Spanish federation approve La Liga's request for Barcelona-Villareal match in Miami
'The RFEF will submit the request to UEFA to begin the process for subsequent authorisation by FIFA for the match to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 20 December 2025.'A DREAM YEARS IN THE MAKINGLa Liga's push to host games overseas dates back to the 2018–19 season, when a planned Girona–Barcelona fixture in the U.S. was blocked. A year later, a Villarreal–Atletico Madrid match was also shelved after the RFEF, then under Luis Rubiales, refused permission — a stance later upheld in court.Rubiales was dismissed in 2023 following his controversial conduct during Spain's Women's World Cup celebrations, and leadership changes have since paved the way for renewed collaboration between the league and federation. Last season, a Barcelona–Atletico clash was close to taking place in the U.S., but was postponed at the last moment to refine logistics.With regulatory obstacles finally removed and cooperation restored, the Villarreal–Barcelona showdown could mark the start of a new chapter for La Liga, expanding its reach to international audiences and delivering Spanish football's long-awaited debut on American soil.- EndsTrending Reel
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India Today
34 minutes ago
- India Today
Fresh off World Cup success, Divya Deshmukh continues giant-slaying run
India's 19-year-old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has continued her remarkable run of form by storming into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women's Speed Chess Championship. Facing world No. 7 Lei Tingjie of China, Divya produced a dominant performance across all formats, blitz and bullet, to secure a resounding 10–3 victory. Her precision, speed, and ability to convert even the smallest of advantages left her opponent struggling to find a format tests players in a mix of time controls: 5+1, 3+1, and 1+1 games. Divya thrived in each, winning eight games, drawing four, and conceding just one loss. The victory sets up a tantalising quarter-final clash against Hou Yifan, the four-time world champion and current world No. Speed Chess Championship, an online event, marks Divya's first competitive appearance since winning the Women's World Cup last month. It appears she has already put behind her the highs of the biggest win of her career to focus firmly on the next CHINESE GREATS This latest triumph continues a growing trend: Divya's ability to consistently outplay top Chinese opponents, long regarded as the dominant force in women's chess. The pattern was most vividly displayed at the 2025 Women's World Cup in Batumi, where she produced one of the most stunning tournament runs in recent 15th, she began her campaign with solid wins before facing a string of Chinese heavyweights. In the round of 16, she upset world No. 2 Zhu Jiner in a tense rapid tiebreak. In the semi-finals, she defeated former women's world champion Tan Zhongyi in commanding fashion, displaying a blend of aggressive preparation and endgame tenacity. She capped off the event by edging out Indian legend Koneru Humpy in the final, securing the World Cup title, the Grandmaster title, and a place in the 2026 Candidates ability to break through the Chinese wall is no accident. Divya has shown an exceptional knack for preparing against their structured, theory-heavy style, often steering games into dynamic and less-charted territories where her tactical vision shines. She has also demonstrated immense psychological resilience, never appearing overawed by an opponent's success extends beyond individual events. In recent team competitions, she has delivered crucial wins against Chinese boards, including a rapid victory over Hou Yifan in a blitz asked if she had discovered a particular weakness against Chinese players, Divya was characteristically modest.'I don't know if it's about them, really. All of them are very strong players. But I didn't do anything new—I just kept fighting until the end. I think that's what helped me,' she told India Today last the board, Divya's meteoric rise has made her a symbol of inspiration. Her return to Nagpur after her World Cup win was marked by a celebratory homecoming, with crowds lining the streets. Known for her calm demeanour, she credits her success to disciplined training, a supportive family, and a mindset that treats every game as a learning no surprise that her childhood coach, International Master Srinath Narayanan, likens her nerves to MS Dhoni.'She has this uncanny ability to rise in crunch situations—like Dhoni pulling off a win in the final over,' he told news agency PTI. 'Divya turns up when it matters most. She performs incredibly well under pressure in big games. I've seen that in her since 2018.'A tough test against Hou Yifan awaits her on Thursday, but the 19-year-old will be determined to put her best foot forward and book a place in the semi-finals of the Speed Chess Championship.- EndsMust Watch
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
'It's absolutely going to happen': UFC's first fight at White House confirmed by CEO Dana White
After Donald Trump said he wanted to stage a UFC match in White House, CEO Dana White has confirmed it will take place next year to celebrate 250 years of American independence. Donald Trump said last month he wanted to host a UFC match on the White House grounds to celebrate 250 years of American independence. Image: Reuters Hours after Paramount and UFC announced a billion-dollar rights deal, Dana White said he had yet to hear from his friend, President Donald Trump, on his thoughts about the fight company's new streaming home. That was fine with White. The UFC CEO was set to travel to Washington on Aug. 28 to meet with Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, to catch up and discuss logistics on the proposed Fourth of July fight card next year at the White House. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UFC match in White House 'absolutely' happening Trump said last month he wanted to stage a UFC match on the White House grounds with upwards of 20,000 spectators to celebrate 250 years of American independence. 'It's absolutely going to happen," White told The Associated Press. 'Think about that, the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the UFC will be on the White House south lawn live on CBS.' The idea of cage fights at the White House would have seemed improbable when the Fertitta brothers purchased UFC for $2 million in 2001 and put White in charge of the fledging fight promotion. White helped steer the company into a $4 billion sale in 2016 and broadcast rights deals with Fox and ESPN before landing owner TKO Group's richest one yet — a seven-year deal with Paramount starting in 2026 worth an average of $1.1 billion a year, with all cards on its streaming platform Paramount+ and select numbered events also set to simulcast on CBS. ESPN, Amazon and Netflix and other traditional sports broadcast players seemed more in play for UFC rights — White had previously hinted fights could air across different platforms — but Paramount was a serious contender from the start of the negotiating window. The Paramount and UFC deal came just days after Skydance and Paramount officially closed their $8 billion merger — kicking off the reign of a new entertainment giant after a contentious endeavor to get the transaction over the finish line. White said he was impressed with the vision Skydance CEO David Ellison had for the global MMA leader early in contract talks and how those plans should blossom now that Ellison is chairman and CEO of Paramount. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'When you talk about Paramount, you talk about David Ellison, they're brilliant businessmen, very aggressive, risk takers,' White said. 'They're right up my alley. These are the kind of guys that I like to be in business with.' The $1.1 billion deals marks a notable jump from the roughly $550 million that ESPN paid each year for UFC coverage today. But UFC's new home on Paramount will simplify offerings for fans — with all content set to be available on Paramount+ (which currently costs between $7.99 and $12.99 a month), rather than various pay-per-view fees. Paramount also said it intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. 'as they become available in the future.' UFC matchmakers were set to meet this week to shape what White said would be a loaded debut Paramount card. The UFC boss noted it was still too early to discuss a potential main event for the White House fight night. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'This is a 1-of-1 event,' White said. There are still some moving parts to UFC broadcasts and other television programming it has its hands in as the company moves into the Paramount era. White said there are still moving parts to the deal and that includes potentially finding new homes for 'The Ultimate Fighter,' 'Road To UFC,' and 'Dana White's Contender Series.' It's not necessarily a given the traditional 10 p.m. start time for what were the pay-per-view events would stand, especially on nights cards will also air on CBS. 'We haven't figured that out yet but we will,' White said. And what about the sometimes-contentious issue of fighter pay? Some established fighters have clauses in their contracts that they earn more money the higher the buyrate on their cards. Again, most of those issues are to-be-determined as UFC and Paramount settle in to the new deal — with $1.1 billion headed the fight company's way. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It will affect fighter pay, big time,' White said. 'From deal-to-deal, fighter pay has grown, too. Every time we win, everybody wins.' Boxer Jake Paul wrote on social media the dying PPV model — which was overpriced for fights as UFC saw a decline in buys because of missing star power in many main events — should give the fighters an increased idea of their worth. 'Every fighter in the UFC now has a clear picture of what the revenue is…no more PPV excuses,' Paul wrote. 'Get your worth boys and girls.' White also scoffed at the idea that the traditional PPV model is dead. There are still UFC cards on pay-per-view the rest of the year through the end of the ESPN contract and White and Saudi Arabia have teamed to launch a new boxing venture that starts next year and could use a PPV home. White, though, is part of the promotional team for the Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford fight in September in Las Vegas that airs on Netflix. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It's definitely not run it's course,' White said. 'There were guys out there who were interested in pay-per-view and there were guys out there that weren't. Wherever we ended up, that's what we're going to roll with.' White said UFC archival footage 'kills it' in repeat views and those classic bouts also needed a new home once the ESPN deal expires. Just when it seems there's little left for UFC to conquer, White says, there's always more. Why stop at becoming the biggest fight game in the world? Why not rewrite the pecking order in popularity and riches and go for No. 1 in all sports? 'You have the NFL, the NBA, the UFC, and soccer globally,' White said. 'We're coming. We're coming for all of them.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Sha'Carri Richardson issues public apology to Christian Coleman after domestic violence arrest
Sha'Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman (Images via AP & Getty Images) Reigning world 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson has publicly apologized to fellow sprinter Christian Coleman following her arrest in a domestic violence incident last month. The 25-year-old American, who won gold in the 100m at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and silver at last year's Paris Olympics, was arrested on July 27 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for allegedly shoving Coleman, her boyfriend. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Days later, both competed at the US Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where Coleman, who reportedly did not press charges, said Richardson should not have been arrested. In an Instagram post addressing the matter, Richardson wrote, 'I apologize to Christian. He came into my life and gave me more than a relationship but a greater understanding of unconditional love from what I've experienced in my past. Due to my past trauma and pain, I was blind and blocked off to not only receive it but give it. I love him and to him I can't apologize enough.' Sha'Carri Richardson on Instagram (Screengrab) She also released a video on social media, acknowledging her actions and reflecting on the incident. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is What Willl Happen To Your Body When You Eat 3 Eggs Every Day Undo 'I put myself in a compromised situation… I hold myself accountable,' she said, adding that she was taking steps to seek help and grow from the experience. 'I'm taking this time to not only see myself but get myself a certain level of help that overall is going to reflect who I truly am in my heart and my spirit… not allowing this moment – but accepting this moment – to be more,' Richardson said. She added that she wanted her family and fans to hold her to high standards. 'I refuse to run away but to face everything that comes to me head on because everything on the other side is great but you've got to go through in order to get there.' Poll Should Christian Coleman have pressed charges against Sha'Carri Richardson? Yes, it was necessary. No, they should resolve it privately. Richardson withdrew from the 100m semi-finals at the US Championships but, as reigning world champion, she has secured a place in the event at next month's World Championships in Tokyo. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
