The PGA Tour, European Tour and Asian Tour have announced a strategic alliance running until 2029, dealing a significant blow to rival circuit LIV Golf.

The agreement takes immediate effect and aims to provide global playing opportunities across the three golfing bodies.

It establishes a clear pathway for members of the Asian circuit to eventually join the DP World Tour in Europe.

A major setback for the breakaway circuit

This new collaboration represents a severe disruption for the Saudi-backed league.

The rival organisation had previously invested $300m (£235m) into the region to create the lucrative ‘International Series’.

Those events have been heavily dominated by defectors from the traditional ecosystem, including Carlos Ortiz and David Puig.

Financial uncertainty looms

Broader financial concerns are currently casting a long shadow over the future of the 54-hole enterprise.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently stated it will cease funding the controversial league after the current season.

Chief executive Scott O’Neil is now actively seeking outside investors to keep the operation afloat beyond 2026.

Adding to these woes, Canadian-based Mobii Systems Group filed a lawsuit in Miami on Monday over allegedly unpaid broadcast technology fees.

Renewed global cooperation

The DP World Tour previously co-sanctioned events in Asia between 2016 and 2021.

That relationship was severed upon the launch of the Saudi-funded project, but officials now expect at least two co-sanctioned tournaments annually.

“We feel the time is now right to collaborate with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour to enhance the Asian Tour for our members, fans and partners.”

Commissioner Cho Minn Thant believes bringing the three organisations together will significantly increase the bandwidth of professional golf.

“Positive news, and great to see the respective tours working together for the good of international golf.”

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy shared his swift approval of the newly established agreement on social media.

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he must raise his focus levels at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix after a costly practice crash compromised his race in Belgium.

The Ferrari driver finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday but believes he could have challenged for victory without a major Saturday setback.

An accident at the end of final practice forced mechanics to replace a host of parts on his car immediately prior to qualifying.

Team-mate Charles Leclerc ultimately qualified and finished ahead of the British driver for the second consecutive race.

Encouraging pace for Scuderia

Despite his personal frustration in Belgium, the seven-time world champion remains buoyed by the underlying speed of his machinery.

The Italian outfit performed better than expected against Mercedes on the high-speed layouts of Silverstone and Spa.

This suggests they will be formidable at the tighter Hungaroring, a circuit which plays heavily to their cornering strengths.

It’s really great to see the performance that we are bringing and we are improving the car constantly.

Hamilton noted that the team possesses upgrades in the pipeline to help close the gap to their closest rivals.

Title battle heats up in Budapest

The veteran driver currently sits second in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 45 points.

He reclaimed the runner-up spot from George Russell in Belgium, surviving a five-second penalty for a first-lap collision that spun his former team-mate out.

He now heads to a venue that holds significant historical success for him.

The former Mercedes star boasts a record eight victories in Hungary, and the track was also the scene of his most recent pole position in 2023.

I can’t afford weekends like this in a sense of my performance, so I’m going to step it up in terms of focus level for next week.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has accused Thomas Tuchel of deliberately engineering his own sacking following England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.

The Three Lions exited the tournament after surrendering a lead to the South American side.

Following the loss, the national team manager drew intense criticism for questioning his players’ mentality and criticising the “DNA” of English football.

Scholes believes these controversial comments are part of a calculated exit strategy by the 52-year-old.

A history of strained relationships

Speaking on a podcast, the former England international highlighted the manager’s track record of abrasive departures from top European clubs.

“I think his comments since the game have actually made it worse than the performances,” Scholes remarked.

“Saying it’s not in the English DNA. You’re part of that DNA now, Thomas.”

The 50-year-old pundit contrasted the German’s public criticism with the fiercely protective approach of his own former club managers.

“He’s gone on the offensive and blamed players a lot,” added Scholes.

“That is something our manager would never do. He’d blame us behind closed doors on the training ground and meetings but in public never.”

Engineering an early exit

The former Chelsea boss remains under contract until the end of the European Championship in two years’ time.

However, Scholes pointed to his turbulent tenures at Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich as evidence of a recurring pattern.

“He falls out with people and maybe just engineering his way out,” he explained.

“You just wonder with the way he’s been speaking, ‘do I want to get sacked’.”

Despite achieving England’s best World Cup finish since 1996, the head coach’s defensive substitutions against Argentina have heavily polarised public opinion.

Calls for better public relations

Former team-mate Nicky Butt also questioned the tactical and communicative approach of the current administration.

Butt suggested the Football Association’s media team should intervene to prevent further damaging press conferences.

“If he wants to stay on he needs to play the game,” Butt stated.

Yet Scholes dismissed the idea that the highly-decorated tactician would listen to any such advice.

“I don’t think he cares,” he concluded. “He’s had big jobs, he’s not bothered.”

Chelsea are poised to formally announce the £34m signing of Argentina international Valentin Barco from Strasbourg ahead of the new Premier League season.

The imminent arrival of the versatile midfielder at Stamford Bridge follows a pre-existing €40m agreement reached with the French club earlier in May.

This latest acquisition continues a relentless recruitment drive by the Londoners, who have already secured the summer signatures of Geovany Quenda and Marco Palestra.

World Cup clash with Jude Bellingham

News of the impending official announcement arrives just days after the incoming Blues player was involved in a fiery on-pitch altercation.

Following Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England, the South American prospect clashed aggressively with Real Madrid talisman Jude Bellingham.

Despite remaining an unused substitute during that specific encounter, the 20-year-old triggered frustration by running past several disappointed England players to celebrate a crucial goal.

Bellingham was subsequently seen clipping the jubilant prospect around the back of the head, sparking a heated confrontation involving shoving and fierce verbal exchanges.

Chelsea continue massive summer rebuild

The young Argentine ultimately managed just 19 minutes of playing time across the entire international tournament as his nation fought their way to the final.

He will now enjoy a scheduled summer break before integrating with his new club ahead of a demanding domestic campaign.

His addition is merely one facet of a staggering wider squad overhaul currently taking place under the Chelsea hierarchy.

The West London outfit have also reportedly finalised a massive £117m transfer for Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers, beating Arsenal to the England international’s signature.

Furthermore, experienced defender John Stones has emerged as a high-profile target for the Blues after recently departing Manchester City as a free agent.

Enzo Maresca has officially begun his tenure as Manchester City manager following the departure of Pep Guardiola, tasked with continuing the club’s unprecedented era of success.

The Italian returns to the Etihad Stadium for his third spell, having previously worked as an academy coach and assistant during the famous treble-winning campaign of 2022-23.

He inherits a formidable squad built by his predecessor, but faces the immediate challenge of navigating a transitional period for the reigning champions.

Maresca will outline his vision for the upcoming 2026-27 Premier League season when he addresses the media for the first time this Friday.

Generous opening fixtures

The new regime has been handed a relatively sympathetic start to the domestic campaign, with opening matches against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry City.

This favourable run of games provides a crucial opportunity to establish rhythm and carefully integrate returning international stars.

Midfield lynchpin Rodri, who played a gruelling role in Spain’s recent World Cup triumph, is widely expected to benefit from a phased return to domestic action.

However, the pressure to secure maximum points from these early encounters will be immense before navigating a daunting September schedule.

Stepping out of the shadow

Early tests against arch-rivals Manchester United and Liverpool loom on the horizon, representing fixtures that will undoubtedly shape early perceptions of the new managerial reign.

It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.

Enzo Maresca

The returning coach previously acknowledged his good fortune in inheriting such a well-balanced and uniquely talented squad.

While stylistic similarities exist between the new manager and his mentor, stepping out of Guardiola’s immense shadow presents an unparalleled challenge.

Expectations at the Etihad remain sky-high, demanding a continuation of the ruthless winning mentality instilled over the past decade.

Although he enjoys a strong relationship with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the new boss is unlikely to be afforded the unique job security enjoyed by his legendary predecessor.

Tottenham Hotspur have signed France international defender Alice Sombath from Lyon for an undisclosed club-record transfer fee.

The 22-year-old arrives in North London after spending five highly successful seasons with the French footballing giants.

While the exact figure and contract length remain strictly confidential, the deal officially surpasses the estimated £375,000 paid for Norway international Signe Gaupset last year.

A wealth of European experience

During a trophy-laden spell in her homeland, the versatile defender secured five consecutive Premiere Ligue titles.

She was also an integral squad member during Lyon’s triumphant 2021-22 Women’s Champions League campaign.

Capable of deploying at either centre-back or right-back, the former Paris St-Germain youth prospect recently featured in all of France’s matches at Euro 2025.

“I want to do my best here at Tottenham. I think the league is very competitive, every game is tough and that’s what I’m most excited about.”

Alice Sombath

Spurs complete early summer business

“She’s a player we’ve followed closely for some time and one who fits the profile of what we’re building here,” said Tottenham manager Martin Ho.

The Spurs boss praised the new arrival as an aggressive defender who is highly comfortable in possession and fiercely competitive in her duels.

Sombath represents the sixth new addition for the club during a busy and highly proactive transfer window.

She joins a comprehensive list of early recruits for the upcoming Women’s Super League season, which includes the following players:

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is growing increasingly frustrated after the club blocked a proposed summer transfer to Arsenal by demanding a £100m fee.

Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his squad with a new central midfielder following a highly successful domestic and European campaign.

However, the North London side are reluctant to meet the staggering nine-figure asking price for the 29-year-old.

The Brazilian international is desperate to compete at the highest level and feels his chances of securing a marquee move are slipping away.

Magpies reluctant to lose another star

The Tyneside outfit have already overseen the high-profile departures of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon during this transfer window.

Eddie Howe’s management team are keenly aware that further exits would severely weaken their squad ahead of the new season.

As a result, the St James’ Park hierarchy are standing firm on their valuation of the South American playmaker.

The combative midfielder is currently enjoying an extended break after representing his country at the World Cup.

Gunners assess midfield alternatives

Arsenal remain relaxed about their search for a number eight and will only pursue definitive upgrades to their current starting lineup.

The Emirates Stadium recruitment team view a £100m outlay on a central midfielder as an unnecessary luxury.

They already boast a wealth of talent in the middle of the park, including established internationals like Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Their cautious financial approach also follows recent market frustrations, notably when London rivals Chelsea hijacked a proposed deal for Morgan Rogers.

Despite the ongoing standoff, Newcastle’s head coach has previously made his profound admiration for the unsettled star abundantly clear.

I think he is world class, and I don’t say that lightly.

He has unbelievable qualities and an unbelievable attitude to life and football.

Eddie Howe

Formula 1 stewards have explained the decision to penalise Lewis Hamilton for his opening-lap collision with George Russell during Kimi Antonelli’s victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured victory from pole position at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday to extend his championship lead to 45 points.

However, much of the post-race debate centred on a controversial opening-lap collision between the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton and Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell.

The incident forced Russell to retire from the race and consequently drop to third in the drivers’ standings.

Stewards explain penalty discrepancy

Meanwhile, the seven-time world champion finished fourth and subsequently replaced his former Mercedes team-mate in second place overall.

Questions were raised regarding why the Ferrari driver received a five-second time penalty while Charles Leclerc escaped punishment for a separate incident involving McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

The official verdict revealed that the justifications were heavily reliant on Formula 1’s strict driving guidelines.

Stewards determined that Russell had positioned his car far enough alongside the Ferrari on the outside to warrant legitimate racing room.

Hamilton deemed wholly at fault

The collision was officially triggered by the Maranello team’s car sliding into the Mercedes.

Russell remained within the available racing room and the collision was caused by Hamilton being unable to maintain sufficient separation.

Officials concluded that the 39-year-old was entirely to blame for the crash.

The standard penalty for this type of racing infringement is 10 seconds.

Mitigating factors reduce punishment

This sanction was halved because the veteran driver actively attempted to leave space and made a genuine effort to avoid contact.

Furthermore, leeway is traditionally granted on the opening lap when cars are tightly bunched together.

The stewards also confirmed that the manoeuvre was neither aggressive nor deliberate.

The situation between Leclerc and Piastri was judged differently due to track position.

Why Leclerc escaped punishment

Officials ruled that the Australian was not far enough alongside the Monegasque driver to be entitled to the same treatment as Russell.

Piastri’s front axle was not ahead of the front axle of Leclerc and there was no possibility of completing an overtake from that position.

The ruling concluded that the second-placed finisher did not deliberately crowd the McLaren off the edge of the circuit.

Leclerc ultimately finished second behind the dominant Antonelli, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completing the podium in third.