McFarlane Rues Chelsea’s Poor Start in Nottingham Loss
Chelsea's interim manager Calum McFarlane reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League match Chelsea FC against Nottingham Forest, in London, Britain, 04 May 2026. (EPA)
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McFarlane Rues Chelsea’s Poor Start in Nottingham Loss
Chelsea's interim manager Calum McFarlane reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League match Chelsea FC against Nottingham Forest, in London, Britain, 04 May 2026. (EPA)
Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane lamented his side's poor start during Monday's 3–1 Premier League home defeat to Nottingham Forest, marking the London club's sixth successive league defeat.
Taiwo Awoniyi scored for Forest inside two minutes and then Chelsea fell further behind to an Igor Jesus penalty in the 15th.
Awoniyi struck again at the start of the second half, with Joao Pedro’s stoppage-time goal proving only a consolation for the hosts.
"Ultimately, the first 15 minutes was not acceptable," McFarlane told reporters.
"The early goal was a bit of a sucker punch. We know that they like to cross to the back post. We know that the number nine likes to peel to the back post. We should defend that moment better."
Ninth-placed Chelsea sit 10 points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa, extinguishing any lingering hope of a top-five finish that would guarantee Champions League football next season.
They will face fourth-placed Liverpool on Saturday.
Monfils Aims to Emulate Ronaldo, LeBron after Roland Garros Farewellhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5277252-monfils-aims-emulate-ronaldo-lebron-after-roland-garros-farewell
France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
Monfils Aims to Emulate Ronaldo, LeBron after Roland Garros Farewell
France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
Gael Monfils is determined to emulate the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James by playing into his 40s and hopes to play at Wimbledon, Montreal and the US Open before bringing down the curtain on his career on home soil at the Paris Masters.
The Frenchman, who turns 40 in September, bade a fond farewell to Roland Garros after going down 6-2 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-0 to compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round on Monday, walking off to a standing ovation that celebrated a career that spanned two decades.
Monfils will retire at the end of the season as he seeks to manage his body into his 40s.
"Why do I want to get to the States? Because I want to play until 40. My wish is to be an athlete that plays until 40 years old," Reuters quoted Monfils as saying.
"Like Stan (Wawrinka), LeBron, Cristiano, (Patrice) Evra, like all of the athletes who have managed to continue their sport until the age of 40.
"That's what I want to do. You know that whatever happens this summer, I'm locked in to train."
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 25, 2026 France's Gael Monfils poses with former tennis players Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet after receiving an award from Roland Garros. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
The former world number six, who has enjoyed some of his best results on clay, acknowledged that the surface has become more challenging in recent years.
While he hopes to secure a wildcard for the US Open, he also plans to play Wimbledon and Montreal.
"Hopefully Wimbledon. Then need to decide if we go to Washington or not," he said.
"I think we will ask Montreal, hopefully. I want to say goodbye to Montreal. Obviously I will ask the French Federation to have the US Open wildcard. Hopefully I will have this one.
"Asia is a bit blurry, to be honest. Then the end of the year, I can tell you I will play Lyon, the new tournament. Nicolas (his agent) wants me to play Vienna, and then hopefully, Paris."
The 13-time ATP title winner reached the French Open semi-finals in 2008 and was a key part of France's Davis Cup runs in 2010 and 2014.
FIFA Reveals 48 World Cup Team Base Training Siteshttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5277250-fifa-reveals-48-world-cup-team-base-training-sites
FIFA Reveals 48 World Cup Team Base Training Sites
TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
Defending champions Argentina and England will have their World Cup teams based in Kansas City under a list of training sites announced by FIFA on Monday.
The record 48 teams competing in the global football showdown that begins next month will have 39 teams based in the United States, seven more based in Mexico and two based in Canada.
"Team Base Camps are an integral part of the fabric of any FIFA World Cup," said Heimo Schirgi, 2026 FIFA World Cup chief operating officer. "They are where teams put down roots, train and recuperate, and experience the day-to-day rhythms of the tournament."
Iran were confirmed with a team base in Tijuana, Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday said the country would allow Iran to be based there to avoid US visa restrictions.
Colombia, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Tunisia and Uruguay will also be based in Mexico with Canada and Panama based in Canada and the rest settled in US venues.
Saudi Arabia: Austin, TX (Austin FC Stadium)
Algeria: Kansas City (University of Kansas)
Argentina: Kansas City (Sporting KC Training Centre)
Australia: San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland Roots/Soul facility)
Austria: Goleta, CA (UC Santa Barbara)
Belgium: Renton, WA (Seattle Sounders performance centre)
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sandy, UT (RSL Stadium)
Brazil: New York-New Jersey (Columbia Park Training Facility)
Canada: Vancouver (National Soccer Development Centre)
Cote d'Ivoire: Philadelphia (Philadelphia Union)
Congo DR: Houston (Houston Training Centre)
Colombia: Guadalajara, MX (Academia Atlas FC)
Cabo Verde: Tampa, FL (Waters Sportsplex)
Croatia: Alexandria (Episcopal High School)
Curaçao: Boca Raton, FL (Florida Atlantic University)
Czechia: Dallas (Mansfield Multipurpose Stadium)
Ecuador: Columbus, OH (Columbus Crew Performance Centre)
Egypt: Spokane, WA (Gonzaga University)
England: Kansas City (Swope Soccer Village)
Spain: Chattanooga, TN (Baylor School)
France: Boston (Bentley University)
Germany: Winston-Salem, NC (Wake Forest University)
Ghana: Boston (Bryant University)
Haiti: New York-New Jersey (Stockton University)
Iran: Tijuana, MX (Centro Xoloitzcuintle)
Iraq: Greenbrier, WV (Greenbrier Sports Performance Centre)
Jordan: Portland (University of Portland)
Japan: Nashville, TN (Nashville SC facility)
South Korea: Guadalajara, MX (Chivas Verde Valle)
Morocco: New York-New Jersey (Pingry School)
Mexico: Mexico City (Centro de Alto Rendimiento)
Netherlands: Kansas City (KC Current Training Facility)
Norway: Greensboro, NC (UNC Greensboro)
New Zealand: San Diego (University of San Diego - Torero Stadium)
Panama: New Tecumseth, CAN (Nottawasaga Training Site)
Paraguay: San Francisco Bay Area (Spartan Soccer Complex)
Portugal: Palm Beach Gardens (Gardens North County District Park)
Qatar: Santa Barbara, CA (Westmont College)
South Africa: Pachuca, MX (Pachuca - Universidad Del Futbol)
Scotland: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte FC facility)
Senegal: New York-New Jersey (Rutgers University)
Switzerland: San Diego (SDJA)
Sweden: Dallas (FC Dallas Stadium)
Tunisia: Monterrey, MX (Rayados Training Centre)
Türkiye: Mesa, AZ (Arizona Athletic Grounds)
Uruguay: Cancun, MX (Mayakoba Training Centre Cancun)
United States: Irvine (Great Park Sports Complex)
Uzbekistan: Atlanta (Atlanta United Training Centre)
Saudi Sports Minister Sees off National Team ahead of its Departure to US for FIFA World Cuphttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5277117-saudi-sports-minister-sees-national-team-ahead-its-departure-us-fifa-world-cup
Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)
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Saudi Sports Minister Sees off National Team ahead of its Departure to US for FIFA World Cup
Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal met on Monday with the Saudi national football team ahead of its departure to the United States to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The minister conveyed the greetings of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, along with his best wishes for the team’s success in the tournament that kicks off on June 11.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal.
Prince Abdulaziz stressed that the Saudi team’s participation in the landmark global football event reflects the Kingdom’s continued presence in major international competitions.
He urged the players to give their best and demonstrate high morale during the tournament.
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