Sports

Arsenal salvages 1-1- draw with Leverkusen in the Champions League, Real Madrid hosts Man City

Kai Havertz scored an 89th-minute penalty as Arsenal came back to earn a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. The Premier League leader trailed in the round of 16 first leg tie at BayArena after Robert Andrich’s goal just after halftime. Mikel Arteta’s team looked set to go into next week’s second leg a goal down until Malik Tillman’s foul on Noni Madueke late on. After a VAR check the penalty was confirmed and Germany international Havertz fired low past Janis Blaswich.

Hendrickson joins Ravens, Crosby still on Raiders and QB Jones re-signs with Colts

The Baltimore Ravens landed their star pass rusher in Trey Hendrickson, Maxx Crosby is back in Las Vegas for now and Daniel Jones is staying in Indianapolis as part of a busy start to the new league year. The biggest move came when the Ravens agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract with four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson a day after backing out of a deal with the Raiders for Crosby over a failed physical, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. It was a quick pivot for the Ravens after pulling out of the deal for Crosby.

Iran’s sports minister says the country can’t take part in the World Cup because of US attacks

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s sports and youth minister says the country is in no position to take part in the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing war. Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country’s soccer team players are not safe in the U.S., according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday.

PGA Tour targets bigger fields in bigger markets as it moves closer to new model

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The PGA Tour is exploring a major reset that puts more top players together in bigger events and bigger markets. CEO Brian Rolapp says nothing is final, but leaders see meaningful consensus. The tour considers doubling signature events and expanding those fields to 120 players with a 36-hole cut. It also is leaning toward two tracks of tournaments. One track has about two dozen elite events, plus majors and the postseason. The other track focuses on promotion. Rolapp also raises match play as a way to add drama to the postseason. He says changes could start in 2027.

NWSL to award its 18th franchise this year, with team expected to begin play in 2028

National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman said the league will award its 18th franchise this year, with the team to begin play in 2028. The NWSL announced in November that Atlanta had been awarded the 17th franchise, with that team also taking the field in 2028. The NWSL opens its 2026 season this weekend with two new teams, the Boston Legacy and the Denver Summit.

MLB report settles World Series Game 7 plate drama: IKF was out by feet, not inches

The official report from MLB’s replay review says a critical play in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ wild Game 7 World Series win last year was determined by feet, not inches. Toronto’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa was thrown out at home plate in the bottom of the ninth inning on a play that would have won it for the Blue Jays. Catcher Will Smith’s foot briefly came off the plate while he caught the ball. Replays showed his foot reconnected with the plate while Kiner-Falefa was inches away. Fans lamented Kiner-Falefa’s conservative lead off third base. But MLB’s report says Smith’s foot was on the plate when he initially caught the ball, while Kiner-Falefa still several feet away. Smith homered in the 11th inning and the Dodgers held on to win.

In an era of unprecedented player movement, why one college basketball senior stuck around

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Duquesne’s David Dixon is part of an exclusive club in college basketball. The senior forward is among a small group of players who have spent their entire college career with the same school. Relaxed rules around the transfer portal have created unprecedented player movement in collegiate sports. Dixon says he has no problem with athletes looking for a better situation but added he chose the stability he found at Duquesne over potentially more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. Dixon will play in his school-record 127th game when the Dukes open the Atlantic 10 tournament against Rhode Island.

Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa could end up being the best bargains in NFL free agency

Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa could end up being the best bargains in free agency if either quarterback can regain their Pro Bowl form. While NFL teams have committed billions of dollars on the first two days of the legal tampering period, the Atlanta Falcons snagged Tagovailoa for the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million. The Dolphins owe him $54 million. Murray will cost a team $1.3 million because the Cardinals are on the hook for $36.8 million of his remaining salary that was guaranteed. The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks got their quarterback in free agency last year. Could Tagovailoa or Murray lead a team to a Lombardi trophy? Probably not. But they don’t have to win a championship to bring value.

The Players Championship is set to deliver major excitement at the TPC Sawgrass

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Whether The Players Championship should be considered a major is up for debate. What gets little argument is whether it’s among the most entertaining tournaments in golf. Attribute that to the Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass. Drama seems to be the rule, not the exception. Adam Scott was asked to describe the tournament with one word. He called it exciting. Scottie Scheffler loves the test because it never seems to favor one style of golf. The biggest question is defending champion Rory McIlroy. He had to withdraw from Bay Hill with back spasms and was not due to arrive until Wednesday.

Russian anthem played again at Paralympics after Germany athletes’ protest at Milan Cortina

The Russian national anthem has played again at the Paralympics a day after Germany athletes appeared to stage a protest in the podium ceremony at Milan Cortina. Ivan Golubkov won Russia’s third gold of these Games in the men’s Para cross-country 10km interval start sitting, then Anastasiia Bagiian added the nations’ fourth gold by winning the women’s Para cross-country 10km interval start classic for athletes with vision impaired. The anthem had played for the first time in more than a decade at the Paralympics on Monday, and again on Tuesday when Anastassia won the Para cross-country sprint classic.