Nuno Espirito Santo claims Lucas Paqueta is 'suffering' after red card
Nuno Espirito Santo says Lucas Paqueta is “suffering” emotionally after the West Ham midfielder was sent off in the 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. Paqueta received two yellow cards for dissent in under a minute, and despite efforts from teammates to calm him, he continued arguing with referee Darren England and was dismissed.
Speaking ahead of West Ham’s upcoming match against Manchester United, Nuno explained that Paqueta had apologised to the squad and acknowledged his mistake. The Brazilian international, recently cleared of four spot-fixing allegations following a long FA investigation, remains disappointed by the situation but is determined to move forward.
Nuno added that although the investigation has affected Paqueta, the midfielder is committed to putting the episode behind him and focusing on his performances. The manager also emphasised that the squad fully supports him during this difficult period.
England captain Stokes refusing to let media attention impact Australian tour
England captain Ben Stokes says he will not let heavy media scrutiny spoil the team’s tour of Australia, insisting he would rather deal with headlines abroad than stay in England where it is “miserable, freezing and dark” at this time of year. The Ashes squad has attracted constant attention, with photographers tracking their movements from airports to golf courses and even an aquarium visit.
Stokes played down recent coverage of players riding electric scooters in Brisbane without helmets — an incident that earned a “Pommy Idiots” front page — noting that police simply reminded them of local safety rules. He added that such attention is normal in Australia and not something that will affect the squad’s morale or enjoyment of the trip.
The England captain said downtime is essential for relieving pressure during a long tour, emphasising that Australia offers a wide range of activities the players should enjoy. “We’re human,” he said. “When we have the chance, we should make the most of being here — especially when the weather back home is cold and dark by late afternoon.”
Pittsburgh Steelers sign Adam Thielen off waivers while releasing Darius Slay
The Pittsburgh Steelers made two notable roster moves on Tuesday, claiming veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers and releasing cornerback Darius Slay. Thielen, who had asked the Minnesota Vikings for a release just a day earlier, now joins Pittsburgh as he looks for more playing time in what is expected to be his final NFL season. The 35-year-old had appeared in 11 games for Minnesota this year, recording eight receptions for 69 yards, and was inactive during their 26–0 loss to Seattle.
Thielen’s career has been defined by longevity and production, having entered the league as an undrafted player in 2013 and going on to earn two Pro Bowl selections. After a decade in Minnesota, he moved to the Carolina Panthers in 2023 before being traded back to the Vikings earlier this season. Across 173 regular-season games, he has totalled 693 catches, 8,380 yards and 64 touchdowns.
On the same day, Pittsburgh released 34-year-old cornerback Darius Slay, who reportedly plans to continue his career and will consider offers from other teams. Slay has registered 36 tackles and a fumble recovery this season and has built an impressive résumé over 187 games with Detroit, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, including multiple Pro Bowl appearances. His next destination has yet to be determined.
Cummins a potential shock return for Thursday's second Test
Australia stand-in captain Steve Smith has suggested Pat Cummins could make an unexpected return for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, despite the fast bowler having been left out of the squad while recovering from a back injury. Smith said Cummins looked strong in training and may re-enter selection discussions ahead of Thursday’s pink-ball match at the Gabba.
Smith also refused to confirm the make-up of Australia’s XI, including whether Nathan Lyon will retain his place, while the selectors weigh up dropping a quick to accommodate Cummins. With Usman Khawaja sidelined by a back issue, Travis Head is expected to open again after his blistering century in Perth.
Local reports indicate wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis could slot into the middle order, though Smith said final decisions will depend on assessing conditions at the Gabba. Cricket Australia later confirmed the team will not announce their XI until the toss. Inglis, who struck a debut century in Sri Lanka, would be playing his fourth Test if selected.
Serena Williams shoots down comeback rumours sparked by re-entry to drug-testing pool
Serena Williams has dismissed speculation about a potential return to tennis after it emerged she had re-entered the sport’s anti-doping testing pool. The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed that the 23-time Grand Slam champion, who has not played since the 2022 US Open, was again listed in its programme, which requires players to provide daily whereabouts and undergo random testing.
Talk of a comeback quickly gained momentum after the news surfaced, but the 44-year-old moved swiftly to deny any plans for a return, writing on social media: “I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” Her agent has not commented on why she rejoined the pool, though ITIA rules state retired players must be eligible for out-of-competition testing for at least six months before returning to professional events.
Williams, who announced she was “evolving away from tennis” in 2022, last won a major in 2017 and had been chasing a 24th Grand Slam title to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record. Despite reaching four finals after becoming a mother, she ultimately fell just short of matching the historic milestone.
