Eddie Howe’s exit from Newcastle United has arrived at a moment when the club’s long-term ambition feels harder to see clearly. Only months ago, chief executive David Hopkinson was talking up a future in which Newcastle could be part of the conversation about the world’s top clubs by 2030. But after a disappointing Premier League campaign, a quiet transfer window and the manager’s decision to move on, that goal now looks much further away.

According to the report, Newcastle finished 12th in the league, while their summer dealings were shaped by the need to raise money before they could strengthen. That has already led to the sale of major names, including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, with Bruno Guimaraes also the subject of exit talk. The club had previously sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for £125m last September, but incoming business has not matched the level of departures. Newcastle also missed out on Johan Manzambi and Victor Munoz, adding to the sense that the squad is not being built as quickly as hoped.

Howe’s spell in charge will still be remembered warmly by supporters, especially after he ended Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by winning the Carabao Cup last year. Even so, there had been growing uncertainty for some time. Newcastle were 13th at the start of the year, Champions League qualification already looked unlikely, and a series of setbacks followed, including defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, exits from the FA Cup and Champions League, and a heavy EFL Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City. The timing of his departure has surprised many fans, particularly because it came partway through pre-season rather than at the end of the campaign.

The bigger issue, though, is what Howe’s exit suggests about the limits of Newcastle’s project under football’s financial rules. Profit and Sustainability Rules have restricted their spending since the PIF takeover in 2021, despite the club’s wealthy ownership. After spending £404.7m in the first three years under PIF and bringing in only £50.4m through sales, Newcastle were forced to make difficult decisions, including letting Elliot Anderson leave for Nottingham Forest. The newer Squad Cost Ratio rules are designed to tie spending more closely to club income, and analysis cited in the report placed Newcastle’s budget capacity ninth in the Premier League. That backdrop has fueled questions about whether the Saudi-backed project is beginning to slow down rather than accelerate.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Howe’s exit shines a light on Newcastle’s spending squeeze appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Cricket, archery and shooting are understood to be in a strong position to make a return to the Commonwealth Games when India stages the event in 2030. The talks over the sporting line-up are still ongoing, but those three disciplines are among the ones thought to be best placed as organisers shape the programme for Ahmedabad.

The current Games in Glasgow feature only 10 sports, a trimmed-down schedule that followed the late withdrawal of Victoria in Australia as host. For 2030, however, the programme is expected to expand again, with Commonwealth Sport chief executive Katie Sadlier saying the target is 17 sports. She said the Games needed to be reset into a format that is more affordable for future hosts, while still allowing a few sports to return.

India’s Olympic Association representative Raghu Iyer said there are several sports that may feel they have missed out, while also pointing to events where India has traditionally excelled. He mentioned shooting and archery among those areas, and indicated that sports with strong Indian relevance would be favoured. Cricket’s case is helped by the expectation that at least two team sports will be added, with hockey and rugby sevens also in the mix.

Other sports under consideration include badminton, 3×3 basketball, 3×3 wheelchair basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, diving, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, squash, triathlon, para triathlon and wrestling. India also has the option to put forward two new sports as host nation. No final decisions have been made yet.

Ahmedabad’s Games will mark the Commonwealth centenary, with events set for the Narendra Modi Stadium, a 120,000-seat venue that has already hosted two men’s Cricket World Cup finals in recent years. Iyer said any major sporting event would also support India’s ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games, while stressing that the focus is on delivering one of the best Commonwealth Games yet.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Cricket, archery and shooting in strong position for 2030 Commonwealth Games return appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Rangers’ summer recruitment has created a packed midfield picture ahead of the new season, with several players now competing for the same roles and more arrivals still possible. Cammy Devlin, who joined from Hearts, has already been reminded in training that a starting spot at Ibrox will not come easily, and the club are still being linked with additional midfield targets.

According to the report, three of Rangers’ seven summer signings are central midfielders, while none of the club’s 11 departures came from that area. That adds to an already sizeable group on the books. Some players are viewed as less direct competition for a deeper midfield role, including attacking-minded options such as Thelo Aasgaard and Nedim Bajrami, while others like Jose Cifuentes, Lyall Cameron and Paul Nsio are not yet considered ready to step into the first team picture.

There are also players whose best positions sit elsewhere in the middle of the pitch. Mohamed Diomande is seen more as a box-to-box option, while Nicolas Raskin has often looked stronger going forward even though he prefers to sit in front of the defence. Raskin’s future has also been a talking point, with the Belgium international linked with a move and said to be keen on a switch to a top-five league. In anticipation of possible changes, Rangers have already brought in Dan Neil on a free transfer from Sunderland and Vanja Dragojevic from Partizan, where he had captained the side at 20.

That means Devlin is entering a group that already includes Scotland international Connor Barron and January arrival Tochi Chukwuani, while Rangers are still being linked with Ryan Fosso of Sturm Graz. Jens Hjerto-Dahl has also been mentioned, though he is described as more attack-minded. Devlin, for his part, said he expects the competition and is not taking anything for granted, stressing the quality in the squad and the need to keep fighting for every chance.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Rangers’ midfield rebuild leaves selection puzzle after a hectic summer appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has taken aim at his critics, urging them to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” rather than, in his words, spreading “hate and false rumours” about him, the governing body and the World Cup. In a long Instagram post that was also shared with Fifa’s millions of followers, he argued that football’s biggest tournament continued to stand for unity and celebration, while opponents were focused on negativity.

Infantino said the 2026 World Cup represented “the greatest event on earth” and described it as a showcase of humanity at its best. He also claimed the tournament delivered “100% safety and security,” with “zero incidents” and “zero violence,” presenting the event as a success built around joy, emotion and togetherness. In his post, he told critics they had missed the atmosphere created by fans and families from around the world.

But his upbeat assessment sits uneasily alongside several controversies that surrounded the tournament. Iran’s participation was one of the flashpoints, with the team facing visa delays, staff being denied entry to the United States, fans losing ticket allocations and the squad shifting its training base from Tucson to Tijuana because of logistical problems. Iran also dealt with restrictions on travel between its base and matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Those difficulties were not limited to one country, with supporters from Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast affected by travel bans, while Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid visa.

Infantino also pointed to the large number of people who were able to attend, saying critics focused too much on the few who were refused visas and ignored the millions who were approved. He praised football’s power to bring people together and said the tournament had shown that on a global scale. At the same time, Fifa is still looking into several issues from the competition, including Argentina’s post-final clash with Spain’s players and staff, allegations of racist abuse aimed at American influencer IShowSpeed, and arrests of supporters at different matches, including after England’s semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta. ICE officials were also present at stadiums, which drew controversy.

Infantino’s comments also touched on concerns about officiating and political influence. That debate intensified after Fifa suspended USA forward Folarin Balogun’s ban for the last-16 match following intervention from Donald Trump. Uefa called the move “unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable,” while Norway’s football federation is considering a complaint to Fifa’s ethics committee. Infantino rejected the criticism, saying similar decisions are routine in major leagues, and added that some of the countries objecting were using the same practices themselves.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Infantino fires back at World Cup critics with message to ‘meditate, pray or watch football’ appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Newcastle United’s Saudi-led takeover in 2021 sparked immediate talk that the club could follow Manchester City’s rapid rise, but the reality has been far more complicated. While the Magpies have ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the EFL Cup in 2025 and have reached the Champions League in 2023 and 2025, the financial environment around elite football has tightened significantly. According to the report, profit and sustainability rules and squad-cost ratio regulations have made it harder for ambitious clubs to break into the established order.

The club’s revenue has grown sharply, rising from £140m in 2021 to £335.3m in 2025, yet Newcastle still trail the Premier League’s biggest earners. That gap matters, especially when rivals such as Chelsea can spend heavily thanks to stronger trading power. Newcastle’s own spending has also brought pressure: last summer’s net outlay did not deliver enough immediate reward, with defender Malick Thiaw standing out as the clearest success, while a disappointing 12th-place finish last season left them out of Europe.

There are also wider financial consequences to manage. Newcastle have entered a three-year settlement with Uefa after breaching its financial sustainability rules, and player sales have been essential to creating room for fresh investment. Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali were moved on to help fund this summer’s business, following Alexander Isak’s £125m departure to Liverpool last summer. That has left the squad thinner, and the uncertainty around captain Bruno Guimaraes only adds to the challenge.

Off the pitch, the club is still waiting on major infrastructure decisions that could shape its long-term ceiling. Plans for a new training ground near Newcastle Airport are expected to be announced, while the club is also weighing whether to expand St James’ Park or build a new stadium altogether. Meanwhile, summer arrivals Ewen Jaouen, Sean Steur and Bazoumana Toure are all 20 or younger, reflecting a recruitment strategy built around potential rather than instant impact. As the takeover nears its fifth anniversary, Newcastle’s ambition remains clear, but the report makes plain that the path to becoming one of the world’s leading clubs by 2030 is still a long one.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Where Newcastle stand in their push to become one of football’s elite by 2030 appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Arsenal have made another move in an active summer window, bringing in Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez on a free transfer. The 27-year-old joins the Women’s Super League club after leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season, becoming the team’s sixth signing of the summer.

Rodriguez will wear the number 16 shirt at Arsenal and is expected to compete for playing time with Daphne van Domselaar and Anneke Borbe. Both goalkeepers were affected by injuries last season, leaving Arsenal keen to add more depth in the position.

Speaking after the move, Rodriguez said she was proud to join the club and described Arsenal as one of the world’s top sides. She added that she wants to help the team challenge for trophies and create more history with the supporters.

Her arrival adds more experience to Renee Slegers’ squad ahead of the 2026-27 WSL season. Arsenal have already brought in Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Selina Cerci, Geraldine Reuteler and Lisa Baum as they continue to build on a campaign that ended with second place in the league and a run to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League.

Rodriguez arrives with a strong record from her time in Spain. During six years at Real Madrid, she made 215 appearances, which is a club record, and was named captain last year. On the international stage, she has 34 caps for Spain since her senior debut in 2021, including three appearances during her country’s 2023 Women’s World Cup triumph.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Arsenal add Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez on free transfer appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

American boxer Hannah Rapp has died after being hit by a car while riding her bike in Texas, according to the report. She was 26.

The Brazos County sheriff’s office said Rapp was passed by a car that suddenly stopped and then reversed into her. The driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter.

Rapp had recently competed for the WBC women’s featherweight title in June, when she lost to Tiara Brown in Orlando. That bout left her with an 8-1-1 record. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman described her as an exceptional boxer and an important part of the sport’s community, while Brown said it was an honor to share the ring with her.

Originally from Indiana, Rapp first competed in athletics before moving into boxing. She turned professional in 2024 while also working full time as a fire and life safety inspector. Her promoter, Most Valuable Promotions, said she left a lasting impression on everyone she met and that her memory would be honored in the weeks ahead.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Boxer Hannah Rapp dies after cycling crash in Texas appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Josh Kerr believes his new men’s mile world record may not be the final word. The Scottish runner, 28, told BBC Breakfast that while breaking the mark was an “awesome achievement,” he thinks he could lower it again under the right conditions.

Kerr clocked three minutes 42.66 seconds to surpass Moroccan great Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1999 record. In doing so, he became the seventh British athlete to hold the mile world record and the first from Britain to do it since Steve Cram in 1985. His previous best in the event had been the British record of 3:45.34.

He said the mile had been his main target this year and described the timing as ideal for a serious attempt. Kerr also pointed to Britain’s long tradition in the event, referencing figures such as Roger Bannister, Sebastian Coe, Cram and Steve Ovett, and said he wanted to bring the record back to the UK.

The record was set in front of a sold-out crowd of 60,000 at London Stadium during the city’s Diamond League meeting. Kerr said choosing to chase the mark in the UK was deliberate, with the hope of inspiring younger athletes, coaches and parents in the stands. He added that he would like the record to stay with him for a while, but suggested that if his fitness remains high, another attempt to improve it could be on the cards.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Josh Kerr says mile world record could fall again after historic breakthrough appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Late drama has been a defining feature of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with BBC Sport bringing together all 11 winning goals scored in stoppage time. The video package highlights how matches can turn in the final moments, when pressure is at its highest and a single chance can decide everything.

The compilation is presented as part of the broadcaster’s World Cup coverage and focuses specifically on winners that arrived after the clock had moved into stoppage time. It is available to UK users only, and the report notes that the content is not accessible in every location.

Alongside the main video, the page sits within BBC Sport’s wider World Cup section, where related clips and reaction pieces continue to track the tournament’s biggest moments. The collection underlines how often this World Cup has delivered decisive goals right at the end, keeping fans engaged until the final whistle.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post All 11 stoppage-time winners from the 2026 World Cup appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Cardiff and Ospreys have reached an agreement that will see young fly-half Harri Wilde move to Swansea on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old is set to provide cover for Dan Edwards, while Cardiff retain the option to bring him back if the need arises.

The switch comes after Cardiff brought in Wales international Jarrod Evans from Harlequins, adding another contender for the No. 10 shirt alongside Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd. Ospreys, meanwhile, had been left light at fly-half following Jack Walsh’s move to Montauban and turned to their regional neighbours for support.

Wilde has already had a taste of United Rugby Championship rugby, making a brief appearance against Zebre in November 2025. He signed a long-term deal before Ospreys came in, and Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said the loan should help him develop in a high-performance environment while also increasing his chances of regular URC minutes. When not involved with the senior side, Wilde will feature for Cardiff’s second team in Super Rygbi Cymru.

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said the arrangement reflects cooperation between Welsh clubs and strengthens the team’s options at fly-half. The region has also added Australian utility back Lawson Creighton, giving them even more depth across the backline. Wilde, a former Wales Under-20 international, now gets a chance to continue his progress in a new setting with one of Cardiff’s rivals.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Eddie Howe’s exit from Newcastle United has arrived at a moment when the club’s long-term ambition feels harder to see clearly. Only months ago, chief executive David Hopkinson was talking up a future in which Newcastle could be part of the conversation about the world’s top clubs by 2030. But after a disappointing Premier League campaign, a quiet transfer window and the manager’s decision to move on, that goal now looks much further away.

According to the report, Newcastle finished 12th in the league, while their summer dealings were shaped by the need to raise money before they could strengthen. That has already led to the sale of major names, including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, with Bruno Guimaraes also the subject of exit talk. The club had previously sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for £125m last September, but incoming business has not matched the level of departures. Newcastle also missed out on Johan Manzambi and Victor Munoz, adding to the sense that the squad is not being built as quickly as hoped.

Howe’s spell in charge will still be remembered warmly by supporters, especially after he ended Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by winning the Carabao Cup last year. Even so, there had been growing uncertainty for some time. Newcastle were 13th at the start of the year, Champions League qualification already looked unlikely, and a series of setbacks followed, including defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, exits from the FA Cup and Champions League, and a heavy EFL Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City. The timing of his departure has surprised many fans, particularly because it came partway through pre-season rather than at the end of the campaign.

The bigger issue, though, is what Howe’s exit suggests about the limits of Newcastle’s project under football’s financial rules. Profit and Sustainability Rules have restricted their spending since the PIF takeover in 2021, despite the club’s wealthy ownership. After spending £404.7m in the first three years under PIF and bringing in only £50.4m through sales, Newcastle were forced to make difficult decisions, including letting Elliot Anderson leave for Nottingham Forest. The newer Squad Cost Ratio rules are designed to tie spending more closely to club income, and analysis cited in the report placed Newcastle’s budget capacity ninth in the Premier League. That backdrop has fueled questions about whether the Saudi-backed project is beginning to slow down rather than accelerate.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Howe’s exit shines a light on Newcastle’s spending squeeze appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Cricket, archery and shooting are understood to be in a strong position to make a return to the Commonwealth Games when India stages the event in 2030. The talks over the sporting line-up are still ongoing, but those three disciplines are among the ones thought to be best placed as organisers shape the programme for Ahmedabad.

The current Games in Glasgow feature only 10 sports, a trimmed-down schedule that followed the late withdrawal of Victoria in Australia as host. For 2030, however, the programme is expected to expand again, with Commonwealth Sport chief executive Katie Sadlier saying the target is 17 sports. She said the Games needed to be reset into a format that is more affordable for future hosts, while still allowing a few sports to return.

India’s Olympic Association representative Raghu Iyer said there are several sports that may feel they have missed out, while also pointing to events where India has traditionally excelled. He mentioned shooting and archery among those areas, and indicated that sports with strong Indian relevance would be favoured. Cricket’s case is helped by the expectation that at least two team sports will be added, with hockey and rugby sevens also in the mix.

Other sports under consideration include badminton, 3×3 basketball, 3×3 wheelchair basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, diving, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, squash, triathlon, para triathlon and wrestling. India also has the option to put forward two new sports as host nation. No final decisions have been made yet.

Ahmedabad’s Games will mark the Commonwealth centenary, with events set for the Narendra Modi Stadium, a 120,000-seat venue that has already hosted two men’s Cricket World Cup finals in recent years. Iyer said any major sporting event would also support India’s ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games, while stressing that the focus is on delivering one of the best Commonwealth Games yet.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Cricket, archery and shooting in strong position for 2030 Commonwealth Games return appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Rangers’ summer recruitment has created a packed midfield picture ahead of the new season, with several players now competing for the same roles and more arrivals still possible. Cammy Devlin, who joined from Hearts, has already been reminded in training that a starting spot at Ibrox will not come easily, and the club are still being linked with additional midfield targets.

According to the report, three of Rangers’ seven summer signings are central midfielders, while none of the club’s 11 departures came from that area. That adds to an already sizeable group on the books. Some players are viewed as less direct competition for a deeper midfield role, including attacking-minded options such as Thelo Aasgaard and Nedim Bajrami, while others like Jose Cifuentes, Lyall Cameron and Paul Nsio are not yet considered ready to step into the first team picture.

There are also players whose best positions sit elsewhere in the middle of the pitch. Mohamed Diomande is seen more as a box-to-box option, while Nicolas Raskin has often looked stronger going forward even though he prefers to sit in front of the defence. Raskin’s future has also been a talking point, with the Belgium international linked with a move and said to be keen on a switch to a top-five league. In anticipation of possible changes, Rangers have already brought in Dan Neil on a free transfer from Sunderland and Vanja Dragojevic from Partizan, where he had captained the side at 20.

That means Devlin is entering a group that already includes Scotland international Connor Barron and January arrival Tochi Chukwuani, while Rangers are still being linked with Ryan Fosso of Sturm Graz. Jens Hjerto-Dahl has also been mentioned, though he is described as more attack-minded. Devlin, for his part, said he expects the competition and is not taking anything for granted, stressing the quality in the squad and the need to keep fighting for every chance.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Rangers’ midfield rebuild leaves selection puzzle after a hectic summer appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has taken aim at his critics, urging them to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” rather than, in his words, spreading “hate and false rumours” about him, the governing body and the World Cup. In a long Instagram post that was also shared with Fifa’s millions of followers, he argued that football’s biggest tournament continued to stand for unity and celebration, while opponents were focused on negativity.

Infantino said the 2026 World Cup represented “the greatest event on earth” and described it as a showcase of humanity at its best. He also claimed the tournament delivered “100% safety and security,” with “zero incidents” and “zero violence,” presenting the event as a success built around joy, emotion and togetherness. In his post, he told critics they had missed the atmosphere created by fans and families from around the world.

But his upbeat assessment sits uneasily alongside several controversies that surrounded the tournament. Iran’s participation was one of the flashpoints, with the team facing visa delays, staff being denied entry to the United States, fans losing ticket allocations and the squad shifting its training base from Tucson to Tijuana because of logistical problems. Iran also dealt with restrictions on travel between its base and matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Those difficulties were not limited to one country, with supporters from Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast affected by travel bans, while Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid visa.

Infantino also pointed to the large number of people who were able to attend, saying critics focused too much on the few who were refused visas and ignored the millions who were approved. He praised football’s power to bring people together and said the tournament had shown that on a global scale. At the same time, Fifa is still looking into several issues from the competition, including Argentina’s post-final clash with Spain’s players and staff, allegations of racist abuse aimed at American influencer IShowSpeed, and arrests of supporters at different matches, including after England’s semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta. ICE officials were also present at stadiums, which drew controversy.

Infantino’s comments also touched on concerns about officiating and political influence. That debate intensified after Fifa suspended USA forward Folarin Balogun’s ban for the last-16 match following intervention from Donald Trump. Uefa called the move “unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable,” while Norway’s football federation is considering a complaint to Fifa’s ethics committee. Infantino rejected the criticism, saying similar decisions are routine in major leagues, and added that some of the countries objecting were using the same practices themselves.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Infantino fires back at World Cup critics with message to ‘meditate, pray or watch football’ appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Newcastle United’s Saudi-led takeover in 2021 sparked immediate talk that the club could follow Manchester City’s rapid rise, but the reality has been far more complicated. While the Magpies have ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the EFL Cup in 2025 and have reached the Champions League in 2023 and 2025, the financial environment around elite football has tightened significantly. According to the report, profit and sustainability rules and squad-cost ratio regulations have made it harder for ambitious clubs to break into the established order.

The club’s revenue has grown sharply, rising from £140m in 2021 to £335.3m in 2025, yet Newcastle still trail the Premier League’s biggest earners. That gap matters, especially when rivals such as Chelsea can spend heavily thanks to stronger trading power. Newcastle’s own spending has also brought pressure: last summer’s net outlay did not deliver enough immediate reward, with defender Malick Thiaw standing out as the clearest success, while a disappointing 12th-place finish last season left them out of Europe.

There are also wider financial consequences to manage. Newcastle have entered a three-year settlement with Uefa after breaching its financial sustainability rules, and player sales have been essential to creating room for fresh investment. Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali were moved on to help fund this summer’s business, following Alexander Isak’s £125m departure to Liverpool last summer. That has left the squad thinner, and the uncertainty around captain Bruno Guimaraes only adds to the challenge.

Off the pitch, the club is still waiting on major infrastructure decisions that could shape its long-term ceiling. Plans for a new training ground near Newcastle Airport are expected to be announced, while the club is also weighing whether to expand St James’ Park or build a new stadium altogether. Meanwhile, summer arrivals Ewen Jaouen, Sean Steur and Bazoumana Toure are all 20 or younger, reflecting a recruitment strategy built around potential rather than instant impact. As the takeover nears its fifth anniversary, Newcastle’s ambition remains clear, but the report makes plain that the path to becoming one of the world’s leading clubs by 2030 is still a long one.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Where Newcastle stand in their push to become one of football’s elite by 2030 appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Arsenal have made another move in an active summer window, bringing in Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez on a free transfer. The 27-year-old joins the Women’s Super League club after leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season, becoming the team’s sixth signing of the summer.

Rodriguez will wear the number 16 shirt at Arsenal and is expected to compete for playing time with Daphne van Domselaar and Anneke Borbe. Both goalkeepers were affected by injuries last season, leaving Arsenal keen to add more depth in the position.

Speaking after the move, Rodriguez said she was proud to join the club and described Arsenal as one of the world’s top sides. She added that she wants to help the team challenge for trophies and create more history with the supporters.

Her arrival adds more experience to Renee Slegers’ squad ahead of the 2026-27 WSL season. Arsenal have already brought in Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Selina Cerci, Geraldine Reuteler and Lisa Baum as they continue to build on a campaign that ended with second place in the league and a run to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League.

Rodriguez arrives with a strong record from her time in Spain. During six years at Real Madrid, she made 215 appearances, which is a club record, and was named captain last year. On the international stage, she has 34 caps for Spain since her senior debut in 2021, including three appearances during her country’s 2023 Women’s World Cup triumph.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Arsenal add Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez on free transfer appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

American boxer Hannah Rapp has died after being hit by a car while riding her bike in Texas, according to the report. She was 26.

The Brazos County sheriff’s office said Rapp was passed by a car that suddenly stopped and then reversed into her. The driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter.

Rapp had recently competed for the WBC women’s featherweight title in June, when she lost to Tiara Brown in Orlando. That bout left her with an 8-1-1 record. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman described her as an exceptional boxer and an important part of the sport’s community, while Brown said it was an honor to share the ring with her.

Originally from Indiana, Rapp first competed in athletics before moving into boxing. She turned professional in 2024 while also working full time as a fire and life safety inspector. Her promoter, Most Valuable Promotions, said she left a lasting impression on everyone she met and that her memory would be honored in the weeks ahead.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Boxer Hannah Rapp dies after cycling crash in Texas appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Josh Kerr believes his new men’s mile world record may not be the final word. The Scottish runner, 28, told BBC Breakfast that while breaking the mark was an “awesome achievement,” he thinks he could lower it again under the right conditions.

Kerr clocked three minutes 42.66 seconds to surpass Moroccan great Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1999 record. In doing so, he became the seventh British athlete to hold the mile world record and the first from Britain to do it since Steve Cram in 1985. His previous best in the event had been the British record of 3:45.34.

He said the mile had been his main target this year and described the timing as ideal for a serious attempt. Kerr also pointed to Britain’s long tradition in the event, referencing figures such as Roger Bannister, Sebastian Coe, Cram and Steve Ovett, and said he wanted to bring the record back to the UK.

The record was set in front of a sold-out crowd of 60,000 at London Stadium during the city’s Diamond League meeting. Kerr said choosing to chase the mark in the UK was deliberate, with the hope of inspiring younger athletes, coaches and parents in the stands. He added that he would like the record to stay with him for a while, but suggested that if his fitness remains high, another attempt to improve it could be on the cards.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Josh Kerr says mile world record could fall again after historic breakthrough appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Late drama has been a defining feature of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with BBC Sport bringing together all 11 winning goals scored in stoppage time. The video package highlights how matches can turn in the final moments, when pressure is at its highest and a single chance can decide everything.

The compilation is presented as part of the broadcaster’s World Cup coverage and focuses specifically on winners that arrived after the clock had moved into stoppage time. It is available to UK users only, and the report notes that the content is not accessible in every location.

Alongside the main video, the page sits within BBC Sport’s wider World Cup section, where related clips and reaction pieces continue to track the tournament’s biggest moments. The collection underlines how often this World Cup has delivered decisive goals right at the end, keeping fans engaged until the final whistle.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post All 11 stoppage-time winners from the 2026 World Cup appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Cardiff and Ospreys have reached an agreement that will see young fly-half Harri Wilde move to Swansea on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old is set to provide cover for Dan Edwards, while Cardiff retain the option to bring him back if the need arises.

The switch comes after Cardiff brought in Wales international Jarrod Evans from Harlequins, adding another contender for the No. 10 shirt alongside Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd. Ospreys, meanwhile, had been left light at fly-half following Jack Walsh’s move to Montauban and turned to their regional neighbours for support.

Wilde has already had a taste of United Rugby Championship rugby, making a brief appearance against Zebre in November 2025. He signed a long-term deal before Ospreys came in, and Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said the loan should help him develop in a high-performance environment while also increasing his chances of regular URC minutes. When not involved with the senior side, Wilde will feature for Cardiff’s second team in Super Rygbi Cymru.

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said the arrangement reflects cooperation between Welsh clubs and strengthens the team’s options at fly-half. The region has also added Australian utility back Lawson Creighton, giving them even more depth across the backline. Wilde, a former Wales Under-20 international, now gets a chance to continue his progress in a new setting with one of Cardiff’s rivals.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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