Sport

Senegal v Morocco: Africa Cup of Nations final – live
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

⚽ Afcon final updates, 7pm GMT (8pm in Rabat) kick-off⚽ Jonathan Wilson on this Afcon | Follow us on Bluesky1 min Peep peep! Morocco, in their white change strip (don’t ask), kick off from right to left as we watch.After a spectacular rendition of the Moroccan anthem, it’s time for the main event: the Afcon 2025 final. Continue reading...

Houston Texans v New England Patriots: AFC Divisional Round NFL playoff – live
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Live updates, 8pm GMT, 3pm ET kick-off at Foxborough Nix out for season after Broncos’ win | And mail GrahamD Maye to D Douglas for 28 yardsNew England are being battered as they cross midfield. Houston force losses on both downs pushing them back to 3rd and 14. On the next play Stefon Diggs picks up 13 and Mike Vrabel is gambling on 4th and 1. How is your luck? TOUCHDOWN! DeMario Douglas takes the pass in the centre of the field and races into the open air and in for the score. That throw was absolutely razor sharp from Drake Maye but the defender slipped as we was trying to knock down the pass. Fine margins. Continue reading...

Aston Villa’s title hopes hit after Thierno Barry fires resolute Everton to victory
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Unai Emery did not hold back. In his programme notes – at least the words were attributed to him – the Aston Villa manager turned to caps lock. “THIS MATCH IS CRUCIAL,” he said, spying an opportunity. After Arsenal and Manchester City dropped points, a golden chance to return second and cut the leaders’ advantage to four points. Everton, however, had other ideas and approaching the hour Thierno Barry pounced on a Emiliano Martínez fumble after a Pau Torres lapse to condemn Villa to a punishing defeat. They are almost unheard of around here, this only a third home league defeat since the start of last season.For David Moyes, who bounced back from the setback of Jake O’Brien’s first-half header being disallowed because an offside Harrison Armstrong was deemed to be interfering with play, this was a major triumph. For Villa, this threatened to be a frustrating afternoon from the moment Merlin Röhl clinked a post inside 11 seconds and things went from bad to worse when John McGinn was forced off after 18 minutes. McGinn’s departure seemed to disrupt Villa, already missing another trusty pillar in Boubacar Kamara, who Emery conceded could be sidelined long term with a knee injury. The former Everton midfielder Amadou Onana was absent owing to a hamstring injury. Continue reading...

Growing sense of embarrassment at Fifa over Donald Trump peace prize
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Mid-level and senior officials uncomfortable with awardFifa says it still ‘strongly’ supports the peace prizeThere is a growing sense of embarrassment among mid-level and senior officials within Fifa over the awarding of its peace prize to Donald Trump. The US president was handed the award at the World Cup draw in Washington DC in December with the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, telling Trump: “We want to see hope, we want to see unity, we want to see a future. This is what we want to see from a leader and you definitely deserve the first Fifa Peace Prize.”Since then, the US has launched airstrikes across Venezuela and captured the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flown them to the US, where he was put in jail. Maduro appeared in court on 5 January, pleading not guilty to drugs, weapons and “narco‑terrorism” charges. Trump has also threatened to invade Greenland because he said the US needs the territory “very badly”. Continue reading...

Government pulls amendment to Hillsborough law after backlash
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Proposed change relating to spies was criticised by campaigners and MPs as allowing an opt-out for senior officialsThe government has pulled an amendment to its proposed Hillsborough law amid concerns from campaigners and MPs that the legislation was being watered down and had become a “car crash” for the government.The public office (accountability) bill aims to force public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters. Continue reading...

Bielle-Biarrey hat-trick fires holders Bordeaux to Champions Cup victory at Bristol
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Pool 4: Bristol 15-27 BordeauxBielle-Biarrey lights up match to secure top spotThe odds on Bordeaux Bègles successfully defending their Champions Cup crown shortened considerably on a damp, grey Sunday lunchtime in Bristol. Good sides can adapt their game to suit awkward conditions and, for the second weekend in a row, French class outflanked English energy and optimism with a hat-trick of tries from the spectacularly prolific French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey.The Bears, seeking to play billionaire rugby on a day crying out for more prudent housekeeping, made far too many unforced errors and duly paid the price against opponents who are now perfectly placed in this year’s tournament. They will have the luxury of playing all their subsequent knockout games either on French soil or, if they reach the final, just across the Spanish border in Bilbao, and at this rate it will require something special to prevent them claiming back-to-back titles. Continue reading...

Emma Raducanu recovers from slow start to ease through at Australian Open
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Briton overcomes Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1 Thai opponent shines in first set before falling awaySixteen minutes into her opening match at Melbourne Park, Emma Raducanu was 1-3, 15-40 down and flailing badly. Across the net from a relatively unknown opponent playing lights‑out tennis on her grand slam debut, this could have been a moment where panic set in, errors flowed and life became even more difficult.However, Raducanu remained positive and rallied impressively, recovering quickly from her slow start before moving easily into the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-1 win against Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand. Continue reading...

Sussex CCC placed in special measures over alleged financial mismanagement
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

County allegedly in breach of sustainability regulationsClub could face significant fine and points deductionSussex have been placed in special measures by the England and Wales Cricket Board due to alleged financial mismanagement and breaches of the governing body’s sustainability regulations.It is understood that the county is in the process of signing up to an ECB business plan, which will include strict limits on their spending, with any significant outgoings such as player signings or registrations requiring approval from Lord’s. The ECB will also monitor Sussex’s financial returns, and observe board and committee meetings. Continue reading...