James O'Brien 
Seven‑time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan was beaten 6‑3 by Chang Bingyu in the Wuhan Open semi‑finals. He spoke about his ongoing mental‑health struggles and said he does not want to end his career on a loss like this, planning to play for another 18 months.
ECB chair Richard Thompson defended The Hundred, arguing that the scheduling challenges it creates are a worthwhile trade-off for the financial benefits and growth of English cricket. He highlighted the £500m raised from franchise sales and stressed the need to balance domestic competitions with international commitments.
Sunderland will embark on their first European campaign since 1973 with an away trip to the San Siro after being drawn against AC Milan in the Europa League. Bournemouth, also making their European debut, have been paired with the Italian giants at home. Both English clubs will face the seven‑time European champions as part of their eight‑match group stage schedule.
Brighton & Hove Albion Women have suffered a major blow as manager Dario Vidosic departs just days before the WSL campaign begins, reportedly to join the NWSL. The Australian coach led the side to a historic FA Cup final and a fifth‑place league finish, and his exit comes as the club prepares to challenge the league’s traditional powerhouses.
Callaway has terminated its partnership with the popular golf content creator Good Good after a promotional video was condemned for depicting violence against a woman. The company also announced a $1 million donation to charities fighting violence against women and said it will improve its content review processes.
Britain’s 24‑year‑old Arthur Fery rallied from a set down to beat Aleksandar Kovacevic and reach the semi‑finals of the Winston‑Salem Open in North Carolina. The win secures his first semi‑final appearance at the event since Wimbledon and guarantees him a place in the US Open main draw.
American hurdler Masai Russell broke the women’s 100m hurdles world record with a time of 12.09 seconds at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich. The performance was the second world record of the night at the event.
Six‑time Super Bowl winning coach Bill Belichick said a European NFL franchise is a question for the league and its commissioner, while welcoming the sport’s global growth. Speaking in Dublin before a college football game, he noted past discussions about a London Jaguars team and emphasized the NFL’s intent to build a worldwide brand.
Julian Alvarez has skipped two days of training at Atletico Madrid after the club privately informed him they will not negotiate a transfer to Barcelona. With Barcelona ruled out, Arsenal have emerged as the only viable option, and Atletico have indicated a €150m fee for the Argentina international. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to secure the deal this month.
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has been served with a bankruptcy petition by HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill of roughly £700,000‑£800,000. A spokesperson for Carragher says the matter is a private tax issue that will be resolved imminently, while HMRC notes bankruptcy is a last resort.