Tag: Player Welfare
-
What the AFL Must Fix for 2026 and Beyond: Leadership, Clarity, and Club Experience
Why a Clear Leadership Lineup Matters for 2026 As the AFL looks toward 2026 and beyond, one of the league’s most pressing tasks is establishing unequivocal leadership. With CEO Andrew Dillon backing a recalibrated football leadership team—appointing Tom Harley and Greg Swann to pivotal roles—the organization aims to avoid any ambiguity about who is driving…
-
Five football talking points for the 2026 campaign
Introduction As Gaelic football braces for the 2026 inter-county season, conversations are dominated by how the calendar and the game itself are evolving. The long gap between seasons has become a talking point in itself, with stakeholders weighing the benefits of a shorter year against potential downsides. Here are five football talking points that are…
-
England defends mid-Ashes beach break as probe into reports of excessive drinking looms
England defends mid-Ashes break as reports of excessive drinking emerge The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has come to the defence of its players after a mid-tour break in Noosa, Queensland, during the Ashes series against Australia. With the scoreboard reading 3-0 in Australia’s favour, the team paused their on-field duties to rest, reset,…
-
Pep Guardiola Rejects Christmas Break Request After West Ham Win
Guardiola’s Stance Sets a Tough Christmas Tone for Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly rejected an appeal from his squad for an extended Christmas break following their 3-0 victory over West Ham. The outcome leaves City fans and analysts weighing the implications of a manager known for balancing high standards with a…
-
AFCON to Switch to Four-Year Cycle from 2028: What It Means for African Football
AFCON moves to a four-year cycle The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will transition to a four-year cycle starting with the 2028 edition, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed. This marks a significant shift from the biannual schedule that has governed the continent’s premier national team competition for decades. CAF’s decision aims to recalibrate…
-
Ashes 2025: Perth Test Could Fast-Forward the Series
Introduction: A two-day shock and a potential reshuffle The Ashes 2025 began with a jolt in Perth as England suffered a crushing defeat in just two days, the first two-day Test in 104 years. The alarming pace of the contest has already sparked widespread questions about the future rhythm of the series. If Perth’s rapid…
-
MLS Calendar 2027: Aligning with Top Leagues for a Summer-to-Spring Schedule
Overview: A Bold Calendar Shift for Major League Soccer Major League Soccer has voted to overhaul its competition calendar, moving from a February-to-December season to a summer-to-spring format beginning in 2027. The decision, aimed at aligning MLS with many of the world’s leading leagues, marks a historic step in the league’s evolution. Proponents argue that…
-
Crowd Involvement Raises the Stakes in GAA’s Fight Club Narrative
Introduction: The crowd as an unexpected opponent In the world of Gaelic games, the phrase “fight club” might sound like a provocative metaphor. Yet in many communities, it captures a chilling truth: when spectators become participants in the tension around a game, the stakes rise dramatically. A WhatsApp thread about a recent GAA match can…
-
ISL Revival: Indian Players Demand Restart of ISL
Indian Footballers Call for an Immediate ISL Restart In a rare show of unity, a group of Indian footballers issued a joint statement on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, demanding that the Indian Super League (ISL) be revived and the paused season resumed at the earliest. The players said their anger and frustration have intensified into…
-
Spain’s Lamine Yamal Withdraws from November Squad After Invasive Procedure
Overview: A Sudden Setback for Lamine Yamal and Spain The Spain national team faced unexpected disruption on the eve of its November camp as star forward Lamine Yamal withdrew from the squad following an invasive procedure. The announcement, made on the day the Barcelona attacker was due to report for international duty, has sent a…