Browsing: Football

Piyush Pandey (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: India woke up to shocking news on Friday, October 24, as Piyush Pandey, widely regarded as ‘Indiaâ€s Adman,†passed away at the age of 70. While Pandeyâ€s legendary status in Indian advertising is well known, few remember that he began his professional journey on the cricket field before leaving an indelible mark in media and marketing.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Before redefining advertising with campaigns for Cadbury, Fevicol, Asian Paints, Vodafone, and the iconic BJP 2014 election slogan “Abki Baar, Modi Sarkaar,†Pandey played first-class cricket for Rajasthan. As a wicketkeeper-batter in the Ranji Trophy between 1977-78 and 1978-79, he played five matches, scoring 105 runs in nine innings at an average of 13.12, with a top score of 28, along with seven catches and two stumpings. While his cricket career was brief, it showcased the discipline and competitive spirit that would later define his professional life.Pandey joined Ogilvy India in 1982 as a client servicing executive and remained with the agency for over four decades, eventually serving as Executive Chairman before transitioning to an advisory role. His creative genius transformed Indian advertising, making Hindi mainstream, infusing humor, and crafting campaigns that resonated with everyday Indians.

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What is your favorite advertising campaign by Piyush Pandey?

Campaigns like Fevicolâ€s “Yeh Fevicol ka Jod Hai, Tutega Nahi†and Cadburyâ€s “Asli Swaad Zindagi ka†remain iconic. He also contributed to the national integration campaign ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara†in 1998 and even acted in the 2013 film Madras Cafe.Pandeyâ€s passing drew heartfelt condolences from leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal, and industrialists like Gautam Adani and Anand Mahindra. Modi tweeted, “Shri Piyush Pandey Ji was admired for his creativity. He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications.â€Beyond his professional brilliance, Pandey was a true sportsperson who pursued cricket, swimming, and javelin seriously. Born into a family of nine, he nurtured relationships deeply, earning admiration from colleagues and family alike. He is survived by his wife, Neeta, and their dogs, whom he considered his family.From the cricket pitch of Rajasthan to creating some of Indiaâ€s most memorable advertisements, Piyush Pandeyâ€s journey is a testament to versatility, discipline, and the enduring power of creativity.

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NEW DELHI: The Asia Cup 2025 trophy saga has taken a dramatic new turn after Indiaâ€s young batting star Tilak Varma revealed what truly happened on the night of September 28, when Suryakumar Yadavâ€s India refused to accept the title from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chair and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Mohsin Naqvi.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Itâ€s been nearly a month since India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup final at the Dubai International Stadium, yet the champions are still without the trophy — which, according to recent reports, has now been moved from the ACC headquarters in Dubai to an undisclosed location in Abu Dhabi.Tilak, who was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant 69 off 53 balls in the final, opened up about the bizarre events in a recent episode of Breakfast with Champions. “We were actually waiting at the ground for one hour. If you look at the TV visuals, youâ€ll see that I was lying on the ground. Arshdeep Singh was busy making reels. We were just waiting, thinking, ‘The trophy will come anytime now.†But the trophy was nowhere to be found,†he revealed.

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Should India have accepted the trophy from the ACC chair despite the controversy?

He added that the team decided to create their own celebration to keep the spirit alive. “Arshdeep said, letâ€s create an atmosphere — weâ€ll celebrate like we did after the T20 World Cup in 2024, just without the trophy. Abhishek Sharma and five or six others agreed, and we went ahead with it,†Tilak said with a laugh.Behind the scenes, however, tensions ran high. The post-match presentation was delayed by nearly 90 minutes after Naqvi reportedly refused to allow anyone else to hand over the trophy. A BCCI official later discovered that the silverware was removed from the dais and taken into Naqviâ€s custody.The BCCI has since written to the ACC, requesting that the trophy be formally handed over. But Naqvi remains firm — insisting that an Indian official must personally collect it in Dubai.Reflecting on Indiaâ€s campaign, Tilak added, “We were confident, but cricket is a funny game. If you have one bad day, itâ€s over. The way I played against Pakistan in the final, I canâ€t play like that every day.â€For now, Indiaâ€s Asia Cup triumph remains symbolically incomplete — their trophy still held hostage to cricketâ€s latest cross-border controversy.

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Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Live Score, Women’s World Cup 2025: The Womenâ€s World Cupâ€s Colombo chapter has been one long battle with rain, and fittingly, the final league game between Sri Lanka Women and Pakistan Women might meet the same fate. Scheduled at the R Premadasa Stadium, Fridayâ€s clash serves as a farewell to a venue that has seen more umbrellas than boundaries this tournament.

Indiaâ€s win over New Zealand last night confirmed the semifinal lineup, making this contest a dead rubber in the standings. Yet, thereâ€s pride at stake. Sri Lanka, with one victory to their name, have shown flashes of competitiveness under Chamari Athapaththuâ€s leadership. Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana, have had moments of promise — notably against Australia and England — but havenâ€t been able to convert pressure into wins.

Persistent showers delayed the toss, with the outfield fully covered and both teams left to wait in frustration. For Pakistan, a washout would cement an unwanted record: finishing winless despite several encouraging performances. For Sri Lanka, even shared points would lift them above New Zealand in the final table — a small consolation for a campaign derailed by the weather.

Team combinations are expected to remain stable. Sri Lanka are likely to field the same XI that earned their lone win, while Pakistan could hand a game to young leg-spinner Aroob Shah, who has been on the sidelines throughout the competition.

Rain aside, both teams have used this World Cup to gauge their progress against stronger sides. “Womenâ€s cricket has grown a lot and thereâ€s been great improvement,†said Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal ahead of the match. “We want to keep developing and play at the same level as the top teams.â€

Whether they get that chance in Colombo remains uncertain. The forecast predicts more thunderstorms, meaning the cityâ€s month-long residents may have to accept yet another frustrating day of waiting — a fitting end to a campaign thatâ€s been more about patience than play.

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Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups have been named by the FBI in two separate indictments. Both have been arrested and put on immediate leave by the NBA. (AP) Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested on Thursday along with over 30 others in New York for their alleged involvement in two separate criminal schemes. The cases involve rigging sports bets and poker games connected to Mafia families, with prosecutors alleging millions in fraudulent gains through sophisticated cheating methods and exploitation of insider NBA information.FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the scale of the fraud. “The fraud is mind boggling. We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation. This is the insider-trading saga for the NBA.”Joseph Nocella, the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York, emphasized the significance of the case. “My message to the defendants who’ve been rounded up today is this: Your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out.”Who have been arrested and what are the charges?

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups during an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

The indictments, unsealed in New York, detail two distinct criminal operations that have cast a shadow over the NBA as its season begins. Billups is accused of participating in fixing high-stakes card games across multiple cities, while Rozier faces charges related to manipulating sports bets using insider information about NBA players.Both Billups and Rozier are facing money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges. Former NBA assistant coach and player Damon Jones is also implicated in both schemes.The NBA has placed both Billups and Rozier on leave and issued a statement confirming their cooperation with authorities. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”

FILE – Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) looks up court during the last seconds of the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)

Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, defended his client, stating that Rozier is “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight.” Trusty criticised the FBI’s arrest approach, saying they opted for a “photo op” instead of allowing self-surrender.One specific instance cited involved Rozier, while with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, allegedly informing others of his plan to leave a game early with an injury. This information allowed gamblers to profit significantly from wagers.Despite the scale of the alleged fraud, both athletes had earned substantial legitimate income during their careers. Billups accumulated approximately $106 million over his 17-year career, while Rozier earned about $160 million playing for Boston, Miami, and Charlotte.What is the poker scheme? Which crime families are involved?

This image shows a card shuffler allegedly used by defendants in a sports betting and illegal gambling case brought by the US attorney’s office of the Eastern District of New York. (U.S. Attorney’s Office vis AP)

The poker scheme allegedly defrauded gamblers of at least $7 million by luring them into games with former professional basketball players. The operation utilised sophisticated cheating technology, including altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras, and X-ray equipment built into tables.The scheme involved illegal poker games run by New York crime families, with proceeds shared among the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonnano crime families. These organisations allegedly assisted with violent acts to ensure debt repayment and continued operations.Prosecutors are seeking detention for involved Mafia members and ringleaders of the poker scheme. They recommend releasing Billups and Jones with strict bail conditions, including gambling prohibition and travel restrictions.Is this the first such controversy in NBA?

FILE – Milwaukee Bucks’ Damon Jones looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

No. The allegations against Rozier and Billups potentially represent the NBAâ€s most serious blow to its reputation since 2007, when referee Tim Donaghy was found to have bet on games. The timing is also significant, coming during the seasonâ€s opening week and as the league launches new broadcast deals totalling $76 billion over 11 years.The NBA said they will continue to cooperate with authorities.“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and maintaining the integrity of our game is our top priority,†the league said.What is the LeBron James connection?

LeBron James and Damon Jones (Image via Getty)

Ex player Damon Jones, who went on to become an assistant coach, has been accused of exploiting his relationship to “a prominent NBA player†to obtain inside information, which he allegedly sold to professional bettors. Many speculate that the so-called prominent player could be LeBron James, the NBAâ€s all-time leading scorer, but he has not been named in the indictment.

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Oct 23, 2025, 01:41 PM ET

Good flexibility, raw milk and steak are among the secrets behind Erling Haaland’s “crazy goals”, the Manchester City striker said.

The prolific Norwegian has plundered a remarkable 24 goals in just 14 appearances for club and country this season, and has struck in his last 12 outings.

The 25-year-old has shared some of the factors behind his success in the first video posted to his newly launched YouTube channel, @erling.

Erling Haaland has scored 24 goals in 14 appearances this season. Carl Recine/Getty Images

A 27-minute film follows Haaland in a typical day, from cooking his breakfast in the morning through to a physiotherapy session, training with City and then preparing his evening meal.

“I have natural good flexibility in my groin and my hips which, for me, is so important to keep, because how do you score these goals?” Haaland said, raising his leg to reference some of his more acrobatic efforts, whilst receiving some massage treatment.

“You need to have good mobility or flexibility to score these crazy goals. This is really important.”

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On this particular day, Haaland calls at a local farm shop on his way to training at the City Football Academy. Raw milk and several cuts of steak — which he later shows his passion for cooking — are among his purchases.

The channel, a personal venture not connected to City, aims to offer insights into Haaland’s training, lifestyle and interests beyond football.

He said: “People always see the matches, the goals, the celebrations — but not the hours that go into being ready for all of that.

“It’s a bit of who I am away from the pitch, and I hope people enjoy seeing that side.”

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Oct 23, 2025, 04:29 AM ETThe ‘Under the Lights’ edition of the Puma Orbita Ultimate PL in its full glory. Puma

Yes, just like in “Game of Thrones,” “Winter Is Coming” for the Premier League. But in this case it’s not hordes of the undead, it’s a new hi-vis ball so that players and fans can see it on the pitch just in case it snows.

The first time a winter ball was introduced in England’s top tier was back in 2004-05, which we can only assume was a particularly chilly winter, and it coincided with the official time zone switch from British Summer Time (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) every late October.

Then from 2008-09 onward, the marketing gurus figured that they should probably look to update the ball once a year. And here we are.

So all that means this 2025-26 version is the 20th offering of winter ball, coming as it does in PUMA’s first season as the official ball supplier for the Premier League.

Winter is coming. 🥶

Introducing the @pumafootball Under The Lights edition of the Premier League Ball!

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 23, 2025

The “Under the Lights” edition of the Puma Orbita Ultimate PL will debut on Nov. 8 when Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United, and as you can see, we’ve been promised “a striking, high-visibility colorway … engineered to shine brightest under stadium floodlights — ensuring every pass, strike, and goal is impossible to miss.” Handy for VAR, then.

This season’s Premier League has seen 209 goals already across 80 matches played, with 11 won by stoppage-time goals — the highest share in history.

We can only assume that having a shiny new ball will help goalkeepers trim this down a bit for the rest of the campaign.

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Portugal pulled off a shocking comeback to beat the United States women 2-1 in a friendly in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Thursday night to beat the Americans for the first time in 12 matches.

Although missing a few key stars — like injured striker Trinity Rodman — this was a mostly full-strength squad for Emma Hayes and the Americans, who lost their first game since a friendly defeat to Brazil in April.

It was the first game for Hayes and the U.S. in 113 days since a win over Canada at the beginning of July.

U.S. Soccer honored the career of retired star Alex Morgan ahead of the game at the same stadium where Morgan scored the first of her 123 international goals, which ranks fifth in program history. She scored her first goal in the same stadium in 2010.

Hayes’ team got off to a good start as Rose Lavelle scored in the opening minute and almost doubled the lead shortly after. But despite the early goal, Portugal, which hadn’t won a game in its past eight outings, settled in and gave the U.S. a good run for the remainder of the first half.

Portugal players celebrate after scoring a goal against the United States in a friendly.

Portugal got a deserved equalizer just before halftime from a corner kick when Diana Gomes was left unmarked at the back post and headed it past U.S. keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce for the first goal the Portuguese had ever scored against the USWNT.

The USWNT came out more aggressively in the second half in search of the go-ahead, but it was Portugal’s Fátima Pinto that scored instead, with her deflected shot beating Tullis-Joyce to give the visitors a surprise lead.

Portugal held on for the win to hand Hayes just the third defeat during her tenure as U.S. coach.

The U.S. plays Portugal again Sunday and finishes its international window with a friendly against New Zealand on Oct. 29.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this recap.

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Lionel Messi has signed a contract extension to extend his stay at Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 MLS season, the team announced Thursday.

Messi, 38, initially joined Miami in July 2023 as a Designated Player on a 2½-year contract, breaking league precedent and team records with his deal.

The club announced the new deal with a video of Messi signing the contract on what will become the field of Miami’s long-awaited new stadium, Miami Freedom Park.

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“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park,” Messi said in a statement.

“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here. We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. We can’t wait for it to be finished — to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”

Club co-owner Jorge Mas previously expressed his desire to see Messi inaugurate Miami Freedom Park in 2026, when the team makes the move from its current venue in Fort Lauderdale to the new stadium in Miami. Inter Miami will play the final matches of the 2025 campaign at Chase Stadium before kicking off the 2026 season at Miami Freedom Park.

“We promised our fans that we would dream big to build an iconic club,” Mas said. “A club that represents the passion, hard work and dedication of all those that came before us to create a Miami built on dreams.

“Leo signing through 2028 is an ode to our amazing city. We very much look forward to writing new chapters at our stadium at Miami Freedom Park. Together we will continue building and dreaming.”

HE’S HOME. pic.twitter.com/AUMJJYR5pF

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 23, 2025

Since his MLS debut, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has continued to set new standards on and off the pitch by leading Miami to trophies and attendance records across the country.

“Our vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami and to this city, and that’s exactly what we have done,” said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.

“We brought the best player to have ever played the game to our city. That shows our commitment to Miami, but it also shows Leo’s commitment to the city, to the Club, and to the game. He’s still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win. As owners, to have a player that loves the game as much as he does, and who has done as much for the game in this country and to inspire the next generation of young talent as he has, we feel very lucky.”

The Argentina captain and World Cup winner first led the team to the inaugural 2023 Leagues Cup trophy, before going on to inspire Miami to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and league record for most points in a single season.

Individually, Messi has won the 2024 MLS MVP award and most recently the 2025 Golden Boot after recording 29 goals in just 28 games.

Messi also has been nominated for the 2025 MLS MVP award and is favorite to become the first player to clinch the award on two consecutive occasions.

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Lionel Messi signs contract extension at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi extends his Inter Miami contract through the end of the 2028 Major League Soccer season.

The club has seen a massive rise in global popularity with Messi on the roster. His pink No. 10 jersey has been MLS’ highest seller since he joined the league, and he has added to his massive off-field business empire since coming to the U.S. — even starring in a Super Bowl ad last year.

Inter Miami’s valuation has more than doubled since Messi’s arrival, climbing to a reported $1.19 billion as of January 2025.

The league has prospered, too, with ticketing revenue reaching an all-time high in 2025. Five clubs has broken their attendance records in matches featuring Messi and Miami.

“When Lionel Messi made MLS his league of choice, it marked a turning point — not just for Inter Miami, but for our entire sport in North America,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said. “Since then, we’ve witnessed something truly historic: the greatest player of all time bringing global attention to our league.

“We’re thrilled that Leo has chosen to stay and continue his career with Inter Miami.”

Messi will continue to play at Inter Miami without longtime teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who previously announced their retirement from football at the end of the 2025 MLS season.

Busquets and Alba will compete with Inter Miami in the MLS playoffs, with the hopes of clinching one final trophy as players.

Luis Suárez may also play his final games with the club, as his contract expires at the end of the 2025 campaign. Though Suárez has yet to announce an extension with the club, Mas previously insisted the door remains open for him at Inter Miami should the Uruguayan choose to stay for another season.

Inter Miami and Messi will now prepare for the first game of the Round 1 playoff series against Nashville SC on Friday at Chase Stadium as the club attempts to clinch the 2025 MLS Cup.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Crystal Palace’s first home game in a major European competition didn’t go to plan as they were beaten by AEK Larnaca, but manager Oliver Glasner said “maybe the whole environment needed it to stay humble”.

Thursday was supposed to be Palace’s big night as Selhurst Park hosted a match in Europe for the first time in its 101-year history.

There was an extra buzz at Selhurst station and inside the ground a sell-out crowd was chanting Glasner’s name and singing songs about last season’s FA Cup win.

Right before kick-off a stunning Dad’s Army-inspired tifo plotting out Palace’s path from south London to May’s Conference League final in Leipzig was unfurled, with a banner underneath saying “we are the boys who will win your little game”.

The stadium has become a fortress for Palace, who went into the game against the Cypriots unbeaten at home since February in all competitions.

But the Eagles’ play never reflected the hype. Yes they created plenty of chances, 15 in total, but just one was on target.

Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the crossbar with a hooked volley from close range in the first half and substitute Eddie Nketiah should have levelled in a late rally from the hosts, but completely missed a loose ball from five yards out.

Does Glasner have a point?

“You are always told when you play in the Premier League you win the Conference League,” said the Palace boss.

“Stay humble. I don’t know if any debutant [is able] to win the competition. I don’t think so.

“We will learn from it, the players will learn. It’s disappointing, a frustrating night, but maybe the whole environment needed it to stay humble.”

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So far this season, we’ve seen a total of six different MLS teams get their hands on major silverware.

Philadelphia Union claimed the Supporters’ Shield, Nashville won their first-ever trophy after beating Austin in the U.S. Open Cup Final, Vancouver Whitecaps came away with the Canadian Championship, whilst Seattle Sounders secured their maiden Leagues Cup title. However, the most important trophy is still up for grabs: the MLS Cup title.

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