The future of LIV Golf is in serious doubt following an emergency executive meeting in New York amid reports that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund is considering withdrawing its financial backing.

Executives from the breakaway circuit held urgent discussions on Tuesday to address mounting concerns over the project’s long-term viability.

The sovereign wealth fund has reportedly poured almost $5bn into the controversial league over the past four years.

However, the UK-based entity behind the enterprise posted significant operating losses of £461.8m in 2024 alone.

Mounting financial pressure and strategic shifts

Speculation surrounding the tour’s potential demise aligns with a broader strategic shift from its primary financial backers.

The Saudi fund, which manages nearly $1tn in global assets, recently outlined a revised investment blueprint for the remainder of the decade.

This new approach mandates a strict focus on achieving sustainable value and increasing overall investment efficiency across their vast portfolio.

Consequently, tour executives are believed to be evaluating an exit strategy while determining the immediate next steps for the golf venture.

Mexico City disruptions and player reactions

Despite the backstage turmoil, preparations for this week’s scheduled tournament in Mexico City are continuing.

Yet the atmosphere at the venue has been notably strained, with Tuesday’s media obligations abruptly cancelled.

Officials blamed local power outages for the sudden closure of the media centre and the abandonment of scheduled press conferences.

Meanwhile, competitors remain officially in the dark regarding any impending collapse of the Saudi-backed circuit.

Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia insisted that the roster still trusts the reassurances provided earlier this year.

“Honestly, we aren’t going to listen to anything except for what Yasir [Al-Rumayyan] told us at the start of the year, that he is behind us, that they have a project for many years.”

The Spanish veteran acknowledged the swirling rumours but maintained that players have received no official updates regarding an imminent shutdown.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will compete at this summer’s World Cup in the United States despite the ongoing military conflict between the two nations.

The head of world football’s governing body made the definitive declaration during an investment forum in Washington D.C. on Tuesday.

Doubts had heavily surfaced regarding the Asian nation’s participation following the outbreak of war in late February.

Request to relocate fixtures rejected

Iranian government officials previously suggested their national team could not safely travel to American soil.

Requests were subsequently made to move their group-stage matches south of the border to co-host nation Mexico.

However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed last week that those appeals were firmly rejected by Fifa.

“The Iranian team is coming, for sure. Yes.”

Infantino stated while speaking to delegates at the Invest in America Forum.

“We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come, of course. They represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”

Building bridges through sport

Prospects of the squad fulfilling their tournament obligations improved after a recent visit to their training camp in Antalya, Turkey.

The 54-year-old Swiss executive met with the players and stressed his belief that sport must remain entirely separate from geopolitical matters.

“If there is nobody else that believes in building bridges and in keeping them intact and together, well we are doing that.”

Infantino added, reiterating his commitment to global sporting unity.

Tournament schedule and logistics

The Iranian team secured their qualification for the expanded global showpiece in March 2025.

Their delegation is strictly expected to arrive at a designated base camp in Tucson, Arizona, no later than 10 June.

The squad will open their campaign against New Zealand at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, five days later.

Subsequent group fixtures will see them face Belgium at the same venue on 21 June before travelling to Seattle to play Egypt.

United States President Donald Trump has offered mixed messages regarding the team’s arrival, fluctuating between welcoming the players and questioning their safety.

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira believes Declan Rice has the necessary leadership qualities to rescue the club’s faltering season and secure major silverware.

The Gunners have endured a dismal recent spell, suffering eliminations from both domestic cup competitions before a shock Premier League defeat by Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta’s side now face a pivotal Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting CP, holding a slender 1-0 advantage from the first encounter.

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the crucial European tie at Emirates Stadium, the legendary French midfielder urged the current squad to remember their early-season form.

Arsenal urged to rediscover early-season momentum

“I think I would remind them about what they’ve been doing since the first game of the season,” Vieira said.

“I would remind them that the majority of the coaches and the teams will want to be in their shoes.”

The former Invincibles skipper acknowledged the recent dip in performances, citing mounting injury problems and a drop in individual levels.

“It’s true that they’re having a really difficult run at the moment, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t win it,” he added.

Rice and Gabriel identified as crucial leaders

To navigate this challenging period, the 48-year-old insists that senior figures within the dressing room must now step forward.

He specifically highlighted the England international midfielder alongside Brazilian defender Gabriel as the necessary catalysts.

“I don’t know how he is in the dressing room but something I like on the field, he is the engine of the team, the drive of the team,” Vieira noted regarding the former West Ham captain.

“His natural leadership will be really important for the rest of the season.”

A return to attacking fundamentals

Beyond individual mentalities, the three-time Premier League winner also questioned recent tactical adjustments at his former employer.

He noted a concerning shift towards sterile possession, urging a swift return to the clinical, forward-thinking approach that defined their dominant autumn displays.

It’s true that at the moment they are a little bit too much on having the possession but there’s not the end product.

Despite the recent domestic stumbles, belief remains high that this talented squad possesses the required quality to reach the latter stages of European competition.

Four-time Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson has signed a historic three-year, $5m supermax contract to remain with the Las Vegas Aces.

The groundbreaking deal is the largest in WNBA history and fully guarantees her future with the reigning champions.

Negotiated by Klutch Sports Group, the agreement ensures the franchise cornerstone will earn $1.4m for the upcoming season under the league’s next collective bargaining agreement.

Her salary will steadily increase over the subsequent two years, anchored to a 20% share of the team’s salary cap.

Paving the way for a new financial era

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell is currently the only other athlete on a supermax contract, although that arrangement is strictly for a single season.

These newly agreed terms solidify the financial future of a player who recently became the WNBA’s first-ever four-time MVP.

Aces president and general manager Nikki Fargas praised the American’s unmatched impact on the organisation.

“A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today,” Fargas stated.
“Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity and grace.”

An unprecedented run of dominance

The South Carolina graduate enjoyed a phenomenal 2025 campaign, becoming the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win the scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season.

During that historic run, the dominant centre averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

Securing her signature means Las Vegas will officially return 90% of their scoring power as they prepare to defend their title.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist had previously dismissed any speculation about a potential departure during a recent USA Basketball training camp.

“I love Vegas. I’m not leaving Vegas,” she told reporters last Friday.
“I’m looking to win another one. I’m looking to defend a championship that we have in Las Vegas.”

Drafted first overall in 2018, the 29-year-old has comprehensively transformed the Nevada-based franchise into a modern basketball dynasty.

Amateur referee Javier Ortega has been fatally shot by armed attackers during a football match in the Ecuadorian city of Pasaje.

The 48-year-old match official collapsed on the pitch after perpetrators stormed the field and opened fire in front of horrified players and spectators.

Paramedics arrived swiftly at the sporting ground in the El Oro province but were unable to resuscitate the victim.

The fixture was immediately abandoned as terrified members of the public scrambled to safety.

Police investigate targeted assassination

Local authorities have cordoned off the area to conduct forensic testing and secure the crime scene.

Investigators currently believe the brutal public murder may have been a premeditated hit.

“[We are] interviewing witnesses to identify the perpetrators. This is a cold-blooded crime committed in a space meant for community and sport.”

Ecuadorian Police

No arrests have yet been made in connection with the shooting.

Surging violence across the nation

This tragic incident occurs against a backdrop of sharply escalating national crime rates.

Ecuador recorded its highest number of violent deaths in history last year, registering 51 homicides per 100,000 residents.

That staggering statistic makes the South American country the most deadly in the region, vastly outpacing neighbouring nations.

Football community demands answers

The host club has suspended all upcoming fixtures out of respect for the grieving family.

Refereeing authorities have expressed their outrage, urgently calling for improved lighting and tighter security at local venues.

“To lose a life over a game of football is unacceptable.”

Refereeing Authorities

Vigils have been held in the official’s neighbourhood as friends and family mourn his sudden passing.

The NBA has revealed that 170 million people in the United States watched regular-season games this year, marking an 86% increase fuelled by the league’s new broadcast partnerships.

This monumental growth represents the best domestic audience figures recorded by the North American basketball organisation in 24 years.

The staggering surge coincides with the first year of a groundbreaking 11-year media rights deal worth more than $76bn (£59.8bn).

New network partners drive record engagement

Fans consumed content across four primary platforms this season, including traditional stalwarts ABC and ESPN.

Amazon Prime Video joined the rotation for the very first time, bringing an entirely new streaming audience to the sport.

Meanwhile, NBC and its Peacock streaming service returned to the hardwood for the first time in a generation.

Historic milestones across multiple metrics

The positive trend extended well beyond standard television ratings, with the league releasing a series of impressive statistical milestones.

Social media and physical attendance boom

Digital engagement easily matched the traditional broadcast success.

The organisation’s official social media channels generated an unprecedented 228 billion views over the course of the campaign.

Physical attendance over the past three seasons in arenas across the continent is now higher than any other three-year span in history.

A total of 57 individual telecasts reached an average of at least two million viewers, further cementing the sport’s growing cultural footprint.

Manchester United are plotting an approach for Bournemouth personnel as Liverpool manager Arne Slot finalises his transfer shortlist ahead of a crucial Premier League weekend.

The Old Trafford hierarchy have firmly set their sights on the South Coast club for upcoming acquisitions.

This development coincides with the Cherries actively identifying their primary target to replace current head coach Andoni Iraola.

Slot assesses Merseyside options

At Anfield, preparations for the upcoming campaign are already intensifying under their newly appointed Dutch tactician.

A comprehensive list of desired additions has been drawn up to strengthen the squad across multiple areas.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are implementing significant shifts in their overarching recruitment strategy.

The Stamford Bridge outfit are moving away from previous transfer market approaches following a period of extensive internal review.

Bayern target English top flight

German heavyweights Bayern Munich are preparing an audacious swoop for established Premier League talent.

The Bavarian giants remain keen on extracting top performers from England’s premier division.

Elsewhere in the market, negotiations regarding young English goalkeeper James Trafford are reportedly progressing.

In international news, French forward Hugo Ekitike has suffered a devastating blow to his World Cup aspirations following recent developments.

Title rivals prepare for showdown

Away from the transfer market, domestic attention firmly turns to a monumental fixture this weekend.

Arsenal will host reigning champions Manchester City in a definitive battle between the division’s top two sides.

Leading journalists have highlighted several key narratives ahead of the highly anticipated clash:

The outcome of this high-stakes encounter will undoubtedly prove decisive in the race for the championship trophy.

Cristian Romero has likely played his final game for Tottenham Hotspur after suffering a season-ending injury, with reports indicating the defender will seek a summer transfer.

The Argentina international sustained a severe problem during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

That setback has ruled the 27-year-old out for the remainder of the campaign and potentially threatens his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, there is a mutual understanding between the player and the club that a summer departure is imminent.

Relegation battle complicates future

The north London club are currently enduring a disastrous run of form under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Spurs find themselves two points adrift of safety with just six matches remaining to avoid dropping into the Championship.

The Italian coach must now navigate a crucial fixture against former employers Brighton without his talismanic centre-back.

Tottenham remain without a league victory since late December, piling immense pressure on the squad ahead of the weekend.

Contract status and transfer valuation

Despite the growing expectation of an exit, negotiating a deal with the struggling side will not be straightforward.

The combative defender still has three years remaining on his current contract, giving his employers significant bargaining power.

Romano clarified that the World Cup winner does not possess a formal release clause in his official paperwork.

A previous gentleman’s agreement was reportedly struck with former chairman Daniel Levy, but no active clause exists to force a move.

“What I can tell you is that there is a feeling around all people involved in this story, on player’s side, and then on club side, it is probably going to be time for Cuti Romero to leave in the summer transfer window.”
“We know it’s always difficult to negotiate with Tottenham, especially when it’s about top players. They are tough and so obviously, let’s see who is prepared to pay what Tottenham want.”