Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo went to bat for Ketel Marte on Tuesday, saying any idea that the star second baseman is fracturing the Arizona clubhouse "couldn't be further from the truth."

Arriving in camp as part of the extended squad, Dylan Lucas had little indication that he was set to be chosen by coach Laurie Daley to make his Origin debut.

Ask an England fan for their memories of Julian White and they will talk about his fearsome reputation. But that's not the man who welcomes Daily Mail Sport to his Crabtree Farm.

Naveed Akram, 24, is already facing 59 charges over an attack on a Jewish festival in December.

Florian Bremm und Frederik Ruppert durchbrechen im finnischen Turku eine Schallmauer und besttigen den positiven Trend im deutschen Langstreckenlauf. Fr Bundestrainerin Isabelle Baumann ist das kein Zufall.[mehr]

Darius Boyd and the QLDER panel speak about the Cowboys going 14 games without a bye this season.

England cricket captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were involved in a nightclub altercation in Chelsea after drinking with England rugby players, including Maro Itoje. A dispute over VIP tables allegedly sparked the incident. The ECB is investigating a breach of team protocols, and both players could miss Englands next Test while the inquiry continues.

Real Madrid have released a remarkable official statement confirming that their club-record 150 million (129m/$173m) offer for Julian Alvarez has been rejected by rivals Atltico Madrid. The extraordinary announcement finally reveals the true identity of the mystery Galactico that club president Florentino Perez promised to sign following his recent re-election campaign. Real Madrid Statement Confirms Alvarez Bid Following mounting speculation, Real Madrid took the highly unusual step of publishing a formal announcement regarding their transfer business today. The club have confirmed they have seen a monumental 150m proposal for Alvarez turned down by Atltico. The official club statement read: "Real Madrid C. F. announces that, following the meeting of the Board of Directors held today, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Club Atltico de Madrid for the federative rights of the player Julian Alvarez. After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Club Atltico de Madrid has expressed its gratitude for the proposal, made within the framework of the good relations between both clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player's release clause." Perez Delivers His Galactico Promise The bold move directly follows Perez being re-elected as club president on Sunday, after defeating rival Enrique Riquelme. During his campaign, the 79-year-old pledged to spend heavily on one major target. Before the revelation, Perez told Spanish TV show Horizonte: "On Tuesday or so, I'm going to make an offer to a major Champions League club for a great player. It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history. We're going to make a significant offer, at least around 150 million. He needs to be a midfielder who can drive forward. And it's not Haaland. The player is not from the Premier League. And the first thing we'll do is talk to the club. It's a signing meant to generate excitement, because that's what it's all about generating excitement." Rival Interest And Release Clause Complications Despite identifying their prime target, Los Blancos face significant obstacles. It was initially thought that the Argentine forward possessed a 500m (431m/$577m) release clause in his Atltico contract. However, reports indicate his deal contains provisions for certain Champions League sides, potentially allowing them to secure his services for closer to 150m. Real Madrid are not the only European powerhouse chasing the prolific attacker, as Barcelona reportedly saw a 100m bid rejected just last week. Meanwhile, the Santiago Bernabu outfit have also confirmed the departure of first-team coach Alvaro Arbeloa. They released a separate statement expressing their gratitude to the manager, which subsequently paves the way for Jos Mourinho to make a sensational return. What Comes Next For Real Madrid? Real Madrid must now decide whether to return with an improved offer or activate the release clause to force Atltico into a sale. With Mourinho seemingly poised to take the managerial reins, the club will desperately want to finalize their squad rebuilding. As Perez remains determined to bring a new superstar to the Bernabeu, fans can expect another massive bid very soon.

Mexico have slipped slightly in CONCACAF's hierarchy but have a chance to make a statement at the 2026 World Cup

In Katie Taylor's mind, her boxing career nearly ended after she defeated Amanda Serrano for a third time last July.The decorated Irishwoman was ready to call time on a decade-long professional journey that saw her become a two-time undisputed champion unless her dream swan song at Croke Park could somehow be delivered."I spoke to [my team] after the last Serrano fight, and I said, 'Guys, that's me done if Croke Park doesn't happen,'" Taylor admitted Tuesday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show.""So I basically retired after the last fight. We had a conversation after the fight in my hotel room with the team, and I said, 'This has been an amazing journey. Thank you so much, but I think I'm going to hang the gloves up. That's me done unless Croke Park happens.' "The reason I didn't announce my retirement is because I was clinging on to a bit of hope that Croke Park was actually going to happen, and here we are."Taylor (25-1, 6 KOs), the first-ever Olympic womens lightweight champion and one of the greatest womens boxers in history, told Uncrowned that she believed there was nothing else left to achieve in the sport, except for fighting at her dream venue of Croke Park.The Irish national stadium, in some ways, after all, is bigger than the sport itself. It has been Taylor's and every Irish fighters lifelong dream to compete at the historic venue. If anything could bring her back, it was Croke Park."I was done [after the third Serrano fight]," Taylor acknowledged. "I didn't think there was much else to chase after, to be quite honest. A few days after that conversation [of telling my team I was going to retire], Brian [Peters, my manager] rang me up and said, 'I'm going to give Croke Park one last shot. I'm going to try and get this over the line for you.' Because he knew that this was the dream I had for a few years now.Throughout her professional career, though, the dream always seemed to be out of reach."I think they first brought up Croke Park maybe four years ago after the first [Amanda] Serrano fight [in 2022]," Taylor said."This is crazy [that it's happening now]. [Croke Park] was an impossibility back then. To actually get this over the line now is surreal."After Taylor defeated Serrano in what was by far the biggest fight in women's boxing history in April 2022, momentum began building toward an Irish homecoming.Yet despite Taylors growing profile, a fight at Croke Park wasn't to be. The venue was explored for her Irish debut, but the costs associated with hosting a boxing show at the stadium primarily security costs were deemed too high. Thus, Taylor was denied the opportunity to fight at her dream location.Prior to her success, Ireland's boxing scene had begun to stagnate in the 2010s. There were no major boxing events in Dublin from 2016 until Taylor brought the sport back to the masses in 2023. That was largely because of the fatal shooting during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel with notorious crime boss Daniel Kinahan, the target.In 2023, though, boxing returned to Dublin with Taylor's bout against Chantelle Cameron at The 3Arena. After every Taylor fight since, the idea of Croke Park had been touted. It had become a bit of a broken record, particularly since there was never a serious possibility of it materializing. In early 2026, though, the mood changed. Her promoter, Eddie Hearn, bullishly claimed that he would do everything in his power to give Taylor the perfect sendoff. And after months of anticipation, it was finally announced this past Friday.Ireland's Croke Park has long been a goal for Katie Taylor and Eddie Hearn.Piaras Mdheach via Getty Images"I think it was a few weeks back that Brian had said to me he's very, very close to making this deal done," Taylor said. "Just a few days ago, Brian actually called me and said all the contracts are signed, it's a done deal. I was over the moon. I just couldn't believe even a few months back, I didn't think this was going to happen."It is fitting that Taylor will be the first headliner at the iconic 80,000-seat Croke Park on Sept. 5, since another legend, Muhammad Ali, fought at the famed venue in 1972.Taylor confirmed that when she steps through the ropes against Flora Pili, it will be her final appearance in a boxing ring. If successful, she will bow out of the sport as a three-time undisputed champion on a night she has dreamed about for many years."To end my career [at Croke Park], this could be the pinnacle. I think this could possibly be the most iconic moment of my whole career, she said. I have the chance of becoming a three-time undisputed champion in this fight, as well. I'm living beyond my dreams at this stage."I'm just over the moon, she added. The excitement and the celebration around the place have been amazing, but I obviously have a fight to win. I have a fight to prepare for.