Rugby-England’s Vunipola Fined for Assault After Arrest in Mallorca

Billy Vunipola -  File photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Billy Vunipola - File photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
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Rugby-England’s Vunipola Fined for Assault After Arrest in Mallorca

Billy Vunipola -  File photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Billy Vunipola - File photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

England rugby international Billy Vunipola was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined 240 euros ($256.92) for assault and battery after being arrested by police in Mallorca, Spain, following an incident at a pub.

Palma's Examining Court also ordered him to pay 500 euros to a police officer who was injured during the incident following a speedy trial on Sunday.

Under Spanish law, a prison sentence of less than two years does not usually lead to serving any time behind bars unless there are previous criminal records.

According to a report in the Ultima Hora newspaper, Vunipola was tasered twice by police after threatening customers and security personnel and removing his shirt in a bar named Epic in Palma early on Sunday.

The report added that the 31-year-old was handcuffed by the police and taken to the Son Espases hospital in Palma, where he was sedated, before being taken to court on Sunday afternoon.

Vunipola plays for Premiership Rugby club Saracens, who said in a statement that they were aware of the incident and would deal with it "internally".

Vunipola has made 75 appearances for England and was part of the team that finished runners-up in the 2019 World Cup. He was not selected in the England squad for this year's Six Nations.

His brother Mako also played for England until his retirement in January, while his father played for Tonga.



Raya Proud of Arsenal’s ‘Incredible’ Reaction After Third Straight Win

 Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal in Nottingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP)
Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal in Nottingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP)
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Raya Proud of Arsenal’s ‘Incredible’ Reaction After Third Straight Win

 Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal in Nottingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP)
Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal in Nottingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP)

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya says the way the Premier League champions bounced back from their surprise defeat by Brighton last month with three straight wins since the international break has been "incredible".

Mikel Arteta's men, who visit Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, had several weeks to ponder their 3-0 loss to Brighton.

But since getting back together, they have made it three wins from three, with Noni Madueke's late goal securing a 1-0 success at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

"We came back very, very strong, especially after that tough defeat against Brighton and having 19 days since then to play a game," Raya told Arsenal's website.

"The way we responded, the way we played, the way we came back, is incredible, you know.

"So, delighted with the performances we have put in every single game. There are things to improve, of course, as always, but we just take the positives and we're looking forward to Wednesday now."

Madueke's 80th-minute deflected strike was Arsenal's only shot on target at the City Ground, but the manner of Arsenal's victory demonstrated their ongoing ability to grind out results -- a quality much in evidence during last season's title-winning triumph.

"(We showed) maturity and a lot of desire," Raya said. "Keep doing the right things and the ball will get into the net.

"We had experiences in the last two years where we drew 0-0 here (Forest), so I think we showed a lot of character to keep digging the result and in the end with a few crosses and a few of Bukayo's (Saka's) balls, the ball went in thanks to Noni.

"He's a special player and it's going to be a special goal for him to get the win at such a difficult ground and such a difficult team. So, I'm delighted for him."


Elina Svitolina Announces the End of Her Marriage to Gael Monfils

Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal. (Reuters)
Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal. (Reuters)
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Elina Svitolina Announces the End of Her Marriage to Gael Monfils

Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal. (Reuters)
Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal. (Reuters)

Elina Svitolina announced Monday the end of her marriage with fellow tennis player Gael Monfils.

The sixth-ranked Ukrainian said in an Instagram post it is “the most difficult thing I have ever had to share.”

Svitolina spoke about the tough emotional impact the war in her country had on her well-being, and how Monfils supported her to cope with the struggle when she took a break from tennis to recover.

“But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you,” she wrote. “With time, I came to understand that I need to find my way back to myself and that I cannot do that within our marriage.”

Monfils and Svitolina have a daughter together.

“Together, we built a beautiful life, and we were given the most precious gift of all, our daughter, Skai,” Svitolina said. “Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, at every step of her life.”

The end of their marriage might have played a role in Monfils' decision to end his career a little earlier than what was expected.

The 40-year-old Monfils, who had planned to retire at the end of the season, is being listed by the sport’s drug-testing organization among the players who have declared themselves retired, with his career officially over from Oct. 5.

The former No. 6-ranked player was widely expected to end his career in front of his home fans at the Paris Masters from Oct. 31.


African Players in Europe: Mbeumo Goal Eases Pressure on Carrick

Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United scores the 0-1 goal past James Trafford of Leeds United during the English Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester United, in Leeds, Britain, 18 October 2026. (EPA)
Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United scores the 0-1 goal past James Trafford of Leeds United during the English Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester United, in Leeds, Britain, 18 October 2026. (EPA)
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African Players in Europe: Mbeumo Goal Eases Pressure on Carrick

Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United scores the 0-1 goal past James Trafford of Leeds United during the English Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester United, in Leeds, Britain, 18 October 2026. (EPA)
Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United scores the 0-1 goal past James Trafford of Leeds United during the English Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester United, in Leeds, Britain, 18 October 2026. (EPA)

Cameroon star Bryan Mbeumo scored his fourth Premier League goal this season for struggling Manchester United in a 1-1 away draw against Leeds United at the weekend.

AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

BRYAN MBEUMO (Manchester United)

Mbeumo netted to ensure under-fire United boss Michael Carrick did not suffer another damaging defeat. Mbeumo put United ahead in the 35th minute against bitter rivals Leeds at Elland Road as he slotted home a Youri Tielemans cross. Leeds hit back to rescue a draw thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's second-half goal, but avoiding defeat was vital for Carrick after United's poor start to the season.

ALEX IWOBI (Fulham)

The Nigeria midfielder's first goal since March clinched a maiden Premier League win for Cottagers boss Alvaro Arbeloa. Iwobi netted in the 33rd minute of the 1-0 win against Hull at Craven Cottage, taking Sander Berge's pass and hitting a low strike that squirmed under Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. That was enough to lift Fulham out of the relegation zone and give former Real Madrid manager Arbeloa some much-needed breathing space.

SPAIN

EZ ABDE (Real Betis)

Morocco international Abde scored against his former side Barcelona in Real Betis's pulsating 5-2 La Liga defeat. The 24-year-old winger produced a sharp finish early in the second half for his fourth goal in his last five matches for the Andalucian side.

BIL NSONGO (Deportivo La Coruna)

Deportivo La Coruna striker Nsongo netted his first goal of the season to secure the Galician outfit a point against Levante in a 1-1 draw. The 22-year-old Cameroon international reacted quickest to reach a rebound in the box and bundle the ball home.

ITALY

AKOR ADAMS (Venezia)

Nigerian Adams scored as bottom club Venezia ended a six-match losing steak since the Serie A season began by defeating former champions Napoli 1-0. New Venezia head coach Davide Nicola made a dream debut as Adams latched on to a long ball and scored with a deflected strike after 49 minutes.

ANGE-YOAN BONNY (Inter Milan)

The Ivory Coast forward wrapped up a 3-1 win for defending champions Inter Milan away to Bologna by scoring six minutes from time. Bonny netted after being set up by fellow substitute and scorer Carlos Augusto.

GERMANY

IBRAHIM MAZA (Bayer Leverkusen)

Leverkusen midfielder Maza continued his impressive development with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 Bundesliga home win over Freiburg. The Algerian turned in a Patrik Schick pass midway through the opening half and then created a goal for the Czech with an excellent dribble late in the game. Named man of the match, Maza said he was "building chemistry" with veteran striker Schick, the first Bayer player to score in the first six games of the season.