Fans Allowed Back on Albert Park Track Two Years After Invasion 

Haas driver Oliver Bearman of Britain in action during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP)
Haas driver Oliver Bearman of Britain in action during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP)
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Fans Allowed Back on Albert Park Track Two Years After Invasion 

Haas driver Oliver Bearman of Britain in action during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP)
Haas driver Oliver Bearman of Britain in action during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP)

Australian Grand Prix organizers said they have lifted a ban on motor sport fans entering the Albert Park track after the Formula One race in a return to tradition.

The practice of fans being allowed to walk along the track post-race and get up close to drivers on the podium was banned last year following a crowd invasion in 2023.

A large number of fans got onto the track in the closing stages of that race and were able to reach the stranded Haas car driven by Nico Hulkenberg.

Organizers said the "track walk" was back, though, following approval from authorities.

"The track walk is a unique and cherished experience for our fans, and we are very excited to be able to welcome it back for 2025 and have this incredible moment shared around the world," Australian Grand Prix Corporation boss Travis Auld said on Wednesday.

Organizers said there would be a range of measures to ensure the track walk would be safe for the F1 season-opener on March 16, including purpose-built barrier gates and increased security.

Organizers said a record 452,055 spectators attended the Australian Grand Prix's four-day race week last year.



Man City Collect Biggest UEFA Bonus for Releasing Players for International Duty 

Mateo Kovacic of Manchester City celebrates scoring the 0-2 goal during the English Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City in Liverpool, Great Britain, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
Mateo Kovacic of Manchester City celebrates scoring the 0-2 goal during the English Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City in Liverpool, Great Britain, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
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Man City Collect Biggest UEFA Bonus for Releasing Players for International Duty 

Mateo Kovacic of Manchester City celebrates scoring the 0-2 goal during the English Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City in Liverpool, Great Britain, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
Mateo Kovacic of Manchester City celebrates scoring the 0-2 goal during the English Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City in Liverpool, Great Britain, 19 April 2025. (EPA)

Premier League side Manchester City were allocated around 5.17 million euros ($5.94 million), the most of any UEFA club, as part of the European football governing body's Club Benefits Program to encourage national team participation by players.

A record 233 million euros were distributed to 901 clubs from all 55 member associations for releasing players to national team competitions: the 2020-21 and 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, European Championship qualifiers 2022–24 and Euro 2024.

Spanish side Real Madrid were allocated 4.79 million euros while Inter Milan of Serie A were given 4.65 million euros.

Clubs received an equal share for each player released for each UEFA Nations League and Euros qualifying match, as well as a fixed amount per player per day during the final tournament.

Clubs throughout the football pyramid benefited with a tenth-tier side – Yorkshire Amateur of England – receiving 7,300 euros.

"It is fantastic to see clubs of all sizes and levels, across the entire football pyramid, receiving financial rewards for their vital role in developing players who contribute to the success of our national team competitions - including the highly successful UEFA EURO 2024 final tournament," UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said.

"Every success of our competitions is a shared one, and this benefits program is another testament to that principle ... when football thrives, everyone benefits."

The total amount for the release of players in this cycle was 100m euros, up from 70m for the previous cycle.

The amount for the release of players for the European Championship also increased, from 130m to 140m euros, with funds going to 196 clubs from 29 UEFA member associations.