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Deadspin | Lightning, Canadiens enter pivotal Game 5 of closely contested series Apr 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Lightning have returned home tied 2-2 in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, and according to coach Jon Cooper, it may not be that way if not for the play of Max Crozier. Game 5 takes place in Tampa on Wednesday night after a two-day break following Sunday’s 3-2 Lightning victory in Montreal in front of a boisterous bunch of Habs fans, both inside the NHL’s largest arena and outside watching on a giant screen broadcast. If one glaring point is gleaned through four contests between the Atlantic Division foes, it is that this best-of-seven series has been the tightest of the first round’s eight matchups, about as evenly played as is mathematically possible. In addition to splitting the four matches, each side has produced 11 goals and three of the four meetings have required extra time. On the power play thus far, Montreal, which finished 10th during the regular season, has connected on 5 of 19 chances (26.3%). The Lightning were middling, ranking 17th this season, but have potted four goals in their 20 times on the man advantage (20%). When the numbers are that close, a play out of the ordinary that generally does not jump off the scoresheet can make a big difference. Something like Crozier’s Sunday second-period high hit on Montreal’s star winger Juraj Slafkovsky, who netted a hat trick in Game 1 in Tampa on three power-plays tallies, including the game-winner in overtime. The defenseman, who only played in 35 games due to surgery, waylaid Slafkovsky at center ice at high speed, sending the 2022 No. 1 overall selection straight to the dressing room to regroup. The Lightning were outhit 50-28 by the Habs, but Crozier’s lone leveling body blow altered the tone. “The hit obviously got our bench out of their seats,” Cooper said. “But you still have to take advantage of that. We score in the last minute of the second and in the first (two minutes) of the third, and all of a sudden, the game’s completely changed. “(Crozier’s hit) helped take the crowd out of it.” Instead of maintaining or building on its 2-0 lead that could have resulted in a 3-1 series advantage, Montreal watched it all slip away by allowing three unanswered goals to the visitors. Brandon Hagel hit the net for the game-tying and game-winning markers in the third to send the series back to Tampa all square. Montreal has relied on its top forward line of Cole Caufield (goal, three assists), Nick Suzuki (four helpers) and Slafkovsky (three tallies) for much of the offense, and second-line forward Alex Newhook said the Habs’ secondary scoring must improve. Newhook plays with center Oliver Kapanen and right winger Ivan Demidov. Only Demidov has produced a point by assisting on Slafkovsky’s first power-play goal in Game 1’s 4-3 shocker. “It’s something we talk over and try to find solutions (for) here throughout the series as to how,” said Newhook, who posted 13 goals and 25 points in 42 games after fracturing his ankle in mid-November. ” … Fundamentally, getting back to some basics is important this time of the year. “I think we found some success when we’re keeping it simple and throwing it behind them. Then being able to go and win a battle.” Game 6, the series’ first elimination game regardless of Wednesday’s result, is Friday in Montreal. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lightning #Canadiens #enter #pivotal #Game #closely #contested #series

Deadspin | Lightning, Canadiens enter pivotal Game 5 of closely contested series
Deadspin | Lightning, Canadiens enter pivotal Game 5 of closely contested series Apr 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Lightning have returned home tied 2-2 in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, and according to coach Jon Cooper, it may not be that way if not for the play of Max Crozier. Game 5 takes place in Tampa on Wednesday night after a two-day break following Sunday’s 3-2 Lightning victory in Montreal in front of a boisterous bunch of Habs fans, both inside the NHL’s largest arena and outside watching on a giant screen broadcast. If one glaring point is gleaned through four contests between the Atlantic Division foes, it is that this best-of-seven series has been the tightest of the first round’s eight matchups, about as evenly played as is mathematically possible. In addition to splitting the four matches, each side has produced 11 goals and three of the four meetings have required extra time. On the power play thus far, Montreal, which finished 10th during the regular season, has connected on 5 of 19 chances (26.3%). The Lightning were middling, ranking 17th this season, but have potted four goals in their 20 times on the man advantage (20%). When the numbers are that close, a play out of the ordinary that generally does not jump off the scoresheet can make a big difference. Something like Crozier’s Sunday second-period high hit on Montreal’s star winger Juraj Slafkovsky, who netted a hat trick in Game 1 in Tampa on three power-plays tallies, including the game-winner in overtime. The defenseman, who only played in 35 games due to surgery, waylaid Slafkovsky at center ice at high speed, sending the 2022 No. 1 overall selection straight to the dressing room to regroup. The Lightning were outhit 50-28 by the Habs, but Crozier’s lone leveling body blow altered the tone. “The hit obviously got our bench out of their seats,” Cooper said. “But you still have to take advantage of that. We score in the last minute of the second and in the first (two minutes) of the third, and all of a sudden, the game’s completely changed. “(Crozier’s hit) helped take the crowd out of it.” Instead of maintaining or building on its 2-0 lead that could have resulted in a 3-1 series advantage, Montreal watched it all slip away by allowing three unanswered goals to the visitors. Brandon Hagel hit the net for the game-tying and game-winning markers in the third to send the series back to Tampa all square. Montreal has relied on its top forward line of Cole Caufield (goal, three assists), Nick Suzuki (four helpers) and Slafkovsky (three tallies) for much of the offense, and second-line forward Alex Newhook said the Habs’ secondary scoring must improve. Newhook plays with center Oliver Kapanen and right winger Ivan Demidov. Only Demidov has produced a point by assisting on Slafkovsky’s first power-play goal in Game 1’s 4-3 shocker. “It’s something we talk over and try to find solutions (for) here throughout the series as to how,” said Newhook, who posted 13 goals and 25 points in 42 games after fracturing his ankle in mid-November. ” … Fundamentally, getting back to some basics is important this time of the year. “I think we found some success when we’re keeping it simple and throwing it behind them. Then being able to go and win a battle.” Game 6, the series’ first elimination game regardless of Wednesday’s result, is Friday in Montreal. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lightning #Canadiens #enter #pivotal #Game #closely #contested #seriesApr 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Lightning have returned home tied 2-2 in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, and according to coach Jon Cooper, it may not be that way if not for the play of Max Crozier.

Game 5 takes place in Tampa on Wednesday night after a two-day break following Sunday’s 3-2 Lightning victory in Montreal in front of a boisterous bunch of Habs fans, both inside the NHL’s largest arena and outside watching on a giant screen broadcast.

If one glaring point is gleaned through four contests between the Atlantic Division foes, it is that this best-of-seven series has been the tightest of the first round’s eight matchups, about as evenly played as is mathematically possible.

In addition to splitting the four matches, each side has produced 11 goals and three of the four meetings have required extra time.

On the power play thus far, Montreal, which finished 10th during the regular season, has connected on 5 of 19 chances (26.3%). The Lightning were middling, ranking 17th this season, but have potted four goals in their 20 times on the man advantage (20%).

When the numbers are that close, a play out of the ordinary that generally does not jump off the scoresheet can make a big difference.

Something like Crozier’s Sunday second-period high hit on Montreal’s star winger Juraj Slafkovsky, who netted a hat trick in Game 1 in Tampa on three power-plays tallies, including the game-winner in overtime.

The defenseman, who only played in 35 games due to surgery, waylaid Slafkovsky at center ice at high speed, sending the 2022 No. 1 overall selection straight to the dressing room to regroup.

The Lightning were outhit 50-28 by the Habs, but Crozier’s lone leveling body blow altered the tone.


“The hit obviously got our bench out of their seats,” Cooper said. “But you still have to take advantage of that. We score in the last minute of the second and in the first (two minutes) of the third, and all of a sudden, the game’s completely changed.

“(Crozier’s hit) helped take the crowd out of it.”

Instead of maintaining or building on its 2-0 lead that could have resulted in a 3-1 series advantage, Montreal watched it all slip away by allowing three unanswered goals to the visitors.

Brandon Hagel hit the net for the game-tying and game-winning markers in the third to send the series back to Tampa all square.

Montreal has relied on its top forward line of Cole Caufield (goal, three assists), Nick Suzuki (four helpers) and Slafkovsky (three tallies) for much of the offense, and second-line forward Alex Newhook said the Habs’ secondary scoring must improve.

Newhook plays with center Oliver Kapanen and right winger Ivan Demidov. Only Demidov has produced a point by assisting on Slafkovsky’s first power-play goal in Game 1’s 4-3 shocker.

“It’s something we talk over and try to find solutions (for) here throughout the series as to how,” said Newhook, who posted 13 goals and 25 points in 42 games after fracturing his ankle in mid-November. ” … Fundamentally, getting back to some basics is important this time of the year.

“I think we found some success when we’re keeping it simple and throwing it behind them. Then being able to go and win a battle.”

Game 6, the series’ first elimination game regardless of Wednesday’s result, is Friday in Montreal.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lightning #Canadiens #enter #pivotal #Game #closely #contested #series

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Apr 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Lightning have returned home tied 2-2 in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, and according to coach Jon Cooper, it may not be that way if not for the play of Max Crozier.

Game 5 takes place in Tampa on Wednesday night after a two-day break following Sunday’s 3-2 Lightning victory in Montreal in front of a boisterous bunch of Habs fans, both inside the NHL’s largest arena and outside watching on a giant screen broadcast.

If one glaring point is gleaned through four contests between the Atlantic Division foes, it is that this best-of-seven series has been the tightest of the first round’s eight matchups, about as evenly played as is mathematically possible.

In addition to splitting the four matches, each side has produced 11 goals and three of the four meetings have required extra time.

On the power play thus far, Montreal, which finished 10th during the regular season, has connected on 5 of 19 chances (26.3%). The Lightning were middling, ranking 17th this season, but have potted four goals in their 20 times on the man advantage (20%).

When the numbers are that close, a play out of the ordinary that generally does not jump off the scoresheet can make a big difference.

Something like Crozier’s Sunday second-period high hit on Montreal’s star winger Juraj Slafkovsky, who netted a hat trick in Game 1 in Tampa on three power-plays tallies, including the game-winner in overtime.

The defenseman, who only played in 35 games due to surgery, waylaid Slafkovsky at center ice at high speed, sending the 2022 No. 1 overall selection straight to the dressing room to regroup.

The Lightning were outhit 50-28 by the Habs, but Crozier’s lone leveling body blow altered the tone.

“The hit obviously got our bench out of their seats,” Cooper said. “But you still have to take advantage of that. We score in the last minute of the second and in the first (two minutes) of the third, and all of a sudden, the game’s completely changed.

“(Crozier’s hit) helped take the crowd out of it.”

Instead of maintaining or building on its 2-0 lead that could have resulted in a 3-1 series advantage, Montreal watched it all slip away by allowing three unanswered goals to the visitors.

Brandon Hagel hit the net for the game-tying and game-winning markers in the third to send the series back to Tampa all square.

Montreal has relied on its top forward line of Cole Caufield (goal, three assists), Nick Suzuki (four helpers) and Slafkovsky (three tallies) for much of the offense, and second-line forward Alex Newhook said the Habs’ secondary scoring must improve.

Newhook plays with center Oliver Kapanen and right winger Ivan Demidov. Only Demidov has produced a point by assisting on Slafkovsky’s first power-play goal in Game 1’s 4-3 shocker.

“It’s something we talk over and try to find solutions (for) here throughout the series as to how,” said Newhook, who posted 13 goals and 25 points in 42 games after fracturing his ankle in mid-November. ” … Fundamentally, getting back to some basics is important this time of the year.

“I think we found some success when we’re keeping it simple and throwing it behind them. Then being able to go and win a battle.”

Game 6, the series’ first elimination game regardless of Wednesday’s result, is Friday in Montreal.

–Field Level Media

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It’s primetime for conspiracy theorist video creators<div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">In the days since this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner was cut short <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/04/26/us/white-house-correspondents-hilton-shots.html">when shots were fired at the event</a>, there has been a boom of conspiracy theory videos created by people who <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/919244/whcd-shooting-trump-social-media-conspiracy-theories">insist that the entire situation was a false flag operation</a>. These kinds of theories are nothing new, but the way they’re spreading now is a reflection of how reaction video culture is reshaping our social media landscape. And even though the initial chaos around the shooting has started to die down, content creators are still posting about what “really” happened.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">There is still much we do not know about Cole Allen, the 31-year-old suspected shooter who <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04/26/us/correspondents-dinner-shooting-trump">allegedly traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, DC,</a> ahead of the WCHD and was staying in the same Hilton where the event was held. But that has not stopped content creators from flooding platforms like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/q5pIbIQtyVw">YouTube</a>, TikTok, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXmLxQADrwE/?igsh=YmxjazB3bHRxZnpk">Instagram</a>, and X with videos purporting to have more insightful takes on the situation than what’s being reported by the mainstream media.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">None of these videos reveal anything that hasn’t already been reported out via traditional media outlets. But each of them speaks to the way that this brand of content has become a normal part of people’s media consumption habits and something that creators see as a viable way to capture attention. In the US, <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/695762/trust-media-new-low.aspx">trust in traditional media outlets is at a historic low</a> and more people are <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93lzyxkklpo">turning to social media</a> to stay informed about world events. And that shift has given conspiracy-minded content creators a choice opportunity to influence the way people understand reality.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">All of this is similar to what happened in 2024 when <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/15/24199116/trump-shooting-assassination-attempt-rally-presidential-race">Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt</a> while campaigning for the presidency. Then, creators <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/15/24199146/donald-trump-rally-shooting-assassination-picture-merch-tshirts-etsy-amazon">rushed to capitalize on the event</a> while also writing it off as a false flag designed to garner sympathy for the Republican nominee. That news cycle and subsequent discourse dragged on for weeks, both because it was a significant moment in an election year and because it was difficult to understand how Trump could have been shot in his ear without sustaining any visible damage afterward.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">Many of the newer videos about the WHCD shooting suggest that we should look at these events as a response to the Trump administration’s propensity for spreading misinformation. And while there is no evidence to suggest that the WHCD shooting was, in fact, orchestrated with Trump’s approval, one could argue the administration is at least partially responsible for the way that this idea has gained traction across the internet.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">As easy as it is to laugh at <a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/861476/trump-memes-venezuela-ice-shooting">the constant barrage of shitposts</a> coming out of the president’s social media accounts and other official governmental channels, they have undoubtedly had an impact on the way that the public thinks about the current administration. By sharing ugly, immature memes and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/29/the-slopaganda-era-10-ai-images-posted-by-the-white-house-and-what-they-teach-us">AI-generated images</a> of Trump as a Christlike figure, the White House has told people that nothing is to be taken seriously and everything can be turned into a crude joke. And at a time when all of the internet’s biggest social media platforms have begun <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/9/24195277/instagram-long-form-video-adam-mosseri">encouraging their users to upload videos</a> of themselves while chasing engagement, it makes sense that many would see this past weekend’s shooting as a chance to boost their profiles.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">Trump has made nonsensical “jokes” a significant part of his political brand, and people are responding with very similar energy.</p></div><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>#primetime #conspiracy #theorist #video #creatorsCreators,Instagram,Meta,Streaming,Tech,TikTok,YouTube

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Deadspin | Hailey Baptiste saves six match points to stun Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid <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-900/28432161.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28432161.jpg" alt="Tennis: BNP Paribas Open-Day 7" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 7, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Hailey Baptiste (USA) reacts after winning the second set during her second round match against Elena Rybakina (KAZ) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Hailey Baptiste upset World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and did so in dramatic fashion, saving six match points en route to a 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6) victory in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open on Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The 30th-seeded Baptiste earned the first top-five victory of her young career by handing Sabalenka only her second loss of the season. The Belarusian saw a 15-match win streak come to a halt.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Baptiste, a 24-year-old from Washington, D.C., advanced to the semifinals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time after reaching the Miami Open quarterfinals last month — where she fell to Sabalenka.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“It just shows me where my game was. I’ve always believed it, and I feel like now I’m starting to put it into action and the world is seeing it as well,” Baptiste told Tennis Channel in a post-match interview.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Five of Baptiste’s six saved match points came during a marathon 10th game in the third set. Up 5-4, Sabalenka raced out to a 40-15 lead and had double match point. But it was Baptiste’s service game, and she fired an ace past Sabalenka before another big serve led to a Sabalenka shot in the net.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Sabalenka soon earned three advantages in a row, only for Baptiste to counter all three.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>In the tiebreaker, Sabalenka squeaked ahead 6-5 but Baptiste saved match point No. 6 and won two more points from there to finish off the upset.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>“I definitely had a lot of nerves, but I had 28 chances yesterday and I didn’t get it done,” Baptiste said, referring to Monday’s marathon win in which Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic saved six of Baptiste’s match points.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>“I was able to get it on the first one, and I told my team, when I get my match point today, I’m going to win the first one that I get.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Baptiste finished with 12 aces and saved 11 of 17 break points, while Sabalenka saved 8 of 14 break points and won exactly one fewer point than her opponent. Sabalenka had won the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells, Miami) plus her first three matches of the Madrid Open.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Baptiste’s next challenge will be a match against No. 9 seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia. In the only other match on Tuesday’s slate, Andreeva defeated Canadian 24th seed Leylah Fernandez 7-6 (1), 6-3.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>On the day before her 19th birthday, Andreeva advanced to the semifinals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time since her victories at Dubai and Indian Wells last year.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“I’m so happy I cannot take the smile away from my face,” Andreeva said. “I’m extremely happy about the way I played and the result. It wouldn’t be a perfect birthday if I would lose today. I really didn’t want that to happen, and I was trying to give everything I had to be in a good mood tomorrow.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Andreeva saved 12 of 15 break points while benefiting from Fernandez’s five double faults without an ace.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Hailey #Baptiste #saves #match #points #stun #Aryna #Sabalenka #Madrid

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The Afghanistan women’s refugee team has been granted eligibility for international competitions, some five years after national team players fled their country’s Taliban rule.

The FIFA Council, meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, agreed on Tuesday to amend its regulations to recognise the refugee team, which plays under the name Afghan Women United.

While it is too late for the refugee team to try to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, it could participate in qualification for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United, and with this initiative, we aim to enable them, as well as other FIFA member associations that may not be able to register a national or representative team for a FIFA competition, to make the next step, in coordination with the relevant confederation,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

The first move toward recognition came last October, when the Afghan refugees played in a tournament that included Chad, Libya and Tunisia in Morocco. That event followed years of lobbying on the team’s behalf by players, former captain and activist Khalida Popal and human rights groups.

There are more than 80 Afghan refugee players scattered across Australia, the United States and Europe. Two camps were recently held for the women, one in England and another in Australia.

The team, coached by Pauline Hamill, is expected to play a pair of exhibitions during the upcoming June international window against opponents to be determined.

The Afghan women’s team played its last competitive match in 2018. The Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, shut down all women’s sports when it returned to power in 2021. The players fled Afghanistan, fearing persecution.

Even before the demise of the team, the Afghan football federation was under investigation for misconduct involving the women’s program, including allegations of rape and physical abuse. Keramuddin Keram, the federation president, was banned for life by FIFA.

Discrimination is not allowed under FIFA regulations, but the Afghan federation hasn’t been suspended from international football despite failing to acknowledge the women’s team.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#Afghan #womens #refugee #team #allowed #play #FIFA #tournaments">Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments The Afghanistan women’s refugee team has been granted eligibility for international competitions, some five years after national team players fled their country’s Taliban rule.The FIFA Council, meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, agreed on Tuesday to amend its regulations to recognise the refugee team, which plays under the name Afghan Women United.While it is too late for the refugee team to try to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, it could participate in qualification for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.“We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United, and with this initiative, we aim to enable them, as well as other FIFA member associations that may not be able to register a national or representative team for a FIFA competition, to make the next step, in coordination with the relevant confederation,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.The first move toward recognition came last October, when the Afghan refugees played in a tournament that included Chad, Libya and Tunisia in Morocco. That event followed years of lobbying on the team’s behalf by players, former captain and activist Khalida Popal and human rights groups.There are more than 80 Afghan refugee players scattered across Australia, the United States and Europe. Two camps were recently held for the women, one in England and another in Australia.The team, coached by Pauline Hamill, is expected to play a pair of exhibitions during the upcoming June international window against opponents to be determined.The Afghan women’s team played its last competitive match in 2018. The Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, shut down all women’s sports when it returned to power in 2021. The players fled Afghanistan, fearing persecution.Even before the demise of the team, the Afghan football federation was under investigation for misconduct involving the women’s program, including allegations of rape and physical abuse. Keramuddin Keram, the federation president, was banned for life by FIFA.Discrimination is not allowed under FIFA regulations, but the Afghan federation hasn’t been suspended from international football despite failing to acknowledge the women’s team.Published on Apr 29, 2026 #Afghan #womens #refugee #team #allowed #play #FIFA #tournaments

Deadspin | Justin Rose debuting clubs from F1’s McLaren at Cadillac Championship Justin Rose reacts after completing the 18th hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament. Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images Justin Rose raised some eyebrows with the announcement that he will debut new McLaren Golf clubs at this week’s Cadillac Championship in Miami. It’s part of the Formula One racing team’s launch into the golf space and coincides with this week’s Miami Grand Prix on Sunday. On the surface it looks like a big gamble by the 45-year-old Rose, who became the second-oldest player to reach No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking following his win at Torrey Pines earlier this year. Now No. 5 following a two-week break after a tie for third at the Masters, Rose is making the switch ahead of a stretch that includes two signature events and the PGA Championship. Rose said he has been working with the McLaren Golf engineering team from the outset for “a lot longer than a year,” and has conducted extensive testing with the clubs. “Clubs are feeling great. Obviously a lot of my own preferences have gone into the irons that I’m playing,” the Englishman said on Tuesday. “I’m excited to finally get them in the bag and sort of just enjoy them now for the rest of the season.” Rose added that he has been playing without a club manufacturer deal and that he has been trying out different equipment without playing what he would deem the “perfect” set of clubs for him. He also made a club switch in 2019, so he also learned from that process. “I’m actually looking at what can be better. I’m looking to mitigate risk,” Rose said. “I’m looking at some of the performance data that I’m getting on the range and places like that and out performing what I have. So that’s the exciting part for me. “Obviously there’s going to be a refinement process. You can test all you want, you got to get the clubs in play, and there’s going to be little mini situations out there, different lies, all sorts of things, just getting comfortable. But in the long-term, no, I don’t see there being an issue at all.” Rose sees McLaren focusing on a “high end” section of the golf landscape rather than trying to become a mass producer of clubs. He has also become good friends with F1 team principal Zak Brown and reigning world champion Lando Norris, with the McLaren Testing Center about 20 minutes from his home. “They’re both very keen golfers,” Rose said. “I think there’s a little bit of a get together tomorrow night. So which is kind of before their week gets serious, before our week gets serious. But, yeah, those guys are probably as excited about the launch as I am.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Justin #Rose #debuting #clubs #F1s #McLaren #Cadillac #ChampionshipJustin Rose reacts after completing the 18th hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament. Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images

Justin Rose raised some eyebrows with the announcement that he will debut new McLaren Golf clubs at this week’s Cadillac Championship in Miami.

It’s part of the Formula One racing team’s launch into the golf space and coincides with this week’s Miami Grand Prix on Sunday.

On the surface it looks like a big gamble by the 45-year-old Rose, who became the second-oldest player to reach No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking following his win at Torrey Pines earlier this year. Now No. 5 following a two-week break after a tie for third at the Masters, Rose is making the switch ahead of a stretch that includes two signature events and the PGA Championship.

Rose said he has been working with the McLaren Golf engineering team from the outset for “a lot longer than a year,” and has conducted extensive testing with the clubs.

“Clubs are feeling great. Obviously a lot of my own preferences have gone into the irons that I’m playing,” the Englishman said on Tuesday. “I’m excited to finally get them in the bag and sort of just enjoy them now for the rest of the season.”


Rose added that he has been playing without a club manufacturer deal and that he has been trying out different equipment without playing what he would deem the “perfect” set of clubs for him. He also made a club switch in 2019, so he also learned from that process.

“I’m actually looking at what can be better. I’m looking to mitigate risk,” Rose said. “I’m looking at some of the performance data that I’m getting on the range and places like that and out performing what I have. So that’s the exciting part for me.

“Obviously there’s going to be a refinement process. You can test all you want, you got to get the clubs in play, and there’s going to be little mini situations out there, different lies, all sorts of things, just getting comfortable. But in the long-term, no, I don’t see there being an issue at all.”

Rose sees McLaren focusing on a “high end” section of the golf landscape rather than trying to become a mass producer of clubs. He has also become good friends with F1 team principal Zak Brown and reigning world champion Lando Norris, with the McLaren Testing Center about 20 minutes from his home.

“They’re both very keen golfers,” Rose said. “I think there’s a little bit of a get together tomorrow night. So which is kind of before their week gets serious, before our week gets serious. But, yeah, those guys are probably as excited about the launch as I am.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Justin #Rose #debuting #clubs #F1s #McLaren #Cadillac #Championship">Deadspin | Justin Rose debuting clubs from F1’s McLaren at Cadillac Championship Justin Rose reacts after completing the 18th hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament. Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images Justin Rose raised some eyebrows with the announcement that he will debut new McLaren Golf clubs at this week’s Cadillac Championship in Miami. It’s part of the Formula One racing team’s launch into the golf space and coincides with this week’s Miami Grand Prix on Sunday. On the surface it looks like a big gamble by the 45-year-old Rose, who became the second-oldest player to reach No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking following his win at Torrey Pines earlier this year. Now No. 5 following a two-week break after a tie for third at the Masters, Rose is making the switch ahead of a stretch that includes two signature events and the PGA Championship. Rose said he has been working with the McLaren Golf engineering team from the outset for “a lot longer than a year,” and has conducted extensive testing with the clubs. “Clubs are feeling great. Obviously a lot of my own preferences have gone into the irons that I’m playing,” the Englishman said on Tuesday. “I’m excited to finally get them in the bag and sort of just enjoy them now for the rest of the season.” Rose added that he has been playing without a club manufacturer deal and that he has been trying out different equipment without playing what he would deem the “perfect” set of clubs for him. He also made a club switch in 2019, so he also learned from that process. “I’m actually looking at what can be better. I’m looking to mitigate risk,” Rose said. “I’m looking at some of the performance data that I’m getting on the range and places like that and out performing what I have. So that’s the exciting part for me. “Obviously there’s going to be a refinement process. You can test all you want, you got to get the clubs in play, and there’s going to be little mini situations out there, different lies, all sorts of things, just getting comfortable. But in the long-term, no, I don’t see there being an issue at all.” Rose sees McLaren focusing on a “high end” section of the golf landscape rather than trying to become a mass producer of clubs. He has also become good friends with F1 team principal Zak Brown and reigning world champion Lando Norris, with the McLaren Testing Center about 20 minutes from his home. “They’re both very keen golfers,” Rose said. “I think there’s a little bit of a get together tomorrow night. So which is kind of before their week gets serious, before our week gets serious. But, yeah, those guys are probably as excited about the launch as I am.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Justin #Rose #debuting #clubs #F1s #McLaren #Cadillac #Championship

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour at a special meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday.

“These amendments will be implemented at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and all other competition organisers will be able to decide whether to implement the changes before they enter into force on 1 July 2026,” Gianni Infantino said on social media.

Firstly, at the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.

The rule comes after Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him while covering his mouth during a Champions League match in February.

Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it said were homophobic in nature.

If Prestianni is selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he could have to sit out the defending champion’s first two matches this summer, although the ban can be appealed.

The second change pertains to preventing players from leaving the field mid-game.

“At the discretion of the competition organiser, the referee may sanction with a red card any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a referee’s decision. This new rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play,” the IFAB said in a statement.

“A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.”

This change comes after the controversial African Cup of Nations final, wherein most of Senegal’s players and staff had walked off the field in protest for a penalty decision given against them.

The play resumed after a short break, and Senegal won the match in extra time. However, FIFA later awarded the trophy to Morocco, punishing Senegal for the walkout.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #rule #introduced #Prestianni #AFCON #final #controversies">FIFA World Cup 2026 — Two rule changes introduced after Prestianni and AFCON final controversies The International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour at a special meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday.“These amendments will be implemented at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and all other competition organisers will be able to decide whether to implement the changes before they enter into force on 1 July 2026,” Gianni Infantino said on social media.Firstly, at the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.The rule comes after Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him while covering his mouth during a Champions League match in February.Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it said were homophobic in nature.If Prestianni is selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he could have to sit out the defending champion’s first two matches this summer, although the ban can be appealed.The second change pertains to preventing players from leaving the field mid-game.“At the discretion of the competition organiser, the referee may sanction with a red card any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a referee’s decision. This new rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play,” the IFAB said in a statement.“A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.”This change comes after the controversial African Cup of Nations final, wherein most of Senegal’s players and staff had walked off the field in protest for a penalty decision given against them.The play resumed after a short break, and Senegal won the match in extra time. However, FIFA later awarded the trophy to Morocco, punishing Senegal for the walkout.Published on Apr 29, 2026 #FIFA #World #Cup #rule #introduced #Prestianni #AFCON #final #controversies

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