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Injury Forces Timber to Miss World Cup for Netherlands

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Injury Forces Timber to Miss World Cup for Netherlands

The Netherlands have suffered a significant setback ahead of the FIFA World Cup after defender Jurrien Timber was ruled out of the tournament due to a groin injury.

Timber, 24, has been struggling with the issue since mid-March and has not recovered sufficiently to participate in the competition, according to the Royal Dutch Football Association.

The defender had recently returned to action, making his first appearance in more than two months when he came off the bench during the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest on 30 May. He entered the match in the 66th minute against Paris Saint-Germain, marking his first appearance since a victory over Everton on 14 March.

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Before the Champions League final, Mikel Arteta had indicated that Timber was fit enough to be involved.

However, after further medical assessment with the Dutch national team, officials concluded that the defender would not be able to take part in the World Cup safely.

The KNVB said Timber had “not recovered sufficiently” to compete in the tournament in a medically responsible manner.

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“In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the national team’s pre-camp in New York after the friendly game against Uzbekistan,” the federation said in a statement.

Timber has been an important member of the Dutch squad since making his international debut in June 2021 and has earned 23 caps for the national team.

To replace him, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has called up defender Lutsharel Geertruida. The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.

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The Dutch will begin their World Cup campaign against Japan on 14 June before facing Sweden and Tunisia in the remaining Group F fixtures.

Timber’s absence is a major blow for the Oranje, who had hoped the versatile defender would play a key role in their bid for World Cup success.

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Mikel Arteta signs new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal

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Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal, extending his stay at the club beyond the end of this season.

The Spaniard took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, meaning the new deal could see him remain at the Emirates for a decade.

Arteta’s previous contract was due to expire at the end of the current campaign. His new agreement includes an increase on his existing £10m-a-year salary, with a further £5m available in bonuses.

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The Arsenal manager had reportedly benchmarked his value against the salaries of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who are both believed to earn more than £20m per year.

“This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue,” Arteta said.

“We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.”

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The 44-year-old has guided Arsenal to a Premier League title and an FA Cup during his time in charge.

He also led the club to the Champions League final in May, where Arsenal were beaten by Paris St-Germain.

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Jannik Sinner ends season early to undergo knee treatment

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Jannik Sinner has ended his season early to undergo treatment on a knee injury.

The Italian has not played competitively since defending his Wimbledon title in July.

The five-time Grand Slam champion said he had “needed to think about my long-term career” before deciding to end his season.

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“Me together with the doctors have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee,” the 25-year-old said in an Instagram video.

“The last couple of years gave me so many beautiful feelings and emotions, which this year is going to be way different.

“I will do everything possible to get back 100%.”

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Sinner was the dominant player for much of the year, winning 44 and losing just three of his singles matches.

He won five Masters 1000 titles in a row between March and May, becoming the youngest man to complete the career Golden Masters.

His injury means Alexander Zverev is highly likely to replace him as world number one by the end of the year.

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Second-ranked Zverev, who has won the French Open and US Open this year, trails Sinner by 1,280 points in the live rankings.

However, Sinner will be unable to defend the points he earned by winning titles in China, Vienna, Paris and the ATP Finals at the end of last year.

Sinner won six titles in 2026 across all three surfaces and lost just one singles match between March and July.

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He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in five sets, but suffered a shock second-round defeat by Juan Manuel Cerundolo at the French Open in May.

The defeat in hot and humid conditions in Paris ended Sinner’s 30-match winning streak.

He responded strongly at Wimbledon, where he was pushed to five sets in the first round and suffered a bleeding foot during the match before recovering to beat Zverev in the final and successfully defend his title.

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Sinner and his generational rival Carlos Alcaraz, who met in three of the four Grand Slam finals last year, played each other only once in 2026.

Sinner won that meeting, defeating the Spaniard in the Monte Carlo Masters final to reclaim the world number one ranking.

He finishes the year with a 10-1 record against top-10 players, with his only defeat coming against Djokovic in Melbourne at the start of the year.

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Mbappe Explains Ceuta T-Shirt Gesture and Says He Stands With Victims

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Kylian Mbappe has explained why he rolled up his pre-match T-shirt before Real Madrid’s game at Elche on Tuesday, partially covering a message in support of Ceuta.

The shirts carried the slogan “Todos somos Caballas”, meaning “We are all Caballas” — a nickname for people from Ceuta.

Real Madrid team-mates Vinicius Jr and Ibrahima Konate also rolled up their shirts.

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Mbappe said the decision to wear the shirts was made by the club and stressed that his gesture was not intended to oppose the people of Ceuta.

“I want to explain this clearly so people understand. It was the club’s decision to include the T-shirt and to have us wear it. We players had to wear it,” the France international said.

“The first thing I want to say is that I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims.”

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Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.

More than 100 people died when tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco in July.

“Because before I’m a player, I’m a human being. But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in harsh conditions,” Mbappe added.

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He acknowledged that his decision could be misunderstood.

“It wasn’t an easy position to take. It was difficult because, in the end, people might think I’m against the people of Ceuta. But no, absolutely not.

“I have nothing against them, and I support them 100% in my thoughts. But I also wanted to spare a thought for all the people who are suffering because, at the end of the day, I’m human, and I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.

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“There are people who are suffering, and it breaks my heart to see that happening in the world. I’m a young man who wants the best for the world we live in.

“I aim to send a message of positivity and peace, and I hope this situation is resolved quickly.”

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