Gianluca Prestianni provisionally suspended after allegedly directing a slur at Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended by UEFA ahead of Wednesday’s game against Real Madrid following accusations of Prestianni directing a slur at forward Vinícius Júnior.
UEFA initially opened an investigation into the situation after Prestianni was accused of directing racist language toward Vinícius during a match Tuesday. The contest — which Real Madrid won 1-0 — was delayed for 10 minutes following that allegation, as officials instituted UEFA’s anti-racism protocol.
The incident occurred following Real Madrid’s goal. Words were exchanged, causing Vinícius to report the incident to officials on the field. Vinícius’ teammate Kylian Mbappé claimed he heard Prestianni refer to Vinícius as a “monkey” five times.
Following the incident, Vinícius released a statement in which he referred to racists as “cowards” who “need to cover their mouths with a shirt to show how weak they are.” Prestiannia also released a statement, denying he used racist language during the match.
Prestianni, however, reportedly told UEFA that he used an anti-gay slur during the exchange, per ESPN.
The provisional suspension does not mean UEFA found Prestianni guilty. The organization instead decided it was for the best that Prestianni not play against Real Madrid with UEFA’s investigation ongoing. In a statement, UEFA added that it could issue additional punishments once its investigation into the situation is completed, per ESPN.
“This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies. Further information about this matter will be made available in due course.”
If Prestianni is found to have used racist language in a game, he would be subject to a 10-game suspension.
In a statement, Benfica said it regretted that a player was suspended while still under investigation. Benfica noted that Prestianni will appeal the provisional suspension, but the team does not expect a decision to be made on that appeal prior to Wednesday’s game. The club added that it condemns “all forms of racism or discrimination.”
Real Madrid and Benfica will play the second leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff in Madrid on Wednesday.
Despite Indiana progress, Bears continue to talk to Illinois
The Bears have stumbled into a perfect situation, and they’re listening to both of their primary suitors for a new stadium.
Last week, the Bears and Indiana said progress is being made on building a new stadium there. The announcement caught Illinois by surprise.
Now, Indiana may be surprised.
“We continue to work with Illinois’ leadership and appreciate the progress being made,” Bears CEO Kevin Warren said over the weekend in a statement shared with Crain’s Chicago Business.
The statement applies a little extra pressure to Indiana, as it enters the final week of its annual legislative session. And it leaves the door open for Illinois to avoid losing the Bears across the border.
It’s a win either way for the Bears. They want the best possible deal, which usually entails getting the most free money.
The maneuverings are happening in an age when taxpayers would overwhelmingly vote “no” to any ballot measure that subsidizes multibillion-dollar businesses with public funding. But there’s usually a way for the people who have been elected by the people to make these deals.
Either Indiana or Illinois will be making a deal. And the Bears are currently working one against the other in the hopes of getting the best possible deal.
Even if the best possible outcome seems impossible at this point — the Bears staying in downtown Chicago.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/despite-indiana-progress-bears-continue-153950261.html
Breece Hall urged to 'run away and never look back' if Jets let him hit free agency
Breece Hall urged to ‘run away and never look back’ if Jets let him hit free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The New York Jets have a lot of work to do this offseason to rebuild a depleted roster following the 2025 season.
While the defensive side of the ball will be a big focus, thanks to the trades of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, the biggest question is on the offensive side with Breece Hall.
The Jets could franchise tag him, or they could re-sign him. But, if they let him hit the open market, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell is urging Hall to ditch the Jets if he can.
Breece Hall urged to ditch Jets if he can this offseason
“But if Hall gets the chance to hit the open market,” Barnwell writes, “he should run away and never look back.”
Hall is Barnwell’s top free agent running back this offseason, as the lone Pro Bowl-caliber running back to hit the open market.
This past season, Hall, on a very struggling offense, still managed to put up 1,065 rushing yards with four touchdowns and 4.4 yards per carry on the season. He also had 350 receiving yards and a touchdown on 36 receptions.
Hall is one of the best dual-threat running backs in the NFL, being a great runner and a fantastic receiver as well.
More: Jets get good news on Breece Hall amid $12.25 million contract benchmark
But, stuck with the Jets offense, which has been struggling in a major way the last few years, there is plenty of reason for the Jets running back to try to leave this offseason.
Landing on a new team, in a much better offensive environment, would be a great way for Hall to start putting up the elite numbers he’s capable of.
The only question is whether the Jets will let him hit the open market. That doesn’t look to be the case, as the franchise tag or the transition tag could be used on Hall to make sure he sticks with the Jets for one more season.
But, if the Jets don’t place the tag on Hall, and he hits the open market, Barnwell is urging Hall to not just find a new team, but do so with a sense of urgency to “run away and never look back.”
More Jets news:
New York Jets could sign 1,000-yard receiver with ties to coaching staff in NFL free agencyJets urged to ‘kick the tires’ on trades for Eagles and Texans backup QBsJets linked to Chiefs Super Bowl cornerback as Sauce Gardner replacementJets expected to move on from brother of Quinnen Williams in free agencyJets get shaky $13 million contract projection on injury-prone offensive guardJets named best fit to poach 5-foot-8 WR from Giants in free agency
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/breece-hall-urged-run-away-153728753.html
Orioles add infield depth after Westburg's injury by signing veteran Estrada to a minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles signed veteran Thairo Estrada to a minor league deal on Monday in a move that adds infield depth with third baseman Jordan Westburg out at least through April with an elbow injury.
Estrada, 30, hit .253 in only 39 games for Colorado last season. Estrada’s $7 million mutual option for 2026 was declined on Nov. 3 by the Rockies, triggering a $100,000 buyout.
Estrada made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in 2019. He played for the San Francisco Giants in 2021-24 and set career highs with 14 homers in 2022 and 2023.
Estrada played only second base in 2025 with Colorado but has experience at shortstop, third base and the outfield. His minor league deal with the Orioles includes an invitation to spring training.
Estrada battled injuries last season. He made his season debut on May 30 after his right wrist was fractured when he was hit by a pitch from Texas’ Kumar Rocker on March 20. He was out between July 7 and 25 by a strained right thumb. He strained his right hamstring on Aug. 5, ending his season.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/orioles-add-infield-depth-westburgs-153712601.html
'Overthinking cost India': Ajinkya Rahane blasts team management for dropping vice-captain Axar Patel
The team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, opted to include Washington Sundar instead, citing South Africa’s left-heavy top order as the primary reason. However, the tactical switch failed to deliver the desired impact, with Sundar putting in an underwhelming performance as India slumped to a crushing 76-run defeat.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has now joined the growing list of voices questioning the move. While Jasprit Bumrah removed both Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton early, Sundar was unable to trouble the middle order. He bowled just two overs, conceding 17 runs at an economy of 8.5, and was comfortably handled by David Miller and Dewald Brevis.
Rahane did not hide his disappointment with the selection call.
“I’m really surprised that Axar Patel didn’t play. I don’t understand what’s happening. Yes, Washington Sundar is a quality player; nobody is against him. But Axar has been doing so well in different situations. Sometimes I feel that when you become too smart, selection-wise, it can hamper you. You brought Sundar because too many left-handers in the South African lineup, but he only bowled two overs,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz.
He further stressed that match-up theories do not always guarantee success.
“There’s no guarantee that off-spinners will bowl really well against the left-handers. Axar’s record against left-handed batters is really good. We all saw what Keshav Maharaj did. You have to play the quality player in your team who has done so well for you in the past,” he added.
What made the decision more puzzling, according to critics, was the fact that Axar is the designated vice-captain. He had earlier been rested for the game against the Netherlands, allowing Sundar his first outing of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Many expected Axar to return for the crucial Super 8 encounter, but the management persisted with Sundar — a move that backfired badly.
Rahane reiterated that overthinking may have cost the team dearly.
“When you overthink, I get the match-ups. Axar Patel is a quality player; he has done well for you in the past. He is a quality left-arm spinner with great character. No one is against Washington Sundar, but you have to back your main guy,” said Rahane.
“He’s the vice-captain of the team. Unless he has a niggle, which we don’t know about. If he’s fit, he should be in the XI, any day,” he added.
Following the heavy defeat in Ahmedabad, pressure has intensified on Gambhir and the think tank. With their campaign now on shaky ground, India face a must-win clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Another setback could effectively end their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/overthinking-cost-india-ajinkya-rahane-153700163.html
T20 World Cup: West Indies post mammoth 254-6 against Zimbabwe
T20 World Cup Super 8s, Group 1, Mumbai – Zimbabwe win toss and bowlZimbabwe need 255 to win – highest chase in T20 World Cups and highest chase required at Wankhede StadiumWindies post 254-6 – second-highest total in T20 World CupsHetmyer smashes 19-ball fifty before falling for 85 off 34; Powell smacks 59 off 35Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary at top of pageHave your say using ‘Get Involved’ button on this page
T20 World Cup: West Indies post mammoth 254-6 against Zimbabwe
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/t20-world-cup-windies-opener-134705654.html
Source: Darian DeVries, Indiana basketball set to hire Pacers executive in GM-type role
BLOOMINGTON — Per a source, Indiana intends to hire longtime Pacers player personnel executive Ryan Carr as executive director of basketball.
Carr will serve in a general manager-type role for his alma mater.
A former student manager under Bob Knight, Carr has worked with the Pacers for more than 20 years, his roles including director of scouting, vice president of player personnel and, most recently, senior vice president of player personnel.
He now joins Darian DeVries’ staff in what figures to be a crucial role, as the overlap between revenue sharing and NIL continues to professionalize key aspects of roster development and retention at the college level.
DeVries talked during his first months on the job last spring about the potential for bringing on a GM. Now, he turns to a program alumnus with extensive experience at the NBA level to help boost his program build in Bloomington.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana basketball, Darian DeVries to hire Pacers executive Ryan Carr
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/source-darian-devries-indiana-basketball-153600391.html
Lindsey Vonn shares stunning injury update following Winter Olympics
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 6: Lindsey Vonn of Team United States in action during the Downhill Training of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 6, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/VOIGT/GettyImages) | Getty Images
A week before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics, veteran Team USA skier Lindsey Vonn suffered a ruptured ACL during a World Cup tune-up in Switzerland. Despite the injury, Vonn tried to compete in the Winter Games just days after the high-speed crash.
But her dreams of competing in one final Winter Olympics came to a brutal end when she suffered another crash, just 13 seconds into her final downhill run. The incident required Vonn to be airlifted from the piste, and now the Team USA veteran has offered a full picture of what she went through following that crash.
And it was a lot.
In a video posted to her Instagram account, Vonn outlined the extent of the damage she suffered, and how the initial ACL rupture may have actually helped her in the end, because Dr. Tom Hackett was already on site to help her following the second crash.
“I had a complex tibia fracture, I also fractured my fibia head and the reason it was so complex was because I had compartment syndrome,” Vonn explained in the video. “Compartment syndrome is when you have so much trauma to one area that there is too much blood and it gets stuck. It basically crushes everything – muscles, nerves, tendons, it dies.
“Dr. Tom Hackett saved my leg from being amputated. He did what is called a fasciotomy, he cut open both sides of my leg and let it breathe, and he saved me.”
Vonn then discussed the earlier ACL injury, and how she was “grateful” for Dr. Hackett being on site already for the second crash.
“If I hadn’t torn my ACL, which I would have done anyways in this crash, Doctor Tom Hackett wouldn’t have been there,” Vonn said. “He wouldn’t have been able to save my leg.
“He saved my leg from being amputated. I always talk about everything happening for a reason… I feel very lucky and grateful for him, for this six-hour surgery.”
Regarding the compartment syndrome, this can result in the wake of a significant, traumatic injury. In response to such an event, the body “floods” the area with lymphatic fluid and white blood cells, as a preventative measure to guard against additional injury.
But when a person suffers extensive trauma, as Vonn did, the swelling that follows as the body tries to guard against future injury is so profound that it ends up cutting off the flow of blood to the lower leg. The procedure that Vonn underwent as a result, a fasciotomy, allows that swelling to expand further, so blood vessels could open up and not cause muscle death.
That is what prevented Vonn from losing her leg.
Here is Vonn’s video in full:
All the best to Vonn during her recovery.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lindsey-vonn-shares-stunning-injury-153501645.html
Roma struggling for Zeki Celik’s contract renewal
Roma struggling for Zeki Celik’s contract renewal
The contract renewal of Zeki Celik is becoming an increasingly difficult puzzle for Roma to solve, with a significant gap emerging between the player’s demands and the club’s offer.
According to Corriere dello Sport, as relayed by VoceGiallorossa, the Turkish international’s entourage has requested a salary of €4m per season to extend his stay in the capital. However, the Giallorossi management has no intention of going beyond an offer of €2.5m per season, leading to a total stalemate in negotiations.
This distance has alerted several clubs across Europe who are monitoring the right-back’s situation. Juventus remain the most interested party in Serie A, but the competition is growing abroad.
In the Premier League, both Fulham and Newcastle United have registered interest, while Bundesliga side Stuttgart are also in the fray. With his contract set to expire in June and no breakthrough in sight with Roma, Celik is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after opportunities on the upcoming free agent market.
Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
https://www.vocegiallorossa.it/calciomercato/calciomercato-roma-rinnovo-lontano-per-celik-sul-turco-juve-stoccarda-e-tre-club-inglesi-277884
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/roma-struggling-zeki-celik-contract-153500190.html
Barcelona request UEFA to reschedule Champions League Ro16 second leg match
Barcelona request UEFA to reschedule Champions League Ro16 second leg match
FC Barcelona will hold presidential elections on Sunday, 15 March. The date coincides with a matchday, as the Blaugrana are scheduled to face Sevilla at 16:15, which is considered ideal to facilitate greater participation among club members.
La Liga marked the fixture with an asterisk, as the match could be moved to Saturday if Barcelona were required to play the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday, 17 March.
However, Barcelona have now officially requested that UEFA schedule the match for Wednesday, 18 March instead, according to ESPN (h/t SPORT).
UEFA’s response is now awaited, as such a request is unusual given that it affects the competition calendar.
Barcelona presidential elections to take place on 15 March. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
In that scenario, the first leg would take place on Tuesday, 10 March, away from home.
Barcelona will play the second leg of the Round of 16 at home after finishing in the top eight and being paired with a team emerging from the play-off phase.
They could face one of PSG, Newcastle United, AS Monaco, or Qarabag in the Round of 16.
As things stand, PSG or Newcastle United are the most likely opponents in this tie.
After all, the Parisians won away against Monaco, 2-3, whereas the English club secured a 1-6 victory over Qarabag in their respective knockout playoff first-leg tie.
The draw will take place on Friday, when Barcelona’s opponent in the Round of 16 will be confirmed.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/barcelona-request-uefa-reschedule-champions-153500018.html
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