Argentina's World Cup-winning boss Lionel Scaloni and Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti are among the finalists for The Best FIFA Men's Coach Award 2022.
The duo are listed alongside perennial candidate Pep Guardiola of Manchester City in the final three, with the latter named as a finalist for the third time.
Scaloni, who finished fourth last year, took La Albiceleste to victory at Qatar 2022 and is recognised for his efforts in helping to seal a first World Cup triumph since 1986.
Ancelotti is feted for his work with Madrid, after winning a continental double and becoming the first manager to win all five major European league titles.
Guardiola guided City to another Premier League triumph, though he fell short in the Champions League once again and saw his team's main rival Liverpool nab the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
The Spaniard will be looking to go one better than his previous two appearances as a finalist in the voting, having finished second in 2019 and third in 2021.
Among those included in the final three for The Best FIFA Women's Coach Award, England boss Sarina Wiegman picks up a sixth consecutive nod in the category.
The Lionesses manager, a two-time winner of the prize, led the team to a maiden major honour triumph at Euro 2022, securing victory against Germany on home soil.
She is joined by Brazil boss Pia Sundhage – the Swede having claimed Copa America Femenina glory – and Lyon's Sonia Bompastor, who won the treble with the French side.
The winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards will be announced on February 27.
Anthony Joshua's biggest motivation is now money as he prepares to revive his career when taking on Jermaine Franklin.
Two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua faces Franklin at London's O2 Arena on April 1 looking to bounce back from successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Franklin was beaten by Dillian Whyte in his most recent fight in November, that being the American's only defeat in 22 professional bouts.
Joshua is now determined to battle his way back to the top of the heavyweight division, starting with victory over Franklin in his homeland.
Asked at a press conference on Thursday what his biggest motivation is for taking on the fight, Joshua said: "Money, money, money. I like making money, straight up.
"I've been broke, my family's been broke, I know what this s*** means. I always built businesses outside of boxing, out of fear of going back to square one.
"But when I'm said and done, no one will care about me anymore, so I'll make the most of it while I'm here.
"My own expectations are my pressure, but pressure is being broke, worrying about your bills.
"Look what's happening in Syria, Turkey – the earthquake that just happened. Me going to fight is a blessing, no pressure."
Joshua lost the WBA, IBF and WBO belts with his defeat to Usyk in September 2021 and failed to win them back when they met again in Jeddah last August.
Having won each of his first 22 professional bouts, all but one of those by knockout, Joshua has now lost three of his past five fights since June 2019.
However, the Briton insists the pain of losing to Andy Ruiz Jr and twice to Usyk is motivating him to put even more into his boxing between now and retirement.
"I still feel really fresh and young," he said. "I made a conscious decision last year to put my heart into boxing and nothing else.
"It's not just the mind, where your head's at, it's your heart.
"Throughout my career, this is probably the most serious I've taken it. Everything I've been through – positive, negative – I'm using it to fuel my camp now."
Franklin has a 21-1 record following his defeat to Whyte, with 14 of his previous victories coming by way of knockout.
It will be Joshua's first fight with coach Derrick James in his corner, with the 33-year-old spending time in the United States training in preparation for his return to action.
"The world hasn't seen the best of Anthony Joshua," James said. "He's a great fighter. Great athleticism, great foot movement, very intellectual first and foremost.
"He understands this sport and understands what I'm asking him to do."
Fraser Forster can be a "perfect" replacement for Hugo Lloris during his absence with a knee injury, believes Tottenham assistant Cristian Stellini.
The former France international suffered the blow in his side's win over Manchester City and is facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines.
With manager Antonio Conte returning to work following his recovery from surgery, assistant Stellini will hand back over a squad lacking its first-choice goalkeeper.
But in ex-England shot stopper Forster, the Italian feels his compatriot will have an ideal understudy raring to go between the posts.
"We are all disappointed about Hugo" he said. "But I like Fraser. His behaviour this season has been perfect.
"He trained so hard and in this he also pushed Hugo to train hard.
"We mustn't forget that we have men before we have players and I like Fraser.
"Physically he's perfect for the Premier League and the style we have. He can also use both feet and it will be interesting to see him for the next few weeks."
Lloris has started 27 of Spurs' 31 games this season, while also featuring six times for France in their run to the World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina.
The ex-Lyon keeper, who is now into his 11th season with Tottenham, called time on his international career last month.
He has made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, which is more than any other goalkeeper from clubs across Europe's top five leagues.
Academy players Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman are the other two goalkeepers available to Conte.
Spurs have at least nine games to play before the end of March, including a two-legged Champions League last-16 tie with Milan.
Stefano Pioli has defended Milan's decision to not sign a new goalkeeper, despite first choice Mike Maignan still being ruled out indefinitely.
Maignan has not played for Milan since injuring his calf during France's 2-0 Nations League win over Austria on September 22.
The 27-year-old was subsequently ruled out of France's World Cup campaign and has now missed Milan's past 20 matches, with veteran goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu deputising.
Reigning Italian champions Milan's form has nosedived since the turn of the year, having gone seven matches without a win in all competitions, losing five of those.
Milan are unsure when Maignan will return, meaning Tatarusanu is set to start Friday's league game with Torino and next week's Champions League last-16 first leg with Tottenham.
It was previously suggested Milan's board were behind the decision to not recruit an established keeper in January, but Pioli has confirmed he also had a say in the matter.
"The choice was mine and that of the technical team," he said at Thursday's pre-match press conference ahead of facing Torino.
"We have faith in Tatarusanu and we think that Maignan could be back in action soon."
Asked exactly when he expects Maignan to return to the side, Pioli said: "I don't know. His recovery is progressing well and he's returned to the field, albeit not with the team."
In better news on the injury front for Milan, veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to team training last week and is closing in on a comeback after nine months out injured.
Pioli, whose side have slipped to sixth and are 18 points off leaders Napoli, suggested Ibrahimovic may play a part against Torino.
"He's feeling better," Pioli said. "His role in the side is to be a great motivator and a great player. He'll be with us tomorrow because he wants to be with us."
Rafael Leao is pushing for a recall after being named as a substitute in Milan's past two Serie A games – not since between March and July 2020 has he been benched three games in a row.
"Leao is important for me and the team," Pioli said of the Chelsea-linked forward, who has nine goals and seven assists in 28 appearances this season.
"He's back from the World Cup and played well against Salernitana before losing a bit of his brilliance. He's much happier when he's playing, but I see a motivated and focused player."
Pioli is aiming to avoid losing four successive Serie A games as a manager for only the second time, having previously done so in 2012 as Bologna head coach.
Milan have lost their past two meetings with seventh-place Torino – not since 1969 have they lost three in a row in this fixture – and Pioli accepts an improvement is needed.
"They are a tricky team to play against," he said. "They have caused problems by pressing all over the pitch.
"We have to move a lot better and do something different compared to our past two games against them."
President of Tennis Jamaica John Azar is pleased with the team’s performance in their recently concluded Davis Cup Group Two playoff match against Estonia at the Eric Bell National Tennis Centre in Kingston from February 4-5.
The Jamaicans won the tie 3-2 to advance to group two of the Davis Cup for the first time in over 25 years.
“I think the team played incredibly well. It’s one thing when we as the national association set the big stage for them but it’s another thing when they actually come out and perform,” Azar told SportsMax.TV.
Rowland “Randy” Phillips got the ball rolling for the hosts with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Kristjan Tamm, a win that Azar said set the tone for the rest of the tie.
“Randy Phillips played the first match and set the tone for the players that played after him. He was incredible as he always is,” said Azar.
Match two saw Jamaican number one Blaise Bicknell come from a set down to beat Kenneth Raisma 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 and put the Jamaicans 2-0 up.
The Estonians got on the board in match three when Raisma and Jurgen Zopp got the better of John Chin and Daniel Azar in doubles 6-1, 6-2 before Bicknell secured victory for the Jamaicans after Tamm was defaulted after losing a first set tiebreak in match four. Johannes Seeman got a consolation 6-1, 6-0 victory over Jacob Bicknell in the fifth match.
Azar was also elated with the crowd turnout at the tie, the first time Jamaica has hosted a Davis Cup tie since 2007.
“I think it was what we expected and more,” he said.
“The crowd turned out in their numbers, were loud and very supportive and, as I’ve always said, when you have a home tie in any sport, the crowd can tend to be a bit of a deciding factor so we’re definitely grateful for those who came out and showed their support. There were a lot of Tennis fans in attendance but also a lot of sporting fans in general,” he added.
The team will find out their next opponent at the group two draw at the ITF office in London.
“We’re into group two which is a stage we haven’t been for over 25 years so we’ll see when the draw, which is done at the ITF office in London, comes out who our next opponent is. I think the next tie will be in September and we’ll see if it’s a home or away tie. Obviously, we’re hoping it will be a home tie and, if we’re that fortunate, we’ll look into expanding the capacity at the Tennis centre and hope for an even bigger turnout.”
Manchester United and Crystal Palace have been charged by the Football Association over an incident that led to Casemiro's dismissal in their Premier League match last Saturday.
Casemiro was shown a red card after grabbing Will Hughes around the neck during a fracas that involved a whole host of players in the Red Devils' 2-1 Premier League win at Old Trafford.
Both clubs were on Thursday charged by the FA.
"Manchester United FC and Crystal Palace FC have been charged following a mass confrontation between their players in the 67th minute of the Premier League fixture on Saturday 4 February 2023," a Premier League statement read.
"It's alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.
"It's also alleged that Manchester United FC failed to ensure its players refrained from violent behaviour.
"Manchester United FC and Crystal Palace FC have until Monday 13 February 2023 to respond."
Casemiro has already served the first match of his three-game ban, missing Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Leeds United.
He will sit out the return fixture with the Whites on Sunday, and their subsequent clash with Leicester City.
Warren Gatland has left experienced trio Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric out of Wales' starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Scotland.
Wales were beaten 34-10 on home soil by Ireland in their tournament opener last weekend as Gatland's first game back in charge after replacing Wayne Pivac ended in defeat.
Gatland has rung the changes to his pack ahead of facing Scotland at Murrayfield, with British and Irish Lions veterans Jones, Faletau and Tipuric making way.
Jones and Tipuric have been left out of the matchday squad entirely, while Rhys Davies could make his Test debut from the replacements' bench.
Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza will make their first starts for Wales, who have also added Tommy Reffell to their back row.
"We created opportunities last week but weren't clinical enough in terms of finishing them off," said Gatland, who has won all 10 matches against Scotland as Wales head coach.
"We need to start better. We gave away stupid penalties and unforced penalties when we weren't really under a lot of pressure so that's been an area that we've spoken about."
Wales have won 13 of their past 15 matches against Scotland in the Six Nations (L2), including six of their seven matches at Murrayfield during that run (L1).
Scotland also named their 15-man team on Thursday, with Zander Fagerson returning to the front row in the only change from the 29-23 victory over England.
Fagerson, who missed the win at Twickenham having only recently recovered from a hamstring injury, replaces the benched WP Nel.
Last week's Calcutta Cup hero Duhan van der Merwe is joined in the back three by Kyle Steyn and Stuart Hogg, who continues at full-back.
Gregor Townsend has also named an unchanged bench, meaning no place in the squad for Hamish Watson, despite recovering from concussion.
Scotland have won their opening Six Nations fixture in each of the past three years, but they went on to lose to Wales in round two in both 2021 and 2022.
However, since beating Scotland in that most recent meeting 12 months ago, Wales have gone on to win just twice in 11 matches, losing their last three in a row.
Scotland XV: Stuart Hogg, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Jamie Ritchie (c), Luke Crosbie, Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, WP Nel, Jonny Gray, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris.
Wales XV: Liam Williams; Josh Adams, George North, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (c), Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Rhys Davies, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Rhys Patchell, Alex Cuthbert.
Josh Hart is heading to the New York Knicks in a deadline-beating trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, and Damian Lillard is going to miss him.
Hart was pulled from Portland's team on Wednesday, despite warming up with colleagues ahead of the clash with the Golden State Warriors.
Portland won without him, Lillard managing 33 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a 125-122 victory.
The Knicks will give Portland Cam Reddish and a 2023 first-round pick in exchange for 27-year-old Hart, who has previously played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans.
Ryan Arcidiacono and Svi Mykhailiuk are also going to Portland before Thursday's deadline, according to reports.
Lillard posted a message on Instagram after his triple-double feat, captioning a picture of himself and Hart: "All love and respect … no extras bra!"
Hart responded: "It's always love my brother ... no one I respect more."
Lillard told reporters it was a blow to see Hart leave, but a part of the game you have to accept.
"It's tough. I think for everybody who's been here, the entire time that I've been here, one of the hardest parts is when you form a friendship or form a bond with somebody," Lillard said.
"Everybody's looking at, what are they doing on the court? What can they do to get better? Everybody else is looking at it from a business standpoint and how to improve and all these things.
"But we get up and spend time with each other every day. We're on the plane together. We're in the practice facility. We're in a training room. We're in the locker room. We're in the cold tub. We're in the steam room."
Quoted by Oregon Live, Lillard said of such relationships: "We spend more time with each other than we do with our family.
"That makes it hard and especially with Josh, because we actually formed a friendship and you just get used to people being around. Anytime that happens, it's tough.
"He wanted to be in Portland. When you get people to come here and know that they want to be here, but the business takes over, it's just unfortunate.
"So, like I said, it's part of the business. It's the thing that I struggle with the most about it, but it's part of it. That's what we sign up for."
Hart is averaging a career-high 8.2 rebounds this season, although his points-per-game tally is down at 9.5, having been 14.9 in the last campaign.
Marcus Rashford's "unbelievable focus" is key to a Manchester United full of "bright, happy people", believes manager Erik ten Hag.
The England international endured a difficult 2021-22 campaign but is a forward reborn under the Dutchman at Old Trafford this term.
Rashford was on hand to rescue a point in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Leeds United, scoring his 11th Premier League goal of the season.
Ten Hag credits his turnaround with an increased attention to detail on and off the pitch, and suggests it has had a knock-on effect for his team-mates.
"He has unbelievable focus in this moment," Ten Hag told Sky Sports about Rashford.
"He is aware of it. If he makes the right movements, he or his team will bring him in the right position to score goals.
"In this moment, he sets the flow. He brings it every game on the pitch. If he has that energy and those levels, he will score goals.
"The only thing the team has to do is get him in that position."
Ten Hag added: "We see bright, happy people, I think [we must continue to] be positive. You have to approach the game in the positive mindset.
"If the whole squad bring it home, you have magnificent results, which is what we are going for."
Rashford is United's top scorer this season, helping to fill the void left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious mid-season exit from the club.
He will hope to be on target once again when the club make the short trip to Leeds for a rapid-fire return fixture at Elland Road on Sunday.
Javier Tebas accused European Super League organisers on Thursday of prowling like a cunning wolf and trying "to fool" those at the heart of football.
The president of Spain's LaLiga scoffed at newly announced plans for a competition featuring 60 to 80 teams spread across several divisions, guaranteeing clubs 14 games per season.
He had predicted in November that such a proposal was coming and was scornful then.
Now Tebas says the European Super League is only interested in how it might serve to benefit the rich clubs, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus the three teams who remain subscribed to the proposed new competition.
A similar proposal to the latest Super League concept was put forward in 2019, on that occasion by UEFA and the European Club Association, when it appeared the Champions League may become more of a closed shop.
However, that did not get off the ground, and if Tebas has his way, nor will this.
"The Super League is the wolf, who today disguises himself as a granny to try to fool European football," Tebas wrote on Twitter, "but HIS nose and HIS teeth are very big.
"Four divisions in Europe? Of course the first for them, as in the 2019 reform. Government of the clubs? Of course only the big ones."
A similarly dismissive statement posted to the LaLiga Corporativo Twitter account read: "The Super League is the wolf in the story of Little Red Riding Hood.
"It is disguising itself as an open and meritocratic competition, but underneath there is still the same selfish, elitist and greed driven project. Don't let their tales fool you."
The European Super League venture is being driven by the A22 group, led by CEO Bernd Reichart, after its previous April 2021 launch ended in calamity and humiliation, with nine of the 12 clubs pulling out almost immediately after a thunderous backlash.
Those were Premier League giants Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, LaLiga's Atletico Madrid, and Serie A clubs Milan and Inter.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta continues to back the controversial plans, which many in the game claim will cause lasting damage to domestic competitions.
Laporta said on Thursday: "It is progressing. It will be an attractive, sustainable competition, respectful of the health of the players.
"What we want is for the dialogue with UEFA not to break, and to harmonise with the national leagues. We must establish a deeper debate to coexist with the domestic leagues, as the Champions League coexists with the leagues.
"All to the point that the promoters of the Super League will have the right to organise competitions. It evolves. It is in progress.
"We are committed to the Super League project and to the sustainability of European football. We cannot compete with domestic clubs, nor with the Premier League, which allocates seven billion to the competition... there are comparative grievances.
"What commits us is the sustainability of football. We are three big clubs and we don't want to leave UEFA aside. It will be done in agreement with UEFA. We are not going through the path of rupture, we are going through the path of dialogue."
The Football Supporters Association, representing fans in England and Wales, accused European Super League backers of wilful ignorance towards fans.
It said: "The walking corpse that is the European Super League twitches again with all the self-awareness one associates with a zombie.
"They say 'dialogue with fans and independent fan groups is essential' yet the European Zombie League marches on – wilfully ignorant to the contempt supporters across the continent have for it."
Antonio Conte has returned to work with Tottenham after undergoing surgery last week to remove his gallbladder.
Spurs announced last Wednesday the Italian coach had to go under the knife after complaining of "severe abdominal pain" linked with cholecystitis.
Conte missed Tottenham's 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester City last weekend, with assistant Cristian Stellini filling in.
The 53-year-old flew back from Italy to England earlier this week and oversaw training on Thursday ahead of this weekend's trip to Leicester City.
However, it has not yet been confirmed by Tottenham whether Conte will be in the dugout at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
According to the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS), the procedure Conte underwent can take roughly a month to "return to your normal activities".
Tottenham, who are fifth in the Premier League, follow up their game against Leicester with a trip to Milan for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi's relationship with Barcelona is unaffected by comments made by the legendary forward's brother, according to club president Joan Laporta.
Matias Messi suggested in a question and answer session on streaming platform Twitch that "no one knew" Barca prior to his younger sibling's trophy-laden spell at Camp Nou.
The 40-year-old also said he would make sure to "kick out Laporta" as part of a "good cleaning" in the boardroom if his brother ever returned to the Catalan heavyweights.
He posted an apology on his Instagram account on Wednesday, stating he "was just joking with my son and friends", but the comments did not go down well at Barca.
However, speaking at a press conference on Thursday to discuss Barca's latest accounts, Laporta insisted those remarks will not impact Messi's status at the club.
"I take away the importance of anything said by his brother," Laporta said. "He has since apologised. I don't think about it any more.
"It doesn't affect the relationship [between Messi and Barcelona] at all.
"I don't want to comment on a player from another team any further out of respect.
"Leo Messi is forever part of Barcelona and we are proud of that. He is the best in the world and the best in history."
Messi scored a club record 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona across 17 seasons as a first-team player, during which time he won 35 trophies.
The Argentina international departed for Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021 and his famed number 10 shirt has since been inherited by fellow academy player Ansu Fati.
Fati has been linked with a move away from Barca in recent weeks, with Manchester United reportedly interested, but Laporta ruled out an exit in the next transfer window.
"Right now we are not considering it," he said. "I cannot predict the future, but Ansu Fati is a player with whom we have great hopes.
"It all depends on whether he remains useful for the club and for [head coach] Xavi. He has a lot of expectations on him and we are not willing to sell the player at this time.
"We have no news that the player wants to leave, and we will continue to do what suits the club."
Laporta also confirmed Ousmane Dembele is not for sale, while captain Sergio Busquets's future beyond the end of this season when his contract expires is still unknown.
Barcelona, who are eight points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, are back in action on Sunday with a trip to Villarreal.
Former Barcelona and Spain winger Marcos Alonso Pena, the father of current club left-back Marcos Alonso, has died aged 63.
Known as Marcos during his playing days, the former Blaugrana man played over a hundred games for the Camp Nou club between 1982 and 1987.
He also enjoyed spells with Racing Santander and Atletico Madrid either side of his time with Barca, and was a full Spain international, like his son.
In a statement, Barca expressed sadness at Marcos' death and passed on their support to their defender and his family.
"FC Barcelona would like to express its deepest condolences for the passing of former Barca player Marcos Alonso Pena," they wrote.
"All of our strength to Marcos Alonso and his entire family. Rest in peace."
Making his debut with Racing 1977, Marcos followed in the footsteps of his own father Marquitos, a former Real Madrid defender, in turning to football.
A move to Atletico followed before he first arrived at Barcelona in 1982, where he amassed multiple honours, including LaLiga and Copa del Rey success in a five-year spell.
He later returned to the Rojiblancos, before a brief spell at Logrones and a final return to Racing.
At international level, Marcos won 22 caps for Spain and was an unused squad member at Euro 1984, when La Roja finished as runners-up.
To mark his passing, a minute of silence was held at Barca president Joan Laporta's press conference on Wednesday.
United States forward Alex Morgan says it would be "bizarre" for the Women's World Cup to have a major sponsor from Saudi Arabia.
A possible move to see this year's FIFA tournament in Australia and New Zealand sponsored in part by tourism authority Visit Saudi has been revealed in recent weeks.
The move has generated significant backlash from both host countries, with focus on Saudi Arabia's human rights record, particularly in regard to women and LGBTQ people.
Morgan, a two-time World Cup winner with the USWNT, feels any partnership between the sport's governing body and Saudi Arabia would send a poor message to the tournament's players.
"I think it's bizarre that FIFA has looked to have a Visit Saudi sponsorship for the Women's World Cup," Morgan said.
"I, myself, Alex Morgan, would not even be supported and accepted in that country, so I just don't understand it.
"I think that what Saudi Arabia can do is put efforts into their women’s team that was just formed only a couple of years ago and doesn’t even have a current ranking within the FIFA ranking system because of the few games that they’ve played.
"So that would be my advice to them. And I really hope that FIFA does the right thing. Pretty much everyone has spoken out against [the proposed sponsorship] because morally it just doesn't make sense."
The United States step up their preparation for the World Cup this month with the SheBelieves Cup, as they prepare to face Canada, Brazil and Japan.
They will start their title defence against Vietnam at Auckland's Eden Park on July 22.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
