Players and leagues accuse Fifa of ‘abuse’ in landmark legal battle over football calendar

The San Francisco 49ers are witnessing an intense kicking competition between incumbent Jake Moody and new acquisition Greg Joseph during training camp, drawing attention from star players like Nick Bosa. Moody, recovering from a challenging second season, has modified his kicking approach for consistency, while both kickers faced a rough patch recently, highlighting the pressure introduced by new special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. Want More Context? 🔎

The WNBA playoffs, starting September 14, will feature a best-of-three series format, with notable matchups including the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx facing the Washington Mystics, and the New York Liberty squaring off against the Las Vegas Aces. Other key matchups include the Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm vs. Atlanta Dream, promising competitive action among the league's top teams. Want More Context? 🔎

South Carolina's Ashlyn Watkins, a pivotal player on the 2024 national championship team, will sit out the upcoming season to focus on her well-being. After struggling with injuries and legal issues last year, she announced her decision on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support she's received and her commitment to returning for the 2026-27 season. Want More Context? 🔎

South Carolina women's basketball forward Ashlyn Watkins has announced she will take a year off and not play during the 2025-26 season, focusing on personal growth after a challenging year, including an ACL injury. Coach Dawn Staley emphasized the program's support for Watkins as she works on her recovery, with plans for her to return in the 2026-27 season. Want More Context? 🔎

Mercedes matched its worst-ever qualifying result in 350 Formula 1 sessions ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix sprint race, with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli starting from 13th and 20th positions, respectively. This disappointing performance mirrors a previous low at the Red Bull Ring, where Russell and Lewis Hamilton qualified 15th and 18th. Want More Context? 🔎

Max Verstappen struggled in the Belgian Grand Prix sprint qualifying, losing nearly four tenths in the second sector and failing to challenge Oscar Piastri for pole position. Despite McLaren's dominance in all session segments, Verstappen secured second place as McLaren's drivers, including Piastri, faced execution issues. Want More Context? 🔎