Sports

Iran’s World Cup place in US put in doubt by Middle East war. FIFA has Iraq next in line

GENEVA (AP) — Iran’s place at the men’s soccer World Cup in three months’ time has been put in doubt amid an escalating Middle East conflict sparked by tournament co-host the United States. Iran is due to play three group-stage games in the U.S. from June 15-26. Two are in Inglewood, California and one in Seattle. It is unclear if the state-backed Iranian soccer federation could refuse to send its team to the 48-nation tournament that Canada and Mexico will co-host. Or if the U.S. government could effectively block the team. If Iran doesn’t play, Iraq is next in line from Asia.

War disrupts sports with doubt over Messi’s ‘Finalissima,’ Ronaldo games and F1 races

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lewis Hamilton are among the sports stars whose schedules are in doubt because of the spreading war in the Middle East. Cancelations and travel shutdowns are already affecting events since the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran on Saturday. Organizers of Formula 1 and major soccer games face deciding within weeks whether they can go ahead as scheduled. Middle Eastern nations have become crucial to the world sports landscape over the last decade as event hosts, financial backers and employers for some of the world’s top athletes.

Combine buzz centered on players who could be on the move and likely No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza

While college players take center stage at the NFL scouting combine, teams are busy preparing their next moves along with evaluating potential draft picks. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is the consensus choice for the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall and it’s uncertain whether another quarterback will be selected in the first round. But there was plenty of speculation about QBs changing teams during a jam-packed week in Indianapolis. Kirk Cousins already was informed by the Atlanta Falcons that he’ll be released. Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray also could be looking for new teams.

Lions trade Montgomery to Texans for Scruggs, 4th, 7th-round picks, AP source says

The Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs along with fourth and seventh-round picks, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. Detroit dealt a veteran running back who wanted more carries for much-needed depth on the offensive line and extra selections in next month’s draft. Montgomery should have a chance to start for the Texans.

WNBA’s new CBA offer boosts pay, fast-tracks max deals for stars like Caitlin Clark, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA sent a new CBA proposal to the players’ union Sunday night that includes allowing some of its young stars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers a chance to earn a maximum salary quicker, a person familiar with the deal has told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of negotiations. The new offer would allow players on rookie contracts who were first or second team all-league to become eligible to sign a maximum contract in their fourth year and would not be eligible for a franchise tag designation following that extension.

A judge lets Chris Gabehart keep working at Spire, but bars his old JGR duties

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled Chris Gabehart can keep working at Spire Motorsports but only in a role unrelated to work he did as competition director at Joe Gibbs Racing. The ruling follows a Friday hearing in which JGR sough a restraining order to block his move. The judge also ordered Gabehart to return any data and materials to his former team. She set March 16 for a full hearing. Gabehart holds a top job overseeing TWG Global’s racing groups. He can travel to Phoenix Raceway this weekend.

A long way from the war, Iran loses its opening Women’s Asian Cup game to South Korea

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Iran has opened its Women’s Asian Cup soccer tournament under the shadow of war. The Iranian players stood for the anthem in a sombre moment before their 3-0 loss to South Korea. The Koreans dominated the match on Australia’s Gold Coast and continually created chances but only led 1-0 at halftime. Iran captain Zahra Ghanbari had to leave the field after a collision before the end of regulation time. Iran next faces tournament host Australia on Thursday. The Iranian squad was already in Australia preparing for the tournament when Israel and the United States launched a major attack on Iran.

End the ban: France backs return of intellectually disabled athletes to Winter Paralympics

LANS-EN-VERCORS, France (AP) — French sports officials and athletes are pushing to include athletes with intellectual disabilities in the Winter Paralympics before the country hosts the 2030 Games. Athletes with such disabilities have been excluded since 1998 due to a scandal at the Sydney 2000 Games. The International Paralympic Committee suspended events after discovering that many competitors in Sydney’s basketball competition did not have a disability. The category was reinstated in 2009 but no winter sport federation has proposed adding them to the Winter Games. French officials argue that conditions for reinstatement are in place, and the International Paralympic Committee will consider proposals from international federations.

Duke extends No. 1 record in AP Top 25 as Michigan State, Nebraska and Texas Tech crash top 10

Duke is No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the second straight week, extending its all-time record with the program’s 149th appearance in the top spot. The Blue Devils received 55 of 59 first-place votes. No. 2 Arizona received the other four.. Michigan, UConn and Florida round out the top five. No. 19 Miami (Ohio), Division I’s only remaining undefeated team, climbed two spots for its highest ranking since reaching No. 12 in 1952-53.

UConn remains unanimous No. 1 in AP Top 25 heading into postseason; followed by UCLA, South Carolina

UConn heads into the postseason undefeated and still the unanimous choice at No. 1 in The Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25. The Huskies, who have won 47 consecutive games, are 31-0 this season. They received all 31 first-place votes from a national media panel. The top seven teams remained unchanged this week with UCLA, South Carolina and Texas following the Huskies. Conference tournaments begin this week with less than two weeks before the NCAA brackets are set.