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FIFA could ask Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup – reports  FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from        The Athletic.Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World CupAccording to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.Published on Apr 14, 2026  #FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports

FIFA could ask Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup – reports

FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from The Athletic.

Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.

During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.

Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.

Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.

ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup

According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.

FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.

Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports

FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from The Athletic.

Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.

During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.

Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.

Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.

ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup

According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.

FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.

Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

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#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports

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Deadspin | Sergio Garcia apologizes for meltdown at Masters <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28691766.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28691766.jpg" alt="PGA: Masters Tournament - First Round" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Sergio Garcia apologized on Tuesday for his behavior at the Masters, where he received a code of conduct warning following his meltdown at the second hole on Sunday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Garcia, 46, had little to say to reporters following his final round at Augusta National before opting to open up on social media two days later.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>“I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament. I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf,” wrote Garcia, a 2017 Masters champion.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>“I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.”</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>Having already absorbed a bogey on his first hole — the first of five on the day — Garcia lined up for his tee shot on No. 2, found the shot not to his liking as it made a beeline for the fairway bunker and promptly took two heavy swings at the turf in frustration.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Apparently not content until his driver had lost its head completely, the Spaniard swung the blunted instrument into a cooling stand a few moments later, then snapped the dangling head of the damaged driver off himself shortly after that.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Garcia ultimately finished with the third-highest score among players to make the cut, as his 3-over-par 75 left him at 8 over for the tournament. Only Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark (10 over) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (12 over) were worse.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Sergio #Garcia #apologizes #meltdown #Masters

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UP: नोएडा में मजदूरों को भड़काने की साजिश का खुलासा? आखिर कौन है इसके पीछे<p> <p style="float: left;width:100%;text-align:center"> <img align="center" alt="" class="imgCont" height="745" src="https://nonprod-media.webdunia.com/public_html/_media/hi/img/article/2026-04/13/full/1776080671-3598.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #DDD;margin-right: 0px;float: none;z-index: 0" title="" width="1200" /></p> नोएडा में कर्मचारियों के उग्र प्रदर्शन को लेकर अब बड़ी साजिश की बात सामने आ रही है। पुलिस कमिश्नर ने इस बवाल के पीछे कई सारे व्‍हाट्सएप ग्रुप बनाए जाने का दावा किया है। उत्तरप्रदेश के औद्योगिक शहर नोएडा में गारमेंट और फैक्ट्री वर्कर्स के वेतन वृद्धि के आंदोलन ने सोमवार को हिंसक रूप ले लिया. पत्थरबाजी, वाहनों में आगजनी और संपत्ति तोड़फोड़ की घटनाओं के बाद पुलिस ने सख्त कार्रवाई की। पुलिस की सूझबूझ से बड़ी घटना टल गई। </p> <p> <p> <strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://hindi.webdunia.com/regional-hindi-news/delhi-dehradun-economic-corridor-inauguration-pm-modi-developed-india-vision-126041400051_1.html" target="_blank">दिल्ली-देहरादून इकोनॉमिक कॉरिडोर का लोकार्पण, PM मोदी बोले- विकसित भारत के लिए प्रगति, प्रकृति और संस्कृति का संतुलन जरूरी</a></strong></p> </p> <h3> पुलिस को बड़ी साजिश की आशंका</h3> <p> नोएडा में हुए बवाल में कमिश्नरेट पुलिस पड़ोसी देशों से बैठे हुक्मरान द्वारा साजिश रचने की बात मान रही है। पुलिस को शक है कि गौतमबुध नगर में माहौल खराब करने के लिए दूसरे राज्यों के संगठित गिरोह ने विभिन्न लोगों को फंडिंग भी की है। पुलिस ने दोपहर तक 300 आरोपितों को गिरफ्तार और हंगामा व प्रदर्शन करने पर 100 से ज्यादा आरोपितों को हिरासत में लेकर पूछताछ चल रही है। पुलिस आयुक्त लक्ष्मी सिंह ने बताया कि विभिन्न मांगो पर हुए बवाल के दूसरे दिन सेक्टर 121 स्थित क्लियो काउंटी सोसायटी में घरेलू सहायिकाओं ने गेट नंबर 2 के पास प्रदर्शन किया था। इस बीच कुछ लोगों ने सड़क जाम के दौरान पथराव का प्रयास भी किया लेकिन सूचना मिलते ही पुलिस फोर्स मौके पर पहुंच गई और सभी को समझाकर वहां से खदेड़ दिया।</p> <p>  </p> <h3> क्या कहा श्रमिक प्रतिनिधियों ने</h3> <p> श्रमिक प्रतिनिधियों ने स्पष्ट किया कि उनका आंदोलन पूर्णतः शांतिपूर्ण था। इसमें वेतन वृद्धि, साप्ताहिक अवकाश, ओवरटाइम का दुगुना भुगतान, श्रमिक हितों की सुरक्षा एवं सम्मानजनक कार्य वातावरण जैसी मांगें शामिल थीं। उन्होंने हिंसा में बाहरी तत्वों की संलिप्तता की आशंका जताई। वहीं, नियोक्ताओं ने बताया कि वर्तमान समय में उद्योग जगत वैश्विक आर्थिक चुनौतियों से गुजर रहा है। कच्चे माल की कीमतों में वृद्धि और निर्यात में कमी ने उद्योगों पर दबाव बढ़ाया है। इसके बावजूद श्रमिकों की मांगों को उन्होंने प्रासंगिक एवं विचारणीय बताया।</p> <p>  </p> <h3> सीएम ने किया वेतन में अंतरिम वृद्धि का ऐलान </h3> <p> नोएडा और गाजियाबाद के श्रमिकों को बड़ी राहत देते हुए मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ के निर्देश पर गठित उच्च स्तरीय समिति ने न्यूनतम वेतन में अंतरिम वृद्धि का ऐलान किया है। हालिया घटनाक्रमों के बाद की गई विस्तृत समीक्षा के आधार पर सरकार ने संतुलित निर्णय लेते हुए अकुशल, अर्धकुशल और कुशल श्रेणियों में करीब ₹3000 तक वेतन बढ़ाया है, जिससे गौतमबुद्ध नगर और गाजियाबाद में 21% तक वृद्धि हुई है। यह नई दरें 1 अप्रैल 2026 से लागू होंगी। सरकार ने ₹20,000 न्यूनतम वेतन की खबरों को भ्रामक बताया है, वहीं श्रमिकों की मांगों और उद्योगों की चुनौतियों को ध्यान में रखते हुए आगे वेज बोर्ड के माध्यम से स्थायी समाधान की प्रक्रिया भी शुरू की जाएगी। मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ के कुशल नेतृत्व में प्रदेश सरकार औद्योगिक शांति, श्रमिकों के अधिकारों की सुरक्षा तथा निवेश अनुकूल वातावरण बनाए रखने के लिए पूर्णतः प्रतिबद्ध है। प्रशासन द्वारा यह सुनिश्चित किया जाएगा कि जनपद गौतम बुद्ध नगर में पूर्व की भांति सौहार्द, शांति एवं विकास की गति निरंतर बनी रहे।</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> हिंसा में बाहरी तत्वों की संलिप्तता की आशंका</p> <p> राज्य सरकार द्वारा नियोक्ता संगठनों, श्रमिक संगठनों एवं अन्य सभी हितधारकों के साथ व्यापक विचार-विमर्श किया जा रहा है। प्राप्त सुझावों और आपत्तियों का गंभीरता से परीक्षण किया जा रहा है, ताकि एक संतुलित, व्यावहारिक एवं सर्वमान्य निर्णय लिया जा सके। समिति द्वारा विभिन्न चरणों में श्रमिकों एवं नियोक्ताओं के साथ बैठकें आयोजित की गईं। </p> <p>  </p> <h3> असामाजिक एवं बाहरी तत्वों की पहचान के लिए अभियान</h3> <p> जनपद में औद्योगिक सौहार्द बिगाड़ने का प्रयास करने वाले असामाजिक एवं बाहरी तत्वों के विरुद्ध प्रशासन ने कड़ा रुख अपनाया है। ऐसे तत्व न केवल कानून-व्यवस्था के लिए खतरा हैं, बल्कि श्रमिकों और उद्योगों के बीच विश्वास एवं सहयोग की भावना को भी कमजोर करते हैं। प्रशासन द्वारा इन तत्वों की पहचान के लिए विशेष अभियान चलाया जा रहा है, जिसमें तकनीकी निगरानी, खुफिया तंत्र एवं स्थानीय स्तर पर सूचना संकलन को मजबूत किया गया है। पहचान किए गए दोषियों के विरुद्ध कठोरतम कानूनी कार्रवाई सुनिश्चित की जा रही है, जिसमें गिरफ्तारी, आपराधिक मुकदमे दर्ज करना तथा आवश्यकतानुसार अन्य विधिक प्रावधानों के अंतर्गत दंडात्मक कदम उठाए जा रहे हैं। सरकार स्पष्ट रूप से यह संदेश देना चाहती है कि शांति एवं विकास के वातावरण को बाधित करने वाले किसी भी व्यक्ति को बख्शा नहीं जाएगा।</p> <p>         <strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://hindi.webdunia.com/uttar-pradesh/yogi-adityanath-ambedkar-jayanti-speech-opposition-attack-up-politics-news-126041400049_1.html" target="_blank">गेस्ट हाउस में महिलाओं के साथ बर्बरता से सपा का असली चेहरा बेनकाब, CM योगी का तीखा हमला</a></strong></p> <h3> 1 अप्रैल से लागू होगी नई दरें</h3> <p> औद्योगिक विकास आयुक्त, उत्तर प्रदेश दीपक कुमार ने हाल ही में हुए घटनाक्रमों पर स्थिति स्पष्ट करते हुए बताया कि मुख्यमंत्री जी के निर्देश पर उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार ने संतुलित दृष्टिकोण अपनाते हुए न्यूनतम वेतन में तात्कालिक रूप से अंतरिम वृद्धि का निर्णय लिया है, जिसमें सबसे अधिक बढ़ोतरी कुशल श्रेणी के श्रमिकों के लिए की गई है, वहीं गौतमबुद्ध नगर और गाजियाबाद में यह वृद्धि सबसे अधिक 21 प्रतिशत तक की गई है और यह नई अंतरिम वेतन दरें 01 अप्रैल 2026 से प्रभावी होंगी। इस प्रकार मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ जी के नेतृत्व में श्रमिकों को सीधी आर्थिक राहत प्रदान की गई है। साथ ही, आगामी माह में गठित होने वाले वेज बोर्ड की अनुशंसाओं के आधार पर स्थायी न्यूनतम वेतन निर्धारण की प्रक्रिया प्रारंभ की जाएगी। सरकार श्रमिकों के कल्याण हेतु स्वास्थ्य, पेंशन एवं उनके बच्चों की शिक्षा से जुड़ी नई योजनाओं पर भी विचार कर रही है।</p> <p>  </p> <h3> अकुशल, अर्धकुशल और कुशल श्रेणी में हुई वेतन वृद्धि</h3> <p> अंतरिम वेतन वृद्धि के अनुसार अकुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹11313 से बढ़ाकर ₹13690 कर दिया गया है, अर्धकुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹12445 से बढ़ाकर ₹15059 किया गया है, जबकि कुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹13940 से बढ़ाकर ₹16868 कर दिया गया है। उन्होंने बताया कि अन्य नगर निगम वाले जनपदों के लिए अकुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹11313 से बढ़ाकर ₹13006, अर्ध कुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹12445 से बढ़ाकर ₹14306 तथा कुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹13940 से बढ़ाकर ₹16025 कर दिया गया है। इसी प्रकार अन्य जनपदों के लिए अकुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹11313 से बढ़ाकर ₹12356, अर्ध कुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹12445 से बढ़ाकर ₹13591 तथा कुशल श्रमिकों का वेतन ₹13940 से बढ़ाकर ₹15224 कर दिया गया है। </p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <h3> ₹20,000 मासिक न्यूनतम वेतन संबंधी खबरें भ्रामक एवं निराधार</h3> <p> उन्होंने बताया कि सोमवार को हुए प्रदर्शन के दौरान कुछ स्थानों पर हुई हिंसात्मक घटनाओं का संज्ञान लेते हुए मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ ने तत्काल प्रभाव से उच्च स्तरीय समिति का गठन किया। समिति द्वारा नोएडा पहुंचकर पूरे प्रकरण की गहन जांच की गई। जांच में यह तथ्य सामने आया कि सोशल मीडिया के विभिन्न प्लेटफॉर्म्स पर ₹20,000 मासिक न्यूनतम वेतन लागू होने संबंधी खबरें पूरी तरह भ्रामक एवं निराधार हैं। वास्तविक स्थिति यह है कि भारत सरकार द्वारा नई श्रम संहिताओं के अंतर्गत राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर ‘फ्लोर वेज’ निर्धारित करने की प्रक्रिया प्रगति पर है, जिसका उद्देश्य देशभर के श्रमिकों के लिए न्यूनतम वेतन की एक समान आधार रेखा सुनिश्चित करना है।</p> <p>  </p> <h3> श्रमिकों के वेलफेयर के लिए कन्ट्रोल रूम स्थापित</h3> <p> समिति द्वारा प्रेस वार्ता के दौरान बताया गया कि जनपद स्तर पर श्रमिकों के वेलफेयर एवं शान्ति व्यवस्था सुनिश्चित करने हेतु एक कन्ट्रोल रूम स्थापित किया गया है, जिसके नम्बर 120-2978231,  120-2978232, 120-2978862, 120-2978702 हैं, इस कन्ट्रोल रूम के माध्यम से श्रमिक अपनी किसी भी प्रकार की समस्या, शिकायत अथवा सूचना दर्ज करा सकते हैं।</p> <p>       </p> <p> इस अवसर पर समिति के सदस्य प्रमुख सचिव (श्रम) उत्तर प्रदेश डॉ. एमकेएस सुंदरम, अपर मुख्य सचिव सूक्ष्म, एमएसएमई, निर्यात प्रोत्साहन, खादी और ग्रामोद्योग विभाग आलोक कुमार एवं सदस्य सचिव श्रम आयुक्त उत्तर प्रदेश (कानपुर) मार्कण्डेय शाही, मुख्य कार्यपालक अधिकारी यमुना विकास प्राधिकरण राकेश कुमार सिंह, जिलाधिकारी गौतम बुद्ध नगर मेधा रूपम उपस्थित रहे। Edited by : Sudhir Sharma </p>

The atmosphere was electric inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi a fortnight ago, when India secured a splendid victory over Hong Kong China in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier. It may have been a dead rubber as neither had any chance of qualification, but the match was an exciting affair, and it provided great joy to a crowd of more than 22,000.

Kerala Blasters FC will hope its fans, too, will come in large numbers for its Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 match against NorthEast United on Wednesday. Those passionate supporters had stayed away in the previous games this season, and the Blasters team had justified their disinterest with some insipid football.

But, things are changing.

The franchise got a new coach – Ashley Westwood – and he seems to be turning things around. The Englishman, who achieved much with Bengaluru FC on his first assignment in India a few years ago, guided Blasters to their first win of the season. Ironically, that victory came against his old team, at Bengaluru.

ALSO READ | ISL: Ashley Westwood, the wizard of Bengaluru FC, eyes similar magic at Kerala Blasters

“Of course, it is always nice to get the first win,” Westwood said.

“We don’t have many games left, so the motivation for the players is to play well, to impress me, to impress the management, and to keep your place, your part in this club,” he added.

Like the Blasters, NorthEast too has struggled this season. Similar to its opponent, it has managed just a win, but has two points more.

Westwood’s boys will be hoping to overtake NorthEast with its maiden win at home, ideally in front of a good crowd.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#ISL #Kerala #Blasters #eyes #home #win #season #NorthEast #United">ISL 2025-26: Kerala Blasters eyes first home win of season against NorthEast United  The atmosphere was electric inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi a fortnight ago, when India secured a splendid victory over Hong Kong China in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier. It may have been a dead rubber as neither had any chance of qualification, but the match was an exciting affair, and it provided great joy to a crowd of more than 22,000.Kerala Blasters FC will hope its fans, too, will come in large numbers for its Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 match against NorthEast United on Wednesday. Those passionate supporters had stayed away in the previous games this season, and the Blasters team had justified their disinterest with some insipid football.But, things are changing.The franchise got a new coach – Ashley Westwood – and he seems to be turning things around. The Englishman, who achieved much with Bengaluru FC on his first assignment in India a few years ago, guided Blasters to their first win of the season. Ironically, that victory came against his old team, at Bengaluru.ALSO READ | ISL: Ashley Westwood, the wizard of Bengaluru FC, eyes similar magic at Kerala Blasters“Of course, it is always nice to get the first win,” Westwood said.“We don’t have many games left, so the motivation for the players is to play well, to impress me, to impress the management, and to keep your place, your part in this club,” he added.Like the Blasters, NorthEast too has struggled this season. Similar to its opponent, it has managed just a win, but has two points more.Westwood’s boys will be hoping to overtake NorthEast with its maiden win at home, ideally in front of a good crowd.Published on Apr 14, 2026  #ISL #Kerala #Blasters #eyes #home #win #season #NorthEast #United

ISL: Ashley Westwood, the wizard of Bengaluru FC, eyes similar magic at Kerala Blasters

“Of course, it is always nice to get the first win,” Westwood said.

“We don’t have many games left, so the motivation for the players is to play well, to impress me, to impress the management, and to keep your place, your part in this club,” he added.

Like the Blasters, NorthEast too has struggled this season. Similar to its opponent, it has managed just a win, but has two points more.

Westwood’s boys will be hoping to overtake NorthEast with its maiden win at home, ideally in front of a good crowd.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#ISL #Kerala #Blasters #eyes #home #win #season #NorthEast #United">ISL 2025-26: Kerala Blasters eyes first home win of season against NorthEast United

The atmosphere was electric inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi a fortnight ago, when India secured a splendid victory over Hong Kong China in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier. It may have been a dead rubber as neither had any chance of qualification, but the match was an exciting affair, and it provided great joy to a crowd of more than 22,000.

Kerala Blasters FC will hope its fans, too, will come in large numbers for its Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 match against NorthEast United on Wednesday. Those passionate supporters had stayed away in the previous games this season, and the Blasters team had justified their disinterest with some insipid football.

But, things are changing.

The franchise got a new coach – Ashley Westwood – and he seems to be turning things around. The Englishman, who achieved much with Bengaluru FC on his first assignment in India a few years ago, guided Blasters to their first win of the season. Ironically, that victory came against his old team, at Bengaluru.

ALSO READ | ISL: Ashley Westwood, the wizard of Bengaluru FC, eyes similar magic at Kerala Blasters

“Of course, it is always nice to get the first win,” Westwood said.

“We don’t have many games left, so the motivation for the players is to play well, to impress me, to impress the management, and to keep your place, your part in this club,” he added.

Like the Blasters, NorthEast too has struggled this season. Similar to its opponent, it has managed just a win, but has two points more.

Westwood’s boys will be hoping to overtake NorthEast with its maiden win at home, ideally in front of a good crowd.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#ISL #Kerala #Blasters #eyes #home #win #season #NorthEast #United
Deadspin | Cardinals’ Jordan Walker displaying power ahead of rematch vs. Guardians     Apr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   St. Louis Cardinals fans didn’t have much to cheer about in a 9-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.  However, in the seventh inning, the sparse crowd started chanting the name of the new hero in town, Jordan Walker. He had just hit his major-league-leading eighth home run, and the fans were showing their appreciation.  The 23-year-old will try to help the Cardinals beat the visiting Guardians on Tuesday night in the second contest of a three-game series.  Walker’s homer total after 16 games puts him in high Cardinals company with Scott Rolen in 2004, Mark McGwire in 1998 and Stan Musial in 1954, each of whom hit eight in their first 16 games in those seasons.  Albert Pujols is the only Cardinal with more homers in the first 16 games — 11 in 2006.  Walker, who is on a nine-game hitting streak, is batting .333 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs, and his 46 total bases lead the majors. After finishing 2025 with a .584 OPS, he has a 1.161 OPS to start 2026.  “A lot of thought is being put into his cage work and stuff on the field,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But being on the field and being able to compete and just being free to do what he is doing out there is key to all this.  “His work has been good, but when you get out there in the box, it is you against the pitcher and just competing is important. He has done a great job with that.”  Walker hit .215 last season and drove in just 41 runs in 111 games. In 2024, he managed only 20 RBIs in 51 games after driving in 51 in his rookie season of 2023.   “You can just tell he is enjoying the game again,” Marmol said. “I like to see that. A really talented player who has gone through quite a bit. The couple of years he has had hold quite a bit of weight, so to be able to see him enjoy himself and have fun is really good to see.”  St. Louis will send Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.16 ERA) to the mound Tuesday to try to even the series. The 25-year-old right-hander is 12-5 lifetime with a 3.72 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) and has never faced Cleveland.  The Guardians will counter with southpaw Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.45). The 26-year-old is 8-7 lifetime with a 3.57 ERA in 46 games (24 starts) and hasn’t faced the Cardinals.  The Guardians’ offense rocked four Cardinals pitchers for 11 hits and nine runs on Monday. Cleveland starting pulling away in the fourth inning with three runs when Daniel Schneemann singled to right field to drive in a pair.  The left-handed-swinging Schneemann is hitting .256 with no home runs and had just four RBI leading into Monday.  The Guardians have faced an unusual amount of southpaws in the early season, and Schneemann said he believes that has made his quality at-bats inconsistent.  The Guardians were able to get to Cardinals lefty starter Matthew Liberatore for six hits and four runs in five innings on Monday, however.  “I was just looking to come through and, luckily, that ball got through,” Schneemann said of his two-run single that was off the glove of Cardinals first baseman Alex Burleson. “I have to give big credit to our coaching staff. They have done a great job of getting us good at-bats during this stretch.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cardinals #Jordan #Walker #displaying #power #ahead #rematch #GuardiansApr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

St. Louis Cardinals fans didn’t have much to cheer about in a 9-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.

However, in the seventh inning, the sparse crowd started chanting the name of the new hero in town, Jordan Walker. He had just hit his major-league-leading eighth home run, and the fans were showing their appreciation.

The 23-year-old will try to help the Cardinals beat the visiting Guardians on Tuesday night in the second contest of a three-game series.

Walker’s homer total after 16 games puts him in high Cardinals company with Scott Rolen in 2004, Mark McGwire in 1998 and Stan Musial in 1954, each of whom hit eight in their first 16 games in those seasons.

Albert Pujols is the only Cardinal with more homers in the first 16 games — 11 in 2006.

Walker, who is on a nine-game hitting streak, is batting .333 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs, and his 46 total bases lead the majors. After finishing 2025 with a .584 OPS, he has a 1.161 OPS to start 2026.

“A lot of thought is being put into his cage work and stuff on the field,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But being on the field and being able to compete and just being free to do what he is doing out there is key to all this.

“His work has been good, but when you get out there in the box, it is you against the pitcher and just competing is important. He has done a great job with that.”


Walker hit .215 last season and drove in just 41 runs in 111 games. In 2024, he managed only 20 RBIs in 51 games after driving in 51 in his rookie season of 2023.

“You can just tell he is enjoying the game again,” Marmol said. “I like to see that. A really talented player who has gone through quite a bit. The couple of years he has had hold quite a bit of weight, so to be able to see him enjoy himself and have fun is really good to see.”

St. Louis will send Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.16 ERA) to the mound Tuesday to try to even the series. The 25-year-old right-hander is 12-5 lifetime with a 3.72 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) and has never faced Cleveland.

The Guardians will counter with southpaw Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.45). The 26-year-old is 8-7 lifetime with a 3.57 ERA in 46 games (24 starts) and hasn’t faced the Cardinals.

The Guardians’ offense rocked four Cardinals pitchers for 11 hits and nine runs on Monday. Cleveland starting pulling away in the fourth inning with three runs when Daniel Schneemann singled to right field to drive in a pair.

The left-handed-swinging Schneemann is hitting .256 with no home runs and had just four RBI leading into Monday.

The Guardians have faced an unusual amount of southpaws in the early season, and Schneemann said he believes that has made his quality at-bats inconsistent.

The Guardians were able to get to Cardinals lefty starter Matthew Liberatore for six hits and four runs in five innings on Monday, however.

“I was just looking to come through and, luckily, that ball got through,” Schneemann said of his two-run single that was off the glove of Cardinals first baseman Alex Burleson. “I have to give big credit to our coaching staff. They have done a great job of getting us good at-bats during this stretch.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cardinals #Jordan #Walker #displaying #power #ahead #rematch #Guardians">Deadspin | Cardinals’ Jordan Walker displaying power ahead of rematch vs. Guardians     Apr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   St. Louis Cardinals fans didn’t have much to cheer about in a 9-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.  However, in the seventh inning, the sparse crowd started chanting the name of the new hero in town, Jordan Walker. He had just hit his major-league-leading eighth home run, and the fans were showing their appreciation.  The 23-year-old will try to help the Cardinals beat the visiting Guardians on Tuesday night in the second contest of a three-game series.  Walker’s homer total after 16 games puts him in high Cardinals company with Scott Rolen in 2004, Mark McGwire in 1998 and Stan Musial in 1954, each of whom hit eight in their first 16 games in those seasons.  Albert Pujols is the only Cardinal with more homers in the first 16 games — 11 in 2006.  Walker, who is on a nine-game hitting streak, is batting .333 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs, and his 46 total bases lead the majors. After finishing 2025 with a .584 OPS, he has a 1.161 OPS to start 2026.  “A lot of thought is being put into his cage work and stuff on the field,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But being on the field and being able to compete and just being free to do what he is doing out there is key to all this.  “His work has been good, but when you get out there in the box, it is you against the pitcher and just competing is important. He has done a great job with that.”  Walker hit .215 last season and drove in just 41 runs in 111 games. In 2024, he managed only 20 RBIs in 51 games after driving in 51 in his rookie season of 2023.   “You can just tell he is enjoying the game again,” Marmol said. “I like to see that. A really talented player who has gone through quite a bit. The couple of years he has had hold quite a bit of weight, so to be able to see him enjoy himself and have fun is really good to see.”  St. Louis will send Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.16 ERA) to the mound Tuesday to try to even the series. The 25-year-old right-hander is 12-5 lifetime with a 3.72 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) and has never faced Cleveland.  The Guardians will counter with southpaw Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.45). The 26-year-old is 8-7 lifetime with a 3.57 ERA in 46 games (24 starts) and hasn’t faced the Cardinals.  The Guardians’ offense rocked four Cardinals pitchers for 11 hits and nine runs on Monday. Cleveland starting pulling away in the fourth inning with three runs when Daniel Schneemann singled to right field to drive in a pair.  The left-handed-swinging Schneemann is hitting .256 with no home runs and had just four RBI leading into Monday.  The Guardians have faced an unusual amount of southpaws in the early season, and Schneemann said he believes that has made his quality at-bats inconsistent.  The Guardians were able to get to Cardinals lefty starter Matthew Liberatore for six hits and four runs in five innings on Monday, however.  “I was just looking to come through and, luckily, that ball got through,” Schneemann said of his two-run single that was off the glove of Cardinals first baseman Alex Burleson. “I have to give big credit to our coaching staff. They have done a great job of getting us good at-bats during this stretch.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cardinals #Jordan #Walker #displaying #power #ahead #rematch #Guardians

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