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Infantino confirms that Iran will participate in FIFA World Cup 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play at this year’s World Cup on Thursday as he addressed the global football governing body’s Congress in Vancouver.“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he opened his address to delegates. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA eventThe expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks ‌by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World ​Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.Iran is grouped with Belgium, Egypt ⁠and New Zealand in Group G. Its matches are scheduled ⁠to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.If both the ‌U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 ​elimination match in Dallas.But Iran’s participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. With inputs from ReutersPublished on Apr 30, 2026 #Infantino #confirms #Iran #participate #FIFA #World #Cup

Infantino confirms that Iran will participate in FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play at this year’s World Cup on Thursday as he addressed the global football governing body’s Congress in Vancouver.

“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he opened his address to delegates. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”

READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA event

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.

Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks ‌by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World ​Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.

Iran is grouped with Belgium, Egypt ⁠and New Zealand in Group G. Its matches are scheduled ⁠to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

If both the ‌U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 ​elimination match in Dallas.

But Iran’s participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.

FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. 

With inputs from Reuters

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Infantino #confirms #Iran #participate #FIFA #World #Cup

Sports news , , , , , , , , , ,

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play at this year’s World Cup on Thursday as he addressed the global football governing body’s Congress in Vancouver.

“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he opened his address to delegates. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”

READ | Canadian official backs up report that Iranian football chiefs were denied entry for FIFA event

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic ‌frictions could complicate planning for certain nations.

Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks ‌by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World ​Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.

Iran is grouped with Belgium, Egypt ⁠and New Zealand in Group G. Its matches are scheduled ⁠to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

If both the ‌U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 ​elimination match in Dallas.

But Iran’s participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches ⁠on U.S. soil.

FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule ⁠would stand.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian ‌players participating in the World Cup but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with ​them people with ties to the IRGC. 

With inputs from Reuters

Published on Apr 30, 2026

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Deadspin | Giants’ bullpen prepares to size up Phillies in doubleheader <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-900/28752628.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28752628.jpg" alt="MLB: San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 17, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The San Francisco Giants have one of the top bullpens in the majors. And that group likely will be put to the test on Thursday when the Giants play a doubleheader against the host Philadelphia Phillies.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The middle contest of a scheduled three-game series was rained out Wednesday, leading to a day/night doubleheader on get-away day for both teams.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Even after the starting time of Wednesday’s game was pushed up in hopes of beating the rain, the postponement was made well in advance of warm-ups. Therefore, scheduled starters Logan Webb (2-3, 4.86 ERA) of the Giants and Cristopher Sanchez (2-2, 2.94) of the Phillies now are scheduled to start Game 1 on Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Giants would not commit to their regularly scheduled starter, right-hander Adrian Houser (0-3, 7.36), in the nightcap, however, given the possibility of a doubleheader roster addition.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Phillies made no announcement on their starter for the second game, but it likely will be rookie right-hander Andrew Painter (1-2, 5.25 ERA).</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Wednesday’s rainout gave Don Mattingly an extra day to celebrate his first win as Phillies manager, a 7-0 romp over the Giants in Tuesday’s series opener. He wasn’t surprised at the brand of baseball his players displayed in the immediate aftermath of a 1-11 stretch that cost Rob Thomson his job.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“When you have this type of talent, it’s there and it’s coming,” Mattingly said after Tuesday’s win. “You could feel this coming.”</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Because of the rain, both teams got a full-bullpen break Wednesday.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>The Giants are, statistically, one of the top bullpens in baseball. They rank third in ERA (3.06) and fourth in batting average allowed (.212).</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>One of the two bullpen losses came April 6 when the Phillies put up four runs in the seventh inning of the clubs’ series opener in San Francisco, flipping a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 lead. Philadelphia went on to win the game by that score.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Houser and Painter were the starting pitchers in that game.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Houser was in line to record his first win as a member of the Giants when he left the earlier home game against the Phillies with a 4-2 lead. This will be his fifth career start and 10th career appearance against the Phillies, having gone 1-2 with a 4.28 ERA.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Facing the Giants for the first time, Painter did not get a decision in the win, pulled after four innings, having surrendered four runs on nine hits.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Sanchez was hit hard by San Francisco on April 7, when the Giants tagged him for four runs (two earned) and 11 hits in five innings in a 6-0 victory. That loss dropped the left-hander to 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in six lifetime games against the Giants.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Webb, a right-hander, has never beaten the Phillies in three lifetime starts, going 0-1 with a 6.19 ERA.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Giants slugger Rafael Devers homered as San Francisco closed a series win over the Phillies in the earlier head-to-head with a 5-0 win. But he hasn’t homered in 16 games since, hitting .203 with 22 strikeouts in 64 at-bats.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“I know the kind of player I am,” Devers assured reporters after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the series opener Tuesday. “I have said it before: I am going to get out of this. I know what I can bring to the table.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-18"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Giants #bullpen #prepares #size #Phillies #doubleheader

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New Hulk Hogan documentary works hard to defend a racist <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">One of the most-watched shows on Netflix currently is <em>Hulk Hogan: Real American</em>, a four-part documentary series that sets out with the premise it’s going to unpack the complicated, messy nature of Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan), using it as a lens by which we can see all heroes as the flawed individuals they really are. Sadly, it once again fails in its primary task, following in the footsteps of 2024’s <em>Mr. McMahon</em> to turn out another WWE-sanctioned, selective version of history, which gently dips its toe into the promise of being genuine, before recoiling once more to present a sanitized version of history.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Across its nearly five hours of run time we’re presented with a version of Hogan which routinely positions the man as a victim. Whether it’s the era he grew up in, his upbringing, the pressures of being a star, or coping with time passing him by — it always stops just short of Hogan ever accepting that he was a trash human being for almost the entirety of his life, who caused damage both personally and professionally that can’t be erased simply because he says he was “saved” in 2023.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan did steroids because <em>everyone</em> was doing them.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan was a racist because that’s just the time he grew up in.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan destroyed the careers of other wrestlers because he knew what was best for business.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan lied in court, but it was only to protect a friend.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan suggested to a Rolling Stone writer that he might murder his ex-wife Linda, and her new boyfriend like O.J. Simpson — but it was only because he was drinking a beer and thought the reporter was his friend.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Time, and time, and time again Hogan is let off the hook by the documentary. It sets up reprehensible story after reprehensible story, tantalizingly getting close to the truth — only to have Hogan hand-wave away with a fleeting excuse, never to be expounded again. It continually gives its subject the last word, rarely bringing in anyone else to counter his points or debate them. There’s also the incredible sins of omission, parts of Hogan’s entire life or career that aren’t even mentioned to ensure the best possible version of the wrestler remains.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><ul class="duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1"><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">It’s never mentioned that a huge part of Hulk Hogan’s continued stardom in the 1980s was due to ratting out Jessie Ventura’s attempt to unionize the WWE locker room, earning him tremendous brownie points with Vince McMahon for helping him suppress worker rights.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Hogan’s professional jealousy and creative control in WCW are barely touched on, which helped collapse the company.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Hogan’s time in TNA in barely mentioned.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Hogan’s entire second marriage, which lasted 11 years was glossed over — instead presented as him being single from when he divorces his first wife Linda in 2007, until he remarried in 2023.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Brook Hogan, his eldest daughter, is not featured in the documentary at all — which is notable, because she publicly distanced herself from her father over concerns with his third wife.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">There’s no mention that Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker was funded by Peter Thiel, who specifically used is as a tool to bankrupt the company.</span></li></ul></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In addition, the documentary is quick to shame Linda Hogan for dating a man 30 years her junior immediately following the couple’s divorce, spending almost 10 minutes mocking her decision — but later presents Hogan’s third wife as a savior character, despite being 25 years Hogan’s junior when they were married. This is par for the course when Hogan is allowed to outwardly lie without being fact-checked, like his assertion that Arsenio Hall’s career was thanks to him calling in favors — clearly used as a rhetorical technique to present Hogan as not being racist.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It’s only fair to question the continued motivations of these made-for-Netflix “documentaries” by WWE, and the standards they’re being held to. <em>Hulk Hogan: Real American</em> follows in the spiritual footsteps of both <em>Mr. McMahon</em>, and <em>WWE: Unreal</em> for being narrow, barely-sourced or fact-checked examinations of professional wrestling, written, executed, and organized through WWE production. Each instance is less an attempt to document a story or time, instead trying to reshape history through WWE’s lens and leave it as a living record — which is extremely suspect in light of the $500M a year deal between WWE and Netflix to air <em>Monday Night Raw</em>.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In the end you need to accept these for what they are: Somewhat interesting, but tightly curated. They exist to ensure WWE never looks bad, the only stories mentioned are those which have been approved for airing, and they all result in being glorified puff pieces with <em>just</em> enough critique to have a veneer of impartiality that doesn’t really exist.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">As long as Netflix keeps accepting this schlock to broadcast, we’re never going to get real stories of professional wrestling.</p></div></div> #Hulk #Hogan #documentary #works #hard #defend #racist

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Deadspin | Rockies turn to Michael Lorenzen in bid for series win vs. Reds Apr 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The Cincinnati Reds will face a familiar pitcher on Thursday afternoon when they host the Colorado Rockies in the rubber match of a three-game series. Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen (2-2, 5.97 ERA) spent the first seven seasons (2015-21) of his career with the Reds. He’ll look to lead Colorado to a series win after the Rockies recorded a 13-2 victory on Wednesday. Hunter Goodman homered twice and drove in three runs for the Rockies, who bounced back from a 7-2 loss in the series opener. Brett Sullivan doubled twice among his three hits and had three RBIs on Wednesday. Cincinnati had won eight of its previous 10 games before the loss. Mickey Moniak is riding a 13-game hitting streak for Colorado, which has won four of its last five games. Manager Warren Schaeffer said Moniak has been an invaluable part of the team’s early success. “Behind closed doors, he’s part of what keeps everything around here loose and keeps everybody ready to play,” Schaeffer said. “What he provides off the field is just as big as what he’s providing on the field, but he’s in a really good place offensively, too.” Moniak doubled in a run on Wednesday, when the Rockies led 8-0 before adding five runs in the ninth against position player Jose Trevino. Cincinnati will look to bounce back against Lorenzen, who recorded his best start of the young season last Friday. He allowed one run over seven innings in a 4-3 road win over the New York Mets. “(Lorenzen) picked up the boys,” Schaeffer said. “(The bullpen) was light, for sure. That’s how a teammate steps up for his team. It was big. It was huge for us.” Tyler Stephenson is 5-for-8 with a home run against Lorenzen, who is 1-2 with a 6.48 ERA in three career starts vs. his former team. Cincinnati will counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott (0-2, 6.59 ERA), who allowed five runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers last Friday in a game the Reds won 9-8. Abbott has given up a total of 16 runs (15 earned) over his last three starts covering 11 2/3 innings. “I’ve never struggled for this long in my life,” the 26-year-old said. “It’s foreign to me. We’re trying different drills. We’re focusing on one thing, then the next. I don’t really know what to label as the reason. It could just be, I think it’s as simple as pitches over the middle of the plate. It could be something else behind the scenes.” Brenton Doyle is 4-for-8 with a home run against Abbott, who is 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts vs. Colorado. The Reds could use a lengthy outing from Abbott after Wednesday starter Brandon Williamson lasted just three innings before exiting with left shoulder fatigue. Williamson, who will have an MRI on Thursday, said the fatigue could be related to his 15-month layoff while recovering from Tommy John surgery in September 2024. “I feel like I’m to the point where I’m just catching up to a lot of, not rehab but just not playing for so long,” Williamson said. “Feel like I’ve just been trying to grind through it. It’s kind of caught up to me a little bit. I’m still just trying to figure it out.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rockies #turn #Michael #Lorenzen #bid #series #win #RedsApr 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Reds will face a familiar pitcher on Thursday afternoon when they host the Colorado Rockies in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen (2-2, 5.97 ERA) spent the first seven seasons (2015-21) of his career with the Reds. He’ll look to lead Colorado to a series win after the Rockies recorded a 13-2 victory on Wednesday.

Hunter Goodman homered twice and drove in three runs for the Rockies, who bounced back from a 7-2 loss in the series opener. Brett Sullivan doubled twice among his three hits and had three RBIs on Wednesday.

Cincinnati had won eight of its previous 10 games before the loss.

Mickey Moniak is riding a 13-game hitting streak for Colorado, which has won four of its last five games. Manager Warren Schaeffer said Moniak has been an invaluable part of the team’s early success.

“Behind closed doors, he’s part of what keeps everything around here loose and keeps everybody ready to play,” Schaeffer said. “What he provides off the field is just as big as what he’s providing on the field, but he’s in a really good place offensively, too.”

Moniak doubled in a run on Wednesday, when the Rockies led 8-0 before adding five runs in the ninth against position player Jose Trevino.

Cincinnati will look to bounce back against Lorenzen, who recorded his best start of the young season last Friday. He allowed one run over seven innings in a 4-3 road win over the New York Mets.


“(Lorenzen) picked up the boys,” Schaeffer said. “(The bullpen) was light, for sure. That’s how a teammate steps up for his team. It was big. It was huge for us.”

Tyler Stephenson is 5-for-8 with a home run against Lorenzen, who is 1-2 with a 6.48 ERA in three career starts vs. his former team.

Cincinnati will counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott (0-2, 6.59 ERA), who allowed five runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers last Friday in a game the Reds won 9-8.

Abbott has given up a total of 16 runs (15 earned) over his last three starts covering 11 2/3 innings.

“I’ve never struggled for this long in my life,” the 26-year-old said. “It’s foreign to me. We’re trying different drills. We’re focusing on one thing, then the next. I don’t really know what to label as the reason. It could just be, I think it’s as simple as pitches over the middle of the plate. It could be something else behind the scenes.”

Brenton Doyle is 4-for-8 with a home run against Abbott, who is 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts vs. Colorado.

The Reds could use a lengthy outing from Abbott after Wednesday starter Brandon Williamson lasted just three innings before exiting with left shoulder fatigue.

Williamson, who will have an MRI on Thursday, said the fatigue could be related to his 15-month layoff while recovering from Tommy John surgery in September 2024.

“I feel like I’m to the point where I’m just catching up to a lot of, not rehab but just not playing for so long,” Williamson said. “Feel like I’ve just been trying to grind through it. It’s kind of caught up to me a little bit. I’m still just trying to figure it out.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rockies #turn #Michael #Lorenzen #bid #series #win #Reds">Deadspin | Rockies turn to Michael Lorenzen in bid for series win vs. Reds Apr 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The Cincinnati Reds will face a familiar pitcher on Thursday afternoon when they host the Colorado Rockies in the rubber match of a three-game series. Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen (2-2, 5.97 ERA) spent the first seven seasons (2015-21) of his career with the Reds. He’ll look to lead Colorado to a series win after the Rockies recorded a 13-2 victory on Wednesday. Hunter Goodman homered twice and drove in three runs for the Rockies, who bounced back from a 7-2 loss in the series opener. Brett Sullivan doubled twice among his three hits and had three RBIs on Wednesday. Cincinnati had won eight of its previous 10 games before the loss. Mickey Moniak is riding a 13-game hitting streak for Colorado, which has won four of its last five games. Manager Warren Schaeffer said Moniak has been an invaluable part of the team’s early success. “Behind closed doors, he’s part of what keeps everything around here loose and keeps everybody ready to play,” Schaeffer said. “What he provides off the field is just as big as what he’s providing on the field, but he’s in a really good place offensively, too.” Moniak doubled in a run on Wednesday, when the Rockies led 8-0 before adding five runs in the ninth against position player Jose Trevino. Cincinnati will look to bounce back against Lorenzen, who recorded his best start of the young season last Friday. He allowed one run over seven innings in a 4-3 road win over the New York Mets. “(Lorenzen) picked up the boys,” Schaeffer said. “(The bullpen) was light, for sure. That’s how a teammate steps up for his team. It was big. It was huge for us.” Tyler Stephenson is 5-for-8 with a home run against Lorenzen, who is 1-2 with a 6.48 ERA in three career starts vs. his former team. Cincinnati will counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott (0-2, 6.59 ERA), who allowed five runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers last Friday in a game the Reds won 9-8. Abbott has given up a total of 16 runs (15 earned) over his last three starts covering 11 2/3 innings. “I’ve never struggled for this long in my life,” the 26-year-old said. “It’s foreign to me. We’re trying different drills. We’re focusing on one thing, then the next. I don’t really know what to label as the reason. It could just be, I think it’s as simple as pitches over the middle of the plate. It could be something else behind the scenes.” Brenton Doyle is 4-for-8 with a home run against Abbott, who is 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts vs. Colorado. The Reds could use a lengthy outing from Abbott after Wednesday starter Brandon Williamson lasted just three innings before exiting with left shoulder fatigue. Williamson, who will have an MRI on Thursday, said the fatigue could be related to his 15-month layoff while recovering from Tommy John surgery in September 2024. “I feel like I’m to the point where I’m just catching up to a lot of, not rehab but just not playing for so long,” Williamson said. “Feel like I’ve just been trying to grind through it. It’s kind of caught up to me a little bit. I’m still just trying to figure it out.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rockies #turn #Michael #Lorenzen #bid #series #win #Reds

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 26: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets sits on the bench with Alperen Sengun #28 during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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Italy’s player and coaching associations on Thursday joined Serie A in endorsing Giovanni Malago, who headed the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, for the presidency of Italy’s football federation (FIGC).

“Players and coaches have a shared vision, identifying Giovanni Malago as the person capable of meeting the numerous challenges facing us now and above all in the future,” said a statement released by the player (AIC) and coaching (AIAC) associations.

Malago, 67, is firm favourite to succeed Gabriele Gravina, who stepped down earlier in April after the men’s national team failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup by losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the qualification play-offs.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso and team general manager Gianluigi Buffon also resigned.

The only other candidate is former FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, with May 13 the deadline for nominations.

With the support of Serie A, the AIC and the AIAC, Malago commands 48 percent of the votes ahead of the election which is scheduled for June 22.

Serie A said in a statement that all three bodies backing Malago was “a significant sign of unity and responsibility, in a moment in which Italian football needs vision, stability and renewal”.

ALSO READ: CAF and AFC back Infantino for another term as FIFA president in 2027

Italy’s amateur football authorities, which control 34 percent of the votes, have not publicly backed either candidate.

Malago was president of the Milan-Cortina organising committee and also head of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), the country’s highest sporting body, between 2013 and 2025.

Whoever follows Gravina will not only have to appoint a new national team coach, but also satisfy a long-standing desire for reform within the FIGC and head Italy’s part of Euro 2032, which is being co-hosted with Turkey.

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin recently told the Gazzetta Dello Sport that Italy could lose the tournament due to the condition of the country’s football stadiums, which he called “some of the worst in Europe”.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Italy #players #coaches #associations #Malago #chief">Italy players and coaches’ associations back Malago as new FA chief Italy’s player and coaching associations on Thursday joined Serie A in endorsing Giovanni Malago, who headed the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, for the presidency of Italy’s football federation (FIGC).“Players and coaches have a shared vision, identifying Giovanni Malago as the person capable of meeting the numerous challenges facing us now and above all in the future,” said a statement released by the player (AIC) and coaching (AIAC) associations.Malago, 67, is firm favourite to succeed Gabriele Gravina, who stepped down earlier in April after the men’s national team failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup by losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the qualification play-offs.Coach Gennaro Gattuso and team general manager Gianluigi Buffon also resigned.The only other candidate is former FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, with May 13 the deadline for nominations.With the support of Serie A, the AIC and the AIAC, Malago commands 48 percent of the votes ahead of the election which is scheduled for June 22.Serie A said in a statement that all three bodies backing Malago was “a significant sign of unity and responsibility, in a moment in which Italian football needs vision, stability and renewal”.ALSO READ: CAF and AFC back Infantino for another term as FIFA president in 2027Italy’s amateur football authorities, which control 34 percent of the votes, have not publicly backed either candidate.Malago was president of the Milan-Cortina organising committee and also head of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), the country’s highest sporting body, between 2013 and 2025.Whoever follows Gravina will not only have to appoint a new national team coach, but also satisfy a long-standing desire for reform within the FIGC and head Italy’s part of Euro 2032, which is being co-hosted with Turkey.UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin recently told the Gazzetta Dello Sport that Italy could lose the tournament due to the condition of the country’s football stadiums, which he called “some of the worst in Europe”.Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Italy #players #coaches #associations #Malago #chief

CAF and AFC back Infantino for another term as FIFA president in 2027

Italy’s amateur football authorities, which control 34 percent of the votes, have not publicly backed either candidate.

Malago was president of the Milan-Cortina organising committee and also head of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), the country’s highest sporting body, between 2013 and 2025.

Whoever follows Gravina will not only have to appoint a new national team coach, but also satisfy a long-standing desire for reform within the FIGC and head Italy’s part of Euro 2032, which is being co-hosted with Turkey.

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin recently told the Gazzetta Dello Sport that Italy could lose the tournament due to the condition of the country’s football stadiums, which he called “some of the worst in Europe”.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Italy #players #coaches #associations #Malago #chief">Italy players and coaches’ associations back Malago as new FA chief

Italy’s player and coaching associations on Thursday joined Serie A in endorsing Giovanni Malago, who headed the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, for the presidency of Italy’s football federation (FIGC).

“Players and coaches have a shared vision, identifying Giovanni Malago as the person capable of meeting the numerous challenges facing us now and above all in the future,” said a statement released by the player (AIC) and coaching (AIAC) associations.

Malago, 67, is firm favourite to succeed Gabriele Gravina, who stepped down earlier in April after the men’s national team failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup by losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the qualification play-offs.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso and team general manager Gianluigi Buffon also resigned.

The only other candidate is former FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, with May 13 the deadline for nominations.

With the support of Serie A, the AIC and the AIAC, Malago commands 48 percent of the votes ahead of the election which is scheduled for June 22.

Serie A said in a statement that all three bodies backing Malago was “a significant sign of unity and responsibility, in a moment in which Italian football needs vision, stability and renewal”.

ALSO READ: CAF and AFC back Infantino for another term as FIFA president in 2027

Italy’s amateur football authorities, which control 34 percent of the votes, have not publicly backed either candidate.

Malago was president of the Milan-Cortina organising committee and also head of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), the country’s highest sporting body, between 2013 and 2025.

Whoever follows Gravina will not only have to appoint a new national team coach, but also satisfy a long-standing desire for reform within the FIGC and head Italy’s part of Euro 2032, which is being co-hosted with Turkey.

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin recently told the Gazzetta Dello Sport that Italy could lose the tournament due to the condition of the country’s football stadiums, which he called “some of the worst in Europe”.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Italy #players #coaches #associations #Malago #chief

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