Sports
Alcaraz downs Djokovic to clinch 1st Australian Open, career slam
Spanish rising star Carlos Alcaraz fought back from a set down Sunday to defeat Serbian veteran Novak Djokovic to win his maiden Australian Open men’s title.
With the victory, Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, winning all four majors, adding to his two titles each from Wimbledon and the French and U.S. Opens. He also denied the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major.
At 22, he surpassed legendary countryman Rafael Nadal – in the crowd to witness the feat – who was two years older when he did the same.
The Spaniard was imperious after a slow start in dismissing the 38-year-old, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena to claim a seventh Slam title and cement himself as undisputed world No. 1.
A seventh Slam put him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
“It’s an honor to be here in Melbourne every year,” Alcaraz said, before writing on a TV camera lens: “Job finished. Four out of four complete.”
“So I just want to say thank you very much for pushing me in the tough moments during the matches.”
He paid tribute to Djokovic.
“You were talking about how I’m doing the things I am, but what you’re doing is really inspiring, not only for tennis players but athletes around the world.”
It was a first defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne final, having won all 10 previously, leaving him still searching for a landmark 25th major to better Australia’s Margaret Court, who was also watching on center court.
Djokovic, striving to become the oldest man to lift a Grand Slam singles trophy, last won one at the U.S. Open in 2023. Since then, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared the spoils.
“I must be very honest and say that I didn’t think I would be standing in the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam again, so I owe you the gratitude of pushing me forward in the last couple weeks,” Djokovic said, speaking to the fans in the stadium.
He went on to hint this could be his last time at Melbourne Park.
“God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, so it has been a great ride.”
He also joked with Nadal in the stands, saying: “There are too many Spanish legends. I feel like I was one against two tonight. It’s not fair.”
Fatigue
Both men battled through five long sets in their semifinals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic with Sinner, and recovery was always going to be key.
But they showed few signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest.
They both opened with comfortable holds before a double fault and netted forehand presented the first break point chance for Djokovic at 2-1.
Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead.
Djokovic was reading Alcaraz’s serve well and once he got in the rallies was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner earning him two set points.
He claimed the set in a statement 33 minutes after a ninth unforced error from the top seed, having dominated the big moments.
It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz came storming back, upping the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break point and held in the next game.
Djokovic put drops in his eyes and began rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz, who broke again for 5-2.
Some sensational rallies had the crowd on their feet in set three, which went with serve until Djokovic slapped a forehand wide under pressure to slip 2-3 behind.
He gamely saved four set points at 3-5, but with his energy levels dropping was unable to save a fifth as the Spaniard took control.
On the back foot, Djokovic then saved six break points in an 11-minute opening service game in set four to stay alive, and kept fighting hard.
But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a maiden Australian championship.
It ensured he remained world number one and Sinner two, with Djokovic moving up a place to three ahead of Zverev.
Cristiano Ronaldo, sidelined with a hamstring injury, was omitted from Portugal’s squad announced Friday for pre-World Cup friendlies against co-hosts Mexico and the United States later this month.
The 41-year-old has not played for Saudi club Al-Nassr since late February, but coach Roberto Martinez said Ronaldo’s pursuit of a record sixth World Cup appearance remains on track.
“It’s a minor injury,” Martinez said at a news conference, adding that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could return “within one or two weeks.”
“Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows he is in excellent form and has no physical problems. At the World Cup, the center-forward position will be for Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos. We are looking for a third striker with a different profile.”
Portugal will face Mexico on Saturday, March 28, in Mexico City, and the United States three days later in Atlanta.
“This is the last chance to experiment because it’s the final training camp before the World Cup squad is named,” Martinez said.
The World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, places Portugal in Group K with Colombia and Uzbekistan.
The fourth team in the group will come from a playoff that could feature New Caledonia, Jamaica, or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers/England), Rui Silva (Sporting)
Defenders: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City/England), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/England), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona/Spain), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/France), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal/Spain), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/Saudi Arabia), Samu Costa (Mallorca/Spain), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham/England), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain/France), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/France), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/England), Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto)
Forwards: Ricardo Horta (Braga), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr/Saudi Arabia), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus/Italy), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/Italy), Pedro Neto (Chelsea/England), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad/Spain), Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain/France)
Achraf Hakimi, captain of Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender, has publicly refused to accept the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, highlighting a rare stand for sporting integrity in African football.
The decision follows a controversial CAF ruling that retroactively awarded Morocco the championship after Senegal temporarily walked off the field during the final.
Morocco entered the AFCON 2025 tournament as hosts and one of the continent’s strongest sides, featuring stars like Hakimi and Brahim Diaz.
The final, held on Jan. 18, 2026, at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, initially saw a tense 0-0 deadlock.
In stoppage time, a VAR-reviewed penalty was awarded to Morocco after a challenge involving Diaz.
Senegal’s players, protesting the decision and a denied request to review the VAR footage, walked off the pitch for roughly 15 minutes.
Captain Sadio Mane eventually persuaded his teammates to return, and the game resumed.
Pape Gueye scored a curling left-footed goal in the 94th minute of extra time, securing a 1-0 victory for Senegal and their second AFCON title.
Nearly two months later, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation filed an appeal, arguing Senegal’s walk-off violated Article 84 of the AFCON regulations, which addresses abandonment and failure to complete a match.
On March 17, 2026, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled in Morocco’s favour, officially recording the final as a 3-0 forfeit win for Morocco and awarding them their second continental trophy since 1976.
CAF’s decision sparked immediate controversy, with critics across the continent calling it a dangerous precedent that undermines on-pitch results and the spirit of fair competition.
Senegal’s football federation confirmed plans to appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
Hakimi, 27, one of the world’s most highly regarded right-backs, rejected the awarded title outright.
“My mum told me to reject the AFCON trophy. I’m officially rejecting it and hope my teammates do the same. We had a chance but failed to win,” he said. “Senegal beat us fairly and deserved it. It will be unfair to ruin their joy after the hard work they put in. I respect the CAF decision but I’m officially rejecting the trophy. I didn’t win 2025 AFCON. Congratulations to Senegal once again.” He later posted a cryptic message on X: “Energy speaks, I don’t,” reinforcing his commitment to principle over formal recognition.
The defender’s stance is exceptional in professional football, where titles are almost universally accepted once awarded by governing bodies.
Hakimi’s decision underscores a tension between administrative rulings and sporting merit, raising broader questions about ethics, fairness, and respect in African football governance.
His rejection resonates not just as a personal moral choice but as a call to maintain the integrity of results earned on the pitch.
Observers note that while Morocco had strong performances throughout the tournament, Senegal’s resilience and tactical discipline made them deserving champions.
CAF’s ruling, however, prioritizes regulatory interpretation over match dynamics, leaving fans, analysts, and players divided.
Whether Hakimi’s teammates or the Royal Moroccan Football Federation will echo his stance remains uncertain, but his voice has already amplified discussions about accountability and transparency in the continent’s most prestigious football competition.
FIFA on Thursday fined the Israel Football Association 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,000) for discrimination, racist abuse, and violations of fair play but declined to act on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from international football over clubs operating in West Bank settlements.
In a separate statement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino dismissed Iran’s efforts to relocate its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, saying the tournament is set “to go ahead as scheduled.”
Thursday’s announcement addressed two petitions from the Palestinian Football Federation, underscoring FIFA’s disciplinary stance against Israel while leaving broader suspension demands unresolved.
Three FIFA judges held the Israeli federation responsible for “tolerance of politicized and militaristic messaging within football contexts,” notably by fans of Beitar Jerusalem, and the “systemic exclusion of Palestinians from football infrastructure in Israeli settlements.”
The disciplinary verdict, judged last August, was announced after a meeting of FIFA’s ruling council chaired by Infantino, who said the organization maintains peaceful goals amid a month of World Cup planning turmoil and conflict in the Middle East.
The Palestinian federation has urged FIFA to act against Israel for supporting clubs from settlement communities in the West Bank that participate in the national league.
FIFA’s council decided Thursday, on advice from the governing body’s governance panel, not to act on formal Palestinian complaints in 2024, including a request to suspend Israel’s membership.
Palestinian officials have long argued, including at FIFA annual congresses over the past 15 years, that Israel violates statutes by allowing teams from West Bank settlements to play in the national league.
“FIFA should take no action given that, in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA statutes, the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law,” the football body said.
Infantino reiterated FIFA is not moving toward granting Iran’s request to move the team’s three World Cup group games in June from the United States to Mexico.
Iranian government and football officials said they do not want to boycott the World Cup but cannot enter the United States because of military attacks on their country by Israel and the U.S. since Feb. 28.
The team is scheduled to play two games at the Los Angeles Rams stadium in Inglewood and one in Seattle.
“We have a schedule,” Infantino said Thursday about the World Cup fixtures announced in December. “We want the FIFA World Cup to go ahead as scheduled.”
No team has refused a World Cup entry since the 1950 edition, a 13-team event in Brazil held amid lingering global chaos after World War II. It would be unprecedented in modern World Cup history for a team’s schedule to be changed after the draw for political reasons.
“FIFA can’t solve geopolitical conflicts,” Infantino said, noting he presented his close ally U.S. President Donald Trump with a specially created peace prize at the World Cup draw in December.
“But we are committed to using the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to build bridges and promote peace, as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars,” he said.
The disciplinary investigation of Israeli football was opened 18 months ago in response to a second objection by the Palestinian federation.
The fine is 50,000 Swiss francs ($63,000) less than penalties imposed on Bosnia-Herzegovina’s football federation for misconduct by fans at World Cup qualifying games in November.
FIFA disciplinary judges upheld charges against Israeli football for institutional discrimination and cited offensive social media comments by senior officials.
“The conduct of the IFA, in failing to take meaningful action against Beitar Jerusalem FC, a club whose supporters have engaged in persistent and well-documented racist behavior, constitutes a clear violation,” the FIFA disciplinary panel said.
One-third of the fine must be spent by Israeli officials on “implementation of a comprehensive plan to ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents.”
“The plan shall be approved by FIFA and shall focus on the following areas: reforms, protocols, monitoring, and educational campaigns in stadiums and on official channels for an entire season,” FIFA judges said.
Judges noted they “cannot remain indifferent to the broader human context in which football operates” and that the sport “must remain a platform for peace, dialogue, and mutual respect.”
On Friday, Türkiye and much of the Muslim world welcomed Eid al-Fitr, the three-day celebration marking the end of Ramadan.
Across the nation, sports clubs, federations and athletes joined billions of Muslims worldwide in honoring faith, family and community, issuing messages of peace, unity and brotherhood throughout the public holiday running March 20-22.
Eid al-Fitr commemorates the conclusion of Ramadan fasting, one of Islam’s Five Pillars, with traditions that include special prayers, charitable giving, family visits and shared festive meals featuring sweets such as baklava, Turkish delight and chocolates.
In 2026, Türkiye aligned its observance with many countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon, while the eve of Eid (Arife) on March 19 was observed as a half-day work closure in many sectors.
Sports community joins the celebration
Türkiye’s sports landscape, dominated by football but rich with basketball, volleyball and other disciplines, embraced Eid as a moment to highlight fair play, respect and solidarity.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) led the celebrations with President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu extending greetings to players, officials, fans and the wider Islamic community: “I congratulate with my sincerest wishes the Ramadan Holiday of our football family, our citizens living in our country and abroad and the entire Islamic world. May competition remain on the pitch and the spirit of respect guide our actions on and off the field.”
Social media from TFF-affiliated accounts echoed the message, emphasizing friendship in stadiums, unity in communities and solidarity across clubs.
This approach demonstrates how Turkish sports leaders view Eid as more than a holiday, framing it as a platform to reinforce ethics, cohesion and goodwill.
Clubs and athletes celebrate across the nation
Major Süper Lig clubs including Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor traditionally mark the holiday with greetings, personal reflections and family visits to training facilities.
During Ramadan 2026, teams hosted iftars, prayer spaces and accommodations for fasting athletes, easing the transition into Eid festivities.
Adjusted schedules in youth and lower leagues allowed players, coaches and fans to prioritize family and communal observances.
Basketball teams such as Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe Beko and other federations mirrored this spirit.
Athletes, including Turkish-origin and Muslim players abroad, shared messages of unity, bridging local and global sports communities while highlighting inclusivity and shared values.
By actively participating, Türkiye’s sporting community reinforced its connection with the global Muslim world.
Stadiums that normally echo with rivalry transformed into arenas of shared celebration, where fans exchanged sweets and well-wishes. The holiday’s themes of charity, forgiveness and renewed bonds align naturally with sportsmanship, teamwork and resilience.
The president of African football’s governing body defended the organization’s integrity and impartiality after Senegal’s government called for an international probe into “suspected corruption” following the stripping of the country’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, addressed the controversy Wednesday, explaining the ruling by CAF’s appeals board that reversed Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time victory in the January final. The board awarded a 3-0 default win to host nation Morocco after Senegal walked off the field.
“The CAF disciplinary board made one decision. The CAF appeals board reached a completely different conclusion. I’m told Senegal intends to appeal, which is very important,” Motsepe said in a video posted on CAF’s website. “We will adhere to and respect the decision taken at the highest level.”
Motsepe emphasized that members of both the disciplinary and appeals boards are selected from lists submitted by each of CAF’s 54 member associations.
“If you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent,” he said. “These are people who have integrity and have a track record. The independence is reflected by the decisions that were taken by the two bodies.”
In January, CAF’s disciplinary board imposed fines totaling more than $1 million against the Senegalese and Moroccan federations. It issued suspensions against the Senegal coach and several players but did not interfere with the outcome of the final.
CAF’s appeals board on Tuesday ruled that Senegal forfeited the Jan. 18 final by leaving the field of play without the referee’s authorization, and that Morocco should be awarded a 3-0 win.
Most of the Senegal team left the field for nearly 10 minutes while Senegal fans clashed with stewards behind one of the goals in protest of a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco after Senegal had a goal ruled out. The players returned, Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal scored in extra time to win the match.
“What happened in that final match undermines the good work CAF has done over many years to ensure integrity, respect, ethics, governance, and credibility in the results of our football matches,” Motsepe said. He added that the incidents in the final exposed CAF’s ongoing efforts to address suspicion and distrust.
“It’s a legacy issue. When I became president, one of the major concerns was the impartiality, independence, and respect of referees and match commissioners, and a lot of good work has been done,” he said. “The fact that there continue to be suspicions is because it’s a legacy issue. It’s something that has been there for many years, and we consistently deal with it because it’s critically important.”
The Senegalese football federation said it will appeal Tuesday’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Senegalese government criticized what it called a “manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision.”
Motsepe defended CAF against perceptions of favoritism toward Morocco, which is a 2030 World Cup co-host and has invested heavily to become a football superpower.
“Not a single country in Africa will be treated in a manner that is more preferential, advantageous, or favorable than any other country on the continent,” Motsepe said. “We take what happened at the final match in Morocco very seriously.”
He added that CAF had already taken steps to address deficiencies.
“We have very high standards that we set for ourselves. It is important that ordinary football supporters and spectators in every one of the 54 countries in Africa, in their judgment, not CAF’s judgment, not my judgment, regard the decisions of our judicial bodies as fair,” Motsepe said.
The Iranian national team is pressing ahead with preparations for the World Cup finals and has no plans to withdraw, even if they do not travel to the United States, football chief Mehdi Taj said Wednesday.
Iran was among the first teams to secure qualification, but their participation has been uncertain since tensions between the Islamic Republic and the U.S. escalated in late February.
The tournament runs June 11 to July 19 across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Team Melli is set to play all three of its opening-round group matches in the U.S., but Taj said Monday that the Iranian Football Federation is negotiating with FIFA to relocate the games to Mexico.
Iran will play Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica four days later in Antalya as part of a four-nation invitational tournament that had to be moved from Jordan because of the conflict in the Middle East.
“The national team is holding a training camp in Türkiye, and we will also play two friendly matches there,” FFIRI President Taj told Fars News Agency Wednesday. “We will boycott America, but we will not boycott the World Cup.”
Taj was speaking as he welcomed the players from the women’s national team back to Iran at the border crossing from Türkiye after their protracted journey from Australia.
All of the delegation, who were in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup, were offered asylum by the host nation because of fears for their safety in Iran. Seven accepted, but only two remained.
U.S. President Donald Trump had urged Australia to offer the players asylum and later said that while the Iranian men were welcome to play in the U.S., it might not be appropriate for their “life and safety.”
Trump later stressed that any threat to the players would not come from the United States, but Taj, a former member of Iran’s hardline Revolutionary Guard, used the president’s statement as grounds for demanding a venue switch.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that her country would be open to hosting Iran’s World Cup matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in June, but the final decision on any venue switch would rest with FIFA.
FIFA said it is in contact with FFIRI and “looks forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on Dec. 6, 2025.”
Beau Busch, Asia-Pacific president of the football players’ union FIFPRO, said FIFA has a duty to ensure the safety of everyone involved at the World Cup.
“FIFA has an institutional responsibility to protect human rights,” the Australian told Reuters. “What’s critical is that FIFA undertake a really comprehensive human rights impact assessment and ensure that every single participant at the World Cup, every player, every fan, can be safe, and that any risks are identified and mitigated effectively.”
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