Jon Rahm tells LIV Golf's bankruptcy court he will not join LIV 2.0, and other players are expected to follow

The rest of the day

40 more stories on this beat.

Each with its own sources. None of these is a link to the story above.

1. 02

   South Korea to cut athletes' army exemption

   South Korea's sports minister, Choi Hwi-young, told parliament on Wednesday that the rule letting top athletes skip army service will have to be cut back. [7][8] Most South Korean men must serve 18 to 21 months before they turn 28. [8] Since 1973, Olympic medal winners and Asian Games champions have done about three weeks of basic training instead. [8] Anger grew after footballers who won Asian Games gold boasted about avoiding service. [9][8] One lawmaker said 36 of the 44 athletes who earned it this year played football or baseball. [7]

   • Football and baseball36 · 82%
   • All other sports8 · 18%

   Why it matters — Young South Korean athletes chasing an Asian Games gold may lose the exemption that comes with it. [8] No new rule or date has been proposed yet. [7]

2. 03

   Man City could still play in Europe

   Senior figures in English football are worried that Manchester City could play in next season's Champions League even if their punishment is severe, the BBC reports. [10] An independent panel found City guilty of inflating their sponsorship income by £830m with sham contracts between 2009 and 2018, and City have appealed. [10] Every club needs a licence to play in Europe, and it is judged on a club's finances now, not past breaches. [10] So there is no automatic way to keep City out. [10] Pep Guardiola, City's former manager, is expected at their next home game. [11]

   Why it matters — If City win the Champions League, they qualify again as holders whatever happens at home. [10] Wrexham director Shaun Harvey, a former head of the English Football League, says he no longer understands what the rules are trying to achieve. [12]

3. 04

   A first challenger to FIFA's president

   Ramon Vega, a former Switzerland defender who played for Tottenham, says he will stand for president of FIFA, world football's governing body, next year. [39] He is the first to say he will challenge Gianni Infantino, who has refused calls to quit after a failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. [39] In 2019 Vega could not get the five national federations needed to be a candidate. [39] Separately, Norway's football federation has asked FIFA's committees to investigate whether Infantino broke FIFA's ethics code. [40]

   Why it matters — The election is in March, and candidates must declare by November. [40] UEFA, which runs European football, and two other regional bodies have already called on Infantino to quit. [39]

4. 05

   Sheffield United fear a 12-point penalty

   Sheffield United, an English second-tier club, say they do not expect to lose points, though the English Football League (EFL) is investigating. [41] The company that agreed to buy the club for just over £100m in December 2024 was put into liquidation in August, with about £35m still owed to the old owners. [41] EFL rules can take 12 points from a club whose group goes bust. [41] Chief executive Stephen Bettis says that company had already left the group, and the owners would fight a penalty. [41]

   • Paid65 · 65%
   • Still owed35 · 35%

   Why it matters — In 2009 Southampton lost 10 points when their parent company collapsed. [41] Sheffield United's players and fans could pay for an owner's debt.

5. 06

   Southampton's manager keeps his job

   Tonda Eckert, Southampton's manager, was given a six-week ban from football that will apply only if he offends again before the end of next season. [37] He was also fined £28,000. [37] Eckert admitted allowing staff to spy on Middlesbrough's training in May, before a play-off match for promotion. [38] Southampton were thrown out of the play-offs for it. [37] The Football Association, England's governing body, had asked for a three-month ban, and has not said whether it will appeal. [37]

   Why it matters — A real ban could have cost Eckert his job. Southampton's owner said the club had already suffered enough. [37]

6. 07

   Dodgers into a third straight semi-final

   The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday to win their play-off series three games to one. [17][16] Andy Pages broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run hit in the seventh inning, and Max Muncy added a home run. [16] The Dodgers have won the last two World Series and are eight wins from a third in a row, which only the Yankees and the Athletics have done. [17] The National League semi-final starts on Sunday. [16]

   Why it matters — Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. aggravated a knee injury in the series and spoke emotionally about his future with the club. [18]

7. 08

   Rays sweep the Yankees

   The Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday to win their series 3-0 and reach the American League semi-final for the first time since 2020. [19] A Yankees hit that looked like a game-tying home run was changed to a double on video review, because a fan reached over the wall and touched it. [20] Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the umpires got the call right. [20] The Yankees have now gone 17 seasons without winning the World Series, equal to their longest wait. [21]

   Why it matters — The Rays celebrated on the big-spending Yankees' field for the second time in two weeks. [19] Yankees manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman face questions about their futures. [21]

8. 09

   Guardians stay alive against the White Sox

   The Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 9-3 on Wednesday to stop being knocked out. [22] The White Sox still lead the series 2-1. [22] Jose Ramirez, Cleveland's star, had two hits and two runs batted in, and made a diving stop to end a bases-loaded rally. [22] Before this game he had hit .225 in 198 trips to the plate in play-off games. [23] Chicago's crowd had hoped to see their team win a play-off series at home for the first time in 120 years. [22] Game 4 is on Thursday. [22]

   Why it matters — The winner meets the Rays in the American League semi-final, starting on Monday. [19]

9. 10

   Padres beat the Brewers to force Game 4

   The San Diego Padres beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 on Tuesday night to cut the Brewers' series lead to 2-1. [24] Jake Cronenworth hit the deciding home run. [24] Michael King, normally a starting pitcher, pitched the last two innings on one day of rest. [24] Closer Mason Miller missed it for the birth of his child, but was back for Game 4. [27] The loss was the Brewers' 12th play-off defeat in a row away from home, equal to the major-league record. [25]

   Why it matters — The Brewers had the best record in the majors this season, at 103 wins and 59 losses. [25] A fifth game would be back in Milwaukee on Friday. [26]

10. 11

    Dream lead, Liberty question the referees

    The Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 101-98 in overtime on Wednesday to lead their WNBA semi-final two games to none. [28] On the last play the Liberty did not call a timeout, and Breanna Stewart's long shot missed. [29] Stewart said she asked the referees whether her team had a timeout left, and they told her no. [28] The Liberty left the court with one still unused. [28]

    Why it matters — No WNBA team has ever come back from 2-0 down in a five-game series. [28] A timeout would have let the Liberty restart nearer the basket. [29]

11. 12

    Eagles trade their centre to the Ravens

    The Philadelphia Eagles traded Cam Jurgens, a centre who has been picked for two Pro Bowls, to the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. [13] The Eagles get a second-round draft pick in 2028 and a fifth-round pick in 2027. [13] The Ravens had lost their three main centres to injury. [14] Jurgens signed a four-year, $68m contract in 2025, and the Ravens take on $16m of guaranteed pay for 2027. [13] It came a day after Eagles tackle Lane Johnson retired. [14]

    Why it matters — Eagles boss Howie Roseman said he was not shopping Jurgens, but the offer was too good. [15] The Eagles' line is now much thinner, days before they play in London on Sunday. [14]

12. 13

    Arteta signs on to 2030

    Mikel Arteta, who managed Arsenal to last season's Premier League title, signed a new contract until 2030. [35] The Guardian understands it is worth more than £20m a season, which would make him the league's best-paid manager. [34] The BBC says his salary until now was £10m a year. [35] Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the title last season. [34] Midfielder Declan Rice is close to a new deal too, on a large raise from about £240,000 a week. [36]

    Why it matters — Arsenal's chief executive says keeping the only title-winning manager in the league gives them an edge. [35] Rice's raise would put him level with Bukayo Saka, the club's best-paid player. [36]

13. 14

    The Super Bowl comes to Disney+

    Disney said on Wednesday that February's Super Bowl will also stream on Disney+, its main streaming app, in the US and more than 50 other countries. [32] Its sports channel ESPN will make the broadcast, which also airs on ESPN and the ABC network. [32] Disney+ will have shown more than 100 live sports events by the end of this year. [32] On Super Bowl Sunday this year, Peacock, a rival app, gained about one million new sign-ups. [32]

    Why it matters — Live sport draws a steady crowd, so streaming apps use it to sign up subscribers. [32] Disney has already sold every advert slot for the game. [32]

14. 15

    Baseball's TV audience keeps rising

    Fox, the US broadcaster, said on Wednesday it averaged 3.2 million viewers for the first two days of the National League play-off round. [31] That is up 2% on last year. [31] The first game between the Braves and Dodgers drew 5.48 million, the most for a first game of this round since 2018. [31] TNT Sports said its American League games averaged 2.8 million for a Saturday double-header, up 6% on 2024. [31]

    Why it matters — The games drew these numbers while competing with NFL football on Sunday. [31]

15. 16

    WNBA semi-final audience up 10%

    The two opening games of the WNBA semi-finals averaged 1.15 million viewers on Sunday, up 10% on last year's openers. [30] The Dream against the Liberty drew 1.17 million on ABC. [30] The Aces against the Valkyries drew 1.12 million on NBC, the network's first WNBA play-off game since 2002. [30] It came after a record first round that averaged 1.3 million viewers. [30]

    2025 semi openers1.05 m

    2026 semi openers1.15 m

    Why it matters — NBC is one of the partners in the league's new TV deal, worth more than $3bn. [30] Last year's openers included one game that drew 1.4 million, with the Indiana Fever playing. [30]

16. 17

    Valkyries pass $100m in a season

    The Golden State Valkyries became the first women's sports team to earn $100m in a year, Sportico reports. [33] The WNBA club in San Francisco is only in its second season. [33] It earned $78m last year, 48% more than any other team in the league. [33] It has sold out 47 home games in a row, sold over 12,000 season tickets and signed more than 40 sponsors. [33]

    First season$78m

    This season$100m

    Why it matters — The Valkyries share owners and staff with the NBA's Golden State Warriors, and both clubs earn far more than their rivals. [33] A run to the WNBA Finals could push this year's revenue past $130m. [33]

17. 18

    A January clash for Arsenal and Chelsea

    Arsenal and Chelsea's women's teams could miss up to a month of next season's Women's Super League, England's top division, the Guardian reports. [43] The first Women's Club World Cup, run by FIFA, is set for the US from 5 to 30 January. [43] Arsenal are guaranteed a place as 2025 European champions, and Chelsea are likely to join them. [43] A long run could mean missing four league weekends and an FA Cup round. [43]

    Why it matters — The league would have to squeeze those games into the end of the season. The Women's Super League has not yet been told FIFA's plans. [43]

18. 19

    Pinto told 83 days late

    Portugal's witness protection board decided in July to end protection for Rui Pinto, the hacker whose leaked files helped start the case against Manchester City. [42] It told him only on 30 September, 83 days later and 10 days before it ends. [42] That is the Guardian's finding from documents it has seen. [42] Pinto says he fears for his life and must find a safe place to live. [42] The board did not answer questions about the delay. [42]

    Why it matters — Portugal's justice minister has been asked about the case. Pinto's lawyers say his help to investigators across Europe should count. [42]

19. 20

    Russell to start last in Singapore

    George Russell will start Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid. [45] His Mercedes engine failed while he was third, five laps from the end of the last race. [45] He needs a new engine and is now over the season's limit on parts, which carries a penalty. [45] Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli leads him by 84 points, with six or seven races left. [45]

    Why it matters — Overtaking is very hard on Singapore's street track, so Russell's title chances are almost gone. [45] The number of races left depends on safety in the Middle East for Qatar and Abu Dhabi. [45]

20. 21

    Australia's first Test in South Africa since 2018

    Australia's cricketers start their first Test series in South Africa since 2018 on Friday, in Durban. [50][52] Their last tour there ended with three players banned for roughening the ball with sandpaper. [52] Vice-captain Travis Head hit back at former players who criticised the team. [50] That came a day after Matthew Hayden called the selectors' choices a "pile of mediocrity". [50] Australia rely on the same four bowlers as in 2018, with a less settled batting order. [51]

    Why it matters — Head says batting averages have fallen worldwide, so today's batters are judged unfairly. [50] Apart from Steve Smith and one opener, Australia's batting order is still unsettled. [51]

21. 22

    Australia keep their wing for the Bledisloe Cup

    Australia's rugby coach Les Kiss named his team on Thursday for Saturday's match against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. [53] It is the first match of the Bledisloe Cup, the trophy the two countries play for. [53] Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who came from rugby league, stays on the wing. [53] Isaac Henry is the only change from the side that beat South Africa 42-38 two weeks ago. [53]

    Why it matters — Hunter Paisami is banned for four weeks for a high tackle. [53]

22. 23

    Saracens' boss calls interviews autocratic

    Brendan Venter, who runs rugby at Saracens, an English club, compared Premiership Rugby's media rules to something from an autocratic country. [49] The league requires clubs' top coaches to speak to reporters. [49] Venter missed a pre-season media event, which cost Saracens a £5,000 fine. [49] This week he finally appeared and said interviews steal his joy. [48] His title has changed from director of rugby to head of culture. [49]

    Why it matters — Venter says he does not want to be the club's public face. [49] Saracens play Bristol on Saturday. [49]

23. 24

    Police motorbike hits Pidcock's teammates

    A police motorcyclist rode the wrong way down the course at the Tre Valli Varesine race in northern Italy and hit two riders. [46] Both were teammates of Tom Pidcock, a British rider, on the Pinarello Q36.5 team. [46] Thomas Gloag stopped racing and needed stitches in his knee. [46] Marcel Camprubi carried on and finished last. [46] Pidcock, who finished second, said he wanted to stop racing in anger. [47]

    Why it matters — Camprubi posted pictures of his smashed bike and said riders should not have to risk their lives to race. [46]

24. 25

    Kansas City plans for its old stadiums

    Jackson County, which owns the stadiums of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, has a plan for the site once both teams move. [54] Arrowhead, the Chiefs' stadium, would be kept for concerts, college football and soccer. [54] Kauffman, the Royals' ballpark, would be knocked down for a hotel, a convention centre and shops. [54] The Chiefs are building a $3bn domed stadium across the state line in Kansas, due in 2031. [54]

    Why it matters — The county says taxpayers should not carry the cost alone. [54] Old stadiums in Washington and Houston sat empty for years after their teams left. [54]

25. 26

    Jury orders church to pay abuse survivor

    A New York jury ordered Riverside Church to pay $11.3m on Wednesday to a man abused as a 14-year-old in 1978. [55] The abuser was Ernie Lorch, who ran the church's youth basketball programme and died in 2012. [55] Riverside's teams helped set the pattern for today's $40bn youth sports industry. [55] The man sued in 2019 under a New York law that let survivors bring old cases. [55]

    Why it matters — It is the second trial over Lorch, and the first ended in a settlement. [55] The jury found the church reckless, which is why the church itself must pay. [55]

26. 27

    Youth baseball camp loses a joke case

    A US federal judge threw out copyright and trademark claims by Cooperstown Dreams Park against a YouTube channel that mocked it. [56] The park runs youth baseball tournaments in Cooperstown, New York, home of baseball's Hall of Fame. [56] The channel, Baseball Doesn't Exist, posted a video joking about parents who think their 12-year-olds will turn professional. [56] The judge said viewers could only see it as mockery. [56]

    Why it matters — The judge kept some claims under New York state law alive. [56] The video drew more than 2 million views before it was taken down. [56]

27. 28

    Bochum bans fans from jumping

    Bochum, a German second-division football club, has banned fans in one stand from jumping up and down together. [44] Engineers checking the stand found it was safe to hold the weight. [44] But jumping in time made the stand bounce like a trampoline, which left some people feeling sick. [44] The ban starts on 11 October, so the stand can stay at full capacity. [44]

    Why it matters — Bochum's stadium holds about 26,000 people, and the club says it regrets having to bring in the ban. [44]

28. 29

    Stars buy into a Miami volleyball team

    LOVB Miami, the tenth team in a new women's professional volleyball league, named its owners. [57] They include basketball great Lisa Leslie and Olympic sprint champion Sha'Carri Richardson. [57] Several NFL players, a rapper and investment firms are also in. [57] LOVB has raised $160m from investors, and played its first season in 2025 with six teams. [57]

    Why it matters — The owners also include Chase and Stephanie Coleman, who founded the investment firm Tiger Global. [57] LOVB has been adding teams quickly. [57]

29. 30

    Golf split over permanent summer time

    The American Golf Industry Coalition, which speaks for US golf on national laws, says it takes no position on making daylight saving time permanent. [67] PGA Tour boss Brian Rolapp has written to President Trump backing it. [67] Golf course owners estimate it would add $1bn in fees in the first year, because evenings would stay light. [67] The bill passed the US House in July and awaits a vote in the US Senate. [67]

    Why it matters — Later sunsets mean more rounds after work. The coalition, whose members include the PGA Tour, says reasonable people disagree. [67]

30. 31

    Texans' coach takes over the defence

    Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said on Wednesday he will call the defensive plays himself, taking over from his coordinator Matt Burke. [61] The Texans have lost all four games this season. [61] Ryans said he wants to fix how the team communicates. [61] He said the change is not a criticism of Burke. [61]

    Why it matters — Ryans said the blame starts with him, as the head coach. [61]

31. 32

    NFL clears drinking celebrations

    The NFL and its players' union said on Wednesday what celebrations can be penalised. [60] Gestures showing violence, guns, gang signs, drug use or sex can bring a 15-yard penalty, a fine or both. [60] Pretending to drink will not be penalised. [60] It followed several fines for celebrations this season, some later cancelled. [60]

    Why it matters — Several fines this season were later cancelled, which left players unsure where the line was. [60]

32. 33

    A commentator says sorry to LeBron

    Mike Breen, the New York Knicks' TV commentator, apologised after telling viewers that LeBron James had scolded Joel Embiid for being late to practice. [58] Both now play for the Philadelphia 76ers. [58] James denied it on Instagram, writing that Embiid had not been late. [59] Breen said he heard the story from someone he trusts, but believes James. [58]

    Why it matters — Embiid has a history of reported lateness, so the story spread fast. [58]

33. 34

    Haliburton back after 472 days

    Tyrese Haliburton played for the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday for the first time in 472 days. [62] The Pacers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-112 in a pre-season game. [62] The game was played at Iowa State University, where he went to college. [62]

    Why it matters — It was a pre-season game, so the result does not count. It was still his first time on an NBA court in nearly 16 months. [62]

34. 35

    From UFC security guard to UFC fighter

    Sal Everett worked as a security guard and runner for the UFC, the biggest mixed martial arts company. [64] On Dana White's Contender Series he knocked out Ozzy Martin in the first round and won a UFC contract. [64] Everett, 29, trained while working there and won his first four professional fights. [64] He recently left the job to fight full time. [64]

    Why it matters — UFC president Dana White said the contract changes his life. [64]

35. 36

    Sinfield knighted for his MND work

    Kevin Sinfield, a former England rugby league captain, was knighted by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. [63] He has raised more than £11m for people with motor neurone disease, an illness that destroys the nerves that move the body. [63] His fundraising began with his friend and teammate Rob Burrow, who died of it in 2024. [63] Sinfield said Burrow would be laughing, and enormously proud. [63]

    Why it matters — Last week Sinfield ran seven ultra-marathons in seven days for the same cause. [63]

36. 37

    Chisora, 42, will fight again

    Derek Chisora, a 42-year-old British heavyweight boxer, says he will fight Murat Gassiev in December. [65] His April fight against Deontay Wilder had been billed as his 50th and last. [65] The fight would be held by the IBA, a body the International Olympic Committee stopped recognising in 2023. [65] Chisora has won 36 of his 50 fights. [65]

    Why it matters — Some in boxing have asked him to stop because of his age. [65]

37. 38

    Britain hunts for flag football players

    Great Britain's flag football team is looking for athletes from other sports to switch, ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. [66] Flag football is a non-contact version of American football and will be at the Olympics for the first time. [66] Britain's women have won the European title twice, but lost the World Championship bronze to Mexico 20-19. [66] Olympic sprinter Amy Hunt says she understands why athletes are switching sports. [66]

    Why it matters — A new Olympic sport gives athletes from sports outside the Games a way in, like Grace Conway, a former netball player now on Britain's team. [66]

38. 39

    Wrexham's new stand is approved

    Wrexham's local council approved the club's plan this week for a new £70m Kop stand at the Racecourse, the oldest international football ground still in use. [68] The stand will add 7,500 seats and lift capacity to more than 18,000. [68] It should be fully open by the start of next season. [68] Wrexham, owned by the actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, were in non-league football three years ago and are now in the second tier. [68]

    Why it matters — The club says it is building for the Premier League before it gets there, instead of catching up afterwards. [68]

39. 40

    Gauff out in Beijing after a draining week

    Coco Gauff, the American tennis player, lost 6-3 6-3 to Belgium's Elise Mertens at the China Open on Wednesday. [70] Earlier in the week she stopped play against 16-year-old Sun Xinran because of a flickering light, and the rally was replayed. [70][71] She then got a flood of racist messages online. [70] Gauff said the days since had been draining. [71] The WTA, which runs women's tennis, said it was seeking action against the abuse. [70]

    Why it matters — Gauff won the Beijing title in 2024. [70] The abuse came after a replay she was entitled to ask for under the rules. [70]

40. 41

    Oregon's quarterback ruled out again

    Oregon, one of the top US college football teams, ruled out quarterback Dante Moore for Saturday's game against UCLA. [69] Moore has been recovering from a concussion since a hit to the head against USC on 26 September, when he was carried off on a stretcher. [69] He was back at practice this week, but the team says it is taking things slowly. [69] Dylan Raiola is set to start in his place. [69]

    Why it matters — College players must pass five stages of the NCAA's return-to-play rules after a concussion before they can play again. [69]