Marco Bianchi 
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was handed a 10‑match suspension by FIFA for his involvement in post‑match clashes after the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain. Teammates Nahuel Molina and others also received bans and fines, and the Argentine Football Association was fined $321,000, with part of the fine earmarked for anti‑discrimination measures.
Swedish pole‑vault star Armand Duplantis has released “Gold”, the official anthem for the first World Athletics Ultimate Championship to be held in Budapest in September. The track, written and performed by Duplantis, will be played at the event and he will perform it live at the closing ceremony.
In the opening practice session for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, 19‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes set the fastest lap, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris. The session also highlighted strong performances from Mercedes teammates and a promising new Honda power unit in the Aston Martin car.
In less than a year Inverness Caledonian Thistle have risen from administration in League 1 to become a promotion favourite in the Scottish Championship. Manager Scott Kellacher is eager for the upcoming home clash with Partick Thistle, which will be shown on BBC Sportscene, and praises owner Alan Savage for rescuing the club. The match is seen as a key test of the team’s ambitions for a double promotion.
Irish Premiership champions Larne secured a 2-0 victory over a reduced Lincoln Red Imps side in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play‑off. The win was highlighted by two late goals, giving Larne a strong advantage heading into the second leg in Gibraltar.
Portugal full‑back Joao Cancelo has signed a permanent three‑year deal with Barcelona after ending his contract with Al‑Hilal. The move follows a successful loan spell that helped Barca clinch the La Liga title, and comes as the club also completes other signings this summer.
Organisers of the Edmonton Marathon admitted that the 2026 race route was 674.7 metres too long due to a detour around Wellington Bridge. The extra distance could invalidate runners’ Boston Marathon qualifying times and personal bests, prompting officials to work with Athletics Canada on a solution.
Last season’s Champions League fairytale side Bodo/Glimt secured a 3-1 away victory over NEC Nijmegen, giving them a solid advantage in the two‑legged tie. The win puts the Norwegian club on track to qualify for this year’s Champions League.
Ireland have added all-rounder Arlene Kelly and batter Alice Tector back into their squad after both recovered from injuries that kept them out of the recent West Indies series. The 14‑player group, led by captain Gaby Lewis and coached by Lloyd Tennant, will face England in a three‑match ODI series starting in Leicester on 1 September as part of the ICC Women’s Championship.
Kosta Nedeljkovic has moved to Rangers on a season‑long loan from Aston Villa, with the Glasgow club holding a conditional obligation to purchase the 20‑year‑old right‑back. Manager Derek McInnes praised his athleticism and defensive drive, while Nedeljkovic expressed excitement about joining the big club. He becomes Rangers’ 11th summer signing and will compete for the right‑back position alongside Vanja Dragojevic, Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie.