘Pep Guardiola Stand’ in his honour.

Guardiola said on Friday he was incredibly proud his father’s name will be adorned inside the stadium forever and 95-year-old Valenti was there for his son’s final game in charge.

His voice cracked during his farewell speech on the pitch, as supporters serenaded him with chants of “We’ve got Guardiola” one last time. He made one final lap of honour and exited down the tunnel.

“Many memories – forget the titles, it’s the memories. All of us,” said Guardiola. “All the people here are extraordinary.

“Life is made of periods, we lived an incredible period. If I had energy I would stay here. A new person has to do this job.

“Our time was good. Thank you to all the people, the new stand is beautiful.”

Emery, whose side finished fourth thanks to Ollie Watkins’ two goals defeating City, added: “A huge honour for me to compete with Pep Guardiola. He is the best. I built my career a lot of time competing against him, especially in Spain.

“The level he has – he is the best coach in the world.”

Congo is dealing with an outbreak of Ebola, and executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup Andrew Giuliani said the Congolese national soccer team must isolate if they want to enter the United States for the global tournament.

The U.S. has told FIFA, the Congolese government and national soccer team, that they must isolate for 21 days in order to enter the country for the World Cup. The team is currently training in Belgium and is scheduled to play two warmup games there.

“We’ve been very clear to Congo that they should maintain the integrity of their bubble for 21 days before they can then come to Houston on June 11,” Giuliani told ESPN. “We’ve made it very clear to the Congo government as well that they need to maintain that bubble or they risk not being able to travel to the United States. We cannot be any clearer.”

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“We want to make sure that there is nothing that’s going to come in or near our borders here on this,” he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been monitoring two American doctors who were in quarantine in Europe after being exposed to Ebola, Giuliani said. He said they have discussed sending staff to Belgium to check on the Congo team.

In Congo last week, they had a confirmed outbreak of Bundibugyo, a rare type of Ebola. It is thought to have killed more than 130 people, with nearly 600 suspected cases.

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“If there are other people that are going to be coming in, they need to have a separate bubble from that team. If they end up coming, and any of those people end up symptomatic, they are risking the entire team being able to come and compete in this World Cup,” Giuliani said.

The CDC announced this week that all foreign nationals who had been in Congo, Uganda and South Sudan within the past three weeks would be banned from entry into the United States for 30 days.

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The Congo canceled a planned farewell by the team to fans and a three-day World Cup preparation training camp on Wednesday.

Congo is in Group K and is scheduled to play Portugal in their opening game in Houston on June 17. Their next two games are against Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 23, and Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.

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Usyk is one of the sport’s most decorated fighters, an Olympic gold medallist who has unified both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions across 24 unbeaten fights.

On paper, a rise on the scales may prompt questions about why he is operating outside his most effective weight, particularly against a boxing novice.

Fury’s conditioning in his 2023 bout with Francis Ngannou, when he was dropped and laboured to a narrow points win over the MMA fighter, is often cited as an example of how preparation and focus can come under scrutiny in crossover fights.

In Usyk’s case, however, his approach and discipline have remained consistent throughout his amateur and professional career across weight classes, with the Ukrainian considered one of the sport’s ultimate professionals.

He said at Thursday’s news conference that when a stoppage opportunity presents itself, he will take it.

The increase on the scales could therefore suggest he is looking to carry more power into the contest and planning a quick victory.

William Davis, the football player for the Sam Houston State Bearkats who transferred to the school after playing one year with the West Virginia Mountaineers, reportedly died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said it’s unclear whether it’s a homicide, and that the manner of Davis’ death is pending, according to TMZ.

Sam Houston State head coach Phil Longo released a statement on Sunday confirming the 22-year-old’s death.

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“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Will Davis,” Longo said in a statement. “Will was a beloved member of our Bearkat football family here at Sam Houston who touched the lives of everyone he knew.

“Will was an upbeat, positive, passionate young man who will be sincerely missed. Tanya, the kids and I are praying for Will’s family during this difficult time.”

Davis began his college career at Virginia Union, playing 19 games and recording five interceptions and one touchdown. Following the 2024 season, he transferred to West Virginia and played in one game for them.

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Davis graduated from West Virginia with a master of science in sports management in 2025. He was set to compete for a roster spot at Sam Houston State, and said the campus felt like home.

“Sam Houston felt like home from the moment I first set foot on campus,” he said, via Nilson Sports. “As a Virginia kid that had played every snap of football in my life within driving distance of home, it was important to me that I’d play somewhere where I fit seamlessly into the culture if I was going to be so distant geographically.”

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“The ability to play for Coach Dovonte Edwards, someone with experience playing in the NFL that can show me the blueprint of what it looks like to become the type of player who can achieve success at the highest level, was a motivating factor for me as well.”

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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Spanish cyclist Jaume Guardeno has been transferred to a clinic specialising in serious neurological injuries following a crash with a vehicle in March.

Guardeno, who finished 14th overall in last year’s Vuelta a Espana, was injured in a training ride on 31 March which left him in critical condition.

Spanish media reported that the 23-year-old suffered a head injury after losing control of his bicycle when he hit a rock, which led to him colliding with a car.

Guardeno was taken to the intensive car unit (ICU) at the Tauli Hospital in Sabadell following the crash but has now been moved to a clinic in Barcelona which specialises in “neurorehabilitation and treatment of serious neurological injuries”.

“We continue to extend our full support and solidarity to Jaume, as well as to his family and friends, accompanying them in this difficult time,” his cycling team Caja Rural-Seguros RGA said in a statement.

“On behalf of the team and the family, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the exceptional care received during the transfer in the Servimedic ambulance, as well as for all the care provided at the Parc Tauli Hospital in Sabadell.

“Special thanks to the HEMS helicopter emergency service; the critical and semi-critical care unit of the ICU, led by Doctors Andrey Rodriguez and Guillem Gruartmoner de Vera; and the entire neurosurgery and maxillofacial team.

“Go Jaume!”

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is seemingly incapable of staying out of trouble during an NFL offseason, because he is in jail for violating his probation that he was sentenced to last offseason for a reckless driving charge from the 2024 offseason.

That is a lot of offseason mess-ups by Rice.

The latest came Tuesday when he was found to have tested positive for marijuana (THC) in violation of the July 2025 plea agreement that put him on five years probation and ordered him to serve 30 days in jail over a five-year span.

Rice was booked into Dallas County, Texas, jail on Tuesday and will serve his 30 days. He is scheduled for release on June 16.

CHIEFS STAR RASHEE RICE WILL PARTICIPATE FULLY IN TRAINING CAMP DESPITE LOOMING SUSPENSION, ANDY REID SAYS

The violation order sends Rice immediately to jail for the 30 days he was originally sentenced to serve within five years during his trial rather than add an extra 30 days. In last year’s trial, Rice also had to pay a total of $115,481.91 in restitution to the crash victims for their out-of-pocket medical expenses.

With Rice in jail for the next 30 days, he will miss the remainder of the Chiefs OTAs (May 26-28 and June 1-3) and their mandatory minicamp on June 9-11.

The violation was first uncovered by Kansas City’s KSHB 41 News and confirmed by OutKick and Fox News.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS’ RASHEE RICE HIT WITH LAWSUIT FROM EX-GIRLFRIEND ALLEGING DOMESTIC ABUSE: REPORT

Neither the NFL nor the Kansas City Chiefs immediately responded to an email seeking comment.

But things could definitely get worse for Rice.

It is possible this violation of his probation agreement could trigger a new investigation under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.

RASHEE RICE SUSPENDED SIX GAMES BY NFL

Rice served a six-game suspension for violating that policy last year in connection to his driving offense and trial.

Rice actually seemed to get off light with that suspension because it was a negotiated deal with the league. The NFL originally wanted Rice’s suspension to span a double-digit number of games, per a source. Rice wanted to miss no more than a month, per a source, and the sides agreed to the deal before hearing officer Sue L. Robinson ruled on the matter.

A new Personal Conduct Policy investigation could lead to Rice missing more games when the 2026 regular season begins.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have an obvious problem on their hands.

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Rice, one of the team’s better receivers with 156 catches his first three NFL seasons, has proven that he cannot be trusted to stay out of trouble. It is possible the club could fine Rice for missing their mandatory minicamp.

Rice last year pleaded guilty to a charge of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury – both third-degree felonies.

Rice was unavailable for comment on Tuesday — because he’s in jail.

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Manchester City are preparing for Pep Guardiola’s exit after Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa.

Sources have told BBC Sport that the managerial great is expected to leave Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.

City maintain Guardiola has a contract for next season and are hopeful he will remain as manager.

However, work towards his anticipated exit is under way at the club, with members of staff of the understanding he will leave.

It is understood members of the squad are also anticipating his departure after the final game of the season againt Villa, while the club have turned their attentions towards how best to mark the tenure of their iconic boss.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who worked under Guardiola at City, is the front-runner to replace the 55-year-old.

Guardiola has led City to 17 major trophies – and 20 in all – including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and five EFL Cups during his 10 years at City.

The club’s greatest boss is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, and could yet still cap his stellar spell at Etihad Stadium with a seventh Premier League title, having already won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup this season.

Cristiano Argento has been tearing up opponents in the ring for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) as he worked his way up the ladder to get a few shots at some gold.

But the path to get to one of the most prestigious pro wrestling companies in the U.S. was long and a path that not many wrestlers have taken.

Argento was born and raised in Osimo, Italy – a town of about 35,000 people located on the east side of the country closer to the Adriatic Sea. He told Fox News Digital he started training in a ring at a boxing gym before he got started on the independent scene in Italy. He wrestled in Germany, Sweden, France and Denmark before he came to the realization that, to become a professional wrestler, he needed to make his way to the United States.

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He first worked his way to Canada to get trained by pro wrestling legend Lance Storm. He moved to Canada, leaving most of his friends and family behind and without a firm grasp on the English language.

“At the time, my English was horrible. I didn’t speak any English at all,” he said. “But I was with my friend, Stefano, he came with me and he translated everything for me. I probably missed 50% of the knowledge that Lance Storm was giving to us because I was unable to understand. I was only given a recap and everything I was able to see. I’m sure if I was doing it now with a proper knowledge of English, it would have been a different scenario.

“Eventually, I moved back to Italy after the training and I said, OK, now, I want to go to the U.S. So, I studied English more properly, and eventually I got my first work visa that was in Texas. I was in Houston for a short period of time. I trained with Booker T at Reality of Wrestling. I got on his show, which was my debut in the U.S. That was awesome. I eventually got a new work visa in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I currently live since 2017. Since then, my wrestling career, thankfully, kept growing, growing, growing and growing until now wrestling for the NWA. One of the bigger promotions in the U.S.”

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Argento said that his family thought he was “nuts” for chasing his pro wrestling dream.

He said they were more concerned about his well-being given that he was half-way around the world without anyone he knew by his side in case something went sideways.

“My family, friends, everybody was like why do you want to move to the opposite side of the world not knowing the language, not knowing anybody, by yourself, to try to become a professional wrestler? And I was like, well, we have one life, I love, and that’s what I’m gonna do,” he told Fox News Digital. “Eventually, my family was really supportive. But when I first said, ‘Hey, mom and dad, I want to do that.’ They looked at me like, ‘Are you nuts? Are you drunk or something? What are you talking about?’ And I said, no that’s what I want to do. And they knew I loved this sport because in Italy I was traveling around Europe, spending time in Canada training, so they started to understand slowly that’s what I want to do with my life. They were proud of me.

“They’re still proud of me. I think more like the fact that you’re gonna try that, that it’s hard than more like you’re gonna leave us. The fact like, oh, my son is gonna go on the opposite side of the world for a six-hour time difference and we’re gonna see him maybe, when, like, I don’t know. Not often. I think it was more that. And for me too, it was really hard. It was heartbreaking not being able to see my family every day or every month. Like once a year if I’m lucky. I think that was the biggest part for them because of concern or that I was here by myself and if I have any issue or any problem, I didn’t have nobody. So they were scared. Like, you get sick, if you have a problem, anything, and they’re not being able to be here next to me. But they were really supportive since day one.”

Argento is living out his dream in the U.S. He suggested that the moniker of the U.S. being the “land of opportunity” wasn’t far from what is preached in movies and literature – it was the real thing.

“I was inspired by people who came to the U.S. and made it big,” Argento told Fox News Digital. “The U.S. was always like the land of opportunity. That’s how they sell it to us and this is what it is. I feel like, in myself, that was true because anything I tried to do so far I was able to reach a lot more than if I wasn’t here. I’m not yet where I’d like to be but I see like there’s so many opportunities in this country. Not just in wrestling but like in any business to reach the goal. I’m really happy of the choices I did here.

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“But my big inspirations were big-time actors who moved to the country, who didn’t know English, with no money, no support system. I had one dream, I have to go right there to make it happen and I’m gonna go and do it and I’m gonna make it happen. So those people were always the biggest inspiration even if it wasn’t in wrestling, just how they handled their passion, how they pursued their dream without being scared of anything, how far you are, how alone by yourself … You don’t know the language, you’re like, let’s go, let’s do it.”

Outside of the NWA, Argento has performed for the International Wrestling Cartel, Enjoy Wrestling and Exodus Pro Wrestling this year.

The NFL considered multiple factors in scheduling its 2026 regular-season kickoff game with the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, and in picking the New England Patriots as the opponent, league executives insist the drama surrounding the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal played no part in their choice.

So, yes, the league would have us believe it did not seriously weigh the sizeable elephant in the room.

“Look, we focused on the football game and the reach of the Super Bowl, and that alone is an incredible story,” NFL Executive Vice President Hans Schroeder said Friday during a league conference call.

CHARGERS TROLL PATRIOTS OVER VRABEL-RUSSINI SCANDAL IN SCHEDULE RELEASE VIDEO

Schroeder made the point that the NFL didn’t consider the enduring drama that has become a shadow over the Patriots this offseason following the publication of photos showing their head coach spending time with the former reporter for The Athletic holding hands and embracing on the roof of a private bungalow at a Sedona, Ariz., resort.

Those photos and others that followed eventually led to Russini resigning from her job, deleting all her social media accounts, Vrabel being asked about it multiple times in press conferences and missing the last day of the April draft in order to spend time with his family in Utah and get “counseling.”

“How do we deliver the best game into the best window?” Schroeder said, outlining the NFL’s thinking on setting a Super Bowl rematch as its kickoff game. “And in this case, it felt like that rematch is going to be the most exciting when you can start it out of the box.

“…We liked the idea of really celebrating the Seahawks, giving them a moment to start this year to celebrate their last year. And so we like the idea of opening on NBC on Wednesday, and really using that as a chance to celebrate the rematch, but celebrate the Seattle specifically.”

This, by the way, falls into line with the hands-off manner the NFL has viewed the entire Vrabel-Russini scandal. The league said early on that Vrabel was not subject to the Personal Conduct Policy as a result of the photos and the rumors they created.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said at the NFL Draft that it was a club matter for the Patriots to handle.

But while the league is declining to get involved in any way (perhaps rightly so) other clubs aren’t looking away and neither are fans.

FANS ROAST PATRIOTS FOR THEIR MOTHER’S DAY SALUTE IN LIGHT OF VRABEL-RUSSINI SCANDAL

It should be noted that both the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings referenced the relationship between the coach and former reporter in their schedule release videos on Thursday evening, with the Chargers getting significant attention around the league for their move.

The Patriots themselves suffered something of an embarrassing time on their own social media account when they posted a Mother’s Day salute on Sunday.

Some fans in the replies of that post pointed out, often in colorful ways, the apparent disconnect between a team lifting up moms while its coach has perhaps emotionally hurt the mother of his children.

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And this stuff is unlikely to stop.

The Patriots are past the draft and schedule release, and players being asked their opinion about their coach in press conferences. It’s also unlikely Vrabel will continue to be quizzed about the issue assuming no new photos or revelations become newsworthy.

But the Patriots will be playing preseason games and have nine regular-season away games in 2026. Those will give opposing fans the opportunity to spoof New England’s coach and the team by extension about the situation.

Unlike the NFL, those opposing fans might not be solely focused on football when thinking about the Patriots.

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Reigan Heskey smashed home a late winner as Manchester City claimed bragging rights over bitter rivals Manchester United by winning the FA Youth Cup for the fifth time.

In a repeat of the two-legged showpiece from 40 years ago, which City also triumphed in, the tie was ebbing towards extra-time before Heskey powered in the from the angle five minutes from time to give Oliver Reiss’ side the victory.

Darren Fletcher’s United are record 11-time winners of the competition but last claimed the trophy in 2022, when current first-team star Kobbie Mainoo played in a victory over Nottingham Forest.

There had been controversy in the build-up over the game being played at 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium, as City said Etihad Stadium was unavailable because of ongoing construction work, and United were left disappointed by their efforts to stage the match at Old Trafford as well as the final result.

The contest had been a slow burner up until five minutes before half-time when the final was brought to life by Floyd Samba’s sensational 25-yard free-kick, which was curled into the top corner and gave United goalkeeper Cameron Byrne-Hughes no chance.

But United levelled the tie just two minutes later through centre-back Godwill Kukonki’s marauding run up the pitch before finishing the move by thumping home a powerful header in from Jim Thwaites’ cross-field pass.

But Heskey, son of former Liverpool and England striker Emile, proved to be the match-winner as City lifted the trophy in front of their home faithful.

The feud between Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) star A.J. Francis and KC Navarro will come to a head on Thursday night as the two will compete in a SacTown Street Fight in Sacramento, California, at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium.

Navarro returned from an injury to help Nic Nemeth defeat Francis at Rebellion. And since then, the two had been at each other’s throats. Navarro pinned Francis three weeks ago in his first match since July 2025. Ahead of the two-day “Thursday night Impact” special on AMC, Francis spoke to Fox News Digital about his fight with Navarro and made a blunt prediction.

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“If it wasn’t for me, KC wouldn’t be in these opportunities,” Francis said. “I saw him on his little interviews, KC came out and said that he took the hard bumps from me and he did all these things for me … The only thing KC did for me was be a shadow. KC learned a lot from me. KC is in this position because of me. KC was just another guy in the back they had nothing for until I needed somebody to stand next to me.

“I’m happy KC is finally getting an opportunity to show what he can bring to the table. But unfortunately for him, he’s doing it against me. And I’m going to beat him within an inch of his life. Anytime you give me an opportunity to prove that I’m exactly who I say I am in a big match I always show up. I always deliver. It’s going to be crazy. I’m going to put KC out of his misery. When I’m done with him, he might try to dye his hair green or orange or something else just to wash the stench of that pink off of him.”

Navarro cut an impassioned promo last week on “Impact,” saying Francis took advantage of him. He also said that he vowed to his “sick” uncle that he would return to the ring sooner than later after he suffered a torn ACL.

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But Francis was having none of that.

“You know what’s crazy? All these wrestlers come up with all these excuses for why people should feel sorry for them,” Francis told Fox News Digital. “KC sits there and cries about his sick uncle and Mike Santana talks about his dad passing away. My mom passed away and nobody gave a s—. My grandmother passed away and nobody gave a s—. My grandfather passed away nobody gave a s—. My pop-pop passed away, nobody gave a s—. So, why do I care about the family troubles of all these losers?

“Nobody cares when it’s me going through something but I’m supposed to care because KC’s got a sick uncle. I hope his sick uncle has AMC in his hospital so he could watch me beat his nephew within an inch of his life.”

Francis added there was no chance of making up with Navarro.

“Not at all. I wish KC nothing but the worst. I hope that going forward he learns a lesson after this a—whooping I put down on him on Thursday and that he realizes to never cross me again,” he said. “He cost me an opportunity at one of the biggest wins of my career at Rebellion. He cost me an opportunity at one of the biggest wins of my career at Slammiversary last year when he got hurt and cost us the tag team titles. He cost us an opportunity at the NXT tag team titles because he got hurt when we were doing our crossover matches with them.

“He’s been nothing but a disappointment. He lost our only singles tag team title match in his debut match with First Class. He was the one who got pinned and lost it for us. He’s been nothing but a disappointment since the day that I met him and I’m very much glad to be done with him after Thursday.”

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Francis and Navarro’s match will take place on Thursday night. “Impact” airs each week at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

This was no ordinary meeting at Real Madrid’s training ground. Journalists were summoned at short notice, and speculation immediately began.

An announcement regarding a new manager seemed the most logical explanation, especially given what sources close to the club had suggested. But if that were the case, why deliver it in person and by Florentino Perez himself?

Like the Xabi Alonso or Alvaro Arbeloa appointments, such news is typically released in an official statement, followed by an organised press conference.

Instead, what followed was something entirely different.

As Perez entered the room, phone in hand, papers laid out beside him, he launched into a lengthy and impassioned tirade. His targets: the press, the league, and the narratives surrounding both him and the club.

It was a side of Perez few had seen in years: animated, confrontational and full of energy.

At several points, he pulled out his phone and read aloud excerpts from critical articles, directly naming and calling out newspapers. Journalists in the room who were singled out didn’t stay silent, they pushed back. It became increasingly clear that Perez had called the press conference not just to address the media, but to challenge and in some cases attempt to discredit specific outlets.

For nearly 90 minutes, Perez spoke with visible anger and intensity. It was less a press conference and more a prolonged, unfiltered outburst.

His message to the media was clear. Right now at Real Madrid, there is one man firmly in control. Until that changes, the 79-year-old remains the ultimate authority and big decisions over the club will rest with him, including the next manager.

He will not tolerate what he sees as misinformation about himself or the club. He is not “sick” or “tired”. He is, he says, in perfectly good health.

The tension escalated further when Perez referenced an article written by a female journalist, questioning her understanding of football. He then pointed to one of the few women in the room who had her hand up to ask a question, saying: “Let’s ask her, because you men are all ugly.”

After two years without major success, questions about Perez’s future will now grow louder as information about the re-elections Perez has announced spreads across Madrid.

He projects absolute confidence, insisting he retains the full backing of Real Madrid’s members and even describing himself as “the greatest president” in the club’s history.

But after two seasons, three managers and no silverware, questions will no doubt continue to be asked by the Spanish press. Have the members seen enough? Is it time for change? And most importantly, is Florentino Perez still the right man to lead it?

Victor Wembanyama’s first career ejection will not have a suspension included, as the NBA decided not to dock the San Antonio Spurs big man for the elbow he threw on Minnesota Timberwolves’ Naz Reid in Game 4 of their Western Conference Semifinals series.

Wembanyama will be available for Game 5 of the series, which is set for Tuesday night, per ESPN.

Wembanyama was originally issued an offensive foul after hitting Reid in the face with his elbow while being double-teamed in the corner after securing a rebound. But video review saw the elbow hit Reid square in his jaw and neck, which sent him to the hardwood.

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Officials announced that Wembanyama’s foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck. As a result, it’s an automatic ejection.

The ejection came with just 8:39 left in the second quarter, which marked the earliest an NBA All-Star had been ejected from a playoff game since 1997-98, per ESPN Research.

SPURS PHENOM VICTOR WEMBANYAMA MAKES NBA HISTORY WITH FIRST CAREER DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Wembanyama, an MVP candidate, can’t be replicated on the court for the Spurs, who eventually lost to the Timberwolves, 114-109, to even up the series at two games apiece heading into Game 5.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson used his postgame press conference to defend the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, specifically the level of physicality Wembanyama gets from opponents during games.

“Just the amount of physicality that people play with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself,” he said, via ESPN. “Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on you. He’s gotten pushed down in transition, running freely. We don’t complain because we’re just going to play. We don’t really give a s—. But at some stage, he should be protected. If not, he’s going to have to protect himself, and unfortunately, stuff like that happens.

“It’s starting to get disgusting in terms of when he tries to fight through things, be professional and mature and deal with some of that stuff. I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, but he’s going to have to protect himself if they’re not. And I think it’s disgusting.”

Johnson added that there was “zero intent” on Wembanyama’s elbow to Reid’s face, believing that a Game 5 suspension “would be ridiculous.” But it was always the league’s decision in the end.

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Ultimately, they decided Johnson’s stance was correct, and Wembanyama will be on the court with his teammates in a pivotal Game 5 as the series returns to San Antonio on Tuesday night.

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Iga Swiatek dropped just one game as she raced past Elisabetta Cocciaretto to set up an intriguing Italian Open fourth-round meeting with Naomi Osaka.

Poland’s Swiatek is the best clay-court player of this generation, with four of her six Grand Slam titles coming at the French Open.

However, the world number three has not claimed a title on clay since her last Roland Garros triumph in 2024.

After splitting with coach Wim Fissette, who helped her win Wimbledon last year, Swiatek has teamed up with Francisco Roig, the former coach of the great Rafael Nadal.

And the 24-year-old showed glimpses of her best in a 67-minute 6-1 6-0 demolition of home hope Cocciaretto.

Swiatek, a two-time winner of the Rome title, won 76% of points behind her first serve and lost just six points behind her second.

She will now face Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who has had an impressive few weeks despite not being a natural on the surface.

Famed Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has died at the age of 84, the team announced on Saturday.

The Braves said in a statement that their “treasured skipper” was the “best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform.”

His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched. Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014 – enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame,” the Braves said.

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“And while Bobby’s passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren.”

Cox’s 2,504 wins as a manager are the fourth-most in MLB history, behind only Connie Mack, Tony La Russa and John McGraw.

Cox has two stints with the Braves, the first of which began in 1978 and ended three years later. After managing the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985, he returned to Atlanta for the 1990 season, where he stayed for 21 seasons.

BREWERS’ FLAMETHROWER JACOB MISIOROWSKI LIGHTS UP RECORD BOOKS WITH TRIPLE-DIGIT SPEEDS IN GEM VS YANKEES

He was named the Manager of the Year four times and was one of two managers, along with Kevin Cash, to win it in back-to-back seasons. His No. 6 was retired by the Braves in 2011, shortly after his final season with the club.

Cox was the first-base coach for the New York Yankees when they won the World Series in 1977, but he was of course much better known for the world title that was brought to Atlanta in 1995.

During his second stint with Atlanta, he led the team to 14 division titles and making each postseason from 1991 to 2005 (there was no postseason in the strike-shortened 1994 season, but the Braves were 68-46 and in second place behind the Montreal Expos).

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The Braves made five World Series under Cox, who also held the MLB record for most ejections.

He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

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