F1 Drivers Discuss Whether to Take a Knee at Season Opener

Formula One drivers will discuss taking a knee at the opening race of the delayed season in Austria on Sunday. (Reuters)
Formula One drivers will discuss taking a knee at the opening race of the delayed season in Austria on Sunday. (Reuters)
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F1 Drivers Discuss Whether to Take a Knee at Season Opener

Formula One drivers will discuss taking a knee at the opening race of the delayed season in Austria on Sunday. (Reuters)
Formula One drivers will discuss taking a knee at the opening race of the delayed season in Austria on Sunday. (Reuters)

Formula One drivers will discuss taking a knee at the opening race of the delayed season in Austria on Sunday.

“Some of the drivers have already been speaking,” McLaren driver Lando Norris said. “If we are going to do it, we should all do it as a grid. It will be discussed following the drivers’ briefing with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association on Friday."

The Black Lives Matter movement has been supported by football players in Germany, Italy and England taking a knee before and during games.

“We will do whatever we can to show that we care and respect everyone,” Norris said. "We will do what is right when the time comes.”

Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been vocal about Black Lives Matter and F1's diversity issues.

Like Hamilton, Norris will carry the “End Racism” message on his car this season. The 20-year old driver recently encouraged his social media following to sign petitions following Hamilton’s criticism of his peers for staying silent on the matter.

“I want to do better than any other driver, but everyone should be given the same opportunity and treated the same,” Norris said. “It is not fair that people get treated differently because of their race.

“This sport reaches millions of people and the more we can do as drivers, teams, and as a community in Formula One, the bigger impact we can have.”



Belgium Keeper Courtois Thinking about Retiring from National Team after World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Belgium Training - Seattle Sounders FC Performance Center and Clubhouse, Renton, Washington, US - June 11, 2026 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois with Seattle Sounders' Max Anchor during training. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Belgium Training - Seattle Sounders FC Performance Center and Clubhouse, Renton, Washington, US - June 11, 2026 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois with Seattle Sounders' Max Anchor during training. (Reuters)
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Belgium Keeper Courtois Thinking about Retiring from National Team after World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Belgium Training - Seattle Sounders FC Performance Center and Clubhouse, Renton, Washington, US - June 11, 2026 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois with Seattle Sounders' Max Anchor during training. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Belgium Training - Seattle Sounders FC Performance Center and Clubhouse, Renton, Washington, US - June 11, 2026 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois with Seattle Sounders' Max Anchor during training. (Reuters)

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ‌is thinking about ending his international career after the World Cup, he said on Thursday as his team prepared for their Group G opener against Egypt in Seattle.

The 34-year-old, who won the first of his 109 caps in 2011, suggested it was time to pass the torch after the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“I don’t know if we should be talking about the future right now, but the chances are greater that I won’t continue after this ‌tournament than that ‌I will,” he told reporters at the ‌Belgian ⁠team base.

“I still ⁠want to play for a few more years.

“And then you have to take care of your body. My family is here because this could be my last tournament.”

But the Real Madrid goalkeeper also suggested he could be persuaded to continue.

“If we have a good World Cup, of course. And continuing ⁠to feel the good atmosphere within the ‌group. Afterward, I’ll need to ‌have an internal discussion with the coach, (technical director) Vincent Mannaert, and the ‌doctors.”

Courtois said that under former coach Domenico Tedesco he ‌was allowed to skip some international breaks, and that reinforced his thinking.

“I noticed that during those international breaks you can get some rest and work quietly in the gym,” he said.

“In addition, over ‌the last year and a half, I’ve had more little physical problems and injuries, so ⁠you naturally ⁠think more about the future.

"I’m considering passing the torch. There’s a lot of talent coming through with Senne (Lammers) and Mike (Penders).”

Courtois said he was raring to go against Egypt on Monday.

“Yes, I’m very hungry, just like the rest of the group. I feel very good and I’m looking forward to it.

“I also worked very hard on my comeback during the spring. The (quadriceps) injury was unfortunate because at that moment I felt almost unbeatable. But I’m ready to maintain my level now and stay focused,” he added.

Belgium also face Iran and New Zealand in the group stage.


Bosnia Will Play with Hearts in World Cup Opener, Says Coach Barbarez

Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Bosnia Will Play with Hearts in World Cup Opener, Says Coach Barbarez

Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)

Bosnia and Herzegovina know they are underdogs heading into their World Cup Group B opener against co-hosts Canada, coach Sergej Barbarez said on Thursday, but the Balkan nation will play with pride as they return to the tournament for the first time in 12 years.

Bosnia will look to advance past the group stage this time around after managing one win during their 2014 debut in Brazil.

"We are a small country," Barbarez said. "This is our second ever World ‌Cup and for ‌sure we are sort of an underdog in ‌many ⁠of the matches ⁠ahead."

But despite his side being ranked 64th, the coach is confident in his side's ability to perform on the world's biggest stage.

"If you know our results, I think you have to just admire what we've managed to achieve."

Bosnia claimed one of the six final spots in the World Cup after defeating three-times champions Italy in a penalty shootout. They are heartbreakers who ⁠play with heart and will look to carry that ‌same mentality into the tournament.

"(I once said) ‌I love this game between David and Goliath," Barbarez said. "We play with our ‌hearts and that has been our advantage."

The Dragons are led by ‌40-year-old striker Edin Dzeko, who Barbarez confirmed will be in the squad for Friday's match after overcoming a shoulder injury.

Dzeko is Bosnia's all-time leading scorer with 73 goals.

"Edin will be with us tomorrow," Barbarez said. "Edin will be playing just ‌as usual."

CANADA GAME WILL BE 'QUITE INTENSE'

Barbarez is expecting a tough game against Canada, who are also ⁠aiming to reach ⁠the knockout stage for the first time but face the added pressures of chasing their first ever World Cup win and playing on home soil.

"I am maybe exaggerating a bit, but I'm sure (the game) is going to be quite intense, which is characteristic of both the teams," Barbarez said.

While Canada will have the local crowd behind them, Bosnia will not be without strong support. The Dragons have enjoyed a warm welcome since arriving in Toronto, with fans flocking to the team's training sessions this week.

"We really want to show our best to the whole world," Barbarez said. "We really want to be the team that earns respect and we can only do that by showing what we know on the pitch."


Brito, Who Helped Brazil Win the 1970 World Cup, Dies at 86

FILED - 08 June 2006, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Brazilian soccer legend Brito attends at a press conference in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
FILED - 08 June 2006, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Brazilian soccer legend Brito attends at a press conference in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
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Brito, Who Helped Brazil Win the 1970 World Cup, Dies at 86

FILED - 08 June 2006, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Brazilian soccer legend Brito attends at a press conference in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
FILED - 08 June 2006, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Brazilian soccer legend Brito attends at a press conference in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

Brito, a center back on Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning team, has died at age 86.

The Brazilian Football Confederation announced that Brito died Thursday. It did not provide additional details, The Associated Press said.

Brito played 61 games for the national team from 1964-72, including one at the 1966 World Cup, along the way forming a strong defense alongside Wilson Piazza.

“Brito left us as one of the greatest defenders in the history of Brazilian football,” the confederation's president, Samir Xaud, said in a statement. “His contribution to the 1970 World Cup victory will be eternally remembered by all of us.”

Brito was also part of Brazil teams that won the Copa Roca in ‘71 and the Taça Independência in ’72.

“I pay my respects to this idol of our country,” Xaud said. “May his fighting spirit be an inspiration to our players who will compete in the World Cup.”

Brazil, which has won the most World Cups with five, goes for a sixth beginning Saturday against Morocco.