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Italy’s national team confirmed that head coach Gennaro Gattuso has left his post "by mutual consent" after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.The Italian Football Federation issued a statement on Friday, thanking Gattuso for his "dedication and passion" during the nine months he oversaw the side.Italy’s hopes were dashed on Tuesday when a penalty‑shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoff ended their tournament aspirations.In his farewell note, Gattuso wrote, "With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we set for ourselves, I consider my time in charge of the national team to be over." He added that the Azzurri shirt is "the most precious asset in football," and that an immediate technical review was warranted.Appointed in June on a one‑year contract, Gattuso replaced Luciano Spalletti after Italy’s 3‑0 opening defeat to Norway. Under Gattuso, Italy won five consecutive group matches, but Norway’s superior goal difference forced a playoff route.Historically, Italy has stumbled at the playoff stage for the past two World Cups, losing to Sweden and North Macedonia. This campaign seemed promising after a 2‑0 semifinal victory over Northern Ireland, yet the team surrendered a 1‑0 lead in the Bosnia match and ultimately fell in the shootout.The coaching change follows a turbulent week for Italian football leadership: federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned, and former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon stepped down as the national team’s delegation chief.Analysts note that Gattuso’s exit underscores the pressure on Italy to restore its status among Europe’s elite. The federation now faces the task of appointing a successor capable of rebuilding a squad that has missed three consecutive World Cups.

Wrexham pulled off a stunning comeback to draw 2-2 against West Brom, significantly boosting their chances of securing a Championship playoff spot. The match saw Isaac Price's deflected free-kick and Josh Maja's penalty give West Brom a strong lead heading into halftime.However, Wrexham mounted an impressive second-half recovery. Josh Windass scored a spectacular goal from 20 yards just two minutes after the restart, and Lewis O'Brien and George Dobson were involved in a controversy that led to an own goal, leveling the score for Wrexham.This draw propels Wrexham into sixth place, just a point above Southampton, who have a game in hand. The two teams are set to face each other in north Wales on Tuesday in a crucial matchup.In other matches, Hull drew 1-1 at Oxford, with Mo Belloumi scoring early in his return from injury. Leicester came from behind to draw 2-2 against Preston, with Patson Daka scoring twice after returning from international duty.Blackburn secured a vital 1-0 win over Birmingham thanks to Todd Cantwell's 69th-minute goal, moving six points clear of the relegation zone. Portsmouth boosted their survival hopes with a 1-1 draw at Norwich, while QPR beat Watford 2-1.In a thrilling match, Swansea came from two goals down to draw 3-3 at Sheffield United. Stoke secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday, extending their unbeaten home run to five matches.

Spain's hopes of hosting the 2030 World Cup final have been dealt a blow after a friendly match against Egypt was overshadowed by racist and Islamophobic chants from a section of the Spanish fans. The chants, which included "Whoever doesn't jump is Muslim," were heard twice during the 0-0 draw in Barcelona on Tuesday, prompting an investigation by Spanish police and widespread condemnation from authorities, football officials, and players. Lamine Yamal, Spain's star winger and a Muslim whose father moved from Morocco to Spain, issued a damning statement on Instagram, condemning the chants as "disrespectful and intolerable." He emphasized that using a religion as a mockery on the field "makes you ignorant and racist people." The incident has highlighted the ongoing issues of structural racism in Spanish society, particularly against Muslims and immigrants from Morocco. Analysts and experts have pointed to a rise in far-right sentiment and xenophobia, as well as a lack of awareness and action to combat racism in various sectors, including sports and education. The Spanish Football Federation, La Liga, and many leading footballers have condemned the chants, while efforts to combat racism in sports have been acknowledged as improving in recent years. However, the incident has also sparked a political debate, with some far-right leaders downplaying the significance of the chants. The incident comes as Spain, along with Morocco and Portugal, is bidding to host the 2030 World Cup, with the final destination yet to be decided by FIFA. The anti-Muslim chants have raised concerns about Spain's ability to host a successful and inclusive tournament.

Jaume Guardeno, a 23‑year‑old rider for the Spanish Caja Rural‑RGA squad, was airlifted to Hospital Taulí in Sabadell on Tuesday after a training accident that ended in a collision with a car.The team confirmed that Guardeno suffered a serious head injury when his bike hit a stone, causing him to lose control and strike the vehicle. He was immediately transferred by helicopter to the intensive‑care unit, where he remains under close observation.Guardeno had just completed the Tour of Catalonia, finishing 29th, and previously placed 14th in last year’s Vuelta a España, marking him as a promising talent in Spanish road cycling.“We want to express all our support and strength to Jaume and his family during this time, wishing him a speedy and full recovery,” the Caja Rural‑RGA team statement read.In related cycling news, former Olympic champion Richard Carapaz announced that he has undergone surgery for a perineal condition ahead of the upcoming Giro d'Italia. The 32‑year‑old Ecuadorian, who won the Giro in 2019 and secured podium finishes in 2022 and 2023, said the procedure was handled "in the best possible way" and that he is now focused on recovery.Carapaz, a gold‑medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, missed the Tour de France and Vuelta a España last season due to illness. He aims to return to peak form in time to contest a fourth Giro podium.

Gabriele Gravina, the head of Italy's football federation (FIGC), has resigned following the men's national team's failure to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time. This decision comes after a meeting at the FIGC's headquarters in Rome on Thursday.Gravina's resignation was announced a day after Sport Minister Andrea Abodi called for his departure. Italy's national team lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout during the playoffs on Tuesday, securing their absence from this year's World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The FIGC has scheduled a vote for a new president on June 22. Giovanni Malago, the former head of the Italian National Olympic Committee, is reportedly among the candidates. Additionally, head coach Gennaro Gattuso and general manager Gianluigi Buffon are expected to step down.Italy's football crisis prompted Abodi to state that the sport needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, starting with changes at the top of the FIGC. Gravina had previously acknowledged that Italian football is in a profound crisis.During his tenure, which began in 2018, Gravina oversaw Italy's Euro 2020 triumph under Roberto Mancini. However, two World Cup qualification failures and a disappointing European title defense led to his resignation.Italy's football woes extend beyond the national team, with Serie A clubs not winning the Champions League since 2010. The country's hosting rights for Euro 2032, which it will cohost with Turkey, are also under scrutiny due to concerns over stadium infrastructure.

Iraq's national football team, known as the Lions of Mesopotamia, has made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the first time in nearly 40 years. Their 2-1 victory over Bolivia on Tuesday night secured their spot as the 48th and final team to qualify.The team's achievement is particularly significant given the current conflict in the region, with Iraq being drawn into the hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran. Despite the challenges, including sporadic gunfire and economic difficulties, supporters flooded Baghdad's main shopping areas at dawn to celebrate their team's triumph.“This victory is incredibly precious to us, despite the war raging,” said Ahmed, a 22-year-old supporter, highlighting the unifying effect of the team's success across different sects in Iraq. The jubilant crowd brought traffic to a standstill, with thousands waving Iraqi flags and celebrating into the night.The Iraqi team's journey to the World Cup was not without its challenges, with some players forced to travel partially overland due to suspended air travel caused by the conflict. However, Ali al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein each scored a goal in the memorable win, securing their place in World Cup Group I against France, Senegal, and Norway.In celebration of their victory, Iraqi leaders congratulated the team and promised financial bonuses for the win. A two-day holiday was also declared, with state television broadcasting nationwide celebrations.

Police body‑camera video obtained by the Guardian reveals the moment Tiger Woods was handcuffed following a rollover collision in Martin County, Florida. Deputy Tatiana Levenar told the 50‑year‑old golfer that his faculties appeared impaired and placed him under arrest for driving under the influence. When Woods asked, “I’m being arrested?,” the deputy replied succinctly, “Yes, sir.” The footage also captures officers discovering a pill bottle in his pocket, which Woods identified as “a Norco,” a brand name for the prescription opioid hydrocodone used to manage his chronic back pain. Woods explained that he had been looking at his phone and changing the radio when his Land Rover struck a truck and rolled onto its side. He described the incident to deputies as “looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden – boom.” He later denied consuming alcohol, noting a negative breath test, though he refused a urine analysis. During the encounter, Woods mentioned having just spoken with “the president” on his phone, a reference that remains ambiguous. He has been linked to Vanessa Trump, former daughter‑in‑law of former President Donald Trump, who awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019. Trump, speaking to the New York Post, emphasized Woods’ ongoing physical struggles, stating, “He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain.” He highlighted the golfer’s extensive injury history, including multiple back surgeries and a ruptured Achilles tendon. According to Deputy Levenar’s arrest report, Woods was hiccuping and required prompting to keep his head still during field‑sobriety tests. She concluded that his observed impairment rendered him unfit to operate a vehicle safely. After a breath test showed no alcohol, Woods was released on bail eight hours later. His next court appearance is set for 5 May, where a readiness‑for‑trial hearing will be held. In a statement released on Tuesday, Woods announced he is stepping away from competitive golf to seek treatment and prioritize his health. He has not played on the PGA Tour since July 2024, though he appeared recently in the TGL indoor league he co‑founded with Rory McIlroy.

A virtual gathering of over 40 countries will set the agenda for a global military planning meeting next week, focusing on clearing sea mines and rescuing vessels immobilised in the Strait of Hormuz.UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper opened the summit by condemning what she described as “Iranian recklessness” that endangers global economic security and threatens the flow of vital energy supplies.The discussions are proceeding without direct US involvement; instead, the UK, France, Germany, Australia and several Gulf states are exploring practical steps to restore access to the strategic waterway.President Donald Trump has urged nations that depend on the strait to “build up some delayed courage” and “just grab it,” a comment that has drawn criticism from UK officials.The strait transports 10‑25% of the world’s oil and gas. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that reopening the lane “will not be easy,” given the scale of the disruption.Cooper outlined a multi‑pronged approach: diplomatic and economic pressure, reassurance for industry, insurers and energy markets, and coordinated actions to guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers.She cited more than 25 Iranian attacks on vessels, estimating around 20,000 seafarers on roughly 2,000 ships are currently stranded.Highlighting the broader stakes, Cooper referenced World Bank projections that a prolonged blockage could push 9 million people into food insecurity and trigger unsustainable spikes in oil and food prices worldwide.At a follow‑up session scheduled for Tuesday, military planners will consider how to marshal collective defensive capabilities, including the removal of mines that Tehran may have laid to sink ships.The meeting will be hosted by Britain’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, London, with many international leaders joining virtually.Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned President Trump not to abandon “a mess he’s made” in the Middle East, echoing former US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s dictum, “if you break it, you own it.”Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said he was not “angry” with Trump for entering the conflict but found the president’s press briefings “difficult to interpret.”Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged Prime Minister Starmer to “step up” plans and present a clear alternative for reopening the oil‑ and gas‑laden shipping route.

A Lahore court has ruled in favor of Pakistani singer Ali Zafar in his defamation case against fellow singer Meesha Shafi. On Tuesday, the court ordered Shafi to pay Zafar 5 million rupees ($17,900) in damages.Zafar sued Shafi for defamation in 2018 after she accused him of sexual harassment in Pakistan’s highest-profile #MeToo case.The court’s ruling states that a 2018 social media post by Shafi and an interview she gave to a lifestyle magazine contained “false, defamatory and injurious imputations” against Zafar. The court found that her allegations of sexual harassment of a physical nature had not been proved to be true or shown to be made for the public good, and therefore constituted actionable defamation.The court's decision has sparked concerns that it may set a “deeply troubling precedent” that could discourage victims of sexual harassment from speaking out. Nighat Dad, Shafi's lawyer, stated that the appeal is likely to challenge the judgement on several grounds, including the trial court's selective interpretation of evidence and failure to consider material evidence presented by Shafi.The dispute between Shafi and Zafar has unfolded over several years, with both parties filing complaints against each other. Shafi’s original complaint of sexual harassment against Zafar has been pending before the Supreme Court for several years, and her civil defamation suit against Zafar is also still pending.