Holders Newcastle draw Bradford City in League Cup third round
League Cup holders Newcastle United will begin the defence of their title with a home tie against third-tier Bradford City while Liverpool, last season's runners-up, host Southampton, Reuters reported.
Newcastle, whose win over Liverpool ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought, were given a bye into the third round along with the other Premier League clubs involved in either the Champions League or Europa League.
Manchester City will travel to League One Huddersfield Town while Chelsea go to Lincoln City and Arsenal are at Port Vale, according to Reuters.
Man Utd boss Amorim apologises to fans after Grimsby debacle
Ruben Amorim apologised to Manchester United supporters after his reign reached a new low with a humiliating elimination from the League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
United appeared to have got out of jail at Blundell Park when Harry Maguire's 89th-minute header made it 2-2 after they had trailed 2-0 with a woeful first-half display.
But a marathon penalty shootout ended 12-11 in Grimsby's favour after new signing Bryan Mbeumo, who had begun United's fightback, saw his spot kick bounce back off the crossbar, according to Reuters.
Medvedev given hefty fine after US Open meltdown
Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has been handed a substantial fine for his behaviour in a extraordinary first-round exit, BBC reported.
Medvedev, 29, was knocked out of the Grand Slam tournament after a meltdown sparked by a photographer walking on to the court during his defeat by France's Benjamin Bonzi.
The former world number one has been fined almost £31,500 ($42,500) by the United States Tennis Association.
He was docked $30,000 for unsportsmanlike behaviour and another $12,500 for obliterating a racket against a chair, according to BBC.
It means the Russian will have to forfeit about 40% of the first-round prize money he received.
New Zealand rugby player who called for study of concussions dies at 39
Shane Christie, former Highlanders and New Zealand Maori rugby player, has died at 39. Christie, who suffered multiple concussions during his career, suspected he had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to mood, memory, and behavioral changes, according to Al Jazeera.
He had planned to donate his brain to research to help make rugby safer and co-founded the Billy Guyton Foundation to raise awareness about concussion risks. Since retiring, he experienced headaches, memory lapses, and other symptoms linked to repeated head injuries.
New Zealand Rugby expressed condolences, praising Christie’s passion for the sport. The growing concern over CTE has also led over 1,000 former rugby players in the UK to pursue legal action against governing bodies, seeking compensation and reforms to protect player safety, Al Jazeera reported.
