It took the former Baylor signal-caller years to get comfortable running an offense. Will he be able to make things work in the NFL?

After securing gold - and then visiting the White House for Donald Trump's State of the Union address - Matthews was back on the ice atScotiabank Arena over the weekend.

Irans place at the mens World Cup in three months time was put in doubt Monday amid an escalating Middle East conflict sparked by the soccer tournament's co-host the United States.Iran is due to play its three group-stage games in the U.S. two in Inglewood, California, then in Seattle from June 15-26. Cities in Canada and Mexico also will host some of the 104 games.The U.S. and Israel have targeted Iran in coordinated attacks since Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens more senior officials.It provoked an Iranian response that aimed missiles at U.S. allies including 2022 World Cup host Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which FIFA has picked to stage the 2034 edition.What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope, said Irans top soccer official Mehdi Taj, a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation.It is unclear if the state-backed Iranian soccer federation could refuse to send its team to the 48-nation tournament that starts June 11, or the U.S. government could effectively block the team. Soccer's governing body FIFA has declined comment since Saturday, when secretary general Mattias Grafstrm said it would monitor developments around all issues around the world.The White House's top official overseeing World Cup preparations, Andrew Guiliani, seemed unconcerned Saturday in a social media post.Well deal with soccer games tomorrow, Guiliani wrote about Iran, tonight, we celebrate their opportunity for freedom.Here is a look at the issues in play:Asian soccer powerIran has one of the best national teams in Asia and qualified for six of the past eight World Cups.It is No. 20 in the FIFA world rankings of 211 teams, and has not been lower than No. 24 since the last World Cup in Qatar.Iran was among the second-seeded teams in the World Cup draw held Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C., minutes after U.S. President Donald Trump was presented with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.Though Taj and other Iranian soccer officials were denied visas to enter the U.S., the draw outcome was favorable for Iran, especially in the expanded format where most third-place teams advance to the knockout rounds.Iran starts against low-ranked New Zealand, then plays one of the weaker top-seeded nations, Belgium, and finishes against Egypt. Iran is likely to be supported in stadiums by its diaspora in the U.S., though residents of the Middle East nation are subject to a ban on entering the country. Trump's government has promised exemptions from its travels bans for athletes and coaches arriving for major sports events like the World Cup.Politics around Iran inside World Cup stadiums is nothing new. Protests over domestic issues were aired by Iran fans at the last World Cup. The FIFA rulesFIFAs World Cup regulations envisage a team withdrawing, or being excluded, from the tournament though the legal language is vague to say the least.In that scenario, according to Article 6.7, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary.FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association, the rules say.That legal framing seems to give FIFA president Gianni Infantino wide powers to shape any decision relating to Iran. Just 18 months ago, the decision announced by Infantino to add Lionel Messis team Inter Miami to the 2025 Club World Cup lineup appeared to have no basis in formal tournament rules.Consequences of withdrawingShould Iran pull out of the World Cup still hugely speculative its soccer federation would forfeit at least $10.5 million.FIFA pays $9 million in prize money to each of the 16 federations whose teams fail to advance from the group stage, and all 48 qualified teams get $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.The Iranian federation also would face disciplinary fines from FIFA at least 250,000 Swiss francs ($321,000) for withdrawing up to 3 days before the tournament, and at least 500,000 Swiss francs ($642,000) if the decision is in the last month before kickoff.Iran would risk being excluded by FIFA from qualifying for the next World Cup in 2030 as well.Next in lineIran was a fast World Cup qualifier last March, earning one of eight guaranteed places allocated to the Asian Football Confederation.Should Iran pull out, the likely replacement from Asia should be Iraq or the United Arab Emirates.Iraq and the UAE were effectively the ninth and 10th-ranked Asian teams through the various qualifying groups and advanced to a two-leg playoff last November.Iraq won 3-2 on aggregate eliminating the UAE to advance to the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico and, on March 31, it is scheduled to play an elimination game against Bolivia or Suriname with a World Cup place at stake.One possible element of uncertainty is the language of the World Cup tournament rules.FIFA wrote that it can decide to replace a withdrawn team with another association, though without specifying the replacement must come from the same continental confederation.Precedent of a late replacementDenmark famously won the 1992 European Championship after getting a late invitation from UEFA, European soccer's ruling body.Yugoslavia won a qualifying group ahead of the Danes but was removed by UEFA less than two weeks before the tournament because of a United Nations sanctions resolution during the widening Balkans conflict.Teams have previously refused to travel to a World Cup, though not in the modern era.Just 13 teams instead of 16 took part in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, with India and Scotland among teams declining a place.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Irans place at the mens World Cup in three months time was put in doubt Monday amid an escalating Middle East conflict sparked by the soccer tournament's co-host the United States.Iran is due to play its three group-stage games in the U.S. two in Inglewood, California, then in Seattle from June 15-26. Cities in Canada and Mexico also will host some of the 104 games.The U.S. and Israel have targeted Iran in coordinated attacks since Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens more senior officials.It provoked an Iranian response that aimed missiles at U.S. allies including 2022 World Cup host Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which FIFA has picked to stage the 2034 edition.What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope, said Irans top soccer official Mehdi Taj, a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation.It is unclear if the state-backed Iranian soccer federation could refuse to send its team to the 48-nation tournament that starts June 11, or the U.S. government could effectively block the team. Soccer's governing body FIFA has declined comment since Saturday, when secretary general Mattias Grafstrm said it would monitor developments around all issues around the world.The White House's top official overseeing World Cup preparations, Andrew Guiliani, seemed unconcerned Saturday in a social media post.Well deal with soccer games tomorrow, Guiliani wrote about Iran, tonight, we celebrate their opportunity for freedom.Here is a look at the issues in play:Asian soccer powerIran has one of the best national teams in Asia and qualified for six of the past eight World Cups.It is No. 20 in the FIFA world rankings of 211 teams, and has not been lower than No. 24 since the last World Cup in Qatar.Iran was among the second-seeded teams in the World Cup draw held Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C., minutes after U.S. President Donald Trump was presented with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.Though Taj and other Iranian soccer officials were denied visas to enter the U.S., the draw outcome was favorable for Iran, especially in the expanded format where most third-place teams advance to the knockout rounds.Iran starts against low-ranked New Zealand, then plays one of the weaker top-seeded nations, Belgium, and finishes against Egypt. Iran is likely to be supported in stadiums by its diaspora in the U.S., though residents of the Middle East nation are subject to a ban on entering the country. Trump's government has promised exemptions from its travels bans for athletes and coaches arriving for major sports events like the World Cup.Politics around Iran inside World Cup stadiums is nothing new. Protests over domestic issues were aired by Iran fans at the last World Cup. The FIFA rulesFIFAs World Cup regulations envisage a team withdrawing, or being excluded, from the tournament though the legal language is vague to say the least.In that scenario, according to Article 6.7, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary.FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association, the rules say.That legal framing seems to give FIFA president Gianni Infantino wide powers to shape any decision relating to Iran. Just 18 months ago, the decision announced by Infantino to add Lionel Messis team Inter Miami to the 2025 Club World Cup lineup appeared to have no basis in formal tournament rules.Consequences of withdrawingShould Iran pull out of the World Cup still hugely speculative its soccer federation would forfeit at least $10.5 million.FIFA pays $9 million in prize money to each of the 16 federations whose teams fail to advance from the group stage, and all 48 qualified teams get $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.The Iranian federation also would face disciplinary fines from FIFA at least 250,000 Swiss francs ($321,000) for withdrawing up to 3 days before the tournament, and at least 500,000 Swiss francs ($642,000) if the decision is in the last month before kickoff.Iran would risk being excluded by FIFA from qualifying for the next World Cup in 2030 as well.Next in lineIran was a fast World Cup qualifier last March, earning one of eight guaranteed places allocated to the Asian Football Confederation.Should Iran pull out, the likely replacement from Asia should be Iraq or the United Arab Emirates.Iraq and the UAE were effectively the ninth and 10th-ranked Asian teams through the various qualifying groups and advanced to a two-leg playoff last November.Iraq won 3-2 on aggregate eliminating the UAE to advance to the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico and, on March 31, it is scheduled to play an elimination game against Bolivia or Suriname with a World Cup place at stake.One possible element of uncertainty is the language of the World Cup tournament rules.FIFA wrote that it can decide to replace a withdrawn team with another association, though without specifying the replacement must come from the same continental confederation.Precedent of a late replacementDenmark famously won the 1992 European Championship after getting a late invitation from UEFA, European soccer's ruling body.Yugoslavia won a qualifying group ahead of the Danes but was removed by UEFA less than two weeks before the tournament because of a United Nations sanctions resolution during the widening Balkans conflict.Teams have previously refused to travel to a World Cup, though not in the modern era.Just 13 teams instead of 16 took part in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, with India and Scotland among teams declining a place.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

More than forty ATP players, officials and staff members find themselves trapped in Dubai following military escalation in the Middle East, with no clear indication of when they might depart.Among those stranded are prominent figures including world-class competitors Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, alongside Tallon Griekspoor, who had all participated in the closing stages of the Dubai Tennis Championships.The crisis emerged after the United States and Israel conducted military operations against Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes on American installations across the region, including within the United Arab Emirates.Consequently, airspace throughout the area has been shut down, leaving the tennis contingent confined to their accommodation.The ATP convened an emergency gathering on Sunday evening to explore alternative travel arrangements for those hoping to reach the United States ahead of Indian Wells.Two road-based options were presented to the stranded group: a six-hour journey to Oman, where the airport also remains closed, or a ten-hour drive to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.Both routes carry significant concerns regarding safety during such lengthy travel, compounded by substantial queuing times anticipated at border crossings.After careful deliberation, the players collectively declined both proposals, opting instead to remain at their current location whilst acknowledging that their prospects of competing at Indian Wells are diminishing considerably.The ATP's head of security has instructed those remaining in Dubai to stay within their hotel, which has effectively been transformed into a protective shelter.Beds have been arranged on the lower ground floor as a precautionary measure should Iranian attacks intensify further.According to the tennis governing body, at least 41 individuals are currently affected by the situation in the UAE, comprising players, support staff, officials and journalists.The organisation has confirmed it is actively monitoring developments across the Middle East and maintaining communication with those stranded.For many within the group, participation in the forthcoming tournament now hangs precariously in the balance.The main draw for the ATP Masters 1000 event in California commences on 4th March, with players holding guaranteed flight reservations until 3rd March.Authorities remain hopeful that airspace may reopen on Monday afternoon, which would trigger a frantic rush to secure seats on the first available departures from Dubai.Medvedev shared his perspective via social media, stating: "Here, of course, the situation is unusual, but the only thing that happens is the airspace is closed, of course. That is, no one knows when we will be able to take off."The Russian added: "I received a lot of messages from friends, acquaintances and everyone is worried, but in principle, I can say on my own behalf that everything is fine."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Leeds United say loud boos during a brief pause in play to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast in Saturday's Premier League game at Elland Road were "disappointing".

Die deutschen Para-Eishockey-Athleten haben sich zum ersten Mal seit 20 Jahren wieder fr die Paralympics qualifiziert. [mehr]

Quelques mois aprs son dpart du PSG, la milieue Grace Geyoro confie lundi dans un entretien l'AFP qu'il n'existe pas de "guerre" avec son ancien club, malgr des tensions avec l'ex-entraneur Fabrice Abriel.