Wolves, Sunderland Condemn Racist Abuse Directed at Players
22 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Crystal Palace's Chris Richards and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Tolu Arokodare battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst Park. Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire/dpa
Wolves, Sunderland Condemn Racist Abuse Directed at Players
22 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Crystal Palace's Chris Richards and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Tolu Arokodare battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst Park. Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire/dpa
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland said they were appalled by the racial abuse directed at their players on social media on Sunday following defeats in the Premier League.
Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle both received online abuse, with the incidents coming less than 24 hours after Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri were racially abused following Chelsea's draw with Burnley.
Wolves said they were disgusted by the multiple instances of abuse received by Arokodare following their 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace.
"We stand firmly alongside him, and alongside all footballers who are forced to endure this abuse from anonymous accounts acting with apparent impunity," Reuters quoted the club as saying in a statement.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Fulham - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 22, 2026 Sunderland's Romaine Mundle reacts Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Sunderland, who lost 3-1 to Fulham, said they were working with the authorities to identify those responsible for the messages targeting Mundle.
"The abhorrent behavior displayed by multiple individuals is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the Club under any circumstances," Sunderland wrote on their website.
Austin WTA Tournament Sets Up 'Rage Room' for Players to Blow Off Steamhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5244986-austin-wta-tournament-sets-rage-room-players-blow-steam
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Dubai Championships - Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - February 20, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her semi final match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
Austin WTA Tournament Sets Up 'Rage Room' for Players to Blow Off Steam
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Dubai Championships - Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - February 20, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her semi final match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
A WTA tournament in Texas has unveiled a "rage room" for players to take out their frustrations away from the cameras after Coco Gauff's racket-smashing outburst at the Australian Open last month sparked debate about privacy at tournaments.
Shortly after Gauff's 59-minute quarter-final loss to Elina Svitolina at Melbourne Park, the American went to the match call area and repeatedly smashed her racket on the ground, unaware that it was being broadcast to viewers around the world.
Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek were among the players calling for more privacy off the court following the incident.
The ATX Open in Austin, Texas, has come up with a solution, Reuters reported.
"Introducing the ATX Open rage room - the first of its kind - where players can privately express frustration or emotion in a safe, camera-free environment," the WTA 250 tournament posted on its social media platforms.
The post also featured a sign with the words "don't smile" and "count to three" along with a broken racket.
While reaction online was largely positive, some questioned whether the room would encourage players to vent their frustrations in a physical manner.
Dubai Tennis Championships organizers have set up a "Smash Room" truck for fans this week, with Chinese player Shang Juncheng invited to try it out in front of the cameras.
"I smashed a few items, including DVDs and big containers," he said. "It's loud and it's intense but in a good way. You get everything out of your system in there instead of taking that frustration onto the court."
Infantino Has 'Complete Confidence' in Mexico to Host World Cup Games Despite Violencehttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5244968-infantino-has-complete-confidence-mexico-host-world-cup-games-despite-violence
Members of the Civil Guard of Michoacan patrol a highway supported by armored vehicles after a wave of violence in the town of Aguililla, in Tierra Caliente, Mexico, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by Enrique Castro / AFP)
Infantino Has 'Complete Confidence' in Mexico to Host World Cup Games Despite Violence
Members of the Civil Guard of Michoacan patrol a highway supported by armored vehicles after a wave of violence in the town of Aguililla, in Tierra Caliente, Mexico, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by Enrique Castro / AFP)
The violence that erupted in Mexico after the death of a powerful drug lord has left many questioning whether the country will be able to co-host the World Cup in just over three months.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino thinks it can.
“Of course, we are monitoring the situation in Mexico these days, but I want to say from the outset that we have complete confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will go as smoothly as possible,” Infantino said late Tuesday in a press conference in Colombia.
“Mexico is a great country, like in every country in the world, things happen; we don’t live on the moon or another planet,” Infantino added. “That’s why we have governments, police, and authorities who will ensure order and security.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the inauguration of the Colombian Football Federation's hotel, where he spoke about his support for Mexico for the World Cup, in Barranquilla, Colombia, February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Jairo Cassiani
The Mexican army killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on Sunday, sparking several days of violence. Cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states and authorities report that at least 70 people have died.
Four high-level soccer matches from the local leagues were postponed last Sunday, including one in the central city of Queretaro, where Mexico defeated Iceland 4-0 late Wednesday in a friendly match.
Before the match, a minute of silence was held in the Corregidora stadium in honor of the soldiers who died during the operation to capture Oseguera.
Thirteen World Cup matches are scheduled to be held in Mexico, including the opening game in Mexico City on June 11 between the co-host and South Africa. Guadalajara, the central hub for the Jalisco cartel, is scheduled to host four.
Colombia is set to play one game in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara.
“Our first two matches are in Mexico, but we know they will overcome this and move forward,” said Ramón Jesurún, the president of the Colombian Soccer Federation. “I have absolute and total confidence in my geopolitical thinking that this is an issue Mexico will overcome, and overcome very quickly.”
Other nations have expressed more concern. The Portuguese soccer federation said Tuesday that it was closely monitoring developments ahead of a planned friendly against Mexico in March. Jamaica is set to play New Caledonia in Guadalajara on March 26 in an intercontinental playoff semifinal, with the winner advancing to face Congo for a World Cup spot.
“The games are at the end of March, so we still have another month to see what happens; but it is making me very nervous, to be honest,” said Michael Ricketts, the president of the Jamaican Soccer Federation. "We will be listening out for CONCACAF and FIFA to give us instructions (on) whether they are playing the games or whether they are immediately looking for other options.”
Another Mexican city, Monterrey, will host a playoff where Bolivia plays Suriname and the winner faces Iraq for a spot in the tournament.
On Monday, Sheinbaum said there is “every guarantee” that the World Cup matches in Guadalajara will be played as planned and added that there was “no risk.”
“We are in regular contact with the presidency and the authorities in Mexico and we are monitoring the situation,” Infantino said. “The World Cup is going to be an incredible celebration."
Luis Enrique: PSG Have Been Toughened Up for Later Stages of Champions Leaguehttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5244967-luis-enrique-psg-have-been-toughened-later-stages-champions-league
Luis Enrique: PSG Have Been Toughened Up for Later Stages of Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain players celebrate after the second goal (EPA)
Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain have fought through a tougher schedule than any other side to reach the last 16 in this season’s competition, coach Luis Enrique said after they squeezed past Monaco on Wednesday.
PSG were held 2-2 at the Parc des Princes in the second leg of their knockout-round playoff but advanced 5-4 on aggregate.
Luis Enrique did not hide his disappointment with his team's performance, notably in the first half when they went a goal behind.
"Did I like what I saw? No, no, I didn't like it, but that's football," he said. "We had an incredible schedule during the group stage, then we continued with these playoffs against Monaco, they're a great team.
“That's the competition of the Champions League, you have to accept it. I think in the first half we were very imprecise, but in the second half we were in control, we scored both goals, it was the perfect result, but in the last few minutes we conceded that goal and it was dangerous at the end.
“But we're happy, we know that to win the Champions League you need competition and we're experts at that level."
PSG next face either Barcelona or Chelsea. That will be determined on Friday when the draw for the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will be made, Reuters reported.
"If there's one team that has played against good teams and had the toughest group, it's clearly us,” Luis Enrique added.
PSG’s opponents included Atalanta, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Newcastle United, Sporting and Tottenham Hotspur – all of whom are also through to the last 16.
“We're used to playing these kinds of matches against any team, and of course we can improve, but tonight we faced a very high-level opponent who demonstrated their individual and collective qualities.
"But next time it will be even easier, with Chelsea or Barca, right?” he joked.
“But if there's one team ready, it's ours."
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