Pato O’Ward starts seventh in practice for the Indianapolis GP

A historic red in the World Cup

Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almirón became the first footballer to be sent off at a World Cup for covering his mouth. It happened in added time of the first half of the match that Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 in Santa Clara, California.

It all started after a foul near midfield. Almirón exchanged words with Mert Mulder and, while covering his mouth, he said something to the Turk. Mulder asked the Salvadoran referee Iván Barton to sanction him.

Barton went to VAR and confirmed the infringement under a new rule implemented this year by FIFA. The rule seeks to prevent players from hiding insults or discriminatory comments. The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, promoted it after an incident in the Champions League between Gianluca Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior.

Paraguay resisted with ten

Despite the expulsion, Paraguay lasted the entire second half with ten men and achieved its first victory in the tournament. Coach Gustavo Alfaro regretted the decision:

“The entire decalogue of the regulations was applied to Paraguay… from the first page to the last. It is difficult for me to play this sport, this new sport, because we are playing a new sport.”

Alfaro stated that the team was aware of the rule, although he considered that it was applied harshly. After the game, he tried to encourage Almirón:

“The first thing I said to him when he entered the locker room: ‘Change your face, we won. Look we won.'”

The red card will cost Almirón to miss the key duel against Australia for second place in Group D. FIFA could extend the sanction and also disqualify him for an eventual direct elimination match. Alfaro hopes that the suspension is not longer: “I hope they give him as little as possible. We lose a very important player.”

This was Almirón’s second warning in the tournament under the new regulations. He had already received a yellow in the debut against the United States for simulation after a VAR review.

The litmus test for Itauma

British heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) will have his most demanding test to date. He will face Croatian Filip Hrgovic (21-1, 15 KOs) on August 29 at the O2 Arena in London. The winner will be in the lead-up to the WBO world title.

Itauma, 21, has been compared to a young Mike Tyson for his speed and punch. His last fight, in March, ended with a resounding knockout of Jermaine Franklin Jr. That raised his profile and caused him to look for a higher-ranking opponent.

“This fight is the decisive test that Moses is ready for and it is the one he wanted,” said Queensberry promoter Frank Warren when announcing the fight. “Filip thinks it will be too much, too soon for the young star.”

Hrgovic, Olympic bronze medalist in Rio 2016, is 34 years old and measures 1.98 meters. His only loss as a professional was against Daniel Dubois in 2024. In May he defeated the British Dave Allen by stoppage in the third round.

Currently, Itauma and Hrgovic occupy first and second place in the WBO rankings. Champion Dubois beat Fabio Wardley in May, and Wardley has already activated his rematch clause, which keeps things moving.

Itauma, 1.88 meters tall, made his professional debut three years ago with a knockout in 23 seconds. Only on two occasions, both in 2023, did it reach the decision. His origin is diverse: Nigerian father, Slovak mother. He was born in Slovakia and grew up in Chatham, Kent.

The August 29 event will define whether the young promise is ready for the title or if Hrgovic’s experience will make the difference.

Jeffery Simmons secures historic contract

Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons turned his first All-Pro selection into a record-breaking deal. The franchise announced Friday that the 28-year-old signed a multi-year extension.

Details of the agreement

Although the Titans did not disclose terms, ESPN and NFL Network reported that the three-year extension amounts to $35.3 million per season, with $100 million guaranteed. This places Simmons as the highest-paid defensive tackle in league history.

Simmons, a key player in Tennessee’s defense, capitalized on his high-level performance. His contract reflects the value the organization places on his leadership and production on the field.