A World Cup security guard has died following a serious fall at Lusail Stadium during last Friday's quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands.
John Njau Kibue received emergency treatment inside the ground and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he passed away in intensive care on Tuesday.
The Qatar Supreme Committee confirmed Kibue's passing in a statement on Wednesday and announced an investigation will be held into the circumstances leading to his death.
"We send our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time," the statement read.
"Organisers are investigating the circumstances leading to the fall as a matter of urgency and will provide further information pending the outcome of the investigation.
"We will also ensure that his family receive all outstanding dues and monies owed."
Kibue is the second known migrant worker to have died since the tournament began, following the death of a Filipino man in the group stage at a resort used by Saudi Arabia.
Speaking last week, Qatar 2022 chief executive Nasser Al Khater said "death is a natural part of life" when he was questioned over the passing of the migrant worker.
The Lusail Stadium is to host Sunday's final between Argentina and either France or Morocco, who face off in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
Former world number one Jason Day will not be making an imminent defection to LIV Golf, but has not ruled out departing the PGA Tour in the future if his view changes.
The Australian, who won the 2015 PGA Championship for his only career major to date, is close friends with countryman Cameron Smith, who made the switch after winning The Open Championship earlier this year.
With several of the sport's leading stars having defected to the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway, a bitter civil war has been sparked between the two tours.
While stating he would not follow Smith to the Greg Norman-headed competition immediately, Day refused to completely chalk off a switch down the line, while adding he remains saddened by the split.
"I definitely would say no, I wouldn't go as of now," he told the Palm Beach Post.
"[But] who knows in a year's time, you might think differently.
"I don't blame some of the guys for going because there's quite a lot of money these guys are earning. I understand it.
"For me, it just depends on how you feel about major championships. I know that's all up in the air right now if they're going to play or not, and they don't have world ranking points out there.
"It's disappointing there's a divide on both sides. All those guys out there are my friends.
"Some of the friendships fractured between some of the guys who have been more outspoken [but] I don't mind the guys leaving."
Day suggested a potential way to harmony would be to stage the PGA Tour from January through August, and then have the LIV competition follow to complete the year.
"I honestly wish the tours could join somehow," he added. "That would be great. I think that could potentially work if you want to do it. That would be fun."
The prospect of England appointing a foreign manager if Gareth Southgate leaves the role is "unacceptable", according to his predecessor Sam Allardyce.
Southgate's future as England manager is uncertain following the Three Lions' 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss against France.
He remains under contact until the end of Euro 2024 but has indicated he will make a decision on his future after Christmas.
The likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel have been touted as potential replacements if Southgate does depart, but Allardyce is against the appointment of a non-British coach.
"It can't happen, not again. There are enough qualified British managers in this country to pick the right man," Allardyce, who led England for one game in 2016, told Sky Sports.
"I just don't see it. I think it would be a massive knock-back for our country, and a massive knock-back for young managers trying to make their way.
"It's hard enough to get in the Premier League as a British manager, but to think that it's taken away from you to become the national team's coach… I think it's unacceptable, personally."
Fellow former England boss Fabio Capello said Southgate should stay on if he has the full support of the squad on Tuesday, and while Allardyce concurs, he would understand if Southgate opted to step down.
"How long do you want to put up with that scrutiny and that pressure? Lots of managers will leave their positions at the end of the World Cup," Allardyce said.
"While it's an experience and a job you could never turn down, not in my opinion anyway, there's a time when you have gone through the mill enough.
"I think this squad is good enough for him to think: 'I need to carry on because I think we could win the Euros'.
"But there is the other side of it to consider: 'how much more pressure do I want to continue to cope with, and is it time for me to bow out?'"
England's hopes of reaching the final four were dashed when Harry Kane blazed an 84th-minute penalty over the crossbar, having converted from the spot earlier in the second half.
Allardyce does not believe the presence of Kane's Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris in the France goal impacted his miss, putting it down to the pressure of the moment.
"I don't get any of that rubbish about Lloris sussing him out because they play for the same club. It was the pure pressure of the event," he added.
"He strikes a penalty so well normally, and if he struck it as well as he did the first one, Lloris would have had no chance.
"I always said from the start that we had the strongest squad in this World Cup, and I still believe that. The biggest regret is that this competition only arrives once every four years."
Paulo Bento has thanked South Korea's players for providing him with "one of the most beautiful experiences" of his life in their run to the knockout stage of Qatar 2022.
South Korea pulled off a late 2-1 win over Portugal in their final group game to reach the last 16, where they were heavily beaten 4-1 by Brazil.
Bento, appointed in 2018 as Shin Tae-yong's successor, announced immediately after that match he would not be renewing his contract with South Korea.
The Portuguese coach said a final farewell to supporters on Tuesday before flying back to his homeland.
"I am thankful to all the players, due to their professionalism, work ethic and their behaviour," Bento said.
"They gave me the opportunity to have one of the most beautiful experiences of my life, which I will never forget.
"Personally I have no words to thank you all for the respect, affection and support you showed during this amazing experience."
South Korea also drew 0-0 with Uruguay and lost 3-2 to Ghana in Group H, with their win over Portugal enough to see them through on goals scored.
It was the first time since 2010 that the Asian nation had made it past the first hurdle, though they were outclassed by Brazil in a one-sided last-16 tie.
The Taegeuk Warriors intend to name Bento's successor by February ahead of the next international break the following month.
Chelsea forward Armando Broja is expected to miss the rest of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a friendly against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Broja, who spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Southampton, has made 18 appearances for Chelsea this term, scoring his first Blues goal in October's Premier League win over Wolves.
The Albania international was chosen to lead the line against Villa in Abu Dhabi, with Graham Potter looking to get his squad up to full speed ahead of the Premier League's resumption later this month.
However, Broja was carried from the field after going down clutching his left knee, having fallen awkwardly when appearing to catch his studs in the turf.
A Blues statement read: "Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s friendly against Aston Villa, Armando underwent further assessment following the club’s return to England.
"Scan results from those assessments have unfortunately confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and that surgery will be required.
"Following the operation, Armando will work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign."
A youthful Chelsea side fell to a 1-0 defeat against Unai Emery's men, with John McGinn sweeping home the only goal of the game after seven minutes.
Chelsea will resume their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth on December 27 at Stamford Bridge, having dropped to eighth in the table following a poor run ahead of the World Cup.
Radja Nainggolan has accused former Roma sporting director Monchi of ruining the club, laying the blame for their struggles at his feet.
The Spaniard, who is now back with former club Sevilla, arrived at Stadio Olimpico in 2017, amid a period where the club were frequent rivals to Juventus in the Serie A title race.
Although they finished third in his first season, an exodus of key players – including Nainggolan, and now-Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Alisson – saw them finish sixth in 2018-19.
The club have struggled to recover their top-four status since, even after Monchi's own exit in 2019, and Nainggolan has suggested it was the Spaniard's calls that sunk their once-promising credentials.
"He ruined the team," he told Tradizione Romanista. "He sold all the players. I can't even name him. If I'd known he was leaving soon after I went, I would have stayed.
"We had very strong players, and then we sold them. If you want to win, you have to keep strong players. If you always change, you will never have a solid base to work off."
At 34, Nainggolan shows no sign of slowing down, but the midfielder says a return to Roma will not be on the cards if he looks to depart Antwerp.
"If I went back to Roma now, I would run the risk of ruining all of the wonderful memories I have there," he added.
"Roma was the place, in terms of football, where I felt loved and respected. I'm too old to go back now. I live for football in my own way."
Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer steered India to an opening-day recovery against Bangladesh in the first Test in Chattogram.
The tourists won the toss at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and opted to bat first, with opener KL Rahul deputising as captain in place of the injured Rohit Sharma.
Impressive knocks from Pujara (90) and Iyer (82 not out) helped them steadily build a total they hope will offer a defence against their hosts, ending the day on 278-6.
But sturdy figures from Taijul Islam (3-84) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2-71) helped Bangladesh keep their opponents on something of a leash.
The early momentum appeared to favour them, with a three-wicket flurry taking Shubman Gill, Rahul and Virat Kohli - the latter for a solitary single - at the cost of just seven runs as India were swiftly reduced to 48-3.
A hard-hitting cameo from Rishabh Pant, with 46 off 45 balls and eight boundaries to boot, saw India wrestle back control.
When he fell to make it 112-4, Iyer - in just his sixth Test match - joined Pujara at the crease to mount a controlled partnership, putting together 149 for the fifth wicket.
It was Bangladesh who served up the final sting of the game however, following the latter's dismissal, with Axar Patel trapped lbw off the final ball of the day to keep this encounter hanging in the balance.
Iyer showcases middle-order strength
Having nabbed a century on debut against New Zealand last year, the India batter has posted another four half-centuries since at the Test crease for his country.
His latest however was an assured knock - that included 10 fours - to bring some needed momentum back to the tourists, and will return to the crease in a bid to reach three figures and push India beyond 300 on Thursday.
Seamers struggle for Bangladesh
Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed led the hosts' bowling attack out of the gates in Chattogram, but both failed to really cause problems the longer the first day wound on.
With just one wicket between them - that of Rahul, early on - they looked lacking in threat compared to the rest of their team-mates, with few full balls between them.
Cristiano Ronaldo would be easy to coach and the "soap opera" surrounding his links to Al Nassr have been "important promotion" for the club, says boss Rudi Garcia.
Portugal great Ronaldo remains a free agent after his contract with Manchester United was ended by mutual consent following his incendiary interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised the club's hierarchy and manager Erik ten Hag.
Reports surfaced earlier this month suggesting the Real Madrid legend had agreed an eye-watering two-and-a-half-year contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.
Ronaldo later denied any decision regarding his future had been decided, but Portugal exiting the World Cup at the quarter-final stage means he is free to focus on his next move.
Al Nassr coach Garcia would be more than happy to have the 37-year-old in his ranks, saying the situation would be similar to when he had Francesco Totti working under his tutelage at Roma.
"I can't say anything about Cristiano because otherwise it would immediately appear in the headlines," he told AS.
"What I see is that it has been a soap opera and it has been a very important promotion for Al Nassr.
"I think that any coach would be delighted to train a great star like Cristiano. I have always thought that the great players are the easiest to manage because they are very intelligent, I verified this with Francesco Totti at Roma."
According to Garcia, if circumstances had played out differently he would already have experienced what it is like to coach Ronaldo.
The Frenchman claimed to have been in discussions about taking over United on a temporary basis following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal before the Red Devils plumped for Ralf Rangnick instead.
"In November 2021, I was very close to going to United," he added.
"They chose Ralf Rangnick, but I met twice with John Murtough and Darren Fletcher [United's director of football and technical director].
"I came very close to coaching this club and was very motivated to go, who wouldn't be motivated to coach United?
"United's simple interest has allowed me to be sure of my ambitions in the future."
Lionel Messi deserves to lift the World Cup and will lead Argentina to glory in Sunday's final, according to Brazil's 2002 champion Rivaldo.
Messi produced another remarkable performance as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in Tuesday's semi-final, opening the scoring from the penalty spot before laying on a goal for Julian Alvarez after a fine solo run.
On the day he equalled Lothar Matthaus' all-time record of 25 World Cup appearances, Messi became the first player to score and assist in four games at the competition.
Messi's 11th World Cup goal also made him the Albiceleste's record goalscorer at the tournament, and with Brazil having fallen at the quarter-final stage, Rivaldo hopes Messi captures the trophy.
"We no longer have Brazil or Neymar in this cup final, so I'll stay with Argentina. No words for you Leo Messi," Rivaldo wrote on Instagram.
"You already deserved to be world champion before, but God knows all things and will crown you this Sunday.
"You deserve this title for the person you are and for the wonderful football you always played. Hats off to you. God bless you."
Messi's penalty on Tuesday also made him the first Argentina player to score in five games at a single World Cup, with Poland the only side to prevent him from netting in Qatar.
Taking to Instagram after the win, Messi wrote: "We came back to gain strength to play another great match.
"Thank you very much to everyone who trusted this group! Come on Argentina!"
Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel has had his convictions for common assault overturned by a judge at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court.
The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to the common assault of two teenage girls in Sydney on the eve of the UCI Road World Championships finale in September.
Van der Poel was subsequently charged on two counts after an altercation with the pair, aged 13 and 14, whom he alleges to have been knocking on his hotel room door.
He was also fined 1,500 AUD, though he appealed both the conviction and fine, and Judge Ian Bourke SC ruled in the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider's favour in Tuesday's hearing.
The judge said Van der Poel's action had been in "response to annoying and invasive conduct" by the girls.
Van de Poel's lawyer Michael Bowe told NCA NewsWire: "He didn't need a conviction. He's a dedicated sportsman and cyclist. It's important these matters were dismissed."
Tour de France and Giro d'Italia stage winner Van der Poel had been among the favourites to win the World Championship prior to dropping out with 230 kilometres to go.
Belgium's Remco Evenepoel went on to win the competition.
"I ran the argument on the basis of loss to Mathieu – he had one opportunity in his life to win the world championships and he's lost that opportunity," Bowe added.
"He'd trained for that opportunity. He'd let his country down, he'd let his team down."
Van der Poel has two wins in three cyclo-cross races so far this season, prevailing at the UCI World Cup rounds in Hulst and Antwerp.
Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick says he would love to offer some clarity over his future amid reports he is in line to lead England.
The Rugby Football Union are attempting to secure the Premiership Rugby winner to succeed Eddie Jones following the Australian's dismissal earlier this month.
With less than a year until the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, the search for a new head coach appears to have centred itself upon Borthwick.
But speaking ahead of his side's European Rugby Champions Cup clash with Clermont this weekend, the 43-year-old acknowledged he was unable to offer any information over his future.
"I know I'm coaching here this weekend against Clermont on Saturday," he said.
"That's what I am working towards. I'd love to give you clarity [around] everything going forward [but] unfortunately, I can't.
"For me, all I do is try to concentrate on giving the best for this team and these players that I care for very deeply.
"I will try and coach them to the best level I possibly can."
Borthwick was assistant coach under Jones with Japan, before linking up with the Australian in the England camp in 2015, with the pair reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup final together.
He stayed there until 2020, when he departed the national set-up to take charge at Welford Road, winning the top-flight title last season with the Tigers.
Any move to take Borthwick to England would leave Leicester potentially looking for two replacements, with defence coach Kevin Sinfield having been linked to follow him to Twickenham.
Oleksandr Usyk goaded Tyson Fury by calling him "Luke" and said their face-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was pre-planned.
The two heavyweights are expected to do battle at some point in 2023 in a huge unification bout and came face to face after Fury defeated Derek Chisora earlier this month.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Usyk called Fury by his middle name – a reference to a 2020 claim by Dillian Whyte, who said Fury had switched his first and middle names.
"When [the] cameras are off he's a different person," Usyk said.
"When cameras are on he's Tyson Fury, when they're off he's Luke Fury.
"Luke, I'm coming for you. I've been coming for him for a long time. I wish him a lot of health, happiness, love, patience and warm wind."
The unification bout is still fraught with complications, with the WBA ordering Usyk to defend his WBA Super belt against its regular champion Daniel Dubois.
But with Dubois and Fury both represented by Frank Warren that issue could still be resolved.
The anticipation of Fury-Usyk built after the former's win over Chisora when the latter came to the ring apron to get in his opponent's face.
"We negotiated it. If he agreed to fight, I would step onto the ring," Usyk said of the showdown.
"A lot of things were said since then, like he would slap me in my face. But apparently he changed his mind after having his buttocks burned."
"I look up, and we're throwing it to Penei, and I'm like, 'What the f*** are we doing?' They said, 'Coach, you said it was fine.' But it worked out great. It was unbelievable."
With back-to-back wins for just the second time this season, the Lions have overseen a dramatic turnaround in recent weeks, winning five of their last six games to bolster their playoff hopes.
They next make the trip to face the New York Jets on Sunday, before a Christmas Eve clash with the Carolina Panthers.
Lionel Messi will be fit and raring to go for Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final, team-mate Emiliano Martinez has said.
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi was in sensational form as La Albiceleste defeated Croatia 3-0 in Tuesday's semi-final in Qatar, scoring the opener from the penalty spot and assisting Julian Alvarez's second after a dizzying run.
There were some concerns for Argentina supporters when Messi clutched at his hamstring during the early stages of the contest.
But goalkeeper Martinez is confident it was just the toll of accumulated minutes, with Argentina having required extra time and penalties to defeat the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
"No, no [he's not injured]," Martinez said.
"We played 120 minutes against Holland, it was a hard game for him, but you can see he wants to finish every game. Physically he's really good and he's man of the match every game."
Argentina's run to the final was fraught with difficulty after they were stunningly beaten by Saudi Arabia in their opening group game.
Indeed, it needed some genius from Messi to inspire a 2-0 win over Mexico in their following match, a result that sparked Lionel Scaloni's men into life in Qatar.
Martinez is of the opinion everyone outside of Argentina wanted to see them fail in that fixture.
"I can't believe it we lost the first game all of sudden everything was upside down we lost the 36-game unbeaten run," the Aston Villa keeper added.
"Mexico the first half was a bit sloppy everyone wanted us to lose, everyone wanted us to lose. We're all fighters and we've got 45million Argentinians all behind us.
"We feel the crowd on the streets every time we play we feel like we are at home we are so happy to have them."
Argentina will face the victor of the semi-final, which pits defending champions France against surprise package Morocco.
Martinez has no preference over who they face in the showpiece fixture.
"They both had an incredible run they both different teams both really whoever comes it's a World Cup final and know it's going to be hard," he said.
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