AP – Sports
August 27, 2026
UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA’s Infantino over World Cup sell-off
MONACO (AP) — UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Swiss courts for possible financial mismanagement over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. UEFA has filed documents in a Manhattan court requesting discovery of potential evidence from the New York investment fund, Thrive Capital Management, founded by Joshua Kushner.
Carlos Alcaraz opens US Open title defense against Safiullin, Venus Williams plays Sofia Kenin
NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz will open the defense of his U.S. Open title against an opponent who made a strong run at Wimbledon while the Spaniard was sidelined with an injury. He faces Roman Safiullin in his first singles match since April. Alcaraz has been sidelined with a right wrist injury. Venus Williams plays fellow American Sofia Kenin. Both players received wild cards, with Kenin getting the last one that could have gone to Williams’ sister Serena if she chose to play. Main draw play begins Sunday.
Title holder Paris Saint-Germain to play Man City and Barcelona in Champions League main phase
MONACO (AP) — Two-time defending champion Paris Saint-Germain will host Manchester City and travel to Barcelona in the Champions League main phase this season. The 36-team draw was made Thursday. The French champion again plays Aston Villa after a Super Cup win this month. PSG also visits Champions League newcomer Como coached by Cesc Fabregas. Each team’s eight-game slate starts in two weeks’ time. Real Madrid’s standout games are hosting Inter Milan and going to Arsenal. Coach Jose Mourinho also returns to Chelsea where Madrid plays Shakhtar Donetsk. Barcelona will host English clubs Man City and winner Villa, plus its former player Fabregas with Como.
Seahawks give 3-time Pro Bowl DT Leonard Williams a $90 million, 3-year extension, AP source says
Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Leonard Williams and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a three-year, $90 million contract extension that includes $56 million guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the extension. The 32-year-old Williams was a second-team AP All-Pro last season when he helped the Seahawks win the franchise’s second Super Bowl title. Williams has 22 sacks in 2 1/2 seasons with Seattle and 61 1/2 in an 11-year career spent with the Seahawks, Giants and Jets.
Barcelona scraps tribute to Spain World Cup winners. Act supporting Catalan symbol is expected
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona’s World Cup winners with Spain will not be honored by the club at its first home game of the season because of an incident involving the “estelada” flag, Catalonia’s pro-independence symbol. An act supporting the estelada organized by a local group was expected to take place at Camp Nou stadium instead with some 10,000 flags given to fans. Barcelona has eight World Cup champions in its squad the most of any club and it had planned a tribute to them before its Spanish league home opener against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. Barcelona says it changed course after one of its fans had an estelada flag taken away by police before the team’s game at Elche last weekend.
NFL international slate includes Melbourne, Rio and Paris. What to know about all 9 games abroad
LONDON (AP) — The NFL will play a record nine games internationally this season and they include three cities hosting for the first time: Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro; and Paris. Jacksonville and San Francisco both play two games abroad: the Jaguars back-to-back in London; the 49ers in Melbourne and later in Mexico City. Here’s some information about the games and locations.
New-look Pac-12 looking to flex its way into CFP with unique schedule at end of regular season
The Pac-12 will be using an unusual “flex” schedule at the end of the season to boost its chances in the College Football Playoff. No longer a Power Five conference, the Pac-12 aims to enhance its postseason opportunities. Commissioner Teresa Gould says the schedule can be adjusted to benefit teams for bowl and CFP access. The flex schedule allows for high-profile rematches before the Pac-12 championship game. The goal is to increase the conference’s chances of making the CFP.
NFL ends the Pro Bowl game, but players will still be honored as Pro Bowlers
ATLANTA (AP) — The Pro Bowl is no more. The NFL announced the move Wednesday, bringing an end to an exhibition of the league’s top players that was held in some form almost every year since 1951. The game wasn’t played in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that was the only pause in the postseason event. The league said 88 players will still be named as Pro Bowlers and honored in Los Angeles after this season. Several flag football events also will take place at that time. The Pro Bowl has waned in popularity in recent years.
Big 12 becomes latest conference to ban former NFL players while NFL reiterates its rules
The Big 12 Conference on Wednesday followed the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences in banning players who were on NFL rosters from returning to college. The decision by the Big 12 came a day after rulings by the SEC and Big Ten. Earlier Wednesday, the NFL made it clear that players who leave the NFL to return to college won’t be allowed to come back to the league this season. NFL executive Troy Vincent reiterated the longstanding policy at the league’s meetings Wednesday. Atlantic Coast Conference leaders were also discussing the topic this week.
Cam Coleman, Ryan Coleman-Williams and Nyck Harbor highlight SEC’s elite receivers in 2026
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Some of the NFL’s top receivers came from the Southeastern Conference: A.J. Brown, Ja’Marr Chase, Mike Evans, Justin Jefferson, Jerry Jeudy, George Pickens and DeVonta Smith, to name a few. There are more on the way, maybe even a few who could be potential stars at the next level. Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo give Texas arguably the most dynamic duo in the league, maybe even the country. Alabama’s Ryan Coleman-Williams is looking for a bounce-back season, and South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor has a rare combination of size and speed.
