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Lamine Yamal, a Spanish footballer, has expressed his disappointment and frustration with Islamophobic chants made by some Spanish fans during a friendly match against Egypt in Barcelona. The chants, which included "who doesn’t jump is a Muslim", were aimed at the opposing team but Yamal, being a Muslim himself, found them to be intolerable and racist.The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, including from the Spain coach, Luis de la Fuente, and Spain’s justice minister, Félix Bolaños. Police investigations are underway to identify those responsible for the chants.The match, which ended in a 0-0 draw, was expected to be a significant event ahead of the World Cup, with Spain set to face Saudi Arabia and other tough opponents. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of racism and Islamophobia in sports and the need for greater awareness and respect among fans.Criticism has been mounting against those responsible for the chants, with many calling for greater accountability and action to prevent such incidents in the future. The Spanish football community and beyond have been urged to stand against racism and support inclusivity in the sport.

Berkeley, one of Britain’s largest housebuilders, said it will cease buying new land and impose a hiring freeze as it confronts the impact of the Iran war and broader geopolitical volatility on the UK property market.The FTSE 100 company warned that a reduced likelihood of further interest‑rate cuts and soaring regulatory costs could weigh heavily on its business, prompting cost‑cutting measures that also include using fewer subcontractors.In a significant outlook revision, Berkeley now expects to generate more than £1.4 billion in pre‑tax profit between 2027 and 2030, a stark increase from the roughly £450 million it had forecast for the current year and 2027.Market reaction was swift: the company’s shares plunged up to 18 % on Wednesday morning, later recovering to sit about 13 % lower, making Berkeley the worst performer on the FTSE 100 that day.Berkeley’s statement noted that early‑2026 sales showed modest recovery, but “recent geopolitical events and the macro‑economic consequences, including reduced potential for further rate cuts, could reduce confidence in a near‑term market recovery.”The firm cited “unprecedented” increases in costs and regulation, alongside weak buyer demand, as reasons for halting land purchases, arguing it can no longer achieve a sufficient rate of return on new sites due to a continuous rise in tax and regulatory burdens.These challenges arrive as the UK government pushes to meet ambitious new‑home building targets, while the sector grapples with higher taxation, new building‑safety rules, and longer planning timelines—Berkeley estimates approvals now take about 12 months longer than before.The ongoing war in Iran has amplified inflation fears, lifted mortgage rates above 5 % and heightened mortgage‑cost pressures for consumers, according to Moneyfacts data.Competitors such as Barratt, Redrow and Persimmon have also suffered, each losing more than 20 % of their market value, underscoring the broader stress across the housing‑construction industry.Berkeley, headquartered in Surrey, employs over 2,500 people and focuses on brownfield regeneration projects. It holds land sufficient for 50,000 homes with an additional pipeline for 10,000 homes in London and the south‑east, but will slow construction on existing sites to match market demand and regulator approvals.

Iraq secured the final spot in the World Cup by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in a crucial intercontinental playoff held in Mexico. The match saw Iraq's Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein score goals that sealed their first World Cup appearance in 40 years. The Iraqi team's preparations were disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Despite these challenges, they showed resilience and determination. Ali Al-Hamadi opened the scoring for Iraq in the ninth minute, with a well-taken goal from a corner kick. Bolivia equalized in the 38th minute through Ramiro Vaca's shot, which was controlled and finished by Moises Paniagua. However, Iraq regained the lead in the second half when Aymen Hussein scored a crucial goal eight minutes into the second half. Iraq's Australian coach, Graham Arnold, had initially requested a postponement of the match due to the disruptions caused by the conflict. The team's journey to Mexico was also arduous, with most players taking a three-day overland trip from Baghdad. The win ensures Iraq's participation in Group I of the World Cup, where they will face France, Senegal, and Norway. This marks a significant achievement for Iraqi football, with their last World Cup appearance being in 1986.

The UK is facing a severe crisis with organised waste crime, which has become a lucrative industry due to lax regulations and enforcement. Between 8,000 to 13,000 illegal waste sites are scattered across the country, with some containing tens of thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste. The lack of effective regulation and enforcement has allowed criminal gangs to exploit the system, dumping waste in farmland, nature reserves, and even next to schools. The profits from these illegal activities are substantial, with £2,500 per articulated lorry load being a common gain. The consequences of inaction are dire, with illegal dumping costing the economy in England £1bn a year. The clean-up operation for these sites will likely cost tens of billions, not to mention the potential contamination of aquifers by toxic waste seepage. The government's recent 'waste crime action plan' has been criticized for not matching the scale of the crisis, with an extra £15m a year for waste crime enforcement being deemed insufficient. The issue highlights the need for stronger regulations and enforcement to combat organised waste crime.

Cricket Australia released its 21‑man contract roster for the 2026‑27 season, rewarding most Ashes‑winning players but leaving out Sam Konstas and veteran all‑rounder Glenn Maxwell as the board prepares for an unusually dense calendar. Fast‑bowler Brendan Doggett, who debuted in the opening Ashes Test at Perth last November, secured his first national contract. Meanwhile, opener Jake Weatherald retained an upgraded deal despite a modest series average of 22.33 runs. Both Michael Neser and spinner Todd Murphy were again awarded full contracts, reflecting the board’s focus on depth ahead of a schedule that kicks off with a two‑match home Test series against Bangladesh in August. Following the Bangladesh series, Australia will embark on ODI tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, a home white‑ball series versus England, and a marathon stretch of 10 Test matches in 14 weeks. The latter includes contests against New Zealand, India and the historic 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG. Konstas, who burst onto the scene with a memorable 60‑run debut against India on Boxing Day 2024, failed to build on that promise, accumulating only 103 runs across nine further Test innings for an average of 16.30. The lack of consistency cost him a place on the new list. Despite the setback, selector chair George Bailey stressed that the 20‑year‑old’s journey is far from over. “He is highly talented and still on a development path,” Bailey said. “We saw encouraging signs toward the end of the season, with more consistent starts in the Sheffield Shield.” Bailey added that Konstas could feature in the upcoming Australia A tour to India, noting the board’s continued interest in his progress. Alongside Konstas and Maxwell, the contract cuts also affected Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson and Matt Short. Long‑time opener Usman Khawaja remains absent following his retirement. Weatherald’s contract renewal signals the selectors’ confidence in his potential to open the batting against Bangladesh, although Bailey cautioned that final selections will be made closer to each series, with extensive camp periods in Brisbane to fine‑tune the squad. Current contracted players: Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa.

Manchester United's financial accounts have revealed that their wage bill for the last season was significantly lower than that of their Women's Super League rivals, Arsenal. The £5.88m total wage bill, including social security and pensions costs, was far closer to that of fifth-placed Brighton, whose total was £5m.In contrast, Arsenal, the only other club among the WSL's big four to have published their accounts, paid their players and staff £9.9m and their wage bill, including social security and pensions costs, reached £11.3m. This disparity in spending highlights the challenges faced by Manchester United as they prepare for a crucial Champions League quarter-final match against Bayern Munich.Despite the lower wage bill, Manchester United recorded a profit before tax of £510,000 and total revenue rose by 16% to £10.74m, thanks largely to a big increase in what the accounts labelled “services recharged to other group undertakings”. The club's matchday revenue fell sharply, from £1.87m in 2023-24 to £1.22m, while broadcasting revenue and commercial revenue also dropped.Manchester United's manager, Marc Skinner, will be looking to overcome a 3-2 deficit against Bayern Munich, a team that has been in impressive form. Skinner emphasized that if his team were to progress to the semi-finals, it would rank as highly as their FA Cup triumph at Wembley in 2024.

The US men's national team concluded their international window with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The match marked their eighth consecutive defeat against European opponents, with a dismal goal difference of 22-6. Coach Mauricio Pochettino made several changes to the lineup from the previous match against Belgium, but the team's performance failed to improve. Despite a strong start, the US side eventually succumbed to goals from Francisco Trincão and João Félix. Christian Pulisic, a key player for the US, struggled with form and frustration throughout the match. He missed several scoring opportunities, including a low, poorly-struck effort in the sixth minute and a volleyed attempt from the edge of the six-yard box. His frustrations boiled over in the 41st minute, earning him a warning from the referee, and he was eventually subbed off at halftime. The loss to Portugal, ranked sixth in FIFA's world rankings, raises concerns for the US team as they prepare for the World Cup on home soil in two months. The team's inability to score against a top European side highlights their ongoing struggles with clinical finishing. The match also exposed vulnerabilities in the US team's defense, particularly in the midfield area. The absence of Tyler Adams, a vital defensive midfielder, was keenly felt as Portugal exploited the space and created scoring opportunities. Despite the disappointing result, Pochettino will likely use this match as a learning experience for his team. The US side will need to regroup and refocus as they prepare for the World Cup, where they will face stiff competition from top teams around the world.

Turkey broke a 24‑year absence from the FIFA World Cup by defeating Kosovo 1‑0 in the playoff final held in Pristina. The decisive goal came from forward Kerem Akturkoglu in the 53rd minute, delivering the Turkish side, ranked 25th globally, a long‑awaited return to football’s premier tournament.The match unfolded before a sold‑out crowd eager to witness Kosovo, ranked 79th, potentially make its first major‑tournament appearance less than a decade after joining FIFA and UEFA. Despite the home advantage, the hosts fell short, ending a remarkable qualifying run.Turkey’s success arrived under the guidance of coach Vincenzo Montella, who blended emerging talents with seasoned internationals to overcome the pressure of two decades of missed qualifications.In the parallel European playoff, Sweden edged Poland 3‑2 to claim their own World Cup ticket. Viktor Gyokeres secured the victory with a late winner two minutes from full‑time, after a seesaw battle that saw Anthony Elanga open the scoring, Nicola Zalewski equalise, and Gustaf Lagerbielke restore Sweden’s lead in the 44th minute.Poland briefly levelled the contest after the break through Karol Swiderski, but Gyokeres capitalised on a chaotic scramble in the box to clinch the win.Sweden’s triumph places them in Group F for the 2026 World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia, marking the nation’s first tournament appearance since 2018.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared on Tuesday that Iran will fulfill its World Cup 2026 fixtures in the United States as originally planned, reinforcing the governing body’s commitment to a schedule that includes all qualified teams. The Iranian Football Federation had earlier announced that it was negotiating with FIFA to shift its group‑stage matches from U.S. venues to Mexico, citing safety concerns stemming from the war involving the United States and Israel that began on February 28. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum offered her country’s readiness to host Iran’s first‑round games if a relocation became necessary, highlighting regional solidarity. According to the tournament draw, Iran’s Group G campaign will open in Los Angeles on June 15 against New Zealand, followed by a clash with Belgium in the same city on June 21, and a final group match versus Egypt in Seattle on June 27. The war’s outbreak had cast doubt on Iran’s participation, prompting Infantino to address concerns during halftime of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey. He told AFP, “Iran will be at the World Cup… That’s why we’re here,” and praised the team’s quality. Infantino also referenced assurances allegedly given by former U.S. President Donald Trump that the Iranian squad would be welcome, though Trump later warned that the team should not travel “for their own life and safety.” Iran responded firmly, stating that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup.” In a March 19 online FIFA Council meeting, Infantino reaffirmed the organization’s stance: “FIFA is committed to ensuring the World Cup proceeds as scheduled with all teams participating,” adding that football can serve as a bridge for peace even when geopolitical conflicts lie beyond its control. Iran’s recent friendly against Nigeria in Belek, Turkey, featured players wearing black armbands and carrying school rucksacks to honor victims of a tragic air strike on a primary school in Minab on February 28, which killed at least 170 people. The New York Times reported that a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile mistakenly hit the school, according to preliminary military findings. These gestures underscore the intersection of sport and geopolitics, as the global football community strives to maintain the tournament’s integrity while acknowledging the human cost of ongoing conflicts.