The NCAA has permanently banned former Fordham basketball players Elijah Gray and Will Richardson after uncovering a point-shaving plot orchestrated by an illegal gambling ring.
The governing body revealed that bettors approached college athletes under the guise of being Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agents.
They offered illicit payouts of up to $15,000 to deliberately lose a match against Duquesne in February 2024.
NIL disguise used by betting syndicate
Gray admitted to accepting the financial offer before ultimately reconsidering and playing with normal effort during a Fordham victory.
The North Carolina native agreed he violated ethical conduct rules by providing information to known gamblers.
However, the ex-Fordham athlete maintained he did not follow through on the actual match-fixing scheme during the game.
His former teammate was sanctioned for failing to cooperate with the probe and knowingly providing investigators with false information.
Federal indictments and lifetime bans
Both men have subsequently been ruled permanently ineligible to compete in collegiate athletics.
Federal authorities had previously pinpointed the Fordham-Duquesne fixture as a primary target for the match-fixing syndicate.
Gray, who later transferred to Temple and Wisconsin, has already pleaded guilty to federal charges and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Former NBA player Antonio Blakeney has also been indicted in connection with the widespread conspiracy.
Wider match-fixing investigation
Investigators noted that one of the implicated bettors contacted players via Instagram before the game, urging them to underperform and recruit teammates.
The former Ram told enforcement staff he actually recognised one of the instigators from youth tournaments in his hometown of Charlotte.
Another bettor, Marves Fairley, has indicated he will plead guilty to the federal charges brought against him.
Fairley is additionally facing a separate federal gambling indictment centred on sharing inside information within the NBA.
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid will be a game-time decision for Tuesday’s crucial Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks as he manages an ongoing ankle injury.
The Canadian franchise faces imminent elimination from the playoffs after falling 3-1 behind in the tense postseason series.
The NHL’s regular-season points leader sustained his ankle issue during the second matchup and has appeared visibly hindered on the ice since.
Despite the lingering physical problem, the prolific forward has still managed to register one goal and three assists throughout the tie.
Additional fitness concerns for Edmonton
The Oilers must also make a late assessment on the availability of fellow center Jason Dickinson.
Dickinson is currently battling a lower-body injury that previously forced him out of action for the second and third games.
He successfully returned to the ice for Game 4, but his ongoing participation remains uncertain ahead of Tuesday’s must-win encounter.
A defeat against the Californian outfit would abruptly end Edmonton’s hopes of keeping their Stanley Cup ambitions alive.
Marseille forward Mason Greenwood is facing intense dressing room criticism over his alleged poor attitude and a perceived lack of defensive effort.
The former Manchester United attacker was surprisingly dropped to the bench for the club’s recent Ligue 1 draw against OGC Nice.
While Marseille manager Habib Beye cited a minor injury for the omission, reports in France point to significant friction behind the scenes.
According to French outlet RMC Sport, several teammates believe the 24-year-old is selfish on the pitch and does not contribute enough without the ball.
Dressing room frustrations
There is growing resentment within the Stade Velodrome camp that the Englishman receives special treatment from club executives.
These frustrations have reportedly been exacerbated by incidents of him arriving late to training and reacting poorly to instructions from coaching staff.
Representatives for the one-cap England international have contacted club officials to maintain that their client has been playing through an underlying fitness issue.
However, former Ligue 1 midfielder Younes Belhanda recently claimed that the forward is creating a deeply negative environment.
“Greenwood? Him; from what it seems, he’s not all that great in training. I’ve heard things, at training… He does what he wants,” Belhanda stated.
“Has he won a certain number of matches? Yes, but if he brings you a bad atmosphere, that he has special privileges and that he does what he wants at training, it’s not the right example.”
Financial implications for Manchester United
The ongoing unrest could have significant financial ramifications for Premier League giants Manchester United.
The Old Trafford hierarchy included a substantial 50% sell-on clause when they sanctioned his permanent departure to France in 2024.
This exit was orchestrated as United sought to distance themselves following his 2022 arrest on serious charges, which were subsequently discontinued.
Despite the current controversy, the forward’s impressive output of 47 goals and 16 assists over two seasons ensures his market value remains exceptionally high.
Should his relationship with Marseille deteriorate completely, the Red Devils stand to earn a major windfall from any potential summer departure.
“In case of a future sale of Mason Greenwood, Man United will receive 50% of the transfer fee,” transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed.
“They still control 50% and could be big money if and when Marseille decide to sell Greenwood.”
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant remains a major doubt for Wednesday’s crucial Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers as he continues to recover from a sprained left ankle.
The 37-year-old did not participate in team practice on Tuesday before the squad travelled to California.
He was, however, seen running on an anti-gravity treadmill as his teammates completed their preparations.
The Texas franchise currently trail the first-round playoff series 3-1 and face elimination if they suffer another defeat.
Udoka refuses to rule out return
Head coach Ime Udoka was asked whether there was any possibility of his talisman featuring after missing the last two matches.
We’ll see. It is day to day, game to game.
Ime Udoka
The manager confirmed that the medical staff will continue to monitor the forward’s fitness ahead of tip-off.
We’ll have to get on the court and do some things, and he didn’t participate in practice today, but he’s doing the conditioning and other aspects to try to get back.
Ime Udoka
Playoff frustrations for veteran star
The former Phoenix standout has endured a heavily disrupted postseason, missing three games in this series alone.
He sat out the opener with a bruised right knee before returning for Game 2, scoring 23 points in 41 minutes.
It was during the closing stages of that 101-94 defeat where the NBA’s fifth all-time leading scorer sustained his current ankle problem alongside a bone bruise.
Despite his enforced absence, Houston managed to stave off elimination in Game 4 with a resounding 115-96 victory.
Heavy regular season workload
These recent injury setbacks follow an incredibly demanding regular season campaign for the prolific scorer.
In his first year in Houston following an off-season trade, he logged a staggering 2,840 minutes on the court.
That extraordinary workload ranked second across the entire league, highlighting his immense value to the organisation but raising questions over late-season fatigue.
Chelsea have begun the search for their next permanent manager, with Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso emerging as early candidates to take charge at Stamford Bridge.
The West London club are actively exploring their options as they look to stabilise the team following a period of managerial turnover.
According to sports reporter Ben Jacobs, the recruitment process is already well underway with several realistic targets identified.
Bournemouth head coach Iraola and Fulham manager Silva represent established Premier League options for the Blues hierarchy.
High-profile alternatives and complications
Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso remains a highly sought-after figure in European football.
However, extracting the Spanish tactician from the German champions is expected to be a highly complicated endeavour.
The ongoing assessment also includes evaluations of Julian Nagelsmann, alongside former players Cesc Fàbregas and Filipe Luís.
Speculation surrounding a sensational return for José Mourinho continues to circulate, though his immediate future remains unresolved.
Luis Enrique ruled out of Stamford Bridge switch
One prominent name seemingly removed from contention is current Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique.
The French giants are actively pushing to retain the 54-year-old on a long-term contract, making a move to England a non-starter.
Chelsea’s ownership group must now navigate this complex market to secure a leader capable of returning the two-time Champions League winners to the pinnacle of domestic football.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed a rarely used unrestricted free agent tender on veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers ahead of the post-draft deadline to protect their compensatory draft pick rights.
The strategic move ensures the franchise will receive valuable draft compensation if the 40-year-old signs with another NFL team before 22 July.
It also grants Pittsburgh exclusive negotiating rights if a deal is not reached with a rival organisation by that date or the start of training camp.
Under the conditions of the tender, the veteran could simply accept a 10% raise on his previous salary, earning him approximately $15m for the upcoming season.
Confidence remains over new deal
Despite applying the tag, team officials reportedly consider the manoeuvre purely procedural and remain highly confident of securing his signature.
Such tenders are highly uncommon in the modern era because players of his exceptional calibre rarely remain unsigned at this advanced stage of the league year.
The former Green Bay Packers star navigated a similar timeline last year, ultimately agreeing to a one-year contract just days before mandatory minicamp in June.
General manager Omar Khan previously expressed optimism at the NFL scouting combine that negotiations would conclude much faster during the current off-season.
Quarterback room expansion
While awaiting a final decision from their marquee signal-caller, the AFC North side proactively bolstered their offensive depth during the recent draft.
The team selected highly rated Penn State prospect Drew Allar in the third round to join a developing roster.
New head coach Mike McCarthy insists the rookie’s arrival will have absolutely no bearing on the ongoing contract discussions with their primary starter.
“This is about developing the room and trying to make the room as deep as we possibly can.”
McCarthy added that the focus remains entirely on building healthy competition alongside existing backups Will Howard and Mason Rudolph.
The squad will reconvene for their first voluntary organised team activities on 18 May, before mandatory minicamp begins in early June.
Senegal will begin their World Cup 2026 campaign in North America this summer while awaiting a crucial Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling over their revoked Africa Cup of Nations title.
The Lions of Teranga have been drawn in Group I alongside France, Norway and Iraq.
They enter the tournament hoping to build on Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago.
AFCON final chaos overshadows preparations
The West African nation’s build-up has been heavily distracted by the fallout from January’s chaotic continental final against Morocco.
Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest after their opponents were awarded a highly contentious penalty deep into second-half stoppage time.
Upon returning 17 minutes later, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved a Panenka attempt from Brahim Diaz before Pape Gueye secured a 1-0 victory in extra time.
Stripped of the continental title
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) later overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 forfeit victory because of the unauthorised walk-off instigated by manager Pape Thiaw.
The Senegalese federation immediately appealed the controversial decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Babacar Diarra, an African football expert, insists the squad and their supporters remain unfazed by the boardroom politics.
“The most recent reaction is that fans and players are just sticking to what happened on the pitch,” Diarra said.
“They want to consider themselves African champions, and they demonstrated that at the Stade de France by showing the trophy to the fans.”
“Whatever happens behind the scenes with the CAS decision, they own the trophy.”
The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday following a disastrous 9-19 start to the Major League Baseball season.
Reports in the United States indicate the struggling franchise dismissed the 60-year-old after dropping to the very bottom of the standings.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly will take immediate charge of the team on an interim basis.
Disastrous start prompts change
The Pennsylvania-based outfit entered Tuesday tied with the New York Mets for the worst overall record in the majors.
Despite possessing a high-profile roster built to compete for championships, the squad has consistently underperformed during the opening month of the campaign.
This severe slump ultimately forced the front office to make a decisive change in leadership to salvage their season.
Mattingly steps into the dugout
Mattingly brings significant managerial experience to a clubhouse that is desperately searching for a catalyst to turn their fortunes around.
The interim boss faces an immediate challenge to rectify the glaring issues that have plagued the roster over their first 28 games.
The initial news of the managerial change was first reported by The Athletic before being widely confirmed across US media networks.