GB’s Fearnley reaches second round at Geneva Open

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Jacob Fearnley, the second-ranked British player, defeated Dusan Lajovic to advance to the second round of the Geneva Open.

The 23-year-old became the first British player to win a tournament match when they defeated Serbian wildcard Lajovic 6-4, 6-1.

Next up is Alexei Popyrin from Australia.

After submitting his first professional match on clay in Barcelona earlier that month, Fearnley moved up to a career-high 54th place in the world to reach the third round of the Madrid Open.

At the beginning of 2024, Fearnley was ranked outside the top 600, but she won four ATP Challenger titles to stay there until September.

Since winning his first match last month, he has won five of his eight matches on clay, which Roland Garros used for the French Open.

In each of the first four games, Fearnley and former top-25 player Lajovic exchanged breaks of serve.

But he oversaw the second set by leading the charge with a 5-4 lead before dominating the third.

Following Lajovic’s initial serve hold, Fearnley won six games in a row to claim the victory in 72 minutes.

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New Hearts boss McInnes targets silverware & plans Shankland talks

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After being chosen as Hearts’ new head coach on a four-year deal, Derek McInnes hopes to “deliver silverware.”

Neil Critchley, who spent six months in charge, was replaced by the 53-year-old after leaving Scottish Premiership rival Kilmarnock.

McInnes will be followed from Rugby Park to Tynecastle by coaches Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald.

A “delighted” McInnes said, “The opportunity to manage Hearts was just what I wanted.”

Conversations will take place between Shankland & Gordon.

The new head coach, who is currently on a three-year contract with Hearts, and goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who are both out of contract this summer, said “these conversations will be had” and that he would respond to the situation as soon as possible.

According to McInnes, the club has collaborated with Jamestown Analytics on their hiring, which could give Hearts an “advantage.”

He said, “I think we have a lot going for us here at Tynecastle and Hearts.” Being the man to take it on gives you a lot of excitement.

“Larry, I know him more than Craig, but both are capable players who have shown their quality here. Only good players are what I’m looking for.

“It’s obvious that work needs to be done. There are many talented players present, and we need to find a more effective method of operation.

McInnes had been in charge of Kilmarnock since 2022, and he led the Ayrshire side to Europe last season by placing fourth.

His managerial career began when he led St. Johnstone to the top of the table in 2009, and he spent eight years there until his League Cup triumph in 2014, where he never finished below fourth.

McInnes took over Kilmarnock in January 2021, leading them to promotion to the Premiership, after Pittodrie lacked them in 2021.

His side finished ninth overall, two places below Hearts, after a spell in Ayrshire.

McInnes was ruled out of the home dugout after the clubs reached a compensation deal after Kilmarnock lost 1-0 to Hearts at Rugby Park on Sunday.

He claimed it was “a little problematic” to be linked to Hearts in the final weeks of the season, but insisted he had nothing to apologize for.

He continued, “I loved my time at Kilmarnock.” It would have been completed by the season’s end, in theory.

These things, it’s never easy. It’s all about Hearts’ new beginning, in my opinion. This is what my family and I desired. Things change quickly in football.

Have your say, Hearts fans.

What should McInnes’ priorities be in the wake of a subpar 2024-25 campaign to put Hearts in the lead next time?

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McInnes aims to ‘deliver silverware’ for Hearts

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After being appointed as Heart of Midlothian’s new head coach on a four-year contract, Derek McInnes hopes to “deliver silverware.”

Neil Critchley, who was only in charge for six months, was fired in late April and is now 53-years-old, leaving Kilmarnock, who is a Scottish Premiership rival.

McInnes will be followed from Rugby Park to Tynecastle by coaches Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald.

A “delighted” McInnes said, “I’ve always felt like this is a club I’ve wanted to run.” “We want to try to deliver silverware,” the statement reads.

The new head coach, who is currently on a three-year contract with Hearts, and goalkeeper Craig Gordon, said “these conversations will be had” and that he would respond quickly to the situation with captain Lawrence Shankland, who has scored 67 goals in three seasons there.

He believes that the partnership will give Hearts an “additional advantage” as the club has been working with Jamestown Analytics since their recruitment.

“Clearly, there needs to be work,” McInnes said. There are many talented players present, and we need to find a more effective method of operation.

We can look forward with a lot more hope with the right additions and the right adjustments to the squad, “.”

McInnes had been in charge of Kilmarnock since 2022, and he led the Ayrshire side to Europe last season by placing fourth.

His managerial career began when he led St. Johnstone to the top of the table in 2009, and he spent eight years there until his League Cup triumph in 2014, where he never finished below fourth.

McInnes took over Kilmarnock in January 2021, leading them to promotion to the Premiership, after Pittodrie lacked them in 2021.

His side finished ninth overall, two places below Hearts, after a spell in Ayrshire.

McInnes was ruled out of the home dugout after the clubs reached a compensation deal after Kilmarnock lost 1-0 to Hearts at Rugby Park on Sunday.

He claimed it had been “a little problematic” for him to be linked with Hearts in the final weeks of the season, but he insisted there was nothing to be sorry for.

He continued, “I loved my time at Kilmarnock.” It would have been completed at the end of the season, according to the author.

These things, it’s never easy. It’s all about the new beginning, in my opinion. This is what my family and I desired. Things change quickly in football.

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How emotive tifo gave Palace fans belief of cup final win

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Two Wembley fans froze on the spot when Crystal Palace supporters unveiled a giant tifo during the club’s historic FA Cup final victory over Manchester City on Saturday.

Brothers Nathan and Dominic Wealleans, who were pictured disbelieving with their father in 2011, were seen displaying themselves on the banner.

As the Eagles defeated Manchester United in the 2011 League Cup quarter-final, the family was celebrating a thunderous 35-yard strike from Darren Ambrose.

For Palace fans, the image has come to symbolize the brothers’ lost loved ones since their father, Mark, passed away in 2017 from cancer.

Dominic said watching the tifo gave him the impression that his side would cause an upheaval following Palace’s 1-0 victory, which earned the club’s first major trophy.

“We just froze, thinking, “Have they actually done this?” Dominic remarked.

“This is our day today, this is the day we do it,” said the club’s representative. “That moment meant something to us two.

We were receiving handshakes, hugs, high-fives, and other things. It was incredible and a truly special experience.

The brothers, who made up the group of about 30 000 fans in the Palace End at Wembley, were aware that a tifo had been created but were unaware that they would be displayed on it.

Nathan remarked, “I had no idea it was going to be us.”

I anticipated that a player’s retirement this year would affect it. Then someone unexpectedly informs us, and as a result, we burst into tears right away.

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Lineker to leave BBC sooner than planned after antisemitism row

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After presenting his final Match of the Day episode on Sunday, Gary Lineker has confirmed he will leave the BBC.

The 64-year-old was expected to continue covering the men’s FA Cup and World Cup, but he was fired last week for posting a graphic depiction of a rat, which had historically been used as an antisemitic insult.

Lineker claimed on Monday that he had not seen the photo and that he “would never consciously repost anything antisemitic.”

Gary has acknowledged the error, according to the BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, in a statement. We have mutually agreed that he will stop presenting more after the current season.

Gary has over 20 years’ worth of experience covering football for the BBC. His enthusiasm and knowledge have helped shape the sport’s journalism and earned him respect from UK and international sports fans. We want to thank him for his contribution.

Lineker stated, “Football has always been at the center of my life, both on the field and in the studio.”

“I care deeply about the work I’ve done for the BBC over the years. As I’ve already said, I would never consciously repost antisemitism because it is against what I stand for.

“I’m sorry, but I’m also aware of the error and upset I caused.” Retracing one’s actions now seems to be responsible.

He claimed he would never, ever share “the post” if he had seen the emoji, which he claimed had a terrible connotation.

I want to express my unequivocal regret for the pain and upset caused once more. He continued, “It was a genuine mistake and oversight.” However, I ought to have followed more instructions. That is something I am aware of.

Lineker claimed that he had “fought all forms of racism, including antisemitism, which I absolutely detest,” and that he had “standing up for minorities and humanitarian issues.”

He claimed to his followers that stepping down from his BBC presenting duties was “the best for everyone involved.”

Lineker described his 30-years at the BBC as “a pleasure and a huge privilege,” adding that Match of the Day had grown to be “a significant part of my life.”

The presenter concluded by stating that although his relationship with the BBC had been “long and wonderful,” it was “time for the organization and I to separate.”

PA Media Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker outside his home in London. Mr Lineker has announced he will leave the BBC after Match of the Day on Saturday. Picture date: Monday May 19, 2025. PA Media

“A difficult and emotional week”

BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski expressed his gratitude to staff shortly after the announcement, saying that “many of you have found the last week to be challenging and emotionally draining.”

He thanked Lineker for his years of service and said it was “sad to be saying goodbye to such a brilliant broadcaster.”

Getty Images Gary Lineker in a thick coat holding up a yellow BBC Sport microphone, with the FA Cup next to him in 2021Getty Images

Lineker and the BBC made the announcement last year that he would leave Match of the Day before Sunday’s season-ending runtime.

However, he had been scheduled to continue to be a key figure in BBC coverage of the 2026 World Cup and the FA Cup for men.

Des Lynam became the organization’s main presenter of Match of the Day in 1999 as the former England striker took Des Lynam’s place.

He claimed in a recent interview with Amol Rajan that the BBC wanted him to leave the Premier League highlights program.

Roger Mosey, a former head of BBC Sport and former head of BBC television news, stated on Radio 4’s Today program on Monday that the “problem” was that you couldn’t both be the highest-paid presenter and social media activist.

It’s never going to be easy for Gary to do the amount of social media he did and to be the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, he said.

Following a partial impartiality dispute, Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in 2023 for his remarks criticizing the then-government’s asylum policy.

He was also one of 500 other well-known individuals who earlier this year wrote an open letter to the BBC to request that the documentary Gaza: How to Survive A War Zone be brought back to the BBC iPlayer.

Lineker co-founded Goalhanger Podcasts, the company that produces the well-known The Rest Is History podcast and its affiliates on money, football, sports, and politics.

Controversy hits French anti-homophobia campaign

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After another controversy-filled campaign against homophobia in French football’s top flight, players are facing sanctions.

Nemanja Matic and Ahmed Hassan, both L.A. players, were covered up in the league’s anti-homophobia symbol, while Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed withdrew from his side’s crucial relegation-decider against Montpellier.

Additionally, it has been claimed that Lens defender Jonathan Gradit was allegedly heard yelling a homophobic insult in the tunnel during their 2-1 win over Monaco.

On Sunday, sports minister Marie Barsacq demanded punishment in a statement.

The fifth year of the Ligue 1 campaign, which promotes inclusion and raises awareness, is underway. In stadiums, banners and other common attire are displayed, along with rainbow-colored symbols.

An anti-homophobia banner is displayed prior to the French Ligue 1 football match between FC Nantes and Montpellier Herault SC at the Stade de la BeaujoireLouis Fonteneau in NantesImages courtesy of Getty

The campaign logo was taped onto former Serbia midfielder Matic’s shirt and Hassan’s shirt on Saturday.

Mohamed, a fellow Egyptian international, did not participate in his team’s victory, which kept them in the division.

I think that we must treat each other with the respect we owe both to ourselves and our beliefs. Before the match, Nantes’ Mohamed said on Instagram that his deep-rooted values are related to my background and beliefs, which make my involvement in this initiative challenging.

The player will be fined by the club, according to reports in France, if the club donates the funds to a charity that fights LGBTQ+ discrimination.

The French Football Federation is determined to put this topic on the clubs’ and supporters’ agenda, according to sports minister Barsacq. “Football has a massive platform.

Homophobic remark: “This is unacceptable. Football has evolved, and the language must adapt to this. There are a wide range of sanctions that must be imposed.

Jonathan Clauss, a France international and Nice full-back, expressed his support for the campaign last week, saying that “the very existence of a debate is a problem.”

Some Toulouse players said they had “expressed their disagreement with the association of their image with the rainbow colors representing the LGBT movement” and that they had missed a game with the club in 2023.

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