عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Swiatek Wins Bronze at Paris Olympics for Poland's 1st Tennis Medal at Any Summer Games

Iga Swiatek of Poland returns a shot to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia during their women's bronze medal match, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Iga Swiatek of Poland returns a shot to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia during their women's bronze medal match, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
TT
TT

Swiatek Wins Bronze at Paris Olympics for Poland's 1st Tennis Medal at Any Summer Games

Iga Swiatek of Poland returns a shot to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia during their women's bronze medal match, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Iga Swiatek of Poland returns a shot to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia during their women's bronze medal match, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Iga Swiatek used a towel to wipe tears from her eyes at the Paris Olympics after earning a bronze for Poland's first tennis medal at any Summer Games by beating Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia 6-2, 6-1 on Friday.
The match took just 59 minutes, and Swiatek played much more cleanly than she did a day earlier in a straight-set loss to Zheng Qinwen of China in the semifinals, The Associated Press reported. That result ended Swiatek's 25-match unbeaten streak at Roland Garros, the clay-court facility used for the French Open each year and for the 2024 Olympics.
After losing to Zheng on Thursday, Swiatek skipped any questions from print reporters in the mixed zone area for interviews. Her face flushed and eyes red, Swiatek did not break stride as she passed journalists, saying only: “Sorry. Next time.”
The No. 1-ranked Swiatek was a popular pick to leave Paris with gold, in large part because she has won four of the past five French Open titles, including the last three in a row. She also won the 2022 U.S. Open.
Schmiedlova defeated both the reigning Wimbledon champion, Barbora Krejcikova, and the runner-up there and at the French Open this year, Jasmine Paolini, on her way to the semifinals, before losing to Donna Vekic of Croatia. Schmiedlova is a 29-year-old who is ranked 67th and has one fourth-round appearance at a Slam. That came last year at Roland Garros.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Iran Football Team Pushes Back on Trump Comments, Says ‘No One Can Exclude’ It from the World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC, US - December 5, 2025 Draw Assistant Shaquille O'Neal draws out Iran during the FIFA World Cup 2026. (Draw Pool via Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC, US - December 5, 2025 Draw Assistant Shaquille O'Neal draws out Iran during the FIFA World Cup 2026. (Draw Pool via Reuters)
TT
TT

Iran Football Team Pushes Back on Trump Comments, Says ‘No One Can Exclude’ It from the World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC, US - December 5, 2025 Draw Assistant Shaquille O'Neal draws out Iran during the FIFA World Cup 2026. (Draw Pool via Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC, US - December 5, 2025 Draw Assistant Shaquille O'Neal draws out Iran during the FIFA World Cup 2026. (Draw Pool via Reuters)

Pushing back on US President Donald Trump’s comments, Iran's national soccer team says “no one can exclude” it from playing in the men's World Cup in the United States.

Instead, a post on the team's official Instagram account Thursday suggested maybe the US team should be excluded after Trump indicated that the host country couldn't guarantee the safety of the Iranian players.

Trump wrote in a social media post Thursday that the Iranian team was welcome at the World Cup despite the ongoing war with Iran but that “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Iran is set to play all three of its World Cup group games in the US, which is co-hosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada.

The regional war has put doubt on Iran’s ability to fulfil its World Cup entry, and sports minister Ahmad Donyamali told state TV this week the current circumstances meant it was not possible to play.

But the Iran team’s riposte on Instagram confirmed it still wants to participate, and pointed out that the tournament is run by FIFA — not Trump or the US.

“The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual, country,” the post said. “Certainly, no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”

Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.

Trump’s mixed messages on the subject include saying last week “I really don’t care” if Iran plays, then assuring FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House on Tuesday that Iran’s team was welcome.

Iran is a power in Asian football, ranked No. 20 in the world by FIFA and has qualified for its fourth straight World Cup edition.

Iran’s football federation has planned to use a tournament base camp in Arizona, at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson.

Before the World Cup, Iranian soccer officials are due to attend FIFA's annual congress on April 30 in Vancouver. The Iranian federation was unable to attend meetings in Atlanta last week to help teams prepare for the 48-nation tournament.

Sports

Bans Will Cost Mourinho 2 Games as Benfica Calls Punishment 'Unfair'

Benfica head coach José Mourinho (L) reacts during the Portuguese First League soccer match against FC Porto at Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 08 March 2026. EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES
Benfica head coach José Mourinho (L) reacts during the Portuguese First League soccer match against FC Porto at Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 08 March 2026. EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES
TT
TT

Bans Will Cost Mourinho 2 Games as Benfica Calls Punishment 'Unfair'

Benfica head coach José Mourinho (L) reacts during the Portuguese First League soccer match against FC Porto at Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 08 March 2026. EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES
Benfica head coach José Mourinho (L) reacts during the Portuguese First League soccer match against FC Porto at Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 08 March 2026. EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES

Jose Mourinho is set to miss Benfica’s next two games as punishment for his red card and subsequent confrontation with a Porto assistant coach in last Sunday’s contentious “O Clássico."

The Portuguese soccer federation’s disciplinary council issued two decisions that effectively ban the 63-year-old Benfica manager from the team's next two matches.

Mourinho was handed a one-match ban for his red card late in Sunday's 2-2 draw. He received it for leaving his technical area and kicking a ball toward Porto’s substitutes’ bench in celebration of a goal. Mourinho said he had tried to kick it into the stands.

Mourinho, no stranger to controversy, also received an 11-day suspension for his exchange with Porto assistant coach Lucho Gonzalez, The Associated Press reported.

The one-game ban takes effect for Benfica's game Saturday at Arouca. The 11-day suspension would rule him out of the March 21 match against Vitoria.

Portuguese media noted that the punishments cannot be served concurrently.

Benfica said it will appeal Thursday night's rulings. It called Mourinho’s punishment “unfair and unjustified.”

The disciplinary council noted that Mourinho sparked the clash with Gonzalez by making a gesture with his index finger and thumb and repeatedly saying “you are small.” Gonzalez responded by calling Mourinho, who coached Porto to the Champions League title in 2004, “a traitor.”

Gonzalez received a one-game ban and an eight-day suspension.

Sports

Election Draws Spotlight as Barca Host Sevilla

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
TT
TT

Election Draws Spotlight as Barca Host Sevilla

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)

Barcelona welcome Sevilla on Sunday aiming to maintain their La Liga lead on Real Madrid, but the stakes are even higher off the field with the club's next president to be named that night.

Club members will vote for one of the two candidates, Joan Laporta or Victor Font, to determine the direction Barca head in the years to come.

Laporta, who resigned from his role as president a few weeks ago to begin his reelection campaign, is firm favorite to stay in charge.

Despite a year-long delay in doing so, Barcelona returned to their Camp Nou home a few months ago and on Sunday, the north stand will be opened for the first time.

The temporary capacity has been raised to nearly 63,000, with the end goal to host 105,000 once the top tier is finally completed.

Sevilla's visit comes in between Champions League last 16 ties against Newcastle, with Barca looking to build on this week's 1-1 away draw.

Having won a domestic treble last season but fallen just short in Europe, reaching the semi-finals, success in that competition is Barca's top objective this season. The Catalan giants have not won the Champions League since 2015.

As he did against Athletic Bilbao last weekend in La Liga, Hansi Flick may be inclined to rotate some of his squad to keep them fresh to face Newcastle, although injuries may limit his options.

One player on the way back is 21-year-old midfielder Gavi, who last played in August before suffering a knee injury. The once Real Betis youth player is hoping to be on the bench to face his former side's rivals.

Flick's team will also be out for revenge after Sevilla inflicted a heavy 4-1 defeat on them in October, their first of the league season.

Matias Almeyda's Sevilla are 14th, not completely safe from danger, and any points on the road at Camp Nou would be a bonus for them. They are unbeaten in five games but four of those have been draws.

Barcelona hold a four-point advantage on Los Blancos in second, which Alvaro Arbeloa's team will try to reduce on Saturday to intensify the title race.

Madrid, after thrashing Manchester City in the Champions League, host an Elche side in free-fall after a good start to the season, now sitting 17th and just one point above the drop zone.

One of the reasons Laporta is likely to retain his position is the performance of Flick's side since the German coach arrived in the summer of 2024.

Whether Barca shine or stumble against Sevilla on Sunday could influence some floating voters at the ballot boxes, with polls closing a few hours after the game.