Eighteen-team Quaid-e-Azam trophy to start from October 26

Days after the 2024-25 Quaid-e-Azam trophy was delayed, the PCB have announced the final schedule for Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class competition. The tournament will begin on October 26, with the final on December 19.In a major overhaul, the days of parsimony when it came to the number of teams have flown out of the window. This year’s QeA will see 18 teams spread out into 16 regions take part; Lahore and Karachi have two teams each. Last year, just eight teams played the tournament, with the four years prior seeing just six participants. Karachi Whites are the defending champions.”Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is the pinnacle of domestic cricket in Pakistan as it is not just a tournament but also an event that showcases the immense talent across the country and prepares them for the challenges of international cricket,” Abdullah Niazi, the director of domestic operations, said in a statement. “As always, we will continue to provide the best possible platform for players to excel and show their capabilities on the biggest stage in domestic cricket as they will be rubbing their shoulders with the best players of the country.Related

  • It's October 19, and there's still no clarity on Quaid-e-Azam 2024-25 schedule

“Earlier we demonstrated a successful Champions One-Day Cup, and are fully committed to strengthening our domestic structure. The successful execution of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy remains at the heart of this commitment.”Just days ago, though, the fate of this year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy was uncertain. ESPNcricinfo understands the tournament was delayed, with the domestic cricket department awaiting the chairman’s sign-off for the tournament. The QeA was tentatively scheduled to start on October 20.The start date of October 26 is considerably later than usual. Just two of the last 15 years have seen the tournament begin after this date. The PCB opted to host the Champions One-Day Cup in September, Pakistan’s only meaningfully empty window until May, pushing the first-class competition deeper into the season.This means the Quaid-e-Azam trophy starts while Pakistan’s Test season – it’s busiest this century – will already be well into the fifth of seven home games. The final begins on December 19, a week out from the first Test in South Africa on December 26. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan vice-captain Saud Shakeel suggested the first-class competition could be used to prepare for the tour of South Africa by attempting to replicate those conditions.”If you want to prepare for SENA [series in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia], you can do it during practice and first class cricket,” Shakeel said. “If there’s first-class cricket before South Africa, we could prepare those kinds of pitches there. But we should prepare pitches and conditions series-by-series, and according to the opposition.”

Better than Ramsey: Aston Villa register interest in £40m "superstar"

Aston Villa haven’t got the ball rolling just yet on adding some memorable signings to Unai Emery’s camp.

Marco Bizot has entered the building as another goalkeeper option, but it’s hardly a signing to get overly excited by, whilst the likes of Tottenham Hotspur splash the big bucks to land Mohammed Kudus, alongside Arsenal suddenly sparking into life in the chaotic transfer window.

Unfortunately, the main conversations surrounding the Villans this window continue to be the amount of outgoings that could take place, with Jacob Ramsey looking at an exit, with a move away from the West Midlands to nearby Nottingham Forest potentially in the works.

Still, there’s sufficient time for Villa to make waves in the market with some standout additions, as a £40m winger now comes onto their radar.

Aston Villa register interest in brand new attacker

Of course, whilst selling Ramsey would be a blow to the Villa system, he didn’t cost the Premier League side a single penny, owing to his homegrown status. Therefore, any sale would represent profit, something that could be vital as far as PSR is concerned.

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Still, if they can keep him around, he would be seen as a valued member of Emery’s squad heading into next season, even as bold attacking additions are rumoured to be on the Villans’ shopping list.

Nicolas Jackson is one name floating about as a striker target, but a fresh report by the Daily Mail Online might well trouble Ramsey’s long-term future at Villa Park as Alejandro Garnacho is eyed up by Emery and Co. as a brand-new left winger option.

The report states that both Chelsea and Spurs have been keeping tabs on the South American’s fractured situation at Old Trafford for some time, but it’s Villa who have now registered their interest in the attacker.

It’s stated that the Red Devils do not expect to get anywhere near £70m for Garnacho, which is what their previous price-tag had been, with £40m perhaps a more realistic suggestion based on more recent reports.

How Garnacho compares to Ramsey

This might well go down as a worthwhile risk to take on Villa’s end if they do pursue his signature further, with Garnacho at his Theatre of Dreams peak arguably a better talent than Ramsey back at his boyhood employers.

Even when his relationship with Ruben Amorim last season was strained, Garnacho showed more than enough flashes of quality for his beleaguered side.

Indeed, in all competitions across the 24/25 campaign, the 21-year-old fired home a mightily impressive 11 strikes, on top of collecting ten assists, which is a hefty tally Ramsey very much struggled to get to at Villa Park.

Games played

58

46

Minutes played

3569

2326

Goals scored

11

4

Assists

10

5

The Forest-linked attacker would fall short of Garnacho’s total by a worrying 12 goal contributions, with his offering the season before not any better at just one goal and two assists.

On the flip side, the £40m “superstar” – as he was once labelled by football content creator Liam Canning – again reached double digits with 15 combined goals and assists, as one of those strikes even came about on the biggest stage of them all in the Champions League.

Jacob Ramsey for Aston Villa

Therefore, losing Ramsey might not be the most disorientating development if Garnacho is purchased as his immediate replacement, with the South American also capable of playing in a number ten role like his English counterpart.

That’s not to forget he’s also capable of the spectacular. Remember that ​​​​​​overhead kick at Goodison Park? Of course, you do.

Moreover, if Emery puts his full trust into Garnacho and his confidence becomes sky-high, much like the Marcus Rashford loan situation last season, even more could soon come from the “generational” attacker, as he was once glowingly labelled by football analyst Statman Dave.

Villa have endured a testing summer to date with all their PSR issues, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world if Ramsey soon departs the building, if Emery and Co. have a reinvigorated Garnacho up their sleeve.

Aston Villa step up pursuit of £6m "warrior" who starred at Club World Cup

The Villans are battling Manchester United for the signature of a player who caught the eye in the USA.

ByDominic Lund Jul 15, 2025

Tottenham star rejects "lucrative" Saudi offer as "sensational" exit nears

Tottenham Hotspur are poised to wave goodbye to a key player this summer, and it would be a blow to manager Thomas Frank as the Dane gears up for his first full campaign in charge.

Paratici holds talks with £207k-a-week star's camp about joining Tottenham

The Spurs advisor has reached out to his representatives.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 31, 2025

Spurs are in the Far East right now on a pre-season tour of Asia, before returning to Europe for a clash against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Frank is getting a good look at his new squad, who’ve just taken on Arsenal in the first ever north London derby played overseas, but off the field, chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange are planning to reinforce the squad with new signings.

Specifically, Tottenham are working on an alternative to Morgan Gibbs-White after missing out on the Englishman in truly bizarre fashion.

Spurs were ready to trigger Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause and even booked a medical for the playmaker nearly three weeks ago (BBC), but Evangelos Marinakis blocked the transfer, threatened legal action and tied him down with a new £150,000-per-week deal.

A new number 10 is imperative, amid reports that Tottenham are not completely averse to selling James Maddison after a stop-start season (Ben Jacobs).

Spurs have also been linked with an ambitious move for Real Madrid star Rodrygo this week, as club legend Son Heung-min edges ever closer to ending his 10-year stay in north London.

The South Korea star has etched his name into Lilywhites folklore with 173 goals and 101 assists, not to mention a once-devastating partnership with Harry Kane, since his £22 million move from Bayer Leverkusen a decade ago.

However, with just one year remaining on his contract as a 33-year-old, his memorable spell could be drawing to a close, and Los Angeles FC are offering him a route out to the MLS.

GiveMeSport reported earlier this week that Son is close to agreeing personal terms with LAFC, and now CaughtOffside have provided another update.

Son rejects "lucrative" Saudi offer as talks advance with LAFC

According to their information, Son rejected a “lucrative” offer from Saudi Arabia to leave Tottenham earlier this summer.

LAFC are also now in advanced negotiations over the “sensational” signing of Son, on both the club and player side this time, but the move won’t be completed until after their pre-season friendly against Newcastle in Seoul for commercial reasons.

Talks have apparently accelerated in the last few days whilst entering a “critical” phase, so if all goes to plan, these next few days could be Son’s last in London.

This also comes despite Frank publicly suggesting the winger could stay.

“I think first and foremost, Son’s legacy here is remarkable. He’s been a fantastic player for Tottenham, he is a fantastic player for Tottenham,” Frank said about Son in a recent press conference.

“I see a player that can play a very good role here next season. He’s come in [for pre-season], very good mindset, trained very hard, pushed the players. So I’m excited about it.”

Abbott presses his case with four to give NSW an edge

Mitchell Starc also dismissed Marcus Harris for 26 while Peter Handscomb and Campbell Kellaway made half-centuries

Alex Malcolm20-Oct-2024Sean Abbott put his name in the queue of back-up Test quicks with an outstanding spell while Mitchell Starc won a key battle over Marcus Harris that could shape Australia’s side as New South Wales took the ascendency against Victoria on the opening day at the MCG.In front of a lively Sunday crowd of around 1800, Abbott took four wickets and arguably deserved more on the back of some high-quality sustained fast bowling across the day, including an incredible spell after tea that yielded 3 for 0 in 15 balls and the swung the momentum NSW’s way.Related

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Live – Starc, Smith, Boland return to Sheffield Shield

Peter Handscomb and Campbell Kellaway made fighting half-centuries in challenging conditions that favoured the seamers.Harris was unable to kick on after batting the entire first session for 26. Starc bowled impressively in the morning but went unrewarded despite finding swing and extra bounce while operating at high pace. Harris fought hard and played reasonably well without being able to score freely. Shortly before lunch, Starc pinned Harris on the underside of his left arm to leave a large egg-shaped bruise.The left-armer returned after the break to first beat Harris on the inside edge and nearly bowl him, before picking him up caught down the leg side. Harris bemoaned his misfortune but Starc’s extra pace and bounce meant he was not in control of the leg glance.NSW did not claim another wicket for the next 34 overs as Kellaway and Handscomb shared a century stand against some excellent bowling. Abbott and Starc in particular beat the bat regularly. Abbott had a number of half-shouts turned down while Starc broke Handscomb’s bat with a searing delivery that climbed from a length and cracked the splice of his blade.Kellaway and Handscomb defended against that duo and then expanded against Nathan Lyon. Kellaway launched him for a huge six over wide long-on while Handscomb played him with typical class.Jackson Bird broke the stand after tea, finding the outside edge with a superb off-cutter to dismiss Kellaway for 55 from 160 deliveries.Abbott then returned to wreak havoc. Handscomb, on 64, attempted a drive at a fuller length, but Abbott managed to get the ball to straighten a touch and Steven Smith held the edge at second slip.In Abbott’s next over he removed Sam Harper in similar fashion. Abbott went wide of the crease and dragged his length back as Harper shuffled forward. Again the ball straightened off the seam and caught the edge with Nic Maddinson claiming the chance sharply at third slip. Abbott should have had another two balls later but Maddinson grassed an easier catch that went straight to him off Will Sutherland’s outside edge.It cost nothing as Abbott nicked off Sutherland again to the safe gloves of Josh Phillippe. When Lyon had Sam Elliott caught at short leg, Victoria had slumped from 164 for 2 to 185 for 7.”I thought we bowled pretty well,” Abbott said after play. “But equally, I think the Vic boys batted very well on that wicket.”It felt a bit frustrating at times. We went past the bat a lot. It was just nice to get some reward late in the day after some hard toil all day.”Tom Rogers took 37 balls to get off the mark while watching three of his team-mates fall at the other end. But he and Fergus O’Neill mounted a rearguard against the second new ball with a 58-run stand before O’Neill fell late in the day for 28. Jack Nisbet picked up a second when he had Todd Murphy caught behind in the shadows of stumps.Handscomb was pleased with Victoria’s score given how much pace and seam movement there was in the surface and how well New South Wales bowled.”They bowled beautifully,” Handscomb said. “They’re always going to be there or thereabouts, and not really give you any loose balls.”We just kept telling each other just to try and fight and keep getting through. Because it’s tough for us out there but it’s also going to be tougher for the next bloke coming in.”I think it’s a really good day for us today. We’re really happy with that situation. I think when you get sent in here day one where, if we can get somewhere between 180 to 220, we tend to feel like we’re still in the game.”

Darren Gough appointed Lahore Qalandars head coach ahead of Global Super League

The appointment is understood to be a prelude to a role with the franchise at the PSL

Danyal Rasool01-Nov-2024

[File photo] Darren Gough and Sameen Rana with Lord Patel, chair of Yorkshire CCC•Lahore Qalandars

Darren Gough has been appointed head coach of Lahore Qalandars. His first assignment with the franchise will be the Global Super League (GSL) in Guyana, which starts on November 26.The appointment is understood to be a prelude to a more permanent role in Qalandars’ stock competition: the PSL. Aaqib Javed, who served as head coach and director of cricket operations for Qalandars for eight years, quit last month to focus on a new role at the PCB with Pakistan cricket: he is now a member of the selection committee for the Pakistan men’s national team.Qalandars won back-to-back PSL titles in 2022 and 2023 before stumbling this year, finishing bottom. Aaqib’s departure left a vacancy at the franchise, one they wish to ensure is filled well before the PSL begins in April next year. Gough, who retired in 2006 as England’s leading ODI wicket-taker (and is still No. 2 on the list behind James Anderson) is understood to be keen on the role, with the GSL seen as a useful opportunity to allow him to get his feet under the table before a permanent decision is made.”It’s an absolute honour to have been asked by the Lahore Qalandars to be the head coach for the upcoming Global Super League in Guyana,” Gough said in a statement. “I’m really excited about this opportunity because I’ve been fortunate to work with the Qalandars in Lahore on several occasions, assisting with their PDP [player development programme].”We know that Lahore Qalandars are all about giving young players opportunities they’ve never had before -developing their skills and shaping them into players who can go on to represent the Qalandars, and hopefully make Pakistan cricket proud.”Gough most recently served as managing director at his old club, Yorkshire, after being appointed in December 2021 following the racism allegations that rocked the club. He parted ways with Yorkshire in March this year. Before that, he had a stint as England’s bowling consultant in 2020. Not long after Gough joined Yorkshire in 2021, the club launched a partnership with Qalandars aiming to “nurture talent [by] reducing barriers to entry” following the racism crisis.Sameen Rana, co-owner of Qalandars, said Gough’s vision aligned “seamlessly with our commitment to player development”, referring to the appointment as an embarkation on “a new journey”.The GSL will be contested by five teams. Qalandars are joined by Hampshire Hawks from the T20 Blast, Rangpur Riders from the BPL, Victoria from Australia, as well as the hosts, Guyana Amazon Warriors. The final will take place on December 7.

ترتيب الدوري الإسباني بعد فوز ريال مدريد وبرشلونة

حصد فريق ريال مدريد ثلاث نقاط إضافية في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026، بعد فوزه ليلة الثلاثاء على ليفانتي.

وحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على ليفانتي، في مباراة ضمن مواجهات الجولة السادسة لبطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.

وتغلب ريال مدريد على ليفانتي برباعية لهدف، وسجل له، فينيسيوس جونيور، فرانكو ماستانتونو، وكيليان مبابي (هدفين).

اقرأ أيضًا | ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني بعد ثنائية مبابي وهدف فينيسيوس في مباراة ريال مدريد وليفانتي

وشهدت هذه الجولة فوز فريق أتلتيكو مدريد أمام رايو فاليكانو مساء الأربعاء بنتيجة 3/2.

وانتهت الجولة بفوز صعب لصالح برشلونة ضد ريال أوفييدو بثلاثة أهداف لهدف. جدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني

1. ريال مدريد، 18 نقطة.

2. برشلونة، 16 نقطة.

3. فياريال، 13 نقطة.

4. إسبانيول، 11 نقطة.

5. إلتشي، 10 نقاط 

5. أتلتيك بلباو، 10 نقاط.

6. خيتافي، 10 نقاط.

8. ريال بيتيس، 9 نقاط.

9. أتلتيكو مدريد، 9 نقاط.

10. ألافيس، 8 نقاط

11. فالنسيا، 8 نقاط.

12. إشبيلية، 7 نقاط.

13. أوساسونا، 7 نقاط.

14. رايو فاليكانو، 5 نقاط.

15. سيلتا فيجو، 5 نقاط.

16. ريال سوسيداد، 5 نقاط 

17. ليفانتي، 4 نقاط.

18. ريال أوفييدو، 3 نقاط.

19. ريال مايوركا، نقطتان.

20. جيرونا، نقطتان.

ويمكنك متابعة الترتيب بشكل محدث لحظة بلحظة من خلال الرابط.

Ugarte upgrade: Man Utd lining up move for "the strongest DM in the world"

Manchester United hit their nadir last season, but Ruben Amorim is a stoic sort and has knuckled down and made tentative progress with the Premier League giants.

Maybe the Portuguese tactician was a little too frank during interviews, but at least he understands where the cracks lie for the Old Trafford side, who finished 15th in the league and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

There have been positives throughout the Premier League Summer Series in America, for sure, but the Red Devils still have improvements to be made, irrespective of who might be welcomed to the fold.

Saying that, the recent draw against Everton corroborated Amorim’s desire for a new midfielder, with Manuel Ugarte flattering to deceive.

Why Man Utd need to replace Manuel Ugarte

Ugarte, 24, joined Man United from Paris Saint-Germain last summer in a deal rising to £50.5m. Last season, he left much to be desired, but did feature 45 times across all competitions, scoring twice and laying on six assists.

Man United showed some promise against the Toffees, but Vitalii Mykolenko dispossessed Ugarte in in the build-up to Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half goal, leading Bruno Fernandes to claim that his team “looked a bit lazy” at times.

Much has been made of United’s need for a focal frontman, but with Casemiro getting on, a secure and confident midfield anchor is equally as crucial to the success of the project.

That’s why INEOS are weighing up a move for Atalanta’s Ederson. As per TEAMtalk, the Brazilian could be available for around £52m this summer, which makes him the most expensive man on United’s midfield shortlist.

But there’s a reason for that. Man United have a ‘long-standing interest’ in Ederson, and if it proves financially viable, he could complete a midfield that needs reinforcing.

Why Man Utd want to sign Ederson

Ederson is a 26-year-old midfielder who has established himself as one of the best in the business over in Italy. Across 139 appearances in all competitions, he has scored 13 goals and supplied four assists.

Atalanta's Ederson in action

Hailed as a “machine” of a midfielder by reporter Carlo Garganese, this is exactly the kind of hardy, dynamic player that Amorim needs to welcome to his squad, should he wish to return to European competition and challenge for silverware at the Old Trafford helm.

Instrumental in winning the Europa League in 2023, Ederson has the strength, self-belief and roundedness to succeed under Amorim’s wing in the Premier League, with the right balance in his performances to nestle into the United centre, acting as a tough-tackling six but also a progressive force.

League Stats 24/25 – Ederson vs Manuel Ugarte

Stats (* per game)

Ederson

Ugarte

Matches (starts)

37 (32)

29 (22)

Goals

4

1

Assists

1

2

Touches*

65.9

43.2

Pass completion

87%

89%

Big chances created

6

3

Key passes*

1.1

0.3

Dribbles*

0.6

0.6

Ball recoveries*

5.0

4.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.3

3.6

Duels won*

4.9 (56%)

5.0 (53%)

Data via Sofascore

On the surface level, it doesn’t look like Ugarte did all that badly across his first Premier League campaign, but he’s susceptible to a poor error of lapse of focus, with one Man United content creator online even saying he “is frightened to death of passing forward.”

No such problem for Ederson, who ranked among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

Though Amorim and INEOS will continue to push ahead with a deal for a new number nine, this one could prove to be equally important.

Described by Italian journalist Damiano Er Faina to be “the strongest defensive midfielder in the world”, Man United might just hit the jackpot if they push ahead and complete their midfield with his many-faceted player.

Romano: Liverpool plan to submit record-breaking bid to sign Alexander Isak

Liverpool have reportedly made their first approach to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United and could now break the British transfer record for a second time this summer.

Liverpool make first approach to sign Isak

Whilst the initial consensus was reportedly that Newcastle United’s attempted move to sign Hugo Ekitike would not leave the door ajar for Isak’s exit, Liverpool didn’t seem to receive that message. Now, according to David Ornstein, the Reds have made their first approach to sign the Swede in another big-money deal.

As things stand, Newcastle’s stance, as it has always been, is that Isak is not for sale. But Liverpool’s decision to make their approach may yet have loosened their grip on one of the Premier League’s hottest talents. From ‘not for sale’, a record-breaking £120m price tag has now been mooted, which could hand Liverpool the encouragement they need.

Liverpool’s admiration for Isak is far from new and it certainly isn’t a surprise. If there was a weakness in Arne Slot’s Premier League-winning side last season, it came in the No.9 role, as Luis Diaz was often forced to play out-of-position to lead the line and Darwin Nunez continued to struggle.

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz

Now that both have been linked with moves away to Bayern Munich and now AC Milan respectively, however, Liverpool may finally have the funds and room to welcome the ultimate solution to their striker problem. In one summer, the Reds could go from Diaz, Nunez and Mohamed Salah to arguably the world’s best trio in Florian Wirtz, Isak and Salah.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Isak

Wirtz

Salah

Starts

34

25

38

Goals

23

10

29

Assists

6

12

18

Expected Goals

20.3

9.4

25.2

There’s still a long way to go before Isak becomes Liverpool’s next No.9, but that’s not to say Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes don’t already have their next trick planned.

What Liverpool plan to do next in Isak chase

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool will “for sure” submit a club-record bid to sign Isak this summer and follow up their initial approach. The Swede is their “dream” target in a deal that could reportedly cost in the region of £120m.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “For sure, Liverpool want to try for their dream target with an eventual club-record bid. Liverpool have intention to try and they made an approach with Newcastle.”

The transfer specialist then went on to reveal that if Liverpool fail in their pursuit of Isak, then their attention will turn back towards Ekitike. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker has been the subject of a £60m+ bid by Newcastle, but the Magpies could now be facing a lose-lose situation up against the Reds in a ruthless mood.

Wirtz's dream CF: Hughes in talks to sign £63m "monster" for Liverpool

Isak and Ekitike aren’t the only high-level strikers Liverpool have their eye on.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 15, 2025

As the season approaches and the transfer window progresses, both forwards are likely to steal plenty more headlines. As things stand, however, in a transfer battle between Liverpool and Newcastle, it seems as though the Premier League champions have the edge.

England Women appoint Courtney Winfield-Hill as assistant coach

Courtney Winfield-Hill will join the England Women’s set-up as an assistant coach for the upcoming tour of South Africa and the Women’s Ashes.Winfield-Hill, a 37-year-old former cricket and rugby league professional who was part of England’s backroom staff on the tour of Ireland in September, will be reunited with the squad in South Africa once she has finished her second-year stint as an assistant coach with WBBL side Brisbane Heat.Winfield-Hill worked with Trent Rockets in the most recent edition of the Women’s Hundred and previously held a regional academy coach role with Northern Diamonds as well as assistant coaching roles at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League and England Women’s A and U19 squads.”I am really proud to be a part of the set-up,” Winfield-Hill said. “Since working with England teams, I have been made to feel nothing but welcomed and feel the ECB have invested in developing me as a coach.”The development of the domestic game over the last five years has been brilliant to watch and I have taken a lot from recent involvements with the England A, development games and the Ireland tour. South Africa and the Ashes are two exciting series and I am really looking forward to linking up and working with the group.”As a player, Australia-born pace bowler Winfield-Hill – who is the wife of former England and current Brisbane Heat batter Lauren Winfield-Hill – represented Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat.After moving to England in 2018, she led Leeds Rhinos to a Grand Final and Challenge Cup double in 2019. She represented England at the Rugby League World Cup in 2022 having qualified on residency and now works for the sport’s governing body as Senior Women and Girls’ Partner.Courtney Winfield-Hill switched countries and sports to star for England at the Women’s Rugby League World Cup•Getty Images

Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket, said Winfield-Hill’s dual background in professional sport offered a fresh outlook to the current coaching set-up, led by head coach Jon Lewis.”Courtney has played such an important role in developing the up-and-coming players on our international pathway and adds tremendous value in any environment she is part of,” Finch said. “She will bring a different outlook on the game into the coaching team which will ensure the support we provide to players continually moves forward in what will be an exciting period for the senior team.”

MLS suspends Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez three games for sparking brawl vs Seattle Sounders, with discipline coming on top of six-match Leagues Cup ban

MLS issues punishment for Suarez and Sounders coach Steven Lenhart for their roles in post-match brawl

  • Suarez issued three-game MLS ban
  • Busquets not suspended by the league
  • Lenhart gets credential revoked for season

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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Major League Soccer suspended Luis Suarez three games for his role in an incident that followed the Leagues Cup final, in which the Seattle Sounders beat Inter Miami 3-0. He had previously been banned for six Leagues Cup matches.

    The league issued a statement Monday specifying that the Miami forward will miss three matches: Sept. 13 at Charlotte FC, Sept. 16 vs. Seattle and Sept. 20 vs. D.C. United. MLS also announced that Sounders' coach Steven Lenhart's credentials have been revoked for the remainder of the 2025 season and playoffs.

    Lenhart's access will be limited to public seating areas and he cannot be on or near field of play, or have access to tunnels or locker rooms, during that period. He will be allowed to reapply for next season. The Sounders were also disciplined for misappropriation of credentials.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Suarez already received a six-game ban for next year's Leagues Cup, with teammates Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles getting shorter suspensions, two and three games, respectively. Neither Busquets nor Aviles received any MLS-specific punishment. Lenhart got a five-game Leagues Cup ban.

    Suarez instigated the brawl at the Leagues Cup final, and also spat at Sounders staffer.

  • Getty Images Sport

    WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

    After the brawl, Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano condemned the actions of his players involved, but also insinuated the actions were provoked. 

    "None of us likes to see this kind of behavior," Mascherano said. "When there’s a reaction, it usually means there was some provocation."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

    Inter Miami return to action this weekend after a two-week due to the international window. They travel to Charlotte on Sept. 13, before hosting Seattle in a highly anticipated rematch, this time in Miami, on Sept. 16. 

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