null

As the festivities got underway inside the iconic 87,000-seater Mexico City Stadium - usually named the Estadio Azteca - there were more unsavory scenes taking place away from the world's glare.

Phil Mickelson has been kicked out of a San Diego golf club over allegations he made unwanted physical contact with a female employee, Golf Digest reported Thursday.Golf Digest cited multiple sources as saying Mickelson is no longer welcome at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where the six-time major champion has played and practiced for decades. The unwanted contact was said to have happened earlier this spring.Mickelson, the chief recruiter in the launching of LIV Golf, has only played once this year because of a serious family health matter that has not been disclosed. He did not play the Masters and PGA Championship, and is no longer exempt for the U.S. Open.Golf Digest said it verified the identity of The Farms employee and was withholding her name to protect her privacy. It said she declined to participate in the reporting of the story.A spokesperson for Mickelson told Golf Digest, Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.Digest cited sources in reporting Mickelson approached the woman in the clubhouse and made nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with her. The woman rejected his advances and reported it to her supervisors.Officials at The Farms reviewed and investigated, Golf Digest reported, and then confronted Mickelson on the course. Mickelson, 55, was told to leave the premises.The Farms said in a statement to Golf Digest, Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the club provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation of the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club.To protect the safety and privacy of our staff and member, we are unable to speak further on the matter.Golf Digest cited multiple sources in confirming the member was Mickelson.The Farms, located about 10 miles from Torrey Pines, is a private club where several top players are members such as Annika Sorenstam and Xander Schauffele, both of whom have primary residences in Florida.The development adds to what has become a dark chapter for Mickelson, who is married with three children and was once one of the most beloved public figures in golf for his bold and creative game, and for the time he spent after rounds signing autographs.Mickelson was a relief defendant in an insider trading scheme in 2016 in which he was not criminally charged but agreed to repay nearly $1 million he made in a single trade. Noted gambler Billy Walters was involved in that case and sentenced to five years in prison.Walters wrote an autobiography in 2023 in which he claims Mickelson has wagered more than $1 billion over the last 30 years, including one day in 2011 in which Mickelson was said to have placed 43 bets on Major League Baseball that resulted in $143,500 in losses.Mickelson became the oldest major champion in golf history when he won the 2021 PGA Championship. A year later, he was a central figure in helping to launch Saudi-funded LIV Golf. He lost major sponsorships when he was quoted in early 2022 as calling the Saudis scary mother (expletives) and that he was only thinking of joining the league to gain leverage over the PGA Tour.The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is ending its financial support of LIV after this year.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Phil Mickelson has been kicked out of a San Diego golf club over allegations he made unwanted physical contact with a female employee, Golf Digest reported Thursday.Golf Digest cited multiple sources as saying Mickelson is no longer welcome at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where the six-time major champion has played and practiced for decades. The unwanted contact was said to have happened earlier this spring.Mickelson, the chief recruiter in the launching of LIV Golf, has only played once this year because of a serious family health matter that has not been disclosed. He did not play the Masters and PGA Championship, and is no longer exempt for the U.S. Open.Golf Digest said it verified the identity of The Farms employee and was withholding her name to protect her privacy. It said she declined to participate in the reporting of the story.A spokesperson for Mickelson told Golf Digest, Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.Digest cited sources in reporting Mickelson approached the woman in the clubhouse and made nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with her. The woman rejected his advances and reported it to her supervisors.Officials at The Farms reviewed and investigated, Golf Digest reported, and then confronted Mickelson on the course. Mickelson, 55, was told to leave the premises.The Farms said in a statement to Golf Digest, Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the club provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation of the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club.To protect the safety and privacy of our staff and member, we are unable to speak further on the matter.Golf Digest cited multiple sources in confirming the member was Mickelson.The Farms, located about 10 miles from Torrey Pines, is a private club where several top players are members such as Annika Sorenstam and Xander Schauffele, both of whom have primary residences in Florida.The development adds to what has become a dark chapter for Mickelson, who is married with three children and was once one of the most beloved public figures in golf for his bold and creative game, and for the time he spent after rounds signing autographs.Mickelson was a relief defendant in an insider trading scheme in 2016 in which he was not criminally charged but agreed to repay nearly $1 million he made in a single trade. Noted gambler Billy Walters was involved in that case and sentenced to five years in prison.Walters wrote an autobiography in 2023 in which he claims Mickelson has wagered more than $1 billion over the last 30 years, including one day in 2011 in which Mickelson was said to have placed 43 bets on Major League Baseball that resulted in $143,500 in losses.Mickelson became the oldest major champion in golf history when he won the 2021 PGA Championship. A year later, he was a central figure in helping to launch Saudi-funded LIV Golf. He lost major sponsorships when he was quoted in early 2022 as calling the Saudis scary mother (expletives) and that he was only thinking of joining the league to gain leverage over the PGA Tour.The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is ending its financial support of LIV after this year.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

ITV has pulled out all the stops for its World Cup coverage, revealing a breathtaking rooftop studio perched above New York City.Viewers got their first glimpse of the spectacular setup during England's friendly against Costa Rica on Wednesday evening.Presenter Mark Pougatch couldn't hide his excitement as he introduced the location."Welcome to our New York loft apartment, home for six weeks of coverage of the World Cup," he said. "We hope you will love this view as much as we do, a view of the buildings of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge."He even had to reassure audiences: "You are thinking it must be AI; I promise you it is real."The pundits were equally blown away by their surroundings.Roy Keane summed it up simply: "Amazing, fantastic."Ian Wright went even further, making clear this was exactly what football's biggest tournament deserves."It's amazing, unbelievable set," Wright said. "It's the World Cup, it should be this, it should be grand, massive."The Arsenal legend's comments were widely seen as a pointed contrast to the BBC's more modest approach this summer.It's fair to say ITV has made quite the statement with their lavish American base, and their star pundits clearly love it.The BBC has taken a rather different path for its tournament coverage, opting to keep things closer to home in Salford.The corporation's director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski has defended the decision, pointing to the eye-watering costs of shipping an entire operation across the Atlantic."To have what would probably be an extra couple of hundred people out there and that's before you build a studio you're talking millions," he told the Daily Mail."I don't think that is a very clever way of me to spend licence fee money."The BBC has invested in a state-of-the-art studio featuring a giant LED screen capable of displaying computer-generated cityscapes from all 16 host venues.The rivalry between the two broadcasters runs deeper than just studio locations, according to Keane.Speaking on Sky Bet's Road To American series ahead of the tournament, the former Manchester United captain acknowledged there's genuine tension between the punditry teams."The rivalry between the BBC and ITV pundits is a bit strange, but I think it's good that there's a bit of tension," Keane said. "I think you need a bit of competition. Let's not kid ourselves, there is definitely tension."He suggested the focus on viewing figures behind the scenes filters through to the on-screen talent, with both networks keenly aware of the ratings battle.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

The public sale is also expected to make Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire.

Die Preise der Tickets und deren Verkauf sind das Reizthema fr Fans bei dieser WM. Kurz vor Turnierbeginn knnte sich die FIFA bei einigen Spielen mit den Preisen verzockt haben.[mehr]

GREEN BAY, WI - The top spot in the Eastern Conference is on the line this Friday as the surging Jacksonville Sharks put their eight-game winning stre... - IFL Jacksonville Sharks

The Bisons are thrilled to once again partner with Seneca Resorts & Casinos to host Native American Heritage Night on Saturday, June 20 as the Herd ho... - IL Buffalo Bisons