The Iran women’s national team reportedly face the threat of the death penalty for treason after refusing to sing their national anthem at the Asian Cup in Australia.
The players staged a silent protest during their opening match against South Korea on Monday.
They declined to sing the anthem or perform a military salute, an action interpreted as defiance against the country’s regime.
Iranian state television has since labelled the squad as "traitors", raising grave concerns for their safety upon their imminent return.
Accusations of wartime treason
Presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi issued a stark warning on state-linked media following the broadcast of the initial match.
In times of war, traitors must be dealt with more harshly. Anyone who takes even a single step against the country during wartime must face stronger consequences.
Under the Iranian penal code, acts considered treasonous can be classified as capital offences punishable by execution.
Journalist Ali Bornaei stated on social media that the athletes face arbitrary detention and danger to their lives if forced to return to Tehran.
The squad notably resumed singing the anthem in their subsequent defeats to the tournament hosts and the Philippines.
Calls for Australian asylum
Following their elimination from the tournament, calls have mounted for the Australian government to offer the players protection.
Julian Leeser, Australia’s shadow attorney general, urged the government to intervene on International Women’s Day.
Given the serious threats, members of the Iranian team should be offered asylum if they want it. The Australian government should not turn a blind eye to the danger these women face.
Refugee Council chief executive Paul Power confirmed that available evidence suggests the group is at significant risk.
Team Melli Banovan exited the competition on Sunday after conceding nine goals across three group stage matches.
West Ham striker Callum Wilson has agreed a new one-year contract extension with the club, securing his future at London Stadium for the 2026-27 campaign.
The agreement marks a significant turnaround for the forward, who had been in discussions to leave the Hammers earlier this year.
According to reports from The Telegraph, the deal has been finalised following his resurgence in the second half of the season.
Turnaround after January exit talks
Wilson’s future in east London had appeared uncertain as recently as the January transfer window.
The former Newcastle United marksman held talks regarding the potential termination of his contract just months after arriving at the club.
He attracted interest from other English sides and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab during a period where his game time was limited.
Growing importance to Hammers
The England international initially joined West Ham on a free transfer last August following his departure from St James’ Park.
While the experienced frontman struggled for minutes during the opening months of his tenure, he has since established himself as a key figure in the squad.
His increased influence on the pitch has now persuaded the club hierarchy to extend his stay in the capital beyond the current season.
Ugly scenes marred the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox as fans invaded the pitch following Celtic’s penalty shootout victory over Rangers.
Disorder follows dramatic shootout
The Hoops advanced to the semi-finals after Tomas Cvancara scored the decisive spot-kick to settle a tense 0-0 draw.
However, the football was immediately overshadowed as supporters from both sides breached the advertising hoardings and stormed the playing surface.
Police and stewards were forced to intervene rapidly to separate the rival factions as flares were ignited amidst the disorder.
Standard journalist George Flood described the situation as "utter pandemonium" in the immediate aftermath of the result.
Flood reported seeing "scores of fans" entering the field of play, with security struggling to contain the initial surge.
He further noted that an individual appeared to attempt an attack on a member of the visiting coaching staff during the commotion.
Impact on away allocations
Order was eventually restored as security forces managed to keep the opposing groups apart, though the scenes will prompt serious questions for Scottish football authorities.
The violence comes just seven days after a thrilling 2-2 Premiership draw between the Glasgow giants, highlighting the intense nature of the rivalry.
Both clubs had recently negotiated for full away allocations to return to the fixture, but these events may now jeopardise that progress.
Flood described the incident as "not a good look" for either side given the recent efforts to improve the atmosphere for travelling supporters.
For the hosts, the defeat was compounded by penalty misses from captain James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama.
Oxford United have announced the tragic death of 15-year-old academy player Amelia Aplin following her collapse during a match against Fulham on Saturday.
The teenager fell ill during the fixture taking place at the club’s training ground in Horspath.
Medical staff from both teams and emergency services treated the youngster at the scene, but she sadly passed away.
Club statement and support
Oxford United confirmed the news in a statement released on Sunday, expressing their devastation at the loss.
The club said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of 15-year-old academy player, Amelia Aplin.”
The U’s also placed on record their appreciation for the efforts of the medical professionals who attended to the player.
Support is now being offered to Amelia’s family, as well as players, coaches, and staff impacted by the traumatic event.
Oxford United have requested that the family’s privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time.
Football community pays tribute
Tributes have poured in from across the footballing world for the talented prospect.
The Football Association expressed their deep sadness, stating their thoughts were with her family and everyone associated with the club.
Fulham, whose academy side were the opponents on the day, also shared their condolences.
“Everyone at Fulham Football Club is shocked and saddened to hear this news,” a club spokesperson said.
“Our thoughts are with Amelia’s family and friends, and all associated with Oxford United FC.”
Local rivals Oxford City joined the tributes, sending sincere condolences to their neighbours during what they described as an “incredibly sad time”.
Sports commentator Jacqui Oatley and fellow Women’s National League sides, including Exeter City and Chesham United, also offered messages of support.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has opted for a modest electric vehicle for club duties after finally passing his driving test at the age of 27.
The France captain declined the club’s offer of a top-range BMW i7, preferring a smaller model as a novice driver.
Instead, he has selected the BMW iX3, reportedly feeling the smaller dimensions are more manageable for his first regular vehicle.
Real Madrid’s commercial partnership with the German manufacturer requires all first-team players to drive the brand’s vehicles to training sessions and official functions.
New wheels for Bernabeu stars
England international Trent Alexander-Arnold has also favoured practicality over the luxury saloon option following his move to the Spanish capital.
The former Liverpool defender selected the iX xDrive60, an electric SUV valued at approximately £95,000.
Alexander-Arnold was previously unable to drive his personal Range Rover to the Valdebebas training complex due to the strict sponsorship protocols currently in place.
A long road to the licence
Despite a trophy-laden career including a World Cup triumph, Mbappe had previously stated he lacked the time to focus on obtaining a driving licence.
Recent footage from outside the training ground captured the former Paris St-Germain striker driving himself for the first time.
The decision to reject the flagship i7 appears pragmatic, as the saloon measures 5.4 metres in length compared to the 4.7-metre iX3.
Lindsey Vonn has admitted she is set to lose her status as the world’s number one downhill skier following the leg injury that ended her Winter Olympic campaign.
The 41-year-old saw her hopes of claiming a medal in Milano-Cortina shattered last month when she sustained a severe leg fracture just 13 seconds into her downhill run.
Vonn was airlifted to hospital after screaming in agony on the piste, eventually requiring four operations in Italy before returning to the United States.
Painful acceptance for American star
In an emotional update to supporters, the American speed specialist acknowledged that her absence from competition means relinquishing the red leader bib.
“Well… I’ve had the red leader bib from the first race of the season until now, but in all likelihood tomorrow will be my last day as #1,” she said.
“At the beginning of the season, no one would have ever believed I would be even close to this position.”
“But winning the title was my goal… and I came painfully close to achieving it.”
An extraordinary comeback
Vonn had stunned the skiing world by returning to elite competition following a six-year retirement and a partial knee replacement.
Despite the premature end to her season, the Minnesota native recorded two victories and reached the podium in every downhill race she completed.
“I clawed my way back to #1 in the world after being retired for 6 years with a partial knee replacement and that alone was an incredible achievement I won’t ever forget,” she added.
“Even though in a few days no one will remember that I almost won the season title, I will remember.”
“I didn’t want to win the title to prove anything to anyone. I did it because I knew I could.”
Uncertainty over future
Vonn is now focusing on rehabilitation, though questions remain regarding whether she will ever compete professionally again.
She admitted that missing out on the title has been difficult to process because of her enduring love for the sport.
“My tears just mean I care. I always have. That’s why I work so hard. Skiing is my passion,” she said.
“Whether I’ll ever be able to do it again is…”
Former Olympian Emanuel Perathoner has claimed Italy’s first gold medal of their home Winter Paralympics with a dominant victory in the men’s snowboard cross.
A historic transition
The 39-year-old stormed to victory in the LL2 lower limb category to cap a remarkable sporting transformation.
He finished more than three seconds ahead of Australian silver medallist Ben Tudhope, with Korea’s Lee Jehyuk taking bronze.
Perathoner has now joined an exclusive club of approximately 20 athletes to have competed at both the Olympics and Paralympics.
Having represented Italy at two Winter Olympics, his able-bodied career appeared over following a devastating crash one year before Beijing 2022.
The road to recovery
The South Tyrolean suffered multiple fractures and “destroyed” his knee, eventually requiring a total joint replacement.
He initially focused simply on learning to walk again, believing his competitive days were behind him because he “still had all the pieces” of his body.
However, a chance meeting with the national para-snowboard team at a training camp in Stelvio convinced him a new path was possible.
“I knew something about the Paralympic world, but until you’re in it, you don’t realize how competitive it is: how ignorant I was.”
Perathoner told Italian outlet La Gazzetta.
Dominance on home snow
Since making his para-debut in late 2022, the Italian has been a formidable force despite limited mobility in his ankle and knee.
He arrived in Cortina as the overwhelming favourite, boasting 31 World Cup medals and three World Championship titles.
That form continued on Sunday as he eased through the preliminary rounds before delivering a masterclass in the final.
It marked a poignant moment for the local favourite, who celebrated in front of his family near his hometown.
“I thought: the last four years have been totally worth it. All the work that I was putting in, and all the travelling, all the time away from home, it was totally worth it.”
Hernandez defends title at 51
There was further history in the women’s event as France’s Cecile Hernandez successfully defended her title.
The 51-year-old claimed her second successive gold medal just moments before Perathoner’s triumph.
It takes her overall tally to five medals across four Games, 12 years after winning silver in Sochi.
Former England midfielder Joe Cole believes Arsenal are destined to reach the Champions League final in Budapest following a favourable knockout stage draw.
The Gunners are the only team to hold a perfect record in this season’s competition having won all eight group matches.
Mikel Arteta’s side have avoided European heavyweights Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich until the potential showpiece event.
‘Book your tickets’
Arsenal have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 and would face either Sporting Lisbon or Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals.
With the traditional giants of the competition all placed on the opposite side of the draw, Cole is confident the north London club will go the distance.
“Every team that has won it for the last ten years is on one side: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, so it has opened up for Arsenal,” Cole told The Dressing Room Podcast.
“I think, personally, it’s going to be an Arsenal versus Manchester City final.”
The former Chelsea player suggested the path to the final in Hungary has been laid out perfectly for the Premier League leaders.
“In summary, the Champions League draw, they’ve opened it up, someone has rolled it across the goal for Arsenal,” he added.
“Arsenal fans, book your tickets for Budapest, in my opinion.”
Quadruple chase
Arteta’s side maintained their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple by defeating Mansfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.
They currently sit top of the Premier League and face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final later this month.
While the club have never won the Champions League, their recent European form includes impressive victories over Bayern Munich and Inter Milan during the group stage.
The Gunners reached the semi-finals last season before being eliminated by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.