In a recent podcast interview, Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), disclosed that he left India due to threats from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Modi, who was the chairman and commissioner of IPL during its first three editions, claimed that he received death threats from Ibrahim because he had a "zero policy" on match-fixing. The police informed him that he was on a hitlist and could only guarantee his protection for 12 hours, prompting him to use the VIP exit at the airport. Chhota Shakeel, Dawood's right-hand man, also confirmed in an interview that a team of sharpshooters had been sent to Bangkok where Modi was staying.
Follow along with Mail Sport's live blog for all the highlights, team news, and final score updates from the thrilling match between Arsenal and Monaco at the Emirates. The Gunners dominated the pitch and secured a vital win, moving up to third place in their Champions League group with only two games remaining. Don't miss a moment of the intense European action.
In an impressive move, FC Barcelona's women's team has signed English international goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck on a free transfer from Manchester City. The 21-year-old talent is set to fill the gap left by the departure of Sandra Paños and will compete with Cata Coll for the starting role. With her skill on the ball and strong personality, Roebuck is ready to take on the challenge and help bring the coveted Champions League title to Barcelona. Stay updated on all things sports – follow us here for daily news and analysis!
Barcelona's Ferran Torres proved to be the hero for the team as he came on as a substitute and scored two crucial goals, including the 85th-minute winner, to lead his team to a 3-2 victory against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. The thrilling five-goal second half saw Torres making an impact in just 10 minutes after coming on in the 71st minute. With this win, Barcelona moves to second place in their league group with 15 points and are on the brink of qualification for the next round.
Sky Sport Italia pundits Fabio Capello and Paolo Di Canio slam Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and goalkeeper Ederson for their arrogance and overconfidence. The duo believes that Guardiola's desire to take credit away from his players and Ederson's flashy style have led to mistakes and hindered the team's success in both the Premier League and Champions League. The criticism comes as City face Juventus in a crucial Champions League match.
Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Paul Merson weigh in on what they call the "biggest VAR decision of the season" as Arsenal's potential winning goal against Fulham is ruled out due to an offside call on Gabriel Martinelli. The disallowed goal resulted in a 1-1 draw for Arsenal, missing the opportunity to trail Liverpool by only four points. The unexpected turn of events could have a significant impact on the Premier League title race.
In a thrilling match, substitute Ferran Torres played a key role in securing a 3-2 victory for Barcelona against Borussia Dortmund. The win moves Barcelona closer to qualification for the next round of the Champions League. Despite Dortmund's valiant efforts, they were unable to come back a third time after Torres scored from a pass by Lamine Yamal.
FIFA makes major announcements, awarding host nations for the next two men's World Cups - Saudi Arabia for 2034 and a joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain for the 2030 edition. Additionally, the 2027 Women's World Cup will be held in Brazil and the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup will take place in Qatar. These decisions were made at the virtual Extraordinary FIFA Congress meeting on Wednesday. A reminder is also given that the USA, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup.
In the aftermath of Barcelona's defeat to Real Sociedad, a Spanish referee's conversation with Hansi Flick has been revealed, shedding light on the controversial offside call that denied Robert Lewandowski a goal. The referee insisted that the decision was correct and there was no foul play involved, despite Flick's protests. The close call, made with the assistance of VAR, sparked frustration and debate among fans, further highlighting the importance and impact of technology in modern-day football.
Since joining Arsenal in 2018, Martin Odegaard has become a key figure in the team's revival, eventually being named captain in 2022. With his 100th game as captain, Odegaard now holds the best record with a rate percentage of any captain in the club's history over the past 30 years, surpassing the likes of Tony Adams, Thierry Henry, and Patrick Vieira. Odegaard himself spoke out about the achievement, highlighting his role in Arsenal's success on and off the field.
Chelsea have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Raphinha, with reports claiming Barcelona have set a massive asking price of €100 million for the Brazilian winger. The 27-year-old has been in sensational form this season and has caught the attention of multiple top clubs, including Chelsea. However, the Blues will have to splash the cash if they are to secure his services, as Barca are unwilling to budge on their steep demands.