Sports
Rory McIlroy keeps cards close over PGA media snub, driver issue
Rory McIlroy on Wednesday shed light on his media silence during last month’s PGA Championship, revealing he was frustrated that news had leaked about his driver failing a pre-tournament inspection – something he said should have remained confidential.
Speaking ahead of the Canadian Open, McIlroy noted that Scottie Scheffler’s driver had also failed a test before the major, yet that information was only made public after Scheffler’s win.
“I didn’t want to get up there and say something I’d regret,” McIlroy said. “I’m trying to protect Scottie. I don’t want to mention his name. I’m trying to protect TaylorMade. I’m trying to protect the USGA, PGA of America, myself.”
McIlroy, who had just completed the career Grand Slam with his win at the Masters, entered the PGA as the game’s biggest headline. But instead of soaking in the spotlight at Quail Hollow – a course he’s dominated – he spent the week visibly irked, skipping media duties and stirring speculation.
McIlroy gave a day-by-day breakdown of his decisions not to talk to reporters, saying he wanted to practice after his poor first round. He finished his second round late and wanted to put his daughter, Poppy, to bed. He didn’t want to talk about his driver, he was tired after his weather-delayed third round, and after his week concluded with a tie for 47th place, he just wanted to go home.
He reiterated that PGA Tour players are not required to speak to the media.
“I talk to the media a lot,” McIlroy said. “I think there should be an understanding that this is a two-way street, and as much as we need to speak to you guys – we understand the benefit that comes from you being here and giving us the platform and everything else, I understand that – but again, I’ve been beating this drum for a long time.
“If they want to make it mandatory, that’s fine, but in our rules it says that it’s not, and until the day that that’s maybe written into the regulations, you’re going to have guys skip from time to time, and that’s well within our rights.”
McIlroy also declined to talk to reporters after he blew a late lead and lost to Bryson DeChambeau in last year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
He’s a two-time winner of the Canadian Open, and he skipped a PGA Tour signature event last week at the Memorial to play in Canada as his tune-up for next week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont.
Whether he’ll be interested in discussing his performance at the storied western Pennsylvania venue remains to be seen.
“If we all wanted to, we could all bypass you guys and we could just go on this,” McIlroy said, holding up his phone. “We could go on social media and we could talk about our round and do it our own way.
“We understand that that’s not ideal for you guys and there’s a bigger dynamic at play here.”
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said star forward Neymar still has enough time to recover from recent injuries and regain the form needed to play at this summer’s World Cup.
“He is capable of getting back to 100%,” Ancelotti told L’Equipe in response to questions about Neymar. “He is being assessed by the CBF (Brazil’s Football Confederation) and by me, and he still has two months to show that he has what it takes to play in the next World Cup.”
A fixture on the Brazilian national team starting in 2013, Neymar hasn’t played for his country since 2023, when he began dealing with left knee issues.
He had minor surgery on the knee on Dec. 22 and over the international break in early April, he reportedly underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment to further aid in his recovery.
“After his knee injury (in December), Neymar has made a good recovery,” Ancelotti said. “He’s scoring goals. He needs to keep going down this path and improve his fitness. He’s on the right track.”
The 34-year-old, who has scored more goals for Brazil than anyone else (79), has openly discussed his desire to be on Brazil’s World Cup team this summer for the tournament in North America.
He is currently the captain of Santos in Serie A, Brazil’s top soccer league, where his contract expires at the end of the calendar year. He was formerly one of the world’s best attacking players during his time with Barcelona (2013-17) and Paris Saint-Germain (2017-23), playing alongside Lionel Messi with both clubs.
An ankle injury slowed Neymar before his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, leading to a stint with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where his brief tenure was halted by a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He returned to action in January 2025 when he made the move to Santos.
In five games for Santos this season, Neymar has three goals and two assists. He had missed the previous two games for Santos but played all 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 league win over Atletico Mineiro.
“Neymar is improving with every game,” Santos coach Cuca said after Saturday’s match, per ESPN. “He’s been staying behind to train. His movement on the ball is much better and he’s likely to get even better. It’s risky to play him for the full 90 minutes; we’ll see if he can handle it, and we’ll work toward him playing on Tuesday.”
Last season, his first year playing professionally in his home nation, he tallied eight goals and one assist in 20 games (17 starts).
“Neymar has made, and continues to make, history in Brazilian football,” Ancelotti said. “He is a great talent and it’s only natural that people think he can help us win the next World Cup.”
However, Neymar has not been included on any of Ancelotti’s squads since the Italian took over the team last June.
“I’ve said this several times, and it’s very clear: I’ll call up the players who are physically ready,” Ancelotti said.
European heavyweights Bayern Munich welcome Real Madrid, while a stuttering Arsenal side will go up against Sporting in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg ties Wednesday.
In Munich, all eyes will be on Neuer, who delivered a standout performance in Bayern’s 2-1 first-leg victory in Madrid and could be approaching the final chapter of his decorated career.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper, named man of the match after making nine saves, played a decisive role in keeping Real’s attacking threats, including Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, largely in check.
Though no longer the adventurous “sweeper keeper” of his prime, Neuer remains a central figure for Bayern both on and off the pitch. His contract expires at the end of the season, and while the club is open to extending it, he has yet to confirm his plans. Injuries have limited his availability this campaign, with persistent calf issues causing him to miss 11 matches.
Neuer has already ruled himself out of international duty this summer, raising the possibility that this season could mark his final run at club level. Ending it with a third Champions League title and another Bundesliga crown would provide a fitting conclusion to a career that has helped define Bayern’s modern dominance.
Since joining in 2011, alongside players such as Thomas Mueller, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Neuer has been instrumental in elevating Bayern’s status. The club has missed out on the Bundesliga title only twice in the past 15 seasons, while winning two Champions League trophies with him in goal.
His influence extends beyond shot-stopping. “Manu only has to say one sentence and he brings order to the team. That’s why his role to me as a leader is just as important as what he does on the pitch,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said.
Despite carrying a first-leg advantage, Bayern remain wary of Real Madrid’s pedigree in the competition. The Spanish side, 15-time Champions League winners, have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion regardless of domestic form.
“It doesn’t matter at all what form Kylian Mbappe and his teammates are in. When it’s the Champions League, they perform,” Joshua Kimmich said.
Leon Goretzka echoed that caution, adding: “We know exactly who we are playing against. It’s a brutally difficult task.”
Neuer, meanwhile, will be particularly motivated after a costly error in a previous meeting between the sides led to Bayern’s elimination, a memory that still lingers ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
In London, Arsenal face a different kind of pressure as they attempt to protect a 1-0 lead against Sporting Lisbon while navigating a concerning dip in form.
Arteta’s side has lost three of its last four matches, including defeats that ended their League Cup and FA Cup campaigns.
A shock 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth has also jeopardized Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, leaving them just six points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand ahead of a crucial meeting this weekend.
With a demanding schedule that has seen Arsenal play 54 matches so far this season, fatigue has become a talking point. However, Arteta dismissed it as an excuse.
“I don’t want to pull on those excuses because we’ve been playing so many games, every three days, and we’re going to have to continue to do that,” he said.
“That’s the context and that’s the scenario, and we have to embrace it and especially enjoy the opportunity.”
Arteta also pointed to a lack of intensity and resilience in recent performances, calling on his players to show greater fight in difficult moments.
Injuries have compounded Arsenal’s problems, with key players such as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber sidelined. The manager now faces a dilemma over whether to field his strongest lineup against Sporting or rotate ahead of the decisive league clash with City.
One positive has been the form of striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored 18 goals this season, though he was subdued in the first leg against his former club.
“We have a lot of important games ahead, and we need to embrace it and to enjoy playing those games,” Gyokeres said.
Two of Europe’s most storied football clubs – Liverpool and Barcelona — find themselves on the brink of UEFA Champions League elimination as they prepare for quarterfinal second legs Tuesday.
Both sides must overcome 2-0 deficits to keep their European dreams alive, with both clubs viewing the competition as a vital opportunity to salvage their respective seasons.
Liverpool enters their home leg against holders Paris Saint-Germain following a disappointing domestic campaign that has seen them fall to fifth in the Premier League and exit both domestic cups.
After being outclassed at the Parc des Princes, the Reds are relying on the historic “Anfield factor” to spark a turnaround.
Captain Virgil van Dijk, a veteran of the club’s famous 4-0 comeback against Barcelona in 2019, remains hopeful.
“It’s down to us to be in the best shape possible to make a special evening on Tuesday,” said Van Dijk.
“We are at home and we have to show belief that we can do it. It needs a special performance but I’m lucky I have been part of special performances so I will try and bring that across for the team.” he added.
The match carries significant weight for the future of the club. Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson have confirmed they will depart at the end of the season and manager Arne Slot’s position remains under scrutiny.
Fans recently expressed their dissatisfaction by chanting for former favorite Xabi Alonso following an FA Cup loss to Manchester City. Slot, however, is focused on using a recent 2-0 victory over Fulham to galvanize the supporters.
“Anfield has shown many times that it can lift the team to another level and we need that again,” Slot stated. “Half an hour before the game the players need that support and need to feel it is going to be another special evening.”
Barcelona heads to Madrid
In Spain, Barcelona travel to the Metropolitano stadium to face Atletico Madrid. Much of the focus remains on Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan from Manchester United.
The 28-year-old was a “bright spark” in the first leg but failed to convert several chances in the 2-0 defeat.
Rashford’s future at the Camp Nou hangs in the balance, as the club has yet to decide whether to trigger his 30 million euro ($35 million) permanent transfer clause.
With Raphinha sidelined by injury, Rashford has become the primary option on the left flank, and coach Hansi Flick has been pushing the forward to improve his defensive work-rate and pressing.
“This team is always going to create chances, there’s so much quality in possession … today the goal didn’t go in, but we can’t shy away from the responsibility to take these chances,” Rashford told CBS after the first leg. “On another day, on another night, they go in.”
Rashford recently found the net in a 4-1 win over Espanyol, boosting his confidence ahead of the clash with Atletico. Despite a controversial unawarded penalty in the first leg involving Atletico defender Marc Pubill, Rashford believes a comeback is possible.
“The mindset and the intent that we had to try to get back into the game is unbelievable, and we’re going to have to use this, and we need all of this in the next game in order to come back,” Rashford said. “We know what we are capable of when we’re playing at our highest level and we can take the game away from anybody.”
Lamine Yamal scored once and set up two goals as FC Barcelona beat RCD Espanyol 4-1 Saturday to take a major step toward defending their La Liga title.
Ferran Torres netted twice, with Yamal and Marcus Rashford finding the net late on as the Catalans moved nine points clear of second-placed rivals Real Madrid.
Real drew 1-1 against Girona Friday and with seven games remaining, one of which is a Clasico at Camp Nou in May, Hansi Flick’s side have a commanding lead.
Barca face Atletico Madrid Tuesday in the Champions League quarterfinals, aiming to fight back from a 2-0 first-leg defeat, but the coach still picked a strong side against Espanyol.
Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez and 18-year-old winger Yamal played the full match as Flick tried not to let the second leg disrupt the team’s league campaign.
Flick said he would not accept his team slacking off despite their strong position.
“Every game has to start with the right attitude and right mentality, with only quality you will win nothing,” said the German coach.
“I’m positive we can win La Liga, but it’s not done.”
After a strong start to the season, Espanyol were beaten at home by Barca in the first game of 2026 and have failed to win a match since.
They offered little resistance as Flick’s side cruised into a two-goal lead.
Yamal created both goals for Torres, whipping in a corner which the Spain international nodded home for his first goal since January.
Although some wondered whether Flick would rest Yamal for Tuesday’s visit to Atletico, the teenager is always keen to play, and Barca fans adore watching him.
Yamal’s assist for the second was sumptuous, playing Torres through with the outside of his boot and the striker’s shot trickled past Marko Dmitrovic and into the net.
“You always hear noise around you, more for the bad things than for the good… I am always focused on myself, on improving,” Torres told DAZN.
Espanyol came close when Tyrhys Dolan’s chipped effort clipped the top of the crossbar but they were mainly pinned back in their own territory.
Yamal curled a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar and Dmitrovic made a good double save to keep Fermin Lopez and Eric Garcia at bay.
‘Small errors killed us’
Barcelona thought they had extended their lead early in the second half when Torres stabbed home Garcia’s goal-bound header, but it was ruled out for a tight offside against the defender.
Espanyol pulled one back through Pol Lozano immediately afterwards with a rasping effort after Barca struggled to clear the ball.
“Small errors killed us a bit. We have to be proud of the work we did,” said Lozano after the game.
“We’re getting better and sooner rather than later, the victory will come.”
Substitute Rashford could have got a third for Barca, but the England international seemed to lack confidence as he delayed his shot before firing straight at Dmitrovic.
The winger missed several chances against Atletico in the first leg of the Champions League tie, but by the end, he found the net and will look to make further amends at the Metropolitano.
Yamal notched the third in the 87th minute by charging down a loose ball, which rebounded beyond Dmitrovic, leaving him with a tap-in.
Two minutes later, Rashford hooked home the fourth with a volley from Frenkie de Jong’s cross, the Dutch midfielder making his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in February as a substitute.
Barca fans stayed in the stadium after the final whistle to celebrate with their team and try to inspire them ahead of the visit to face Atletico.
Coach Diego Simeone rotated heavily for his team’s visit to face Sevilla to keep players fresh and Atletico, fourth, fell to a 2-1 defeat.
Akor Adams sent the hosts ahead from the penalty spot and after 20-year-old Atletico reserve defender Javier Bonar levelled, Nemanja Gudelj struck again for Sevilla before the interval.
Atletico have a wide 12-point cushion on Real Betis, fifth, who visit Osasuna on Sunday.
The victory was important for Sevilla, with the Andalusians climbing out of the relegation zone and up to 15th.
Yemaneberhan Crippa won the men’s race at the Paris Marathon Sunday, while Shure Demise set a course record to claim the women’s title.
The Ethiopian-born Italian runner, Crippa clocked a personal best of 2 hours 05 minutes 19 seconds for the win in the French capital.
Bayelign Teshager of Ethiopia finished second, just five seconds off Crippa, with Kenya’s Sila Kiptoo rounding off the podium (2:05:29).
“I’m very, very happy … My marathon career begins today,” Crippa said.
“I’ve finally found the right path. It was incredible. Around the 33rd kilometer, I realized it would be my day, and when, at the 39th kilometer, I saw my opponents struggling, I decided to attack.”
Crippa went on to become the first Italian winner of the Paris Marathon.
In the women’s event, Ethiopia’s Demise ran the 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) in a personal-best time of 2:18:34, shaving more than a minute off the previous women’s fastest time in Paris set by Kenyan runner Judith Jeptum Korir with 2:19:48 in 2022.
The 30-year-old Demise wasn’t the only one to beat Korir’s mark as she reached the finish on Avenue Foch opposite the Arc de Triomphe ahead of compatriot Misgane Alemayehu (2:19:08), Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai (2:19:17) and another Ethiopian, Enatnesh Alamrew Tirusew (2:19:18).
“I didn’t have any information during the race about the record,” said Demise.
“When I came into the finish area and they gave me the sign, I understood. It’s incredible.”
The marathon featured more than 60,000 runners, including 20,800 women, also a record for the Paris race.
Arsenal suffered a blow to their Premier League title hopes with a 2-1 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth, while Liverpool FC boosted their push for a UEFA Champions League spot with a 2-0 win over Fulham FC Saturday.
In the battle of unlikely top-five contenders, Brentford and Everton battled out a 2-2 draw.
Alex Scott’s winner for Bournemouth at The Emirates threw the title race wide open as leaders Arsenal labored to a first league defeat in nine games.
The London club remain on 70 points, nine clear of second-placed Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have two games in hand starting with Sunday’s trip to Chelsea and host Arsenal next weekend. Bournemouth are up to 10th on 45 points.
“Extremely disappointing. It’s a big punch in the face,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “We were very far from the level that we’re expecting, that’s for sure.”
In their first Premier League match for almost a month, Arsenal could have built a 12-point cushion with six games left to play, but could have few complaints as Bournemouth emerged with a deserved three points to boost their European hopes.
Bournemouth took the lead when 19-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi turned in a deflected cross at the far post in the 17th minute.
The French youngster has now scored 10 times in the top flight this season – the first teenager to reach that mark in his debut campaign in the Premier League since Robbie Keane for Coventry City in the 1999-2000 season.
Arsenal struggled to respond but got a helping hand when Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie was adjudged to have blocked a shot with his arm, allowing Viktor Gyokeres to equalise from the spot in the 35th – his 11th goal in all competitions this year.
The anxious hosts huffed and puffed in search of a winner and Gyokeres had a goal disallowed, but it was Bournemouth who struck again as Scott was played in by Evanilson and finished calmly past David Raya in the 74th minute.
Battle for UCL spots
With UEFA confirming that the Top 5 clubs in the Premier League will all qualify for next season’s Champions League, the battle to join Europe’s elite is set for an intriguing finale.
Liverpool remain fifth on 52 points, four ahead of Chelsea, with a victory that featured teenaged winger Rio Ngumoha becoming the club’s youngest player to score a Premier League goal at Anfield.
The 17-year-old – already the team’s youngest scorer thanks to his goal at Newcastle United in August when he was 16 – etched his name alongside another record when he unleashed a rocket into the far corner in the 36th minute.
Mohamed Salah doubled the lead with a first-time finish into the far corner after 40 minutes. The 33-year-old, who is leaving at the end of the season after nine remarkable years, tapped a hand to his Liverpool shirt crest and gave a wave to the crowd.
“It’s a better place than it was two or three days ago or a week ago,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot as his side ended a run of three straight losses in all competitions. “But it’s also not that after we win, all of a sudden everything is good again.”
“I was really happy with a clean sheet. That’s what you need in almost every game,” he told Sky Sports
Fulham are 11th on 44 points.
Thiago scores again
Brentford were tipped as relegation contenders at the start of the season after losing some of their top players and seeing manager Thomas Frank depart to Tottenham Hotspur.
But under Keith Andrews they have prospered and are putting pressure on the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.
They will be kicking themselves though after twice leading against Everton but only taking a point.
Igor Thiago’s double took his top-flight tally this season to 21, making him the highest-scoring Brentford player in a single Premier League campaign, overtaking Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney, who both hit 20.
But Everton’s Beto cancelled out Thiago’s opener and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored a stoppage-time equaliser for the visitors.
The result left Brentford and Everton in seventh and eighth spots respectively with both on 47 points from 32 games.
Brighton & Hove Albion kept their own European ambitions alive as they beat Burnley 2-0 with a double from Mats Wieffer at Turf Moor, which moved his side to ninth on 46 points.
It was a third successive league win for Brighton while second-from-bottom Burnley look almost certain to be relegated as they are 12 points off the safety zone with six games left.
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