Former Australian number one Marinko Matosevic has been banned from tennis for four years by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) following multiple anti-doping rule breaches.
The 40-year-old was found guilty of five infractions between 2018 and 2020, including using a banned blood doping method and advising other players on how to evade positive tests.
An independent tribunal ruled that the former world number 39 must also forfeit prize money and ranking points earned at two ATP Challenger events in February 2018.
Coaching career halted by tribunal
Matosevic originally retired from professional competition in 2018 to transition into a coaching role.
However, this strict suspension means the former ATP Most Improved Player of the Year cannot participate in or attend any sanctioned tennis event until March 15, 2030.
Independent tribunal chair Michael Heron KC noted that the severe infractions were highly premeditated.
His actions went far beyond passive association and constitute intentional participation.
Michael Heron KC
Player hits out at ‘corrupt’ process
Despite initially refuting the allegations, the Australian athlete eventually confessed to a single charge of blood doping on social media prior to his scheduled hearing.
In a defiant public statement, the disgraced coach accused the investigative body of unjust practices and relying on outdated text messages.
I am writing this letter to let the tennis world know how corrupt and unjust the ITIA process is.
Marinko Matosevic
The independent tribunal comprehensively dismissed all of his claims regarding the integrity of the investigation.
Background to the ban
Matosevic turned professional in 2003 and reached his career-high ranking of 39 a decade later during a peak period for Australian men’s tennis.
This overarching ban now covers all events authorised by major governing bodies, including the ATP, WTA, ITF, and Wimbledon.
Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with 74 breaches of agent and intermediary regulations covering a 13-year period between 2009 and 2022.
The west London club’s alleged misconduct primarily dates back to the seasons between 2010/11 and 2015/16 under the ownership of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
These historic charges relate to infractions of rules regarding football agents, working with intermediaries, and third-party investment in players.
The five-time Premier League champions were sold by Abramovich in 2022 following UK Government sanctions, but the club continues to face repercussions from decisions made during his tenure.
Historic rule breaches detailed
An FA spokesperson confirmed the extensive nature of the charges in a formal statement released on social media.
“The Football Association has today charged Chelsea FC with breaches of Regulations J1 and C2 of the FA Football Agents Regulations, Regulations of A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, and Regulations A1 and B3 of The FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations.”
The English governing body clarified that a total of 74 charges have been brought against the current Europa Conference League holders.
“The conduct that is the subject of the charges range from 2009 and 2022 and primarily relates to events that occurred between the 2010/11 and 2015/16 playing seasons.”
Looming deadline and upcoming fixtures
The Stamford Bridge outfit, now owned by the BlueCo consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, have until 19 September 2025 to formally respond to the allegations.
This off-field turbulence arrives just as the team has made a bright start to the 2025/26 domestic campaign, securing two wins and a draw from their opening three league outings.
The first-team squad must navigate a busy schedule ahead of their response deadline, including a league trip to Brentford and a Champions League clash away to Bayern Munich.
A crucial domestic fixture against Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United immediately follows the expiration of their FA deadline.
Iran have asked Fifa to relocate their upcoming World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The national team’s participation in this summer’s tournament was thrown into doubt following recent airstrikes by the US and Israel on Tehran.
Those strikes, which killed the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, prompted retaliatory attacks on American military bases in the Gulf.
Security concerns prompt relocation request
United States President Donald Trump stated last week that it was not appropriate for the Iranian squad to compete in the country for their own safety.
That prompted a swift response from the president of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj.
Taj confirmed that moving the team’s fixtures south of the border is the primary solution currently under consideration.
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America.”
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
Tournament logistics and potential withdrawal
The global showpiece, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on 11 June.
Under the current draw, the Middle Eastern nation are slated to play two group stage matches in Los Angeles and a third in Seattle.
Iran’s sports minister had previously suggested it was impossible for their players to participate following the outbreak of conflict.
An official withdrawal would be unprecedented in the modern era and leave world football’s governing body scrambling for a late replacement team.
Asian Football Confederation expects participation
Despite the escalating rhetoric, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) clarified they have received no formal notification of a withdrawal.
AFC general secretary Windsor John told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that the decision ultimately rests with the national federation.
“At the end of the day, it’s the federation who should decide if they’re playing, and as of today, the federation has told us that they are going to the World Cup.”
Lewis Hamilton has secured his first podium finish for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, declaring himself rejuvenated after a difficult debut season with the Italian team.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli converted pole position into his maiden Formula 1 victory, leading home team-mate George Russell in a dominant one-two finish.
The starting grid was notably missing the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who both failed to start following critical power unit failures.
Hamilton rediscovers his rhythm
The seven-time world champion looks in significantly better shape after two races this year than he did throughout a challenging 2025 campaign.
The 41-year-old was comprehensively outperformed by team-mate Charles Leclerc last season and openly struggled with his confidence on the track.
“I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically,” the former Mercedes driver said.
“Training this winter has been the heaviest and the most intense that I’ve ever had, and that probably comes hand in hand with being older.”
Adapting to a new aerodynamic era
The British veteran famously struggled to adapt his driving style to the ground-effect cars introduced during recent Formula 1 seasons.
His natural approach relies heavily on late braking and utilising pitch changes for rotation, a technique poorly suited to the previous aerodynamic philosophy.
However, recent technical regulations have shifted car dynamics back towards a style reminiscent of the pre-2022 era.
Age and technical evolution
This crucial aerodynamic shift has allowed the legendary racer to drive his car in a much more familiar and comfortable manner.
Pundits had previously questioned if age was restricting his ability to form new neural pathways and adapt to unfamiliar grip levels.
“I do think there’s more to come as I can still eke out more performance from this car while I continue learning about it,” Hamilton concluded.
Tottenham Hotspur are actively considering an approach for Robbie Keane to replace manager Igor Tudor amid a worsening Premier League relegation battle.
The north London club currently sit just one point above the dreaded drop zone.
Spurs secured their first point under the Croatian coach during a recent draw with Liverpool, but overall performances remain uninspiring.
Tudor was originally appointed to succeed Thomas Frank, yet the team has looked largely toothless in attack during his short tenure.
Relegation fears loom large
A defeat against Nottingham Forest this weekend could see the capital club plunge into the bottom three.
That catastrophic scenario will become reality if West Ham United manage to secure three points in their respective fixture.
With top-flight survival hanging in the balance, sources indicate the Tottenham hierarchy are exploring alternative options to spark an immediate turnaround.
Door open for a return
The former Spurs striker is currently managing Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros, where he has enjoyed notable success.
Having already won two league titles in his fledgling managerial career, the Irishman has developed a reputation for building a winning mentality.
Ferencvaros director Judit Berkesi recently admitted her club is realistic about losing highly-rated staff members to bigger leagues.
“This is actually the club’s merit in this respect, that we are already at a point where we can sell not only players well in certain cases, but also head coaches in the last two cases. It is certain that this possibility may also exist with Robbie in certain cases, despite the fact that he feels very good here, can really work in very good conditions, receives all the support that is possible, and the coaches can appreciate this as well.”
A necessary upgrade
These candid comments suggest obtaining the former fan favourite could be a relatively straightforward process.
Whether facilitated through a modest release clause or a mutual agreement, a pathway appears clear for a reunion.
Bringing back a beloved club legend who intimately understands the fanbase could instantly lift the sour atmosphere surrounding the stadium.
Decision-makers must now determine whether to ruthlessly pull the plug on the current regime before their Championship fate is permanently sealed.
Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC title against Dutch kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven in a highly anticipated crossover bout on 23 May.
The Ukrainian titleholder faces an unusual challenge as his opponent transitions from a decade of dominance in the Glory kickboxing promotion.
Verhoeven has only competed in one professional boxing bout prior to securing this unexpected championship opportunity.
Crossover challenge sparks debate
British bantamweight world titlist Jonathan Haggerty believes the challenger has earned his shot despite the monumental task ahead.
“He’s been a champion for years, undefeated,” Haggerty said.
“He’s just a beast of a guy really. He goes in there, demolishes people.”
The ONE Championship star acknowledged that fighting the best heavyweight on the planet will be incredibly difficult for the kickboxing specialist.
“I don’t think he’s got a chance really. Usyk’s the best in the world for a reason.”
Physicality against technical mastery
At 39 years old, the defending champion is entering the final stages of his illustrious career.
The younger Dutch challenger will attempt to use his significant physical advantages to disrupt the rhythm of the master technician.
Expert boxing trainer Peter Fury has been enlisted to help prepare the kickboxing legend for this unprecedented world title attempt.
“He is a unit, so Usyk’s just going to have to move,” Haggerty advised.
“Get stuck in, make it uncomfortable.”
Boxing world reacts
Former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith expects the technical gap between the two disciplines to be the deciding factor.
“It’s two different sports and I’d be surprised if Usyk doesn’t handily beat him,” Billam-Smith noted.
The veteran fighter admitted that while the matchup is unorthodox, it provides the kind of unique storyline that continually draws fans to the sport.
Having previously dismantled giants like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, the former undisputed cruiserweight king possesses a proven track record of neutralising larger opponents.
Former world champion Richie Woodhall praised the southpaw’s exceptional ability to counter-punch while maintaining relentless forward pressure.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has warned his squad about their damaging recent form as they prepare to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Reds welcome the Turkish giants to Anfield following a deeply frustrating 1-1 Premier League draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
That result leaves the Merseyside club two points adrift of Aston Villa in the race for domestic top-four qualification.
Recent struggles have visibly affected the stadium atmosphere, with some supporters booing the team and leaving early during the weekend fixture.
Slot frustrated by recurring flaws
The Dutch tactician highlighted his side’s inability to convert chances and maintain defensive solidity as major concerns.
Despite regularly generating a higher expected goals (xG) tally than their opponents, the six-time European champions have repeatedly dropped vital points.
“Of course it is damaging but how many times has this been damaging for us this season?”
“We don’t help ourselves at all. It is so many times this season we have created much more xG or chances than the amount of goals we score.”
Slot acknowledged that a severe lack of clean sheets is hindering their ambitions to climb the Premier League table.
“Usually in the Premier League you see a lot of teams outperforming their xG but that definitely is not what we are doing.”
Szoboszlai reveals squad crisis talks
The pressure of consecutive disappointing displays has prompted urgent internal discussions among the playing staff.
Hungarian international Dominik Szoboszlai confirmed that the squad held meetings to address their deteriorating form.
“We had already a couple of weeks ago a talk between each other saying: ‘Guys we don’t have such a lot of time to do this right so we have to wake up’.”
The 24-year-old midfielder also expressed severe disappointment with the lack of support from the stands during difficult moments.
Trailing from the first leg of their round of 16 tie, the former RB Leipzig playmaker urged supporters to remain behind the team against Galatasaray.
“I don’t think it helps us also that after 80 minutes people start to go home, it doesn’t help us at all.”
“Stick with us.”
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk could seek a loan move to restart his career once the outcome of his provisional doping suspension is resolved.
The Ukrainian international remains sidelined from action at Stamford Bridge while awaiting a final regulatory verdict.
Reports indicate the wide player will look for temporary opportunities away from West London if he is cleared to return to professional football.
Such a transfer would provide the former Shakhtar Donetsk forward with vital playing time following a turbulent spell in the English top flight.
Tudor retains Tottenham interim role
Elsewhere in the capital, Igor Tudor will continue as interim head coach at Tottenham Hotspur for two crucial upcoming fixtures.
The Croatian tactician is confirmed to oversee Wednesday’s highly anticipated Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.
He will also remain in the home dugout for the pivotal Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal receive Odegaard fitness boost
Mikel Arteta has offered Arsenal supporters renewed hope regarding the recovery of influential club captain Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian playmaker could potentially feature in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
His timely availability would provide a significant creative lift for the North London outfit as they seek major domestic silverware.
Clarke contemplates club management return
North of the border, Steve Clarke has publicly admitted he is open to receiving offers from domestic club sides.
The experienced manager’s long-term future with the Scottish national team currently hangs in the balance.