Real Madrid and Barcelona will try to tempt Rodri from Manchester City, Liverpool‘s hopes of signing Zeki Celik are boosted, while Arsenal and Chelsea want Julian Alvarez.
Manchester City will face a fight to keep hold of Spain midfielder Rodri this summer, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona keen on the 29-year-old. (Bild – in German)
Liverpool‘s hopes of signing Roma defender Zeki Celik have been boosted after his agent dismissed the prospect of the 29-year-old Turkey international joining Juventus. (Mirror)
Arsenaland Chelseaare pushing Barcelona hard in the chase for Atletico Madrid’s 26-year-old Argentina forward Julian Alvarez. (Teamtalk)
Juventus have identified Tottenham‘s 29-year-old Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as a top target this summer, but will face competition from Inter Milan. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)
Newcastlewill only sell Germany striker Nick Woltemade this summer if the 24-year-old demands a move away from the club. (Football Insider)
Arsenal are in front of Manchester City and Newcastle in the race to sign Sporting’s 21-year-old Spanish defender Ivan Fresneda. (Fichajes – in Spanish)
Fresneda’s arrival could see 28-year-old England defender Ben White leave Arsenal. (Teamtalk)
Manchester Unitedand Arsenalare favourites to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s 22-year-old Germany defender Nathaniel Brown this summer. (Caughtoffside)
Luke Littler won the Poland Darts Open title despite a nine-dart finish in the final from Gian van Veen.
World championLittler was in devastating form as he hit seven 180s on his way to an 8-4 victory and the £35,000 first prize.
Van Veen, who also lost to Littler in the final of the World Championship, hit his first ever televised nine-darter but it was in vain as the Briton averaged just over 108 to overcome the Dutchman.
Victory sees Littler become the inaugural champion at the tournament which is the first European Tour event to be held in Poland.
“It’s been a very good weekend for myself,” said Littler, who won his fifth European Tour title.
“I felt really good throughout the tournament. In the first three weeks of the Premier League I’ve not felt the best, so I definitely needed this one.
“I wanted to come here and win the title and that’s what I’ve done. Most importantly it was about playing well, getting that average up and hitting my doubles.”
Littler beat Ross Smith, Josh Rock and Chris Dobey on Sunday to make the final, while Van Veen got past Nathan Aspinall, Wessel Nijman and world number two Luke Humphries.
Van Veen took control of the match to go 3-2 up in the fifth leg when two 180s were followed up by a 141 finish in a perfect nine-dart leg.
The moment sparked Littler into life, however, who won the next four legs to take a 6-3 lead.
Van Veen showed some resistance to claw a leg back, but Littler regained his composure to win the next two legs in just 28 darts to seal an 8-4 victory.
Mexican security forces have killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious drug lord widely known as “El Mencho”, in a major military operation, the country’s Secretariat of National Defence confirmed.
The Mexican government said that seven members of Oseguera’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) were killed in the raid in Tapalpa on Sunday.
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Reports of road blocking and violence by drug cartels emerged in Jalisco and other states after news of the operation became public.
“At this time, elements of the Mexican National Guard and Mexican Army troops from the centre of the country and states neighbouring Jalisco are mobilising to reinforce the security of this state,” the Defence Secretariat said in a statement.
“With these actions, the Secretariat of National Defence reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the strengthening of Mexico’s security.”
Oseguera, the leader of the powerful CJNG, one of Mexico’s most violent and dominant criminal organisations, spent decades evading justice.
Washington, which had a $15m reward for information leading to Oseguera’s arrest, was quick to laud the raid.
“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X, calling the operation “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world”.
Of the seven cartel members killed on Sunday, four had been injured but later succumbed to their wounds. Three others were arrested, according to the Secretariat of National Defence.
Three military personnel were wounded during the operation and hospitalised, according to the statement.
As news of the killing spread, cartel-linked violence erupted in response, with reports of roadblocks, burning vehicles, and other acts of intimidation in Jalisco and surrounding areas – tactics the CJNG has used in the past to disrupt security operations.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government was responding to the unrest, stressing that in the “vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality”.
“There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm,” Sheinbaum wrote on X.
According to The New York Times, the violence erupted in at least five Mexican states, and the Spanish newspaper El Pais also reported “blockades” in central Mexico.
An Al Jazeera witness shared photos of a burned-out bus on a major highway in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, which will host several matches in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The US Embassy in Mexico warned American citizens in Jalisco and other central states to stay at home until further notice due “to ongoing security operations, associated roadblocks and related criminal activity”.
Landau, the US diplomat, also expressed concern about the events. “It’s not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve,” he said.
While airports across Mexico remain operational, the US embassy later noted that “some domestic and international flights cancelled” in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, a coastal city in Jalisco.
The Reuters news agency reported that several major airlines, including Air Canada and United, have temporarily halted flights to Puerto Vallarta.
Oseguera’s fall was a priority target for the US, and is the biggest blow to drug trafficking in recent years.
Oseguera had built an aura of mystery around himself, drawing on the overwhelming power of the CJNG and his limited media presence: All photos of him were decades old, according to Al Pais.
A damaged truck appears on a major highway in Guadalajara, February 22 [Al Jazeera]
Oseguera crossed over the border in the US several times in the late 80s, and lived illegally in San Francisco.
At the age of 19, he was arrested for the first time by local police for stolen property and carrying a loaded gun.
In 1989, he was arrested again and deported to Mexico. But he re-entered the US and was again arrested on drug charges in 1992 . He was prosecuted and sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty.
After spending three years in a federal US prison, El Mencho was released on parole and deported to Mexico, where he joined the local police.
A former police officer and avocado farmer, he rose through the ranks of the Milenio Cartel before founding the CJNG.
The FBI has described him as one of the most wanted fugitives in Mexico, and the CJNG as one of the most violent cartels in the country.
“It has been assessed to have the highest cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine trafficking capacity in Mexico, and over the past few years, includes the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States,” the FBI said in a 2024 statement.
Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle have become the latest Premier League players to be sent racist abuse on social media.
Both players were targeted following Sunday’s matches, a day after Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri and Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana both received racist abuse on Instagram after their sides drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Wolves said they were “disgusted” after Arokodare was sent abuse by “multiple perpetrators” following his side’s 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace and they condemned the “abhorrent and unlawful behaviour in the strongest possible terms”.
“It’s still unbelievable to me that we’re playing in a time where people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences,” wrote Arokodare on his Instagram story.
“These individuals should have no place in our game and collectively we have to take action to punish everyone who taints the sport like this, no matter who they are.”
In a statement, Wolves added: “Tolu has our full and unwavering support. No player should be subjected to such hatred simply for doing their job.
“We stand firmly alongside him, and alongside all footballers who are forced to endure this abuse from anonymous accounts acting with apparent impunity.
Sunderland said they are “appalled by the vile” abuse Mundle received after his substitute appearance in the 3-1 home defeat by Fulham.
They said: “The abhorrent behaviour displayed by multiple individuals is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the club under any circumstances.
“These individuals do not represent Sunderland AFC, our values, or our community – and they are not welcome on Wearside.”
The Sunderland Echo reported the 22-year-old English forward has since deleted his Instagram account.
In February 2025 while playing in the Championship for the Black Cats, Mundle shared a discriminatory post sent to him on his Instagram account.
Wolves and Sunderland said they are working with the relevant authorities and online platforms to identify those responsible.
‘Social media companies must do more’
On Saturday, Frenchman Fofana wrote: “2026, it’s still the same thing, nothing changes. These people are never punished.
“You create big campaigns against racism, but nobody actually does anything.”
Tunisia international Mejbri, 23, called on people to “educate yourself and your kids”.
These latest incidences of racist abuse towards players follow the alleged racial abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during last week’s Champions League knockout round play-off tie at Benfica, which Uefa is investigating.
In a statement earlier on Sunday, anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said: “Players are standing up to discrimination, and we’ve had record reports to Kick It Out from across football this season, but we recognise the frustration in how it continues to fester online.
“Words matter, but actions are more important. Football is working together to tackle this issue alongside the UK Football Policing Unit and Ofcom, but social media companies must do more to offer protections to players and help improve accountability when incidents occur.
“Those who face this disgusting abuse must always be the priority.”
Responding to the Fofana and Mejbri abuse, a spokesperson for Meta told BBC Sport: “No-one should be subjected to racist abuse, and we remove this content when we find it.
“No one thing will stop racist behaviour overnight, but we’ll continue working to protect our community from abuse and co-operate with police investigations.”
Last November, a BBC investigation found more than 2,000 extremely abusive social media posts – including death and rape threats – were sent about managers and players in the Premier League and Women’s Super League in a single weekend.
The season-opening Premier League game between Liverpool and Bournemouth last August was stopped in the first half after then-Cherries forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by someone in the Anfield crowd.
A Liverpool man has denied the abuse and his trial is scheduled to take place in April.
In January, Newcastle United said they had contacted the police after midfielder Joe Willock was the subject of “disgusting” racial abuse and “deeply disturbing threats” on social media.
Tottenham forward Mathys Tel was also the subject of racist abuse on social media after being one of two Spurs players to miss in their Super Cup penalty shootout defeat by Paris St-Germain in August.
England defender Jess Carter was another target of racist abuse during Euro 2025 in July.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have officially ended following the closing ceremony in northern Italy.
It took place at Verona Olympic Arena, despite none of the sporting events happening in the city, which is 75 miles from Milan.
After beginning with a tribute to classic Italian opera, flagbearers representing the 92 competing nations entered the stadium through large props from Aida and accompanied by a tribute to Italian film music.
The ‘Drop of Fire’ – the Olympic flame carried in a small glass vessel – was brought into the ancient arena to light up the rings before the parade of athletes.
While athletes are supposed to come in all mixed together, here they were still largely in national groups.
The final medals from Milan-Cortina 2026 were awarded in the women’s and men’s 50km mass start cross-country skiing events, before a tribute to the Games volunteers.
The ceremony finished with performances from popular Italian musicians Major Lazer and singer-songwriter Achille Lauro.
In her speech to close the Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry said: “You have been incredible – every one of you. Brave. Fearless. Full of heart and passion. You left it all on the snow and ice.
“Two unforgettable weeks, living every moment to the fullest. You gave everything – and you shared it with all of us.
“This is the true Olympic spirit: competing, embracing, lifting each other up, whatever the result. You showed us what excellence, respect, and friendship look like in a world that sometimes forgets these values.
“You showed us that the Olympic Games are a place for everyone. A place where sport brings us together.”
It ended a Games which saw 116 medal events, and historic sporting success for several of the competing nations – including Great Britain.
Team GB won five medals, including three golds, to finish 15th in the table. Britain has never previously won more than one gold at a Games before.
Matt Weston, the male flagbearer, won two golds in skeleton – the men’s event and the team competition with Tabby Stoeker.
The female GB flagbearer was Charlotte Bankes, who won gold in the team snowboard cross with Huw Nightingale; it was the first Olympic event on snow won by British athletes.
Team GB also won silver in the men’s curling, while Zoe Atkin claimed bronze in women’s ski halfpipe on the final day.
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Georgia earned their first Winter Olympic medal with silver in pairs figure skating, while Spain collected their first gold medal for 54 years in the men’s ski mountaineering. Benin, Guinea-Bissau and United Arab Emirates competed in their first Winter Games.
For hosts Italy, Milan-Cortina marked their best Winter Games with 10 golds among 30 medals to put them fourth in the table.
Norway topped the medals table for the fourth successive Games. They collected 18 medals, including six for Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, the king of cross-country skiing.
Had Klaebo, who set a record for the most golds won by an individual athlete at a single Games, competed as a nation on his own, he would have been ninth in the medal table. Fittingly, his sixth gold – in the men’s 50km cross-country skiing – was presented at the closing ceremony as the final medal awarded at the Games.
The oldest individual medallist was Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States, who broke the Games record by winning monobob gold, aged 41.
Skiing great Lindsey Vonn saw her Olympic career end with a broken leg.
The Games also had controversial moments.
Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych wished to compete in the men’s skeleton while wearing a remembrance helmet featuring artwork depicting athletes killed during the Russian invasion of his country.
But the IOC said this contravened Games rules and, after Heraskevych refused to back down, disqualified him from competing.
There was also a silver medal, in men’s ski mountaineering, for Russian athlete Nikita Filippov. He competed as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) because Russia were banned from the Games because of their aggression in Ukraine.
Filippov, along with other AIN competitors, was allowed to take part in the closing ceremony having been banned from the opening event.
Men’s curling gold medallists Canada had their campaign dogged by allegations of cheating.
The ceremony included the handover of the Olympic flag to the delegation representing the French Alps, which will host the next Winter Games in 2030.
The presidents of the two French regions to host the Games, Renaud Muselier and Fabrice Pannekoucke, enthusiastically accepted the flag from Coventry.
There was a performance of the sixth verse of La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, as it was deemed to be more universal and less patriotic. The arrangement changed throughout into a more contemporary style with an electronic base.
The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has faulted the assent to the amended electoral bill, saying that it contains provisions that are at variance with the aspirations of Nigerians.
READ ALSO: [UPDATED] Ex-Reps Member Bugaje Accuses Tinubu Of Subverting Popular Will With Speedy Assent To Electoral Bill
“I think that Nigerians need to know that, yes, whilst there might be progressive provisions in the 2026 Act, the cardinal issues that are central to the integrity of elections are those contentious provisions that the Senate or the National Assembly decided to enact provisions that are in variance with the desires of Nigerians.
“And so when you look at some of those provisions, let’s take Section 63, which is one of the most contentious. On the one hand, the Act says that there shall be an electronic transmission of results,” Itodo said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
He explained that the inclusion of the former EC8A in the amended law — now the Electoral Act 2026 — had legitimise its use in general elections, a decision he said the electorate had kicked due to its use as a tool for results manipulation
“So there is mandatory electronic transmission of results based on this particular drafting, but it’s that proviso that it introduces, and you know what they have now said that in all cases, it is the form EC8A that shall be the primary source of collating results as well as declaring results.
“What they have done to a large extent is just legitimising the current practise, which is that any result on the IREV has no legal effect; it’s only for verification because there’s a superior legal recognition that has been given to the form EC8A,” Itodo said.
“And what Nigerians are saying is the primary instrument of election rigging, the primary instrument of election manipulation is the form EC8A. So if you place primacy on the form EC8A, and that form EC8A becomes falsified, it then renders the electronically transmitted results a nullity, of no effect, and that’s what Nigerians are saying that, ‘No, you cannot place primacy on EC8As because we know that EC8As are often used and historically they are used as tools for results manipulation’.
“And they decided on their own accord, at variance with what Nigerians said, and I think the point needs to be made that the way the National Assembly voted on that particular provision is against the will of the people, and no one should attempt to deceive Nigerians that this was in line with what Nigerians wanted,” he added.
Heated Conversations
The Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 was made law by President Bola Tinubu after it was passed by the National Assembly.
The bill has generated heated debates in the last one week, with lawmakers and prominent Nigerians disagreeing over the method for the transmission of results, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Senate had on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, but not without a rowdy session as the upper chamber resumed proceedings.
The situation was not different at the House of Representatives as lawmakers disagreed over a motion seeking to rescind the passage of the amendment bill, which contained real-time electronic transmission of results.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, had moved a motion for the House to rescind its decision on the bill, which was passed on December 23, in line with the Senate’s position on real-time electronic transmission of election results.
When the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, put the motion to a voice vote, the “nays” were louder than the “ayes,” but he ruled that the ayes had it.
