The Times of India

FIFA has defended its controversial World Cup investment proposal, insisting obody is selling football after fierce opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC. The governing body says member associations will have the final say, but growing resistance, including the resignation of senior adviser Carlos Cordeir, has cast serious doubt over the proposal's chances of approval.

The Asian Football Confederation opposes FIFA's plan for private investors in commercial rights. This move escalates resistance to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's ambitious commercial proposal. AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF against the plan. The continental body also called for an urgent review of FIFA's governance. FIFA defends its proposal, stating media reports distorted its intentions.

Carlos Cordeiro, one of Gianni Infantino's closest advisers, has resigned in protest over FIFA's controversial World Cup investment proposal, calling it a bad deal for football and questioning its governance. His departure adds to mounting opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC, leaving FIFA facing growing internal and external resistance ahead of a crucial member vote.

Neeraj Chopra's quote emphasises that competition results are determined on the actual day of performance. Past achievements and rankings build confidence but do not guarantee future success. Chopra's own career demonstrates how performance on the day truly matters. True preparation and present focus create confidence for athletes. This principle extends beyond sports to all areas of life.

Daniel Rodriguez returns to the UFC with a new perspective after the longest layoff of his career, heading into his first-ever main event against hometown favourite Uros Medic at UFC Belgrade. In an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com, Rodriguez reflects on a renewed appreciation for the opportunity, explains why surviving the opening round is key against Medic, and reveals why he believes a showdown with Leon Edwards should be next.

In an email sent to executive board members on Friday morning, accessed by TOI, Tirkey said he had sought a written clarification from Hockey India officials regarding the basis of the decision, the process followed and the circumstances under which the change was approved and implemented.

Lovepreet Singh lifted a total of 388kg, with 176kg in the snatch and 212kg in the clean and jerk to win silver. The 28-year-old improved on his bronze medal from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham by winning silver this time. Liti claimed the gold medal with a total of 389kg (166kg in snatch and 223kg in clean and jerk), while England's Andrew Griffith took bronze with 356kg (165kg in snatch and 191kg in clean and jerk).

According to police, Aditi Chaukhande was training as a cricketer along with her elder brother, Prabal, who is also an upcoming player. On Wednesday night, after having dinner with her mother, Aditi went to her room and allegedly died by suicide. Her brother was out of town at the time of the incident.

Michael Vaughan believes Stephen Fleming should start immediately as England's Test coach. Fleming will delay his Test coaching duties until the South Africa tour. Vaughan suggests this delay indicates a reduced appeal of the coaching role. Fleming's IPL success with Chennai Super Kings is noted. Vaughan questions if England has an MS Dhoni-like captain for Fleming.

Neeraj did enough to secure his place in the 12-man final with a best throw of 79.61m at Scotstoun Stadium. In the gold medal match, he will compete against defending Commonwealth champion Arshad Nadeem, Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, world champion Keshorn Walcott and former world champion Anderson Peters. India's Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh also qualified, giving India three medal hopes in the final.

Seema Kaliramna secured a bronze medal in the women's discus throw at the Commonwealth Games 2026. She achieved a best throw of 58.65 meters, earning India another medal. Kaliramna made an inspiring comeback after motherhood and pursuing her PhD studies. Her husband and coach, Ravinder Kaliramna, played a significant role in her success. She dedicated her medal to her husband's unwavering support and sacrifices.

Indian hockey has changed its traditional blue jersey to saffron for upcoming tournaments. This shift has ignited significant criticism from former players and fans alike. Hockey India cited clashes with blue turf as the primary reason for the alteration. Players and coaches collectively chose orange, which is part of the Indian tricolour. The new saffron kits have arrived at national camps for player review.

Neeraj Chopra will compete in the Commonwealth Games 2026 javelin final on August 1. He qualified with a throw of 79.61m amidst difficult stadium conditions. Chopra faces strong competition from Arshad Nadeem and Keshorn Walcott. The final will be held at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. Fans can watch the event live on Sony Sports channels and SonyLIV.

Ajinkya Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, scoring 5,077 runs, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties, at an average of 38.46. In ODIs, he played 90 matches and scored 2,962 runs, with three centuries and 24 fifties at an average of 35.26. In T20Is, Rahane featured in 20 matches and scored 375 runs, including one half-century.

India added two medals on Day 8 of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Lovepreet Singh winning silver in weightlifting and Seema Kaliramna securing bronze in discus. Indias tally reached 17 medals, while Tejaswin Shankar stayed in decathlon medal contention, Neeraj Chopra and two other javelin throwers reached the final, and both Indian triple jumpers advanced to the medal round.

India added two medals on Day 8 of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Lovepreet Singh winning silver in the mens +110kg weightlifting final after a record-breaking performance and Seema Kaliramna claiming discus bronze. Indias tally rose to 17 medals (3 gold, 10 silver, 4 bronze), while Tejaswin Shankar remained in medal contention in the decathlon and Neeraj Chopra advanced to the javelin final.

Liti produced a Commonwealth Games record lift of 223kg in the clean and jerk to move ahead of the Indian and win gold with a total of 389kg, just one kilogram more than Lovepreet. Liti had lifted 166kg in the snatch.

UEFA's 55 member associations have unanimously backed a boycott of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if FIFA proceeds with its proposed $20 billion commercial restructuring. European football leaders described the plan as an existential threat to the sport, while insiders revealed absolute unity in opposing the proposal ahead of a September 19 vote by FIFA's member associations.

Senior European football officials are discussing Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi as a potential challenger to FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid growing opposition to FIFAs proposed World Cup commercial investment plan. Although Al-Khelaifi has publicly ruled out a presidential bid, discontent over FIFAs restructuring proposal has intensified debate over the future leadership and governance of world football.

The ICC has revealed twelve host venues for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will jointly host the prestigious fifty-over tournament. This event marks the World Cup's return to Africa after a twenty-four-year absence. The tournament will feature fifty-seven matches and fourteen teams competing across three stages. The official brand identity 'Three Nations, One Heartbeat' symbolises unity among the co-hosts.

UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions, UEFA said after the meeting. The next FIFA event on the calendar is the Women's Under-20 World Cup, which will be held in Poland from September 5.

Ugandan boxer Aziz Abduls Commonwealth Games campaign ended in controversy after he was disqualified against Englands Damar Thomas and accused officials of unfair treatment. Abdul claimed racism played a role in the decision, but Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare rejected the allegations, insisting the ruling was a legitimate field-of-play decision and that athletes were treated fairly.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed the fixture on Wednesday after reports in Brazilian media over the past few days.

In a gripping performance at the Commonwealth Games, Martina Devi Maibam secured a fifth-place finish in weightlifting, showcasing her grit after overcoming initial setbacks. Her total lift of 245kg was impressive but fell just short of medal contention, as she lost on failed attempts against another lifter. England's Emily Campbell captured gold with record-setting lifts, while Martina's determination signals a bright future ahead.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged fifteen, has been appointed East Zone vice-captain for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Selectors believe this move invests in the future of Indian cricket and accelerates his development. Ishan Kishan will captain the team, easing immediate leadership pressure on the young player. Sooryavanshi's prior leadership roles and strong IPL performance informed this significant selection.

The womens T54 1500m wheelchair final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be rerun after a chaotic race featuring multiple crashes, a disqualification and appeals. Scotlands Melanie Woods, Englands Ellis Kottas and Australias Mikaela Dingley must compete again after initially claiming the medals, with the controversial decision overturning a dramatic record-breaking victory.

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will wear saffron jerseys instead of their traditional blue kits at next month's FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Floor cleaner CJ Miller has become one of the biggest viral stars of the 2026 Commonwealth Games after entertaining crowds with energetic dance routines while mopping the netball court. Nicknamed Mop Man, the professional dancer's performances have amassed millions of views online, transforming routine cleaning breaks into crowd-pleasing spectacles and earning praise from fans worldwide.

Indian athletes secured spots in the Commonwealth Games 2026 finals today. Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu advanced in the men's triple jump event. Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav, and Yash Vir Singh qualified for the men's javelin throw final. All three Indian javelin throwers achieved qualification for the medal round. The athletics competition saw strong performances from the Indian contingent.

Everything in the country is being saffronised, said former India captain Pargat Singh while criticizing Hockey India's decision.

Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday. Sachin Tendulkar led tributes, recalling Rahane's dedication and leadership qualities. Former coach Ravi Shastri praised his yeoman service to Indian cricket. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virender Sehwag also celebrated his career achievements. Rahane retires with 5,077 Test runs and an unbeaten captaincy record.

Hazlewood, 35, has played 76 Tests but has never been part of an Australian team that won a Test series in India or England. Australia last won an away Ashes series in 2001, while their last Test series win in India came in 2004.

Chopra, who won the Commonwealth Games title in 2018, finished fifth with a best throw of 79.61m. Rohit Yadav was ninth with 78.37m, while Yashvir Singh took 10th place with 78.36m, ensuring all three Indian athletes progressed to the medal round.

Stephen Fleming has been appointed as England men's Test head coach. He replaces Brendon McCullum and will begin his tenure later this summer. Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim coach for the Pakistan series. Fleming expressed excitement about working with returning captain Joe Root. The new partnership aims to rebuild England's red-ball cricket fortunes.

Neeraj Chopra and two other Indian javelin throwers advanced to the medal round. Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh also secured their spots in the final contest. Chopra focused on qualifying while managing his recovery from injury. Difficult weather conditions affected all competitors during the qualification event. The Indian contingent aims for podium finishes in the upcoming final.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen now understands parents facing hospital crises more deeply. His daughter Harper's birth has profoundly changed his perspective on children's health struggles. Allen spoke emotionally at his 117 Holes for Charity event, which supports Golisano Children's Hospital. This fundraiser recently helped the Patricia Allen Fund reach seventeen million dollars in donations. Fatherhood has reshaped Allen's priorities and his connection to the community.

Ajinkya Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. The Mumbai batter finished his Test career with 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. In ODIs, he scored 2,962 runs in 90 matches at an average of 35.26, with three centuries and 24 fifties. He also played 20 T20Is, scoring 375 runs.

Hockey India will use saffron jerseys for the 2026 World Cup. According to Hockey India, the traditional blue jersey blended with the blue artificial turf used in international hockey, making it difficult for players to spot teammates during matches. The federation said players and coaches suggested different colours before saffron was chosen.

Ajinkya Rahane retired from international cricket after a distinguished career spanning 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. Best remembered for leading India to a historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia in 2020-21, Rahane finished with 8,414 international runs. The dependable batter also set several unique records and vowed to continue contributing to cricket beyond retirement.

TOI understands that Bumrah will begin gradually increasing his bowling workload after suffering an impact injury during the ODI series in England, while Gill has sought help from specialists outside the BCCI for his chronic neck problem.

Neeraj Chopra begins his bid for a second Commonwealth Games javelin gold in Glasgow, but faces one of the toughest fields of his career. Rivals including Arshad Nadeem, Anderson Peters and Rumesh Tharanga make the competition highly competitive. Returning from a back injury, Neeraj will hope to rediscover his best form after finishing fourth at the Doha Diamond League.

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket. He shared this news through a video message posted on his Instagram account. Rahane represented India in all three formats during his extensive international career. He played 85 Test matches, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is for the country. Rahane was also part of India's historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21.

While the qualifiers are scheduled for Thursday, the final on Saturday night is unlikely to be a walk in the park as he will be up against long-time rival Arshad Nadeem, besides the likes of Anderson Peters, Julius Yego and Sri Lankas Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.

According to the World Anti-Doping Agencys (WADA) 2024 Testing Figures Report, released in Dec 2025, India registered 260 adverse analytical findings (AAFs) from 7,113 samples collected during the year a positivity rate of 3.6%. Among countries conducting more than 5,000 tests annually, India recorded the highest positivity rate in the world for the third consecutive year.

Gulveer Singh made history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the men's 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games, claiming silver at the 2026 edition. His achievement sparked celebrations in his village, with his mother and wife expressing pride. The Army runner clocked 27:49.78, finishing behind Australia's Ky Robinson after a strong final-lap sprint.

Gulveers silver run completed another lap of sorts. He has joined the late Milkha Singh and Avinash Sable, both of whom won non-relay medals at the Commonwealth Games before him. Sable landed his steeplechase silver at Birmingham in 2022 while Milkhas 440yard gold at the 1958 Cardiff Games was the countrys first medal at the Commonwealth Games. Incidentally, all of them have been athletes from the Indian Army.

Saltburn Cricket Club have suspended a player nicknamed Clicky Ponting after he was accused of clicking his fingers to fake an edge during a local league match in England. The viral incident, viewed over 7.5 million times on X, sparked widespread criticism. The club said it is fully cooperating with the investigation, while the player remains suspended pending its outcome.