Sports
Tom Aspinall Says He Was Barred from UFC 309 News Conference
British interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has revealed he was barred from attending the UFC 309 news conference held in New York on Thursday. Despite being a major topic of interest among fans, the event’s focus remained on the headline bout between reigning champion Jon Jones and veteran Stipe Miocic.
The crowd at Madison Square Garden erupted with chants of “Tommy, Tommy”, showcasing their support for Aspinall and adding to the tension. However, Jones, 37, has consistently deflected questions about facing the 31-year-old Briton and expressed visible irritation. Earlier this week, Jones used an expletive when speaking about Aspinall and urged fans to stop chanting his name during the press conference.
“I asked to be at the press conference and I was told no,” Aspinall disclosed on the UFC’s weigh-in show. “I was trying to go but I got blacklisted.”
UFC President Dana White has stated that the winner of Saturday’s title clash should face Aspinall. However, Jones has pushed back against this notion, claiming a fight against the interim champion “does nothing for my legacy”.
Aspinall earned his interim title by defeating Russia’s Sergei Pavlovich at short notice last year after Jones pulled out of his planned bout with Miocic due to injury. Yet, instead of setting up a unification match with Aspinall, Jones was booked to face the 42-year-old Miocic, a former heavyweight champion.
In a lighthearted jab to prompt a response, Aspinall even bought his dog a toy rubber duck after fans joked that Jones was “ducking” him. Despite this, Jones’ irritation has continued. The American fighter walked out of a TNT Sports interview before it commenced, reportedly unwilling to face more questions about Aspinall.
Aspinall confirmed to TNT Sports on Friday that he has requested an in-cage confrontation with the winner of the Jones-Miocic fight but is still awaiting a response from the UFC.
As anticipation builds, the question remains whether a future clash between Jones and Aspinall will materialize, or if Jones’ reluctance will continue to sideline the British fighter from a high-profile unification bout.
Sports
Shakira Unveils Official Song for 2026 World Cup Featuring Burna Boy
Colombian pop superstar Shakira has revealed the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking her latest return to football’s biggest global stage.
The 49-year-old singer announced on Thursday that her new song, Dai Dai, will serve as the official track for the tournament taking place across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Shakira teased the song in a one-minute Instagram video filmed at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Brazil. The track, scheduled for release on 14 May, also features Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy.
The announcement marks another major World Cup collaboration for Shakira, who previously delivered one of football’s most memorable tournament songs with Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) during the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
She also released La La La (Brazil 2014) as a theme song for the 2014 World Cup and performed it at the tournament’s closing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.
Shakira additionally performed her global hit Hips Don’t Lie during the closing ceremony of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The singer, who shares two sons with former FC Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique, has maintained a long association with football tournaments throughout her career.
The expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July, with Colombia among the nations set to participate.
Sports
Valverde Hospitalised Following Alleged Clash With Tchouameni
Real Madrid have launched disciplinary proceedings after an alleged altercation between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni reportedly left Valverde hospitalised with a head injury.
The incident is said to have occurred at the club’s Valdebebas training complex just days before Real Madrid’s crucial El Clasico clash against rivals FC Barcelona on Sunday.
In a statement released on Thursday, Real Madrid confirmed that internal disciplinary proceedings had been opened “following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team’s training session.”
Reports suggest tensions between the two players first emerged during training on Wednesday before continuing in the dressing room, although the disagreement reportedly did not become physical at that stage.
Spanish media reports claim Thursday’s altercation took place after training when France midfielder Tchouameni allegedly confronted Valverde, with a verbal dispute escalating into a physical clash.
An emergency meeting involving Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa and club captain Dani Carvajal was reportedly held on Thursday evening to address the situation.
The club said further updates would be provided once internal procedures had been completed.
The alleged incident comes at a sensitive moment in Real Madrid’s season. The team travel to face Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday knowing that anything less than a victory could hand their rivals a second consecutive La Liga title with three matches still remaining.
Spanish reports described the alleged altercation as “the most serious ever experienced in Valdebebas” according to several club staff members.
The latest controversy also follows reports earlier in the week of tensions elsewhere within the Real Madrid dressing room.
Defender Alvaro Carreras addressed speculation surrounding an alleged disagreement with teammate Antonio Rudiger in a statement posted on Instagram.
Carreras dismissed suggestions of serious conflict and insisted his relationship with the squad remained strong.
“Regarding the incident with a colleague, it is a specific matter of no relevance that has already been settled,” he wrote. “My relationship with the whole team is very good.”
Sports
Anthony Joshua signs deal to fight Fury
Anthony Joshua has officially signed a deal to fight long-time heavyweight rival Tyson Fury, according to promoter Eddie Hearn, bringing one of British boxing’s most anticipated matchups closer to reality.
The showdown between the two former world heavyweight champions has been discussed for years, with negotiations repeatedly stalling despite strong public demand. Both fighters, who are two-time world champions, have dominated the heavyweight division and carried British boxing onto the global stage for more than a decade.
Hearn confirmed the breakthrough on social media on Monday, describing the long-awaited contest as “signed, sealed and delivered.”
Joshua also expressed confidence about the fight, saying: “As I said, the landlord will collect his rent. That is certain.”
Before the blockbuster clash can take place, however, Joshua must first return to the ring against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 25 July. The 35-year-old Albanian enters the bout with a record of 20 wins—all by stoppage—and one defeat.
Joshua, now 36, has not fought since being involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria in December. The incident reportedly claimed the lives of two members of his team and forced the former champion to take time away from boxing.
Reflecting on his return, Joshua said he had needed time to regroup and prepare mentally and physically for the next stage of his career.
“It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring and today is the next step on that journey,” he said.
His last appearance in the ring came against Jake Paul in December, before the tragic events later that month halted his momentum.
A confirmed date and venue for the Joshua-Fury fight have not yet been announced, although Hearn has previously suggested the bout could take place in November and may be broadcast by Netflix.
Joshua was recently present at Fury’s comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov, where Fury secured a comfortable decision victory and immediately called out his British rival. Fury attempted to invite Joshua into the ring after the win, but Joshua declined.
Following that fight, Team Fury revealed they had already signed their side of the agreement and were waiting for Joshua’s signature to complete the process.
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