#Bukayo #Saka #playing #Sporting #Arsenal #UEFA #Champions #League">Why is Bukayo Saka not playing in Sporting vs Arsenal at the UEFA Champions League?
England forward Bukayo Saka was not named in Arsenal’s matchday squad for its UEFA Champions League 2025-26 quarterfinal first-leg clash against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
Saka had been sidelined since late January when he suffered an injury during warm-up ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League fixture against Leeds United on January 31.
Since then, the 24-year-old has missed the EFL Cup semifinal second-leg clash against Chelsea and the FA Cup quarterfinal match against Southampton, both of which Arsenal lost. However, he did start for the Premier League leader in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City which was sandwiched between the aforementioned two fixtures.
Saka was also not in England’s squad for two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
“No [whether they have trained], they are having trouble. They are not ready yet. Let’s see, hopefully they’ll be ready for the weekend if everything goes well,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on the eve of the Champions League fixture, confirming Saka and Jurrien Timber’s absence during training.
However, the vessel has a “minor technical issue” with its water systems, and the ship has docked in the eastern Mediterranean for what the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has described as a “routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period”.
The MoD added in a statement: “HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required.”
Image:HMS Dragon docked in Portsmouth ahead of deployment. Pic: MoD
HMS Dragon is one of a number of British military assets in the region which are defending UK bases and allied nations from Iranian-made drones and other weapons.
Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe told Sky’s This Is Why podcast that one reason is down to a “30-year decline” in defence spending.
But at the time, Defence Secretary John Healey pointed out that the crew completed the necessary work to prepare for deployment in six days, compared with the usual six weeks.
Image:HMS Dragon departing for Cyprus
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has been critical of the UK’s decision to provide only defensive support.
He compared Royal Navy ships to “toys”, adding they are “too old” and “broken-down”.
Military sources said the technical issue has not affected the ship’s operation, and the crew have access to water for washing and catering as normal.
In an update about the ship, the MoD confirmed in a statement: “HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimise systems, and conduct maintenance.”
However, the vessel has a “minor technical issue” with its water systems, and the ship has docked in the eastern Mediterranean for what the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has described as a “routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period”.
The MoD added in a statement: “HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required.”
Image:HMS Dragon docked in Portsmouth ahead of deployment. Pic: MoD
HMS Dragon is one of a number of British military assets in the region which are defending UK bases and allied nations from Iranian-made drones and other weapons.
Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe told Sky’s This Is Why podcast that one reason is down to a “30-year decline” in defence spending.
But at the time, Defence Secretary John Healey pointed out that the crew completed the necessary work to prepare for deployment in six days, compared with the usual six weeks.
Image:HMS Dragon departing for Cyprus
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has been critical of the UK’s decision to provide only defensive support.
He compared Royal Navy ships to “toys”, adding they are “too old” and “broken-down”.
Military sources said the technical issue has not affected the ship’s operation, and the crew have access to water for washing and catering as normal.
In an update about the ship, the MoD confirmed in a statement: “HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimise systems, and conduct maintenance.”
#HMS #Dragon #docks #eastern #Mediterranean #minor #technical #issue #Iran #war #escalates">HMS Dragon docks in eastern Mediterranean with ‘minor technical issue’ as Iran war escalates
HMS Dragon, deployed to protect British air bases in Cyprus, has docked for maintenance – less than a month after leaving Portsmouth.
The Type 45 destroyer is capable of shooting down the types of drones and ballistic missiles being launched by Iran.
However, the vessel has a “minor technical issue” with its water systems, and the ship has docked in the eastern Mediterranean for what the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has described as a “routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period”.
The MoD added in a statement: “HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required.”
Image:HMS Dragon docked in Portsmouth ahead of deployment. Pic: MoD
HMS Dragon is one of a number of British military assets in the region which are defending UK bases and allied nations from Iranian-made drones and other weapons.
Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe told Sky’s This Is Why podcast that one reason is down to a “30-year decline” in defence spending.
But at the time, Defence Secretary John Healey pointed out that the crew completed the necessary work to prepare for deployment in six days, compared with the usual six weeks.
Image:HMS Dragon departing for Cyprus
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has been critical of the UK’s decision to provide only defensive support.
He compared Royal Navy ships to “toys”, adding they are “too old” and “broken-down”.
Military sources said the technical issue has not affected the ship’s operation, and the crew have access to water for washing and catering as normal.
In an update about the ship, the MoD confirmed in a statement: “HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimise systems, and conduct maintenance.”
#Deadspin #Cardinals #acquire #INFOF #Brayden #Smith #Orioles">Deadspin | Cardinals acquire INF/OF Brayden Smith from Orioles
Feb 14, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Nick Raquet (70) delivers a pitch during a spring training workout at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals acquired minor league infielder/outfielder Brayden Smith from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday in exchange for left-hander Nick Raquet.
The Cardinals designated Raquet, 30, for assignment on Sunday after just two relief appearances with the team, both in 2025.
Smith, 22, was a 13th-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2025 out of Oklahoma State. He is hitting .190 with one home run and nine RBIs in 17 games in the minors over the past two seasons.
Raquet, a third-round pick by the Washington Nationals in 2017, made his major league debut last September and had no decisions with no runs or hits allowed in two innings of relief.
Raquet’s unique journey to the majors included a three-year break from baseball from 2019-21. He pitched for York (Pa.) in the independent Atlantic League in 2023 and in the Dominican Republic before signing with the Cardinals in 2024.
#FIFA #opens #disciplinary #case #Spanish #federation #antiMuslim #chants">FIFA opens disciplinary case against Spanish federation over anti-Muslim chants
FIFA on Tuesday opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish football federation because of anti-Muslim chants made by Spanish fans during a game against Egypt last week.
The chants drew condemnation from Spain star Lamine Yamal, the Spanish government and the federation itself.
Spanish police had said they were investigating the behavior by fans during last Tuesday’s friendly game held in Barcelona.
“FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings today against the Spanish FA for the incidents in the friendly against Egypt,” the world football governing body said in a statement.
Yamal, who is Muslim, said the chants made by some of the fans at RCDE Stadium were disrespectful and intolerable. The Barcelona star said it didn’t matter that he was not targeted.
#Deadspin #Report #Cubs #RHP #Cade #Horton #specialist #MRI">Deadspin | Report: Cubs RHP Cade Horton to see specialist after MRI
Apr 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Chicago Cubs right-hander Cade Horton is visiting a specialist in Texas on Tuesday following an MRI on his injured right arm, ESPN reported.
Horton is meeting with noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, two days after landing on the 15-day injured list with what the team called a forearm strain.
The IL move was retroactive to Saturday for Horton, who exited Friday’s start against the host Cleveland Guardians after one-plus inning and 17 pitches.
Horton retired the side in order in the first inning before walking Kyle Manzardo on five pitches to open the second. He left the game with the Cubs’ head trainer. The Guardians went on to win 4-1.
“I had some tightness in my wrist and as the game went on, it went into my forearm,” he said Friday. “I wanted to err on the cautious side and not hurt anything else. I just wanted to be smart about it and make a smart decision.”
Horton, 24, lowered his ERA to 2.45 on Friday after he yielded two runs in 6 1/3 innings in the Cubs’ 10-2 win over the Washington Nationals on March 28.
A first-round pick (seventh overall) by Chicago in 2022, Horton was 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) in 2025 and finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
![Why is Bukayo Saka not playing in Sporting vs Arsenal at the UEFA Champions League? England forward Bukayo Saka was not named in Arsenal’s matchday squad for its UEFA Champions League 2025-26 quarterfinal first-leg clash against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.Saka had been sidelined since late January when he suffered an injury during warm-up ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League fixture against Leeds United on January 31.Since then, the 24-year-old has missed the EFL Cup semifinal second-leg clash against Chelsea and the FA Cup quarterfinal match against Southampton, both of which Arsenal lost. However, he did start for the Premier League leader in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City which was sandwiched between the aforementioned two fixtures.Saka was also not in England’s squad for two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.“No [whether they have trained], they are having trouble. They are not ready yet. Let’s see, hopefully they’ll be ready for the weekend if everything goes well,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on the eve of the Champions League fixture, confirming Saka and Jurrien Timber’s absence during training.Published on Apr 07, 2026 #Bukayo #Saka #playing #Sporting #Arsenal #UEFA #Champions #League](https://i3.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/mvon0o/article70835566.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/2026-03-22T171605Z_523748607_UP1EM3M1BYRPF_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ARS-MCI.JPG?ssl=1 "Why is Bukayo Saka not playing in Sporting vs Arsenal at the UEFA Champions League? England forward Bukayo Saka was not named in Arsenal’s matchday squad for its UEFA Champions League 2025-26 quarterfinal first-leg clash against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.Saka had been sidelined since late January when he suffered an injury during warm-up ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League fixture against Leeds United on January 31.Since then, the 24-year-old has missed the EFL Cup semifinal second-leg clash against Chelsea and the FA Cup quarterfinal match against Southampton, both of which Arsenal lost. However, he did start for the Premier League leader in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City which was sandwiched between the aforementioned two fixtures.Saka was also not in England’s squad for two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.“No [whether they have trained], they are having trouble. They are not ready yet. Let’s see, hopefully they’ll be ready for the weekend if everything goes well,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on the eve of the Champions League fixture, confirming Saka and Jurrien Timber’s absence during training.Published on Apr 07, 2026 #Bukayo #Saka #playing #Sporting #Arsenal #UEFA #Champions #League")
Feb 14, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Nick Raquet (70) delivers a pitch during a spring training workout at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images 
