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Newcastle reminds Thiaw of Schalke: “As football-crazy as Gelsenkirchen”

Lesley Summerville
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Newcastle reminds Thiaw of Schalke: “As football-crazy as Gelsenkirchen”

With Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade, two German internationals seem to have really settled in at Newcastle in the final stretch of the year. The duo explains what makes the location so special.

At least nationally, things are not going well for Newcastle United this season. After Tuesday evening’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, the Magpies remain in 13th place in the Premier League. When there have been positive headlines in the recent past, two German internationals have usually been involved. Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade moved to Newcastle last summer and seem to have really settled in during the final stretch of the year.

Both are key players under coach Eddie Howe. Thiaw, who had not played a major role at AC Milan towards the end of last season, feels right at home with his new employer. This is also because it resembles a former club: “I have to say, the club reminds me a bit of Schalke 04. The city is also as football-crazy as Gelsenkirchen.

They love the club. It’s like a religion for them. Everyone is passionate about the club. Every game is sold out,” the center back enthused in an interview with Sky. Thiaw played for Schalke for a total of seven years, from 2015 to 2022, before moving to Milan.

“An evening I won’t forget anytime soon”

In the recent 4-1 win over Everton, Thiaw’s offensive strengths really came to the fore – two of Newcastle’s four goals were scored by the defensive specialist. “An incredible game for me,” he admits in retrospect: “I don’t think you score two goals every day as a defender. That’s why I think it’s an evening I won’t forget in a hurry.”

In Newcastle, they are currently celebrating him especially for his defensive qualities. But what makes it so difficult to play against Thiaw? “He’s fast, he’s robust, he’s very, very clever,” Woltemade lists: “He prepares well for his opponents and knows what to expect. You can see that he has now spent three years in the Italian school as a center back.”

Woltemade’s name has also long been celebrated in the northeast of England. “I think he’s very unique. It’s very difficult to describe him,” says Thiaw: “He has so many strengths. Above all, the type of player he is is very rare. He’s so big, but technically so good.”

Woltemade, who has proven his scoring instinct from the start and has already scored five Premier League goals, has “adapted and improved” his own game after just a few months. That also meant a lot to Julian Nagelsmann in the national team—I’ve improved, especially in terms of intensity.”

Newcastle still needs to turn a group of individuals who work well together into a functioning unit in order to keep alive its dream of another Champions League season.

“Loss of quality and energy” – but Perez still stands by Xabi Alonso

Sports Of The Day
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“Loss of quality and energy” – but Perez still stands by Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid has only won one of its last five competitive games, and on Wednesday it faces a tough match in Bilbao. Xabi Alonso is coming under increasing pressure – but the club boss is not putting any on him yet.

Real Madrid lost their lead in the table on Sunday, and now they have lost another defender. Ferland Mendy will be out for about three weeks with a thigh muscle injury. The Frenchman had just made his comeback in the Champions League against Olympiacos Piraeus (4-3) after a seven-month injury break.

Admittedly, Xabi Alonso has bigger worries. After their third consecutive draw in La Liga, Real have gone from being the hunted to the hunters, with Barcelona now one point ahead of them. There can be no talk of unfortunate point losses – the white ballet has stumbled through their recent encounters.

And so the criticism in Madrid is mounting against the man primarily responsible, Xabi Alonso. The questions are becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Among other things, the 44-year-old was asked before Wednesday’s match against Athletic Bilbao—which is anything but a sure thing—whether he had doubts about his work. He didn’t really want to answer. “We are where we are, in La Liga and in the Champions League. We live with the demands and the criticism,” said Alonso.

However, he is still firmly in the saddle. According to the Real coach, a conversation with Real boss Florentino Perez was “friendly,” “very positive and good overall.” In contrast to the results, which leave something to be desired. “November didn’t go as we would have liked, but I have faith in the quality of this team,” he added. But of course, even he cannot turn a blind eye to the dip in performance. “Overall, the team has lost some of its quality and energy.”

This was certainly also due to the many injuries, especially in defense. But there are other areas of concern at Real: offensive players such as Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono, who was still in the starting lineup at the beginning of the season, have been out of form for a long time or, in Rodrygo’s case, never found it. Endrick has played a total of just eleven minutes this season. Gonzalo Garcia, who was still playing brilliantly at the Club World Cup, is no longer a factor, and Vinicius Junior lacks consistency. Too much now depends on Kylian Mbappé, who leads the scoring charts by a clear margin with 14 goals. After the game in Girona, the Frenchman also struck a critical note. In addition, there are growing calls that Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham do not harmonize with each other in midfield. This is an opinion that Alonso does not share. “Jude and Güler have played together, they can do it and they will do it again,” he said, recalling the victories in the Clasico (2-1) and against Valencia (4-0), in which both were in the starting line-up. “At that time, those who have these doubts would not have asked that question.”

“Breaches of payment obligations”: Next point deduction for Wednesday

Sotd Editor
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“Breaches of payment obligations”: Next point deduction for Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday has had another point deducted by the EFL. With a total of 18 points deducted, the Owls are now in last place with -10 points.

Less than a month and a half after a 12-point deduction due to an insolvency filing, the English Football League has deducted further points from the traditional club Sheffield Wednesday. The league punished the Owls with a six-point deduction for “multiple breaches of EFL regulations regarding payment obligations.” According to a BBC media report, these violations include the non-payment of player salaries in March, May, and June. Although the process is not yet complete, the league has stated that Sheffield does not have to fear any further point deductions. In any case, further penalties are unlikely to change the sporting situation. With -10 points, Wednesday is now in last place, 27 points behind Swansea, which occupies the first non-relegation spot.

In addition to the club itself, the EFL also punished the former owner, Dejphon Chansiri. Under the Thai’s leadership, the Owls made heavy losses and paid salaries late this calendar year. As a result, Chansiri is “prohibited from acting as an owner or director of an EFL club for three years.”

Talks about appeal against transfer ban underway

Meanwhile, the second division club’s officials are trying to appeal the transfer ban imposed during his tenure. “Separately, the EFL and Sheffield Wednesday remain in discussions regarding the appeal against the fee restriction, which is currently set to remain in place until the end of the transfer window in winter 2027,” the league wrote in a statement shared by Sheffield on its website.

This issue will be clarified as part of the exit from insolvency proceedings. The insolvency administrators are currently looking for a new owner. However, according to the BBC, they hope to have found one by Friday.

Nice crisis escalates: Fans attack players and sporting director

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Nice crisis escalates: Fans attack players and sporting director

The sporting crisis at OGC Nice has culminated in an attack by fans on the team and officials. One player has filed a complaint, and the league intends to join the lawsuit.

Six consecutive competitive defeats, 36th place out of 36 in the Europa League table and, most recently, an away defeat at bottom-of-the-table Lorient: OGC Nice is in the midst of a serious sporting crisis. The relationship between the team and some of the fans is also broken – and has now culminated in a sad incident.

As the club announced in a statement on Monday evening, a “large crowd” was waiting for the team at the training center late on Sunday evening when they returned from Lorient to express their displeasure. According to French media reports, the approximately 400 supporters set off smoke bombs, chanted hostile songs, and insulted players and officials.
When the front door of the bus was opened, several leaders of an ultra group reportedly stormed the vehicle. When the players finally left the bus after a delay, physical attacks are said to have occurred. Players were reportedly jostled, grabbed by the collar, and spat on.
According to witness statements, attacker Terem Moffi, Nice’s record transfer, was pulled by the hair and punched in the abdomen, among other things. His strike partner Jeremie Boga and sporting director Florian Maurice were also victims of the attacks. According to consistent media reports, Boga and Moffi are unable to work for several days and have filed a complaint against persons unknown.

The French league association LFP announced on Tuesday that it intends to join the complaints of those affected as a civil party. The aim is to “fully support the players and help ensure that these serious incidents are fully investigated.” The league further writes: ” These completely unacceptable attacks violate the integrity of the players and the values of soccer.“ The French players’ union UNFP also stated on Monday evening: ”This physical violence is unacceptable.” They said they had immediately contacted Boga and Moffi.

The Nice public prosecutor’s office has meanwhile launched an investigation. Several hearings have already been held in this context.

Only coach Haise is celebrated

The club itself has not yet commented on the details of the incident, but writes in a statement that “several club members were attacked” and are now receiving “full” support from the club. It said it understood the “frustration caused by poor performances and displays that are far removed from our values.” However, it said the riots were “unacceptable” and to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The team will not resume training until Wednesday. Coach Franck Haise, who had already offered his resignation to the club’s management last week, will remain in charge. However, the management is said to have rejected his resignation and stands behind the coach—as do the fans, incidentally. Haise was the only passenger on the bus who was celebrated with chants by the fans as he got off and encouraged to continue.

“It’s called old age”: LeBron explains his foot problems with humor

Jeffrey Gooding
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“It’s called old age”: LeBron explains his foot problems with humor

LeBron James caused laughter with a single sentence after his brief break due to a foot injury. The superstar does not describe his complaints in medical terms—but as a normal sign of aging.

James missed the Lakers’ game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday due to “left foot injury management,” but returned the very next day against the Phoenix Suns. After the game, the 40-year-old was asked what exactly was behind his foot problems — and replied dryly: “It’s called old age. You just wake up with things you didn’t have the night before.” The comment, made to ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin, once again underscored LeBron’s mix of self-deprecating humor and frustration about the minor aches and pains that accumulate late in his career.

Despite the limitations, James is showing again this season that he continues to play a major role in the sport. In his five appearances so far, he is averaging 15.2 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in about 32 minutes per game. The Lakers have won four of those games, which once again highlights his importance to the team despite his reduced workload.

NBA: The Lakers’ next games

In the Western Conference, the Lakers are currently in second place with a 15-5 record, making them one of the strongest teams in the league.

Clear message: Honda asks Aleix Espargaro to give up cycling

Sports Of The Day
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Clear message: Honda asks Aleix Espargaro to give up cycling

A conversation with Honda changed Aleix Espargaro’s plans in professional cycling – After serious crashes, he should avoid racing – The focus is on testing

When Aleix Espargaro ended his career as a full-time MotoGP rider at the end of 2024 and joined the Honda test team, he wanted to pursue his second great passion in his spare time: cycling. He joined the professional cycling team Lidl-Trek.

His first major tour was planned for July, when he was set to participate in the Tour of Austria. However, it was not an easy undertaking for Espargaro. After crashes, the event formerly known as the Tour of Austria was over in the third stage.

At the beginning of August, Espargaro competed in a smaller one-day event in Spain. Since then, apart from private training sessions, he has not participated in any official cycling events. There is a specific reason for this. Espargaro was supposed to replace Somkiat Chantra in the LCR team in Hungary at the end of August. But shortly before the race weekend, he injured himself in a crash on his road bike. He traveled to the track, but examinations revealed injuries and he did not race.

“There was really a turning point,” recalls the Spaniard. “I arrived completely exhausted, with three broken vertebrae from cycling. Alberto [Puig] sat down with me and said he understood my passion for cycling.”

“But that this was Honda and I needed to focus more. He was absolutely right. I was probably wrong. I didn’t know how to calibrate my role as a test rider. It was all a bit new to me. I thought I could do both, but that’s not the case.“

”In the past two months, I’ve hardly been able to cycle properly. I’ve practically been living in Malaysia doing tests. Next year, I’ll stay with the cycling team, but I won’t be racing professionally.”

“I’ll just train with them and focus more on Honda,” Espargaro emphasizes what his focus will be. Because the winter and the coming year will be intense and very important in terms of private test drives.

“Both Alberto and the Japanese team have asked me to do parallel development next year – with the 2026 bike and the new 2027 bike with Pirelli tires.”

“So I’ll have to devote a lot more time to my work as a Honda test rider.” This is because the work with the new test team around Espargaro, Takaaki Nakagami, and engineer Antonio Jimenez had to be fine-tuned this year. “In the first half of the season, I have to admit that I was really focused on cycling, and the schedule I had with Honda wasn’t right,” Espargaro says, looking back on poor planning on both sides. “I think in the first three, four, five months of the year, I only did one MotoGP test, so I was a bit disconnected. But then, before the summer break, I started doing more tests, I started talking more with Romano [Albesiano].“

”I went to two races to see Joan and Luca and to observe how HRC works within the pit. I have to say that the past three months have been very, very nice, very emotional for me. I enjoyed it a lot, I felt very connected.”

“I started to become more involved with the HRC factory team, and they are really nice people. I love being part of this team. My job is great because I can ride the bike and help them from the pit at the same time.”

Espargaro competed in five races in the 2025 season. Four of those were wildcard appearances with the Honda test team. At Assen, he replaced Luca Marini, who was injured at the time, in the factory team. Espargaro did not score any World Championship points in his appearances.

Yuki Tsunoda facing Formula 1 exit: Honda talks won’t save Japanese driver

Jeffrey Gooding
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Yuki Tsunoda facing Formula 1 exit: Honda talks won’t save Japanese driver

Honda is assisting Red Bull with TPC testing, but for Yuki Tsunoda, any support comes too late: Lawson will most likely take the last Racing Bulls seat

Red Bull is negotiating with Honda about supplying engines for TPC test days, but even this deal will not be a lifeline for Yuki Tsunoda. According to consistent media reports, the last free Racing Bulls seat for 2026 will go to Liam Lawson, while Isack Hadjar will move up to Red Bull Racing and Arvid Lindblad to the sister team. The course has been set for the new engine era – but for Tsunoda, it leads off the grid.

With the change to the new 2026 regulations, Red Bull Racing and the Racing Bulls are switching to the in-house Red Bull Powertrains Ford engine. For the so-called TPC tests—drives with Formula 1 cars that are at least two years old—teams are allowed to use their previous engine manufacturers. The FIA requires them to supply engines, but without a price limit. This means that Honda can charge whatever Honda wants—and Red Bull has to pay these sums if it wants to continue testing young drivers.

Helmut Marko said after a meeting in Qatar: “We have always had a good and honest relationship with Honda. We had a meeting on Friday, and I think we are well on the way to resolving this issue.” The statement clearly shows that Red Bull wants to finalize the deal – and that the TPC days are strategically extremely important for the coming year.

Why Honda won’t rescue Tsunoda despite good relations

There was speculation in the paddock as to whether Honda might make a last-ditch attempt to keep Tsunoda in the cockpit despite the Ford partnership. But the reality suggests otherwise. In Qatar, Tsunoda hinted that he knew “something he couldn’t say yet” — a hint that is now becoming clear: he is losing his regular seat.

Marko was asked openly whether Tsunoda could be part of the Honda deal. His answer was: “There are different ways to solve such problems.” An elegant but very clearly negative answer. If Tsunoda were a factor, Marko would have said so clearly. Instead, developments show that the Japanese driver will no longer play a role in the active racing squad in 2026.

Even Honda couldn’t do much. A Honda sticker on a car supported by Ford would be hard to justify. And Red Bull has been shifting its focus for some time: Hadjar is considered the new hope, Lawson an all-rounder – while Tsunoda has fallen short of expectations.

Only one option remains in the background for Tsunoda

The driver decisions are to be officially announced on Tuesday after the Qatar race, but the information from the environment is clear. Isack Hadjar will be Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing in 2026. Arvid Lindblad will get a cockpit at Racing Bulls. The remaining seat was long a Tsunoda-Lawson question – now Lawson seems to be set.

At most, Tsunoda will remain in a role as a reserve driver. This could be supported by the Honda-TPC deal: more test days, more mileage, perhaps a personal test program. But a regular seat is out of the question. And Tsunoda has known this for a long time.

Why the TPC deal is more important to Red Bull than any individual driver

The limited number of test days in modern Formula 1 make TPC programs an invaluable tool. They are also outside the budget cap – an advantage for a financially strong team like Red Bull. The young drivers have to stay in the car, and that requires engine units that are no longer in regular use. Honda is the only viable partner for this.

Marko put it clearly: “Of course, we have to reach an agreement with Honda.” This is essential for the future of the Red Bull junior program. And that is precisely why the priority is shifting: testing and talent take precedence over individual driver careers.

Verstappen “Monster” for sale: Replica edition is extremely limited

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Verstappen “Monster” for sale: Replica edition is extremely limited

Red Bull is selling the RB20 as an exclusive replica and is only building ten units – buyers must sign a strict contract for the championship car

A show car version of the Red Bull RB20, with which Max Verstappen won the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship in 2024, is available in an extremely limited edition through ‘F1 Authentics’.

Officially licensed by Oracle Red Bull Racing and manufactured by memorabilia company Memento Exclusives, the RB20 replicas are the first of their kind to hit the market. The cars are made to order, with only ten being built in total. A price has not yet been confirmed.

The RB20 carried Max Verstappen to his fourth title win. The Milton Keynes-based team achieved nine wins, 18 podium finishes, eight pole positions, and a total of 589 points over the course of the year thanks to the performances of the Dutchman and his teammate Sergio Perez.

Copied as closely as possible

The replica was created using CAD (computer-aided design) data obtained directly from the team and is as close as possible to the real chassis. There are three paint schemes to choose from: the standard 2024 design, the special edition for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, or the version for the Las Vegas Grand Prix—the race in which Verstappen sealed his title win despite finishing only fifth.

The buyer of these special replicas must sign a separate license agreement to become an official Red Bull licensee.

The press release states: “To take advantage of this rare opportunity, you agree not to use the show car for any illegal activities, to disparage the Red Bull brand, or to make political, religious, or discriminatory statements.”

Back then, it was a “monster”

According to the reigning world champion, the RB20 turned out to be a “monster.” After a dominant 2023, the 2024 car proved to be cumbersome. While McLaren caught up in the constructors’ championship, Red Bull responded, but balance issues plagued the team throughout the season.

“The car is undriveable,” Verstappen said at the time. “We have a massive balance problem, not just over one lap, but also in the race.”

“Last year we had a great car, the most dominant car ever, and we basically turned it into a monster,” was the Dutchman’s damning verdict. Although he reported at one point that the championship was “unrealistic,” the team ultimately managed to deliver a car that was closer to the driver’s expectations.

Alonso rejoices, fans doubt: What’s behind Newey’s dual role

Jason Maverick
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Alonso rejoices, fans doubt: What’s behind Newey’s dual role

Fans are highly skeptical about Newey’s new role as team principal and designer – Fernando Alonso defends the radical restructuring as a quest for perfection

It’s an experiment that others have failed at, but Adrian Newey is determined to prove the opposite: Starting in the 2026 season, the star designer at Aston Martin will not only serve as technical partner, but will also take on the role of team principal. This dual role is rare in modern Formula 1 and brings back memories of Mattia Binotto’s time at Ferrari.

But how exactly does the 66-year-old intend to manage a Formula 1 team while ensuring that the development of the 2026 car does not suffer under the new regulations? Newey himself takes a pragmatic view of the situation, emphasizing that the restructuring is primarily the result of a logical division of responsibilities with the current team principal, Andy Cowell.

Newey has clear priorities

In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Newey dismisses concerns that he could get bogged down. His heart still beats primarily for technology. “That’s really what I want to do and what I have to do,” Newey clarifies with regard to car design. “That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. So I’m determined not to water that down.”

The fact that he now also holds the title of team principal is more of an organizational consequence than a complete reorientation of his daily work. “Since I’ll be at all the early races anyway, it doesn’t really change my workload much, as I’ll be there anyway,” explains the Briton. “So I might as well take on that part too – apart from having to talk to you [the media], of course.”

Why Cowell is voluntarily stepping aside

The key to this reshuffle lies in the complex integration of new factory partner Honda from 2026. Andy Cowell, who recently joined Aston Martin, will move to the position of Chief Strategy Officer. According to Newey, this was Cowell’s own wish in order to better leverage his strengths.

“To be perfectly honest, it became very obvious that Andy’s skills were absolutely needed in view of the challenge of the 2026 power unit and supporting the three-way relationship between Honda, Aramco, and us,” said Newey. Cowell “generously” agreed to head up this area, leaving the position of team principal vacant. “And I was the logical answer.”

Alonso and Verstappen see “new trend”

Fernando Alonso, who is set to benefit from this structure from 2026, sees the dual role as an advantage for performance. “Andy has done a lot of management work internally, including on the engine side. It was perhaps a normal logical step,“ says the Spaniard. For him, one thing is certain: ”With Adrian, there is only one style, and that is performance. It is the unlimited pursuit of perfection.”

World champion Max Verstappen, who is very familiar with Newey’s way of working at Red Bull, also believes in the success of the model. He even sees it as a development that could set a precedent in Formula 1—similar to McLaren with Andrea Stella. “That’s probably something you’ll see more and more teams doing, right? Someone who is more technically oriented taking on the role of team principal,” Verstappen analyzes. Although this was “never an option” at Red Bull, he is convinced: “I’m sure he’ll do well.”

Fans skeptical: Is the Binotto scenario looming?

While the protagonists are spreading optimism, fans on social media are divided. The fear is that a brilliant engineer is not automatically a good team manager. Many draw parallels with Ferrari in 2022. “Newey focuses on both building a car and managing a team. That can either go well or end up like Binotto,” writes one user on Reddit. Another adds: “If Aston Martin wanted him to improve the car, they can’t promote him to team boss. He now has to take on 90 percent of other tasks that have nothing to do with technology.”

Others disagree and point to Newey’s experience: “As chief technical officer, he was already responsible for half the team. He wasn’t sitting alone in a design workshop.”

Whether the experiment will be successful will be seen in 2026. Aston Martin is currently eighth in the constructors’ championship with 72 points and hopes to catch up with the leaders with the new structure and the Honda deal.

A “true legend” of tennis

T0m@dmin1
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A “true legend” of tennis

Australian tennis great Neale Fraser passed away a year ago today at the age of 91. Pat Cash is not the only one to speak out.

A year ago today, Australian tennis great Neale Fraser passed away at the age of 91. The country’s tennis association described the three-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one as “a true legend of Australian tennis who will be missed by so many people around the world.”

Fraser won Wimbledon in 1960, among other titles, and also celebrated eleven major doubles titles. He also made a significant contribution to the Davis Cup. “I will miss you dearly, mate,” wrote icon Rod Laver on X in 2024. “He was like a father to me,” said Pat Cash, who won Wimbledon in 1987.

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