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Leigh Ryswyk Becomes First Former Australian Football League Player to Come Out as Gay

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Leigh Ryswyk Becomes First Former Australian Football League Player to Come Out as Gay

Former Australian Football League (AFL) player Leigh Ryswyk has publicly come out as gay, becoming the first man linked to the competition to do so.

Ryswyk, who played a single AFL match for the Brisbane Lions in 2005 before injuries ended his top-level career, later went on to play more than 220 games for North Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian league.

Speaking in a radio interview, the 41-year-old revealed he has been openly gay among close friends for around five years and recently shared the news publicly. He said both of his parents responded with strong support when he came out to them.

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His announcement follows that of Mitch Brown, who in 2025 became the first AFL player to come out as bisexual after retiring from a career that included time with the West Coast Eagles. Until then, the AFL had been notable among major men’s professional sports leagues for never having an openly gay or bisexual player, even post-retirement.

Ryswyk expressed optimism that the sporting environment has evolved and would be supportive of any current player choosing to come out.

“I think the AFL, and the community, will wrap their arms around that player,” he said during the interview on Melbourne-based station Joy 94.9.

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Reflecting on his personal journey, Ryswyk described the emotional experience of coming out to his family, saying it took several years to find the courage. He recalled heartfelt conversations with both parents, who reassured him of their unconditional support.

Despite being open within his inner circle, Ryswyk noted that he has generally kept his private life out of the public eye until now.

Originally from Victoria, he moved to Queensland to join the Brisbane Lions and made his sole AFL appearance against Fremantle in Perth. He later built a distinguished career at state level and was inducted into the AFL Queensland Hall of Fame.

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Arsenal Agree £50m-Plus Deal to Sign Aston Villa Defender Ezri Konsa

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Arsenal have agreed a deal worth more than £50m to sign England international defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa.

The 28-year-old is expected to undergo a medical before completing his move to the Emirates Stadium.

Konsa joined Aston Villa in July 2019 and has made 286 appearances for the club over the past seven seasons.

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He featured 48 times in all competitions last season, scoring twice and providing one assist as Unai Emery’s side won the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for the 2026-27 Champions League.

Konsa has not played during Villa’s pre-season campaign, including their 2-1 defeat by Paris St-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup.

Emery had given the defender four weeks off following England’s World Cup campaign, in which Konsa played in every match as the Three Lions finished third.

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After England’s final warm-up game against Borussia Monchengladbach, Emery explained the absence of Konsa, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins, saying: “They are joining us after this match.”

Konsa’s arrival will strengthen Arsenal’s defensive options as they prepare for another Premier League title challenge and their return to Champions League football.

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US and Saudi Arabia Set to Unveil Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Deal

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The United States and Saudi Arabia are expected to announce a landmark agreement that would allow the Gulf kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme, in a deal that could be worth billions of dollars.

According to reports, the announcement is expected to be made by President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday. The agreement would pave the way for US companies to help build and operate Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear infrastructure.

As part of the proposed deal, American firms could construct a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, enabling the kingdom to produce fuel for nuclear power plants on its own soil rather than relying on imported supplies. The project would reportedly follow a joint feasibility study conducted by the two countries.

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The agreement is expected to generate significant commercial opportunities for US companies, although the firms involved have not been publicly identified. Any final arrangement would also require consultation with the US Congress.

The proposal has drawn concern from nuclear experts and several former Israeli officials, who warn that uranium enrichment technology could potentially provide Saudi Arabia with the capability to develop nuclear weapons in the future, despite the programme being intended for civilian energy production.

Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that its nuclear ambitions are focused on diversifying its energy sector and meeting growing domestic electricity demand.

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The White House has not officially commented on the reported agreement.

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Spain Crowned World Champions After Dominant Victory Over Argentina

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Spain have been crowned FIFA World Cup champions, adding global glory to their recent European success with a commanding performance in the final.

The celebrations erupted at the final whistle as Spain’s players and staff poured onto the pitch to mark a historic triumph, having controlled the match from start to finish. Dominating possession, creating the better chances and dictating the tempo, they proved worthy winners on football’s biggest stage.

Several players produced unforgettable moments throughout the tournament. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal lifted the World Cup at just 19 years of age, while Ferran Torres etched his name into history by scoring the winning goal in the final. Dani Olmo emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, and Rodri added the World Cup to an already remarkable list of career honours.

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At the opposite end of the emotions, Argentina captain Lionel Messi remained on the pitch after the final whistle, watching Spain’s celebrations unfold around him. The defeat has inevitably sparked questions over whether the tournament marked the final World Cup appearance of one of football’s greatest-ever players.

For now, however, the spotlight belongs to Spain, whose victory secures another major international title and confirms their status as the dominant force in world football.

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