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• Furious Flick says Barcelona were fortunate to draw at Celta

  Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said his errant players only had themselves to blame for their 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo in LaLiga, adding they were fortunate to even escape with a point.

  Barca opened a two-goal lead thanks to efforts from captain Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, but after Marc Casado was sent off in the 82nd minute, the hosts fought back with two late strikes.

  Alfon Gonzalez and Hugo Alvarez were on target as Celta denied Barca the chance to move eight points clear at the summit, and Flick said his side could have few complaints.

  "It wasn't only the last few minutes, we played a really bad game tonight," Flick told DAZN.

  "If you don't play at 100% you can't win. That's just the way it was the whole game. We have to be honest.

  "These things happen. It was a bad game. The players are not happy. Everyone can play better than what we did today. You have to stay focused. Sometimes it may seem that what we do is easy, but it is not."

   

  Flick would not point fingers at Casado for the red card or defender Jules Kounde for a bad mistake that led to Celta's first goal. Instead, he criticised his side's collective effort and performance levels.

  "The red card and Kounde's mistake are just a consequence of the bad game from the team. We made a lot of mistakes and lacked confidence on the ball throughout the match," Flick said.

  "We didn't play the football we are used to but we were lucky with some situations and in the end got a point but we have to react because it cannot be repeated.

  "I hope what we saw today doesn't have a negative impact in our Champions League game against Brest on Tuesday. We have to learn with the mistakes we move on."

  Barca top LaLiga with 34 points, five ahead of Atletico Madrid in second and seven ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, who have two games in hand. 

• III Panam Sports Athletes Forum concludes in Dominican Republic, inspires continental growth

  After three days of engaging presentations and discussions, the III Panam Sports Athletes Forum concluded Saturday, leaving a lasting impact on over 90 athletes from across the Americas. Held in Punta Cana, the forum featured more than 18 hours of presentations, 25 exhibitors, and 130 attendees, offering invaluable insights into post-career opportunities, personal branding, anti-doping, and safe sport, among other topics.

  The forum brought together representatives from 38 of the 41 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) with active Athletes’ Commissions, while the remaining NOCs are in the process of establishing their commissions. This momentum underscores the importance of athlete representation in shaping the future of sport in the Americas.

  Panam Sports President Neven Ilic hailed the forum as a success, emphasizing its role in fostering the growth of Athletes' Commissions across the continent.

  “The balance is extremely positive. We are very happy for everything that was experienced during these three days, and we hope that all the athletes will transmit everything they have learned in their respective countries. Sport of the Americas is growing, and the work of the Athletes' Commissions is becoming fundamental for this development,” Ilic said.

  Ilic encouraged athletes to continue advocating for their representation within their NOCs.

  “As Panam Sports, we know how important it is that all the Olympic Committees of the Americas have an active Athletes' Commission that contributes to the decisions of the sports leaders. My message to all athletes is that they continue working and that their voice continues to be heard loudly throughout the continent,” he added.

  

  The forum also received praise from Isabel Swan, President of the Panam Sports Athletes’ Commission and Olympic medalist, who highlighted the forum’s success in advancing the mission of Athletes’ Commissions.

  “The athletes of the Americas are growing in terms of their Commissions. We had very beneficial days, each one of the presentations impacted our athletes, and I know that they take with them a great experience to share in their countries. I am very happy as President, we are on the right track, and I know that soon we will have all the Panam Sports National Olympic Committees with active Athletes' Commissions in our continent,” said Swan.

  One of the standout moments of the forum was a powerful presentation by Mariana Pajón, Colombia’s double Olympic gold medalist in BMX, titled “The Road to Gold has 3 Steps: Dream-Work-Enjoy.” Her heartfelt story resonated deeply with attendees.

  “I am surprised. I never thought my presentation would thrill so many athletes. I always present it to big businessmen in Colombia, and this was the first time I addressed my peers, the athletes of the continent. I am very grateful for the opportunity that Panam Sports gave me to share my life experience in this Forum,” said Pajón.

  

  Topics covered during the forum included sustainability, mental health, marketing and communications, personal branding, and the importance of safe sport. The discussions aimed to equip athletes with tools to enhance their careers and post-sport lives while fostering a culture of growth and representation across the Americas.

  The III Continental Athletes’ Forum was broadcast live via the Panam Sports Channel, and its sessions will soon be available as video-on-demand for those who missed the event. With its conclusion, the forum leaves behind a roadmap for stronger, more active Athletes' Commissions and a brighter future for sport in the region.

   

   

   

   

• 'In eight years we never lived like this' – Guardiola shocked by City drop-off

  Pep Guardiola admits he has been surprised by Manchester City's alarming dip in form, saying: "In eight years we never lived like this".

  Guardiola is in the midst of the longest losing run of his managerial career, with City suffering a fifth straight defeat in all competitions on Saturday as they were thrashed 4-0 by Tottenham.

  They have also lost three Premier League games in a row and could end the weekend eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who visit bottom club Southampton on Sunday.

  It is their worst run in the competition since they lost three straight between February and March 2016, when they finished fourth under Manuel Pellegrini.

  "In eight years we never lived this. I knew sooner or later we would drop," Guardiola said after Saturday's game.

  "I never expected to lose three Premier League games in a row but we have been incredibly consistent again and again and again. 

  "Now we cannot deny the reality that sometimes happens in football and life is here."

   

  City's drop-off has coincided with star midfielder Rodri – who won the Ballon d'Or last month – being sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

  Guardiola's side did not lose any of the 34 Premier League matches in which Rodri appeared last season, winning 27 and drawing seven, though they lost three of four when the Spaniard was absent.

  Each of City's last six league defeats have come when Rodri has not featured, but former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes their poor run cannot be totally blamed on his injury.

  "We've seen City lose the odd game here, but we've very rarely seen them outplayed in every department, but that's what we're watching," pundit Neville told Sky Sports.

  "They look well short. As short as I've seen them since Pep's first season. I've not seen them as bad as this, how they've been in the last few weeks.

  "He will have wanted that international break to come, thinking it would be a reset moment. But now here, it further entrenches the opinion this is a City side currently in decline.

  "This is more than just Rodri, far more."