Litton was added to the squad for the first Test in Darwin on August 13-17, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said.

The 31-year-old had been sidelined since June with a left calf injury and was initially ruled out of the opening Test of the two-match series.

His return provides timely reinforcement for Bangladesh, who have been hit by injury ahead of their first Test tour of Australia in 23 years.

Fast bowler Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the series with a side strain, while left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam was not selected for the opening Test because of a hamstring injury.

Bangladesh will warm up for the Tests with match against a Cricket Australia XI in Darwin from August 6-8.

The second and final Test will be played in Mackay from August 22-26.

The swift reversal has exposed growing unease within world soccer over FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership style, with football officials demanding greater oversight of decisions that could reshape the governance and commercial future of the sport.

The backlash has also raised questions about Infantino’s political capital as he prepares to seek another term in office.

FIFA’s plan was to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20% stake to private investors in a new unit that would run FIFA events, including the World Cup.

The plan, announced on Tuesday, quickly ran into a storm of opposition from regional confederations, which complained they had not been consulted on a move that could alter the commercial structure of world football.

Following the backlash, Infantino said world soccer’s governing body had abandoned the plans after listening “carefully to all the views”.

The Asian Football Confederation’s President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa on Saturday welcomed FIFA’s reversal.

Asian confederation chief welcome’s FIFA decision to scrap World Cup sell-off plan

Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman wrote he expects “any initiative that has the potential to impact global football will be presented and discussed with the Confederations, the FIFA Council, Member Associations and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner.”

“The future of global football must always be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for the established governance structures of our game.”

Some principles ‘should never change’

Football Australia chairman Anter Isaac struck a similar note, backing innovation while warning against bypassing core governance principles.

“Football has never stood still, nor should it,” Isaac said.

“Some principles, however, should never change. Integrity. Independence. Good governance. Transparency. Meaningful consultation. Due process.”

“These are not constraints on progress. They are what make lasting progress possible.”

Infantino’s re-election hopes damaged, say experts

The controversy comes at an awkward moment for Infantino, who said in April he intends to seek re-election for a fourth term as FIFA president. Since taking over from Sepp Blatter in 2016, he has been re-elected unopposed twice and appeared firmly in control of the organisation.

FIFA studying impact of expanding World Cup to 64 teams for 2030 edition

While his re-election for the 2027-31 term had appeared a formality, experts told Reuters the backlash surrounding the failed proposal had exposed dissatisfaction among some FIFA members and could complicate his path ahead of next year’s FIFA Congress in Morocco.

“He’s obviously been kind of egomaniacal in everything that he’s done. I know that he’s rubbed many of the member associations the wrong way with some of his decisions,” Bob Dorfman, a sports marketing analyst, said.

“Some of the countries that have been awarded World Cups have been kind of questionable. Politics has gotten involved in this a little too much.”

The speed of the turnaround has been particularly striking, coming less than two weeks after Infantino was toasting the most commercially successful World Cup in history.

“It’s hard to think of a situation where a person’s political fortunes changed so rapidly,” said economist Victor Matheson, a sports business expert at ​the College of the Holy Cross.

“Again, as close as two weeks ago, he’s riding, you know, on top of the world, the most successful sports mega event in the history of this planet.

“And just two weeks later, he’s fighting for his political life.”

FIFA’s plan was to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20% stake to private investors in a new unit that would run FIFA events, including the World Cup.

The proposal, first announced on Tuesday, had faced a storm of opposition from regional confederations, including the AFC, which said they were blindsided by the announcement.

Following the backlash, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said world soccer’s governing body had scrapped the plans after listening “carefully to all the views”.

Asian confederation rebukes FIFA in blow to private investment plan

In a letter posted on the AFC’s website, Sheikh Salman said he expects “any initiative that has the potential to impact global football will be presented and discussed with the Confederations, the FIFA Council, Member Associations and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner.”

“The future of global football must always be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for the established governance structures of our game,” he said.

On Thursday, Sheikh Salman had said the way the FIFA proposal had been made was “totally unacceptable” in a letter to member associations.

FIFA plans to sell stakes in $20 billion subsidiary to run World Cup, angering UEFA

The Kuala Lumpur-based AFC is one of FIFA’s six confederations and is responsible for running regional club and national team competitions across continental Asia, the Middle East and Australia.

The meeting, which was chaired by the Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi, was attended by the Chief Executive Office PSL Salman Naseer, Chief Financial Officer PCB Javed Murtaza, Director PSL Usman Wahla, Senior Manager PSL Hijab Zahid, Manager Operations Usman Tasleem and others.

The meeting also included a brainstorming session to organise a number of notable off-season and pre-season activities, which are going to enthral the fans throughout.

The participants reviewed the highlights of the historic 11th season, introduction of new innovations in broadcast and fan engagement, analysis of the quality of cricket across 44 matches, record viewer ship on social media, streaming platforms and television. More details regarding these will be released in due course.

All the stakeholders together discussed the playing window and scheduling for the HBL-PSL-12. It is expected that the details of the next edition will be unveiled after the upcoming HBL-PSL Governing Council meeting, which is planned at the end of August.

The debrief also included an appreciation of the growth that the league has showcased by adding two new Franchise teams while selling three of them, holding 11th edition at just two venues under unprecedented circumstances and running the event in a new window for the second consecutive season.

It was also decided that the HBL-PSL in collaboration with franchises will launch an exclusive merchandise platform for fans at home and abroad where they can buy official league merchandise and of all eight teams.

Workshop sessions will now be scheduled to finalise the schedule, player retentions, direct signings, and a review of the playing conditions for the upcoming season.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The 2026 edition was expanded from 32 to 48 teams, adding four more groups and an extra knockout round in the process.

South American confederation CONMEBOL had officially proposed hosting the 2030 World Cup with 64 teams last year, allowing more countries the opportunity to join in the celebrations for the tournament’s centennial edition.

“FIFA wishes to appoint an independent agency to determine whether and how expanding the FIFA World Cup from 48 to 64 participating national teams, starting with the 2030 edition, would impact on the tournament proposition,” it said in a research brief.

Norwegian football chief warns of ‘very serious’ crisis over FIFA World Cup stake plan

The accelerated study comes on the heels of FIFA’s plan to create a $20-billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events with external investors, a move that has attracted criticism and a UEFA decision to boycott FIFA events.

The analysis is meant to assess whether the proposed expansion can strengthen the tournament or whether concerns such as competition dilution, calendar congestion, operational complexity and market saturation outweigh the potential benefits.

“The final recommendation should demonstrate not only whether a 64-team tournament can generate incremental value, but whether that value is sustainable,” the document added.

Asian confederation rebukes FIFA in blow to private investment plan

FIFA said a decision on selecting the agency would be made on August 14 and they would have only four weeks to deliver their analysis by September 11.

The 2030 World Cup is being jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will host one match each to celebrate the tournament’s 100th anniversary.

Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.

The top order batter smashed a first-innings hundred at the Brian Lara Stadium but also fractured the index finger of his left hand after being hit by a Jayden Seales delivery, which forced him to drop down to number eight as Pakistan went on to lose by 90 runs.

“Following a scan and clinical assessment, Shan is currently undergoing treatment from the Pakistan team medical panel,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

Pakistan announce two changes in Test squad for West Indies, England series

“His availability for the first Test against England starting August 19 at Leeds will depend on his recovery and clinical progress.”

Pakistan will play a three-Test series in England followed by five one-day internationals.

The breaches were self-reported by Chelsea following its takeover by U.S. investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital in May 2022.

The Premier League club avoided a points deduction after successfully appealing part of the original punishment. However, Chelsea will face a suspended two-window registration ban through to June 30, 2027.

After reviewing the case, an independent Regulatory Commission initially imposed a suspended six-point deduction, but that sanction was later set aside on appeal.

“Chelsea FC admitted to 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2 prior to a hearing and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a six-point deduction, which was to be suspended until 30 June 2027, and a £10 million fine,” the FA said in a statement.

Chelsea sign French defender Lacroix from Crystal Palace

“The club appealed against the suspended points deduction and an independent Appeal Board allowed the appeal and set aside this sanction following a further hearing.”

Rule breaches included of regulations relating to third-party investments and on working with intermediaries, among others.

The £10 million fine was not subject to appeal, with the FA adding that the full amount will be directed towards grassroots football initiatives.

“In 2022, the club self-reported potential historical rule breaches to all applicable regulators,” Chelsea said in a statement.

“Following that report, it has worked openly and transparently with all regulators, including voluntarily and proactively disclosing many thousands of documents.”

The latest sanction follows other financial penalties imposed on Chelsea for historical regulatory violations.

In March, the club was fined a record £10.75 million for breaches of the Premier League regulations.

Chelsea were also handed a one-year first-team transfer ban, suspended for two years, along with an immediate nine-month ban on academy player transfers.

“This is a very serious situation for Norwegian and international football. It is very dramatic,” Klaveness told reporters after UEFA member associations raised objections in a meeting.

UEFA and its 55 member nations voted on Thursday to boycott all FIFA tournaments in protest at the global governing body’s plan to create a $20-billion subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to run the World Cup and its other events, with a stake of up to 20% to be offered to external investors.

Klaveness praised the strong pushback against the proposals, which critics have labelled anti-democratic and driven by external financial interests.

“Everyone who spoke said it was unacceptable. The word ‘blackmail’ was used. Not by us, but by others.

Asian confederation rebukes FIFA in blow to private investment plan

“Bringing external owners into football’s core business is an alien element, and it should remain an alien element.”

She said the news had come as a complete surprise to almost everyone involved.

“We had heard nothing about this; it turned out that very few had. This created major friction, with a huge volume of calls and movement across the whole football world,” she said, praising UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin’s handling of the situation.

“He showed refreshingly clear leadership and was firm that enough is enough, that this is not a democratic process, that this is not a project we want, and that football should be owned by its members and run democratically.”

Klaveness said of FIFA President Gianni Infantino: “My clear impression now is that he has lost a great deal of trust.

“We did not vote for him last time, and we have been sceptical about this. There is a lot that is good about FIFA but if you take a casual approach to governance principles and rules, you quickly lose trust.”

“Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is,” AC Milan, of which Baresi became honorary vice-president in 2020, wrote on X.

A World Cup winner with Italy in 1982 and a finalist at the 1994 World Cup, Baresi is regarded as one of the greatest sweepers in football history.

AC Milan did not specify the cause of Baresi’s death.

He had undergone surgery in August 2025 to remove a lung nodule.

“It will take me a little time to get all my strength back,” he said shortly afterwards.

UEFA to boycott World Cup and FIFA tournaments over stake sale plans

Born in Lombardy in May 1960, Franchino “Franco” Baresi joined AC Milan’s youth teams in 1974, before moving up to the first team in 1978 ahead of his 18th birthday.

He then became a starter at 18 and captain at 22, noticed for his technique, anticipation and tackling skills, as well as his notable leadership qualities.

Baresi went on to form, alongside Paolo Maldini, Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta, a defence feared by every striker in Europe.

He retired in 1997 after 719 matches with the Rossoneri, a record surpassed only by Maldini.

In addition to his red and black club jersey, Baresi wore the blue of the Nazionale 81 times.

But after a World Cup title from the bench in 1982, he did not make the trip to Mexico in 1986 following a disagreement with the national coach.

Penalty shootouts, in the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup and then in the final in 1994, shattered his hopes of another triumph.

Pegula came through in the match’s key moments, converting five break opportunities and saving 5 of 7 break points on ​her own serve.

The 2019 Washington champion (and winner of ​the unofficial 2021 Washington event amid the pandemic), Pegula ⁠will oppose fifth-seeded Anna Kalinskaya of Russia in the ​quarterfinals.

Kalinskaya rallied past Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7) in ​the second round. Tjen had a match point with Kalinskaya serving at 4-5 in the third set, then another at 6-5 in the ​tiebreaker, but she didn’t take advantage of either.

In other ​second-round matches, second-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine beat Uzbekistan’s Polina Kudermetova 7-6 (4), ‌6-4, ⁠and fourth-seeded Diana Shnaider of Russia thrashed Austria’s Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-2.

The Memphis Classic

Two seeded U.S. players cruised into the quarterfinals in Tennessee behind dominant second-round efforts.

Sixth-seeded Caty McNally downed ​China’s Ye-Xin ​Ma 6-2, 6-3, ⁠and seventh-seeded Peyton Stearns routed Russia’s Tatiana Prozorova 6-1, 6-2.

McNally didn’t serve an ace, but ​she won 68.8% of her first-serve points ​compared to ⁠Ma’s 39.4% success rate on first-serve points. Stearns dominated the same stat, winding up at 64.3% to Prozorova’s 44.2%.

Also moving ⁠into ​the quarterfinals were the Czech Republic’s ​Darja Vidmanova, a 6-2, 6-4 winner over Sloane Stephens, and Russia’s Kristina Liutova, ​who defeated Australia’s Maya Joint 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

In a statement that pulled no punches, Europe presented a united front to ‌FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, whose proposal this week blindsided regional confederations and caused uproar just weeks after the World Cup staged in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Six of the top 10 ranked teams in both men’s and women’s soccer are from Europe, including world champions Spain.

CONCACAF and its 41 member associations also rejected FIFA’s plan during a meeting on Thursday, although the Mexican Football Federation later said that they have not yet made a decision and will wait for the round-table discussions organised by FIFA to ​provide further information and documentation relating to the new model.

The Asian Football Confederation, meanwhile, issued a scathing letter to the continent’s 47 member associations and warned the proposal would never succeed without the ​support of all six regional blocs.

UEFA’s stance raised the stakes dramatically, with immediate implications for the 2027 women’s World Cup due to be hosted in Brazil. Spain ⁠and Portugal are co-hosts of the 2030 men’s World Cup along with Morocco.

Members of UEFA voted 55-0 in favor of the boycott at an emergency meeting, a soccer source told Reuters.

“We unanimously and unequivocally reject ​FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors,” UEFA said in a statement.

“No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these ​proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.”

Not for sale

UEFA said the World Cup was not for sale and could not be treated as an investment product or surrendered to private investors.

Infantino’s plan, opens new tab would create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events, while offering minority stakes to private investors.

He has offered FIFA’s 211 member ​associations $40 million each if they agree to the proposal by September 19 as part of a $10 billion package to become available from January 1, 2027.

If rejected, the package would revert to $2.7 billion previously offered, around $10 ​million per member association.

“This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football,” UEFA said of a proposal which has triggered a major governance crisis.

Asian confederation rebukes FIFA in blow to private investment plan

“The moment external investors ‌acquire ownership ⁠interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure.”

UEFA, whose elite club competitions generated €4.4 billion ($5 billion) in the 2024/25 season alone, and FIFA have long waged a battle for power and control in a sport that has become a mighty money machine.

Infantino, who is up for reelection as head of FIFA next year, has cast the move as pushing global “democratisation” by broadening access to its financial largesse.

Others have taken a different view.

“Football belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors. Enough is enough. It’s time to take a stand to protect our game,” said Britain’s culture minister Lisa Nandy after ​the UEFA statement.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa ​said his body was not consulted by FIFA ⁠at any level before the public announcement. That, and the lack of any detailed governance, financial or legal analysis of the proposal, was “totally unacceptable”, he added.

“FIFA’s unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of continental football, which are based on solidarity, cooperation and transparency,” added the Bahraini.

“Such an initiative will not succeed without ​the support of all the confederations, which is not the case now.”

CONCACAF rejects the FIFA proposal

CONCACAF, the regional bloc for North America, Central America and ​the Caribbean, also held a ⁠meeting on Thursday where the presidents of its member associations expressed “deep concerns” about what they called a lack of due process surrounding the proposal, a short deadline and the absence of any review or approval by relevant FIFA governance bodies.

“The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance,” CONCACAF said in a statement. “For these reasons, CONCACAF and its 41 Member Associations have: Rejected the proposal.”

The African confederation’s executive committee meets next week to evaluate ⁠the proposal, while ​the Oceania confederation, the smallest regional bloc with 11 full member nations, said it would discuss the proposal at a meeting ​next month.

South American governing body CONMEBOL, which has yet to comment publicly, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Players’ bodies have also expressed opposition to FIFA’s plan, with FIFPRO, the global players’ union, warning the proposal would irreversibly reshape the incentives ​underpinning the tournaments in which players work and build careers.

Wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali will be in-charge of the T20I team after regular captain Fatima Sana left for England to take part in the The Hundred tournament following the ODI series. Muneeba, Pakistan’s first women’s T20I centurion and scorer of two hundreds in the format so far, has previously stood in for Fatima once each in T20Is and ODIs.

Muneeba led Pakistan against Australia during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Dubai and against Zimbabwe in the third ODI of the series in May earlier this year.

Pakistan began the Sri Lanka tour with a win before the hosts came from behind to claim the three-match ODI series 2-1. The two teams moved from Hambantota to Dambulla on Wednesday and took part in a three-hour training session on Thursday.

A total of eight changes have been made to Pakistan’s T20I squad that featured in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Eman Naseer, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Najiha Alvi, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar are the new inclusions to the squad. Right-handed batters Eman and Maham are uncapped in the format. Sri Lanka made three changes to their ODI squad by bringing in young guns Sanjana Kavindi, Chamudi Praboda and Rashmika Sewwandi.

In head-to-head fixtures, Pakistan have an edge over Sri Lanka with 11 wins out of 21 WT20I matches and one game ended as no result.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka women have only played three bilateral T20I series with Sri Lanka winning the inaugural one in Sharjah by 2-1 in January 2015.

In March 2018, Pakistan won by 2-1 in Colombo including a thrilling one-wicket victory, while in May 2022, Pakistan clean swept Sri Lanka 3-0 in Karachi.

Muneeba Ali, Pakistan women’s T20I captain said, “We look forward to competing hard in the T20I series here in Dambulla and the aim is to finish the tour on a high with series win. It is an honour for me to lead Pakistan at any given opportunity and I’ll do my best to contribute towards the development of youngsters and produce positive results for the team.

We have a number of young and up-and-coming players in the T20I squad and it will be exciting to see them ply their trade on the top level against some of the best players. We are aware of Sri Lanka’s capability to bounce back from any situation and we will look to take the field with the best preparation and planning possible.“

Tour schedule: 31st July – First T20I at Rangiri Dambulla International cricket stadium, Dambulla; 2nd August – Second T20I at Rangiri Dambulla International cricket stadium, Dambulla; 4th August – Third T20I at Rangiri Dambulla International cricket stadium, Dambulla.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The August 13-23 tournament in Cincinnati marks the 39-year-old’s first appearance there since his 2023 title.

“I am very happy to announce that I will be in Cincinnati this year, for the first time since 2023,” Djokovic said on the tournament’s social media.

“That year I played one of the top three Masters 1000 finals of my career.

“I really look forward to coming back, playing in front of you again, and seeing all the fans from around the world. See you soon!”

The Serb, currently ranked fifth in the world, joins a dream line-up ahead of the US Open including Wimbledon winner Sinner, world number two Alexander Zverev and no.3 Carlos Alcaraz, who has been nursing a wrist injury since April.

After Cincinnati, Djokovic is expected at the August 30-September 13 US Open, where he will bid for a 25th major title.

“I think this World Cup marks the end of a generation of very important players. Starting with Neymar, going through Danilo, Casemiro, all those players who were over 30 years old at the World Cup,” Ancelotti said in an interview published on Wednesday.

“We are going to map out new players who can enter, I’m not saying for the next World Cup in 2030, but who can already be competitive in the first objective, which is the Copa America in 2028.”

Brazil, who will face Australia in two friendlies in September, have reached the World Cup’s semi-finals only once since their record fifth triumph in 2002. They have not won the Copa America since 2019.

‘My time has passed’: Neymar doubles down on Brazil retirement

“I’m not going to say I’m going to replace all 26 players. We’re going to keep some important players who can continue the work, like Marquinhos, to name one,” said Italian Ancelotti, who took over as Brazil coach in June 2025.

“I think it’s important that you stay to give a sign of continuity to the work. But the idea is to change, to bring in a new generation.” Ancelotti was sounded out by the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) for the role of Italy manager.

“There was simply contact from the federation, but it’s not a contract issue, it’s a matter of commitment,” Ancelotti said.

“I have a commitment to Brazil not because I signed the contract. I have a commitment based on the year I spent here, I was very well received, and I don’t want to break that commitment.”

None of the competitors reached the automatic qualifying mark of 84 metres during the three-attempt qualification phase, with the top 12 athletes progressing to the final based on their best throws.

Sri Lanka’s Ramesh Tharanga led the qualifiers with a throw of 82.84 metres, followed by Grenada’s Anderson Peters (81.29m) and South Africa’s Douw Smit (80.64m). England’s Ben East finished fourth with 80.38m, while India’s Neeraj Chopra placed fifth on 79.61m.

Australia’s MacEntyre was sixth with 78.91m, one place ahead of Nadeem.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Yasir Sultan missed out on a place in the final after finishing 14th with a best throw of 74.36 metres.

In a scathing letter to the continent’s 47 member associations, which has been seen by Reuters, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa also warned the proposal would never succeed without the support of all of football’s regional blocs, in an acknowledgment of Europe’s staunch opposition.

“The AFC notes with great concern and disappointment that it was not consulted by FIFA at any level prior to the public announcement of this proposal, and nor has it received any detailed governance, financial or legal analysis of the proposal and its potential repercussions, which is totally unacceptable,” the Bahraini wrote.

“Furthermore, the AFC is deeply concerned that FIFA’s unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of Continental football, which are based on solidarity, cooperation and transparency.”

The AFC’s forthright criticism heaps further pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has spearheaded the contentious plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events, while offering minority stakes to private investors.

Saudi Arabia confirmed to host Asian Champions League Elite finals

The plan blindsided regional and national soccer associations, and triggered a fierce backlash from Europe’s soccer governing body UEFA, which rejected it outright.

CONCACAF, the regional bloc for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, also criticised FIFA this week for a lack of consultation. Infantino offered FIFA’s 211 member associations $40 million each if they agree to the proposal by September 19 as part of a $10 billion package to become available from January 1, 2027.

If rejected, the package would revert to $2.7 billion previously offered, around $10 million per member association.

Sheikh Salman said the AFC was surprised by the timeline “when such decisions should never be rushed”, and would engage directly with FIFA to seek further clarification.

“The AFC firmly believes that sufficient time must be afforded for a comprehensive assessment, including appropriate legal and governance due diligence,” he wrote.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the letter.

Iran still to play in World Cup says Asian football body

Lack of transparency

Infantino said FIFA will put the proposal to a vote by its member associations (MAs) and then to its executive Council. However, Sheikh Salman said it would need all six of the regional blocs behind it.

“Such an initiative will not succeed without the support of all the confederations, which is not the case now,” he wrote.

The African confederation’s executive committee will meet next week to evaluate the proposal, while the Oceania confederation, the smallest regional bloc with 11 full member nations, said it would discuss the proposal at a meeting next month.

South American governing body CONMEBOL has yet to comment publicly. Players’ bodies have also expressed opposition to FIFA’s plan, with FIFPRO, the global players union, warning the proposal would irreversibly reshape the incentives underpinning the competitions in which players work and build careers.

Australia’s players union joined the criticism on Thursday, saying the governing body was putting pressure on member associations to wave the proposal through while sidelining the athletes and fans who generate the value of the tournaments.

“The PFA is disturbed by the lack of transparency surrounding the proposal and the absence of meaningful consultation with those that generate the value that FIFA is seeking to exploit - the players and the fans,” Professional Footballers Australia said in a statement.

“At a time when football desperately requires greater transparency, accountability and good governance, proposals of this significance raise questions about who the game is run by and in whose interests. These tournaments should not be for sale.”

British media reported that Chelsea paid £52 million ($69.6 million) for the France international. “Lacroix arrives at Chelsea with the reputation of being among European football’s most commanding centre-backs, as well as one of the fastest and best aerial defenders in the Premier League,” the club said in a statement.

The 26-year-old French international made 55 appearances in all competitions last season recording three goals and three assists as Palace won the UEFA Conference League.

A product of Sochaux’s academy, Lacroix made 28 senior appearances for the French club before joining Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg in 2020.

Palace signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg in 2024 for a reported fee of £18 million ($24.09 million). He made 98 appearances in all competitions during his two seasons in English football.

Lacroix made three appearances for France at this year’s World Cup as they finished fourth.

The announcements follow the sacking of Brendon McCullum as Test coach and the retirement of former skipper Ben Stokes from international cricket earlier this month.

Yorkshireman Root captained England in 64 Tests from 2017 to 2022 and took the role on an interim basis at the Oval during the recent series against New Zealand.

The 35-year-old is second behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time Test scoring list, with more than 14,000 runs.

“It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to be England men’s Test captain again,” said Root.

“The Test captaincy is a difficult but hugely rewarding job and, after enjoying a brief taste of it again working with Baz McCullum last month, I am excited to lead this next generation of players forward.”

The batsman described Fleming as an “exceptional leader with a great knowledge of the game”.

England are next in action in a three-match series against Pakistan starting on August 19, with Marcus Trescothick acting as interim head coach ahead of Fleming’s arrival later this year.

The ECB said Fleming, who led Chennai Super Kings to five Indian Premier League titles, was one of the “most highly regarded coaches in world cricket”.

“The ambition is always to win now,” said Fleming. “But equally, it’s about ensuring the team is well placed for the medium and long-term future.”

The 53-year-old added: “I’m particularly looking forward to working with Joe Root as captain – a generational talent who has achieved so much already.

“There is still plenty more to come from him, and I’m excited to support him so he can enjoy and thrive in the role in what is a different context to his first stint.”

McCullum will remain in charge as England’s limited overs coach.

Managing director of England men’s cricket Rob Key, hailed Fleming as one of the most highly respected figures in cricket.

“I believe he is the best person to guide a team stacked full of potential and turn that talent into a world-class outfit that can not only achieve success but sustain it,” Key said.

The 48-year-old joined the Magpies in 2021 and won the League Cup final in March 2025 – the club’s first major trophy since 1969.

Newcastle have been depleted by the departures of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and England forward Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in recent weeks.

Saudi Arabia confirmed to host Asian Champions League Elite finals

The club lost 4-1 to Bristol City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.

Since its launch in 2008, the 10-team competition has consistently attracted cricket’s leading players, while building a commercial model that combines broadcast ​revenues, sponsorship, merchandising and franchise investment.

Ownership changes at its ​Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals franchises earlier this year ⁠further demonstrated the IPL’s appeal to major investors and the ​premium attached to established teams within the league.

A consortium comprising Blackstone, ​Bolt Ventures, Aditya Birla Group and Times of India Group said in March it would acquire the Bengaluru franchise for a league-record $1.78 billion. Separately, in May, ​the Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla said they would buy Rajasthan for $1.65 ​billion.

The increase reflected a second consecutive year of double-digit growth in the IPL’s ‌business ⁠value, Houlihan Lokey said in its ‘2026 IPL Brand Valuation Study’ on Wednesday.

“Franchise valuations have reached new highs, private capital participation has accelerated, and the league’s commercial ecosystem continues to diversify,” said Harsh ​Talikoti, a director ​in Houlihan Lokey’s ⁠Financial and Valuation Advisory business.

Indian steel magnate leads $1.65bn IPL Rajasthan Royals deal

“The IPL represents a unique convergence of sport, media, and consumer opportunity, ​underpinned by strong revenue visibility, disciplined cost structures, and ​an ⁠expanding global audience.”

“These latest transactions further demonstrate the confidence investors continue to place in the long-term value creation opportunity.”

The IPL’s stand-alone brand value ⁠rose ​10.3% over the past year to $4.3 billion. ​Reigning champions Bengaluru remain the league’s most valuable franchise, with a brand value of $312 ​million.

The Saudis have hosted the first ​two editions of the event, which ⁠sees the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final ​played in a centralised venue, since the ​continent’s premier club competition was restructured ahead of the 2024/2025 season.

Jeddah-based outfit Al-Ahli have won the ​title on the two occasions the ​city has hosted the finals, defeating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale ‌in ⁠2025 before beating Machida Zelvia, also from Japan, in May.

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The upcoming edition of the tournament, which features the domestic champions ​of the ​leading ⁠competitions from around the region, will see the league phase expanded ​from 24 to 32 teams.

The ​qualifying ⁠rounds will start on August 11 with the draw for the league phase to ⁠be ​held in Kuala Lumpur ​on August 18 and play commencing on September 14.

The Filipina ​competitor dropped five straight games to fall into a 5-1 second-set ‌hole before responding with five straight game wins and then a dominant tiebreaker showing against her Canadian opponent where she won the final four points.

Third-seeded Naomi Osaka of Japan didn’t fall into ​the same trap, reaching the DC quarterfinals for the first time after American ​Ashlyn Krueger retired due to a right ankle injury while trailing ⁠6-3, 3-1. Osaka hit just 47% of her first serves and won just ​54.5% of her first-serve points but covered for that by winning 18 of 25 (72%) ​second-serve points and never facing a break point.

Osaka will face Elisabetta Coccioretto for a semifinal spot after the Italian outlasted No. 8 seed Emma Navarro for a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 triumph. Russia’s Liudmila ​Samsonova also reached the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-2 defeat of China’s Xinyu ​Wang.

The Memphis Classic

The upsets continued in second-round action, with No. 4 seed Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey ‌and No. ⁠5 seed Camila Osorio of Colombia getting knocked off, leaving just one top-five seed left standing at the Tennessee tournament.

Sonmez jumped ahead before taking a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 defeat against the U.S.’s Elvina Kalieva. Sonmez won just 50% of her service points ​and faced a ​staggering 18 break-point chances, ⁠only managing to save 10 of them, and getting broken in the final game of both the second and third sets.

Venus Williams makes first-round exit in DC

Osorio ​fell to Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. ​Osorio had ⁠all three aces in the match but also all nine double faults. She was broken to begin each of the sets and fell in a 4-0 hole in the ⁠second set.

Zakharova ​will next take on Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, who ​beat Germany’s Tatjana Maria 6-4, 6-4 in the final match of the day. Katie Volynets of the United ​States beat Iryna Shymanovich of Belarus 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals.

The Mumbai batter made his India debut in a Twenty20 International in 2011 but established himself in Test cricket as a resolute middle-order player, building his game on defence and patience.

“The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end,” the 38-year-old said in a video on social media.

“When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I’ve always relied on timing in my batting, and I’ve always understood its importance.

“Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats.”

Rahane played the last of his 85 Tests in July 2023, before falling out of the side. He had not played white-ball cricket for India since 2018.

He scored 5,077 Test runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 hundreds.

As stand-in captain for Virat Kohli, Rahane led India to a memorable 2-1 series victory in Australia in 2020-21.

With Kohli on paternity leave and India reeling after being bowled out for 36 in the Adelaide opener, Rahane’s masterful hundred in Melbourne helped level the series and set the tone for a remarkable comeback.

Rahane also led India in tests against Australia, Afghanistan and New Zealand. India won four and drew two of the six tests under him, leaving him unbeaten as captain.

“I lived by one simple rule: always put my country and my team ahead of myself,” a visibly emotional Rahane said in the video.

“I played this game with complete honesty, and I always believe that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you.”

Currently doing commentary for The Hundred in England, Rahane remains active in domestic franchise cricket.

Blatter, who was FIFA president for 17 years until 2015, ​said the idea put forward by his successor Gianni Infantino would take commercialisation of ​the sport too far.

“Football belongs to no individual and to no institution. It ⁠belongs to the people,” Blatter, 90, told Reuters.

“If FIFA were transferred into a profit-oriented corporate structure, ​it would lose its soul,” he added, noting he would never have considered such a move when ​he was in charge.

FIFA said on Tuesday it plans to create the subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events, and will offer stakes of up to 20% in it to external investors.

The proposal has provoked a furious response ​from football authorities, including European ruling body UEFA, which said FIFA was putting the game up ​for sale.

Clashes with Infantino

Blatter has frequently clashed with Infantino, a fellow Swiss who took charge of FIFA ‌in 2016 ⁠after a corruption scandal ended his own tenure. Blatter was later cleared of corruption charges.

He has railed against the decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, and criticised the expansion of this year’s tournament to 48 teams.

“The FIFA World Cup is not a commercial asset ​that belongs to a ​handful of executives,” Blatter ⁠said. “It is part of the cultural heritage of world football. FIFA is the guardian of the World Cup, not its owner. There is a ​fundamental difference.”

Investors pursuing influence and profits ran contrary to associations that ​follow the ⁠interests of their members, he said, noting that the game’s connection to the public had sustained it for more than a century.

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“That principle should never change,” Blatter said.

Football’s true foundations were the clubs, players, coaches, ⁠referees ​and fans, Blatter said, and FIFA’s role is to administer ​the sport, organise competitions and redistribute income.

“The beneficiaries should be the game itself — from grassroots football to the highest international ​level — not outside investors seeking returns,” Blatter said.

Miraz’s captaincy exit comes after Bangladesh ODI series defeat against Zimbabwe earlier this month. Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue in his role as Test captain.

The appointment of Litton, who is already the T20 skipper, as the white-ball leader comes as Bangladesh’s move of split captaincy ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

“I and the board believe we should have two captains –  a white-ball and a red-ball captain,” Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal told reporters in Mirpur.

Tamim praised Miraz’s tenure, which included victories in four of his last five series in charge, but said his dip in batting form prompted the move.

“Miraz as a cricketer for Bangladesh is more important than anything else…probably the level we’re accustomed to, we’re probably not seeing that right now, especially with his batting,” Tamim said.

“I had a discussion with Miraz, (and) he understands the point.”

Miraz was handed the ODI captaincy on a 12-month basis in June last year, taking over from Shanto, who had briefly led the side across all formats.

Under Miraz, Bangladesh won 10 of 20 ODIs, following a difficult start that saw them lose five of their first six matches and drop two consecutive series.

The team later rallied with four straight series wins at home against the West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia, before losing an away series to Zimbabwe.

Litton has previous captaincy experience, having led Bangladesh in seven ODIs, including a 2022 series win over India.

Tamim also addressed the uncertain status of Bangladesh’s proposed series against India in September at home.

“I am very hopeful that they will come. Bangladesh is an extremely safe country,” he said.

Tamim said talks with the BCCI had been “very positive” so far and clarity was expected “very soon”.

“Whatever steps need to be taken from our side, we are trying from our end,” he said.

“But one thing we all need to understand - I am BCB, and then I am the BCB president, and there is also a line that I should never cross.”

Under the previous board, Bangladesh refused to play in India at this year’s T20 World Cup, citing security concerns after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dumped by Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders.

“There are certain things that are beyond my control. They (government) also have to make a decision, I’m sure. Very soon, perhaps, we will find out whether the series is happening or not,” said Tamim.

The 34-year-old forward, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, made the comments after Santos beat Venezuela’s Universidad Central 4-2 in a Copa Sudamericana match late on Tuesday.

“I think my time with the national team has already passed. I made history there, and I’m very happy about it. I experienced a lot there, gave my blood and my life, and always fought and battled for the yellow jersey. But I don’t think I want it anymore,” he told reporters.

The remarks reinforced comments he made in the immediate aftermath of Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup defeat by Norway on July 5.

After coming on as a substitute and scoring a stoppage-time penalty, Neymar suggested his international career was over during an interview with Brazilian broadcaster ge.

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“I tried, I tried. Now it’s over,” he said.

Neymar was visibly emotional after the defeat, which marked Brazil’s earliest World Cup exit since 1990 and extended the five-times champions’ wait for a record-extending sixth title.

The forward, who played in four World Cups, enjoyed a glittering club career with Santos, Barcelona and Paris St Germain, but won only one senior title with the national team, the Confederations Cup in 2013.

His international career yielded 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances.

Fraser, 60, has signed a four-year contract to take the team through to the 2030 World Cup.

Fraser has extensive experience of coaching in the Netherlands at ADO Den Haag, Vitesse Arnhem, Sparta Rotterdam, FC Utrecht and RKC Waalwijk.

Under Louis van Gaal, he also served as assistant coach of the Dutch national team.

He has experience with Suriname too, working last year as assistant to Stanley Menzo in the World Cup qualifying campaign in which Suriname reached the inter-confederation playoffs in March but failed to secure one of the last berths for the 48-team tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Menzo quit the job last November when Suriname lost their last group qualifier and missed out on a direct qualifying berth to the 2026 finals with Henk ten Cate taking over for the playoffs.

Fraser, who was born in Paramaribo, played for Sparta Rotterdam, Utrecht, Roda JC, and Feyenoord as well as the Dutch national team.

“His international experience, leadership, and football vision will contribute to the further development of the national squad,” the Suriname association wrote on Instagram.

During a Serie A match between the sides on July 22, Victor Gabriel was sent off after committing a rash challenge that led to a fracture of ​Pec’s left tibia.

Pec, who moved to Cruzeiro from Major League Soccer side ​LA Galaxy this month, was making his debut in the match ⁠eventually won by Cruzeiro.

On Tuesday, Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) determined that ​a standard penalty for Victor Gabriel was insufficient in light of the severity of ​the incident.

“The offender may remain suspended until the injured party is able to return to training, respecting a maximum period of 180 days,” it said, adding that the decision could be ​appealed.

In an appearance during proceedings, Victor Gabriel expressed remorse, adding: “It was a completely ​unfortunate incident.

“I apologized to him and offered my help. I asked him to forgive me for ‌not ⁠having had any ill intent, and all I could do at that moment was pray for him.”

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The court also questioned the authenticity of the evidence provided by Internacional, which contained audio from the match’s VAR, with the club’s defense then asking ​for it to be ​disregarded as its ⁠veracity could not be proved.

In a statement on their website, Internacional said the law firm representing them had used an ​audio recording circulating on social media in its defense.

“Both the ​law firm ⁠and Internacional emphasize that they never intended to act in bad faith in any way within the context of the proceedings in question,” the club added.

“There was, however, ⁠a recognized ​error in the collection and use of the ​content presented in the player’s defense, which was immediately acknowledged through an express request to remove the ​audio from the case file.”

Under the plan, ‌FIFA would establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to oversee “commercial and event operations.”

FIFA, which just held a 48-team World Cup across the U.S., Canada and Mexico that was the biggest in the tournament’s history, would retain control of the enterprise, but offer minority stakes in it to private investors to raise up to $4.2 billion.

A vehicle founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is expected to lead the proposed investor group, FIFA said.

The proposal deepens the divide between Switzerland-based FIFA and European soccer’s governing ​body UEFA, with Europe positioning itself as the custodian of the game while FIFA, a not-for-profit organisation, remains focused on broadening access with financial largesse.

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FIFA is one of the world’s wealthiest sporting organisations, ​generating billions of dollars in revenue, largely from broadcasting rights, sponsorship and other commercial deals linked to the World Cup.

But it says this proposal can increase funds it ⁠provides to widen access to the sport and strengthen global participation, with all net benefits to be reinvested in the game.

“Football is the world’s most popular sport and an extraordinary engine of human and social development,” ​FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

“Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game.

“Our job is to ​make sure the rest of football grows with it: FIFA exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world.”

FIFA said it would retain sole control of the subsidiary as well as “exclusive authority” over football governance, competitions, the match calendar and all regulatory and sporting decisions.

Fierce criticism from UEFA and others

The proposal drew fierce criticism from UEFA, which said the proposal “crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.”

“UEFA takes it extremely seriously,” it said in a statement. “So should every National Football Association. So ​should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. ​None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”

Relations have deteriorated between UEFA and FIFA in recent years, and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin refused to attend the World Cup final following a series of disagreements over ‌disciplinary procedures, refereeing ⁠logistics and match operations.

A FIFA spokesperson said the proposal will soon be presented to the 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, which would be the sole final decision-makers on the matter.

FIFA said money from the capital raise would be used to establish an optional program that would allow member associations to access up to $20 million in one-off capital to be used for infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots football and the women’s game.

That would rise to $24 million by the 2035-2038 cycle.

Infantino, who is up for reelection as head of FIFA next year, said every member association should have the opportunity to seek a fair share of the available funding to shape its own ​future.

“This is about the democratisation of football worldwide,” he ​said.

Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham joined critics of the ⁠plan, saying on social media that the sport does not belong to investors.

“The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell,” Burnham wrote on X. “Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.”

Richard ​Sheehan, a finance professor at the University of Notre Dame who studies the economics of sport, called the proposal a “money grab” from current FIFA leadership.

“From the ​perspective of a not-for-profit organization, ⁠theoretically raising money to make soccer available to everyone, this move is a farce,” said Sheehan.

External investors

FIFA is working with bankers at JPMorgan to bring in external investors, it said, adding that former Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei has been involved as a commercial adviser.

Joshua Kushner-founded Thrive Eternal, a new investment strategy launched by venture capital firm Thrive Capital, is set to lead the investor group.

A permanent capital vehicle focused on making a small number of long-term investments in franchises ⁠and cultural institutions, ​Thrive Eternal took a minority stake in Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants this year. Former Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger serves ​as an adviser.

Jared Kushner is not a potential investor, a source said.

JP Morgan and Joshua Kushner declined to comment. Maffei didn’t immediately respond to a comment request.

“Outside investors will have only a minority stake in FFE and will not play any operational role,” FIFA said. “Equally, they ​are investing in a subsidiary of FIFA, and not in FIFA itself. For FIFA, nothing changes.”

After eking out a 29-run first-innings lead, West Indies made 181 in their second innings to set Pakistan a target of 211.

Seales (5-20) and his pace colleagues returned to produce a superb fast-bowling display at the Brian Lara Stadium, routing Pakistan for 120 in a little over 40 overs.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam made an unbeaten 58 and combined with No. 11 Mohammad Abbas (23) in a brief resistance, but West Indies’ victory appeared a formality after the tourists slumped to 71-9.

Pakistan No. 3 Shan Masood, who fractured his finger during his first-innings knock of 109, batted at No. 8 in the second innings. He made three before Seales dismissed him.

West Indies captain Roston Chase dedicated the victory to West Indies great Garry Sobers, who died earlier this month.

“We wanted to make him proud and had a chat about it before the match. I hope he is smiling down on us,” Chase said afterwards. “I love the direction this team is heading.

We’re not relying on one or two players; everyone is chipping in at crucial moments.“

Sajid and Abrar demolish West Indies in first Test win

Babar said Pakistan’s lack of partnerships proved costly. “Today, as a batting unit, we weren’t up to the mark.

We kept losing wickets back-to-back and the batting failed. That’s something we’re working on,“ he said.

The second and final Test in Port of Spain begins on Sunday.