Green Activists Lose Court Case over Dutch F1 Grand Prix

Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit. (Reuters)
Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit. (Reuters)
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Green Activists Lose Court Case over Dutch F1 Grand Prix

Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit. (Reuters)
Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit. (Reuters)

A Dutch court on Thursday denied claims by environmental activists against organizers of the country's first Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1985, who they said threatened endangered species such as the natterjack toad and sand lizard.

Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit, hemmed in between the Dutch coast and a large nature reserve some 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Amsterdam, as it hopes to make the most of the popularity of Dutch racer Max Verstappen in the Netherlands.

The nature activists had demanded that permits for the track's expansion be overturned, as they claimed builders had demolished precious dune reserves where the rare toads and lizards live and breed.

The court, however, said all permits were in order, as the disturbance for the animals was only temporary and did not weigh up the expected social and economic impact of the Grand Prix.

"This is a sporting event with one of the largest audiences worldwide ... which will likely provide an economic impulse for Zandvoort and the circuit", the court said.

The activists said they would appeal the decision, but the case is unlikely to be heard before the first weekend of September.

To make the race happen, the organizers had to drastically modernize and expand their outdated track, build new access roads through the dunes and construct extra stands to accommodate the expected more than 200,000 spectators.

How many of them will actually be allowed at the track remains to be seen, however, as COVID-19 rules still only allow for limited audiences at events.

Current rules are in place until Sept. 1 and Prime Minister Mark Rutte is expected to clarify the rules for after that date on Friday.



Team-First Kane Propelling Bayern to Glory as PSG Showdown Looms

Bayern Munich's English forward #09 Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal 3:4 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1 FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, western Germany on April 25, 2026. (AFP)
Bayern Munich's English forward #09 Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal 3:4 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1 FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, western Germany on April 25, 2026. (AFP)
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Team-First Kane Propelling Bayern to Glory as PSG Showdown Looms

Bayern Munich's English forward #09 Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal 3:4 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1 FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, western Germany on April 25, 2026. (AFP)
Bayern Munich's English forward #09 Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal 3:4 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1 FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, western Germany on April 25, 2026. (AFP)

Having decisively ended his own silverware drought with back-to-back Bundesliga titles, Harry Kane's team-first approach has been key for a Bayern Munich side now chasing club football's biggest prize.

Whoever makes it through Bayern's Champions League semi-final against holders Paris Saint-Germain, with the first leg in the French capital on Tuesday, will be the favorites for the final in Budapest in May.

Last season's Bundesliga title was Kane's maiden team trophy, at the age of 31. Having added another league crown this season, Bayern's habit of hoovering up trophies is already rubbing off on the England captain.

As always, Kane's individual statistics this year have been stunning. The former Tottenham forward has 53 goals in 45 games in all competitions, the most by an Englishman in any league in almost a century.

And this time around, Kane's goals have come at crucial moments of big games.

Against Real in Madrid, his long-range strike proved to be the winner.

In the second leg, Kane's first-half goal brought Bayern level on the night and put them ahead in a quarter-final tie which was in danger of getting away from them.

- 'I'm here to win the Champions League' -

Kane left England 47 goals shy of Alan Shearer's Premier League scoring record, with some commentators wondering why he would leave with the mark in sight.

But while Kane developed a reputation at Spurs for stacking up individual records rather than team honors, in hindsight the striker's pursuit of goals was a clear example of his team focus.

Since moving to Bayern, a club with quality across the pitch and a number of threats, Kane often drops to help in the build-up, sometimes deep into midfield.

Kane's willingness to sacrifice individual honors for team objectives has never been more evident than in recent weeks, when Bayern had the league largely wrapped up and needed to focus on Europe.

After Bayern beat Dortmund in February, Kane had scored four consecutive braces. With 30 goals in 24 games, he looked on course for Robert Lewandowski's single season record of 41 goals.

But since then, Kane has started just one of Bayern's seven league games, as Vincent Kompany has wrapped him in cotton wool for the big stage.

After coming off the bench to help Bayern come from three goals down to win 4-3 at Mainz on Saturday, Kane told reporters where his true focus lay.

"It'll be tough," Kane said of chasing down Lewandowski's record. "Obviously I'm here to try and win the Champions League and try and win the German Cup.

"So, ultimately that takes priority. All I can do is when I'm on the pitch, try and score, try and impact the game."

Undoubtedly the biggest star in Bayern's dressing room, Kane could have pushed back against his benching, but he backed Kompany's call with loftier goals in mind.

- 'Something special' -

Bayern were always expected to beat Mainz on Saturday, but the way they overran their opponents in the second half showed their unrelenting hunger and desire.

"This team is truly something special -- that team spirit, that mentality -- it is truly unique," sporting director Christoph Freund said afterwards.

"That gives us a tremendous amount of energy for Tuesday."

Kane called PSG "the reigning European champions for a reason," adding the French champions are "a really strong side with some great quality and are well-coached.

"There's going to be a lot of activity. It's going to come down to moments and quality."

One challenge for Bayern is the absence of coach Vincent Kompany, who is suspended for the opening leg.

Kompany's English assistant Aaron Danks will be in the dugout. Kane said Bayern, who have lost just twice in all competitions this season, are well-drilled enough without the Belgian barking orders.

"Of course we'll miss him on the sideline. He's our boss and our leader. But everyone knows what needs to be done, even if the boss isn't on the sideline."


‘Heartbroken’ Xavi Simons Out of World Cup and Spurs Relegation Fight

25 April 2026, United Kingdom, Wolverhampton: Tottenham Hotspur's Xavi Simons is stretchered off injured during the English Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux stadium. (Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa)
25 April 2026, United Kingdom, Wolverhampton: Tottenham Hotspur's Xavi Simons is stretchered off injured during the English Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux stadium. (Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa)
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‘Heartbroken’ Xavi Simons Out of World Cup and Spurs Relegation Fight

25 April 2026, United Kingdom, Wolverhampton: Tottenham Hotspur's Xavi Simons is stretchered off injured during the English Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux stadium. (Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa)
25 April 2026, United Kingdom, Wolverhampton: Tottenham Hotspur's Xavi Simons is stretchered off injured during the English Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux stadium. (Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa)

Xavi Simons is out of Tottenham's Premier League relegation fight and this summer's World Cup with a knee injury, the Dutch star said, describing himself as "heartbroken".

The 23-year-old midfielder was left clutching his right knee and was stretchered off in distress in Tottenham's crucial 1-0 win at already relegated Wolves on Saturday.

In an emotional post on social media late Sunday, Simons said his season was over, with reports suggesting he may have sustained a serious ACL injury that could keep him out for several months.

"They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way," Simons, who has played 34 times for his country, wrote on Instagram.

"My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it.

"Honestly, I'm heartbroken. None of it makes sense.

"All I've wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me, along with the World Cup.

"Representing my country this summer, just gone."

Simons' injury is a major blow to new Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, whose side are two points from Premier League safety with four matches remaining.

He would also have played a key part for the Netherlands at the World Cup in North America starting on June 11.


Rybakina Hits Out at Line‑Calling System After Madrid Row

 Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 26, 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in action during her round of 32 match against China's Qinwen Zheng. (Reuters)
Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 26, 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in action during her round of 32 match against China's Qinwen Zheng. (Reuters)
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Rybakina Hits Out at Line‑Calling System After Madrid Row

 Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 26, 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in action during her round of 32 match against China's Qinwen Zheng. (Reuters)
Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 26, 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in action during her round of 32 match against China's Qinwen Zheng. (Reuters)

Elena Rybakina said ‌she has lost faith in the electronic line-calling system after the Australian Open champion was left fuming over a disputed call during her three-set victory over Zheng Qinwen at the Madrid Open on Sunday.

The flashpoint came when China's Zheng was awarded an ace for 40-0 while serving ‌at 4-3 ‌in the second set, despite ‌the ⁠mark appearing well ⁠out.

“Well with this thing, I won’t trust it at all,” Rybakina told reporters after her 4-6 6-4 6-3 victory sealed a spot in the last 16.

“Because there was no ⁠mark even close to what ‌the TV ‌showed."

The two-time Grand Slam winner compared the incident ‌to Alexander Zverev’s clash with ‌officials at the men's tournament in Madrid last year, when the German was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after taking a ‌photo of a contested mark.

"It was, I think, similar to ⁠what ⁠Zverev had last year because it was in front of her nose. You can’t not see it. It was pretty frustrating," Rybakina said.

"It’s kind of a stolen point. I understand it was her serve and she was serving really well, but it’s really frustrating.”

Rybakina next faces Anastasia Potapova for a spot in the quarter-finals.