The reigning MVP is back. Carlos Vela made his long-awaited return to the pitch in LAFC’s 2-0 victory over rival LA Galaxy on Sunday, scoring a goal in his 20-minute substitute appearance.

With three goals scored in four matches this season, Vela will look to continue a goalscoring pace that saw him tally and MLS-record 34 goals last year. 

Josep Bartomeu has resigned as the President of Spanish giants, Barcelona, with his whole board stepping down from their positions, on Tuesday.
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The Philadelphia Union are on top of the world – or at least on top of the MLS standings – after their 5-0 victory over previous league leaders Toronto FC last week helped them to overtake the MLS throne. 

Now reaching new heights with the club’s best-ever overall league ranking, the Union prepare to face a Columbus Crew SC side that boasts the league’s second-highest goalscorer in Gyasi Zardes and the statistically best defensive unit across all teams.

​The match is set for this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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The COVID-19 outbreak has had an enormous impact on the football industry, causing considerable drops in clubs' revenues and their players' market value. 

According to data presented by SafeBettingSites.com, Hazard, Kepa and Messi, top the list of the biggest market value drops in 2020. Statistics show the three famous footballers lost €142 million in combined market value since the beginning of the year. 

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has been confirmed coronavirus positive. The news came in a FIFA statement, on Tuesday, after test results showed the 50-year-old has contracted the virus.

He is reported to exhibit mild symptoms, and has immediately placed himself in self-isolation.

He is to remain in quarantine for at least ten days.

The Sierra Leone National A Team- Leone Stars- has yesterday moved 28 Home Based players to camp in Bo City for intensive and undistracted trainings ahead of the highly anticipated two back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying matches against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in November.

•120 international fixtures played in October
•Top three unchanged in World Ranking
•Malta the biggest climber this month

Qualifying games for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the play-offs for UEFA EURO 2021, and UEFA Nations League fixtures were among the 120 internationals played over the last month, resulting in significant movement in October’s edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded Seven West Media Ltd. (Seven) the Australian broadcast rights for the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022.Seven has acquired broadcast rights on all media platforms for Beijing 2022. As announced in 2014, Seven will also continue to be the IOC’s broadcast partner in Australia for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo. 
 
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The IOC is delighted to announce an extension to our agreement with Seven in Australia. We have a partnership that dates back to the Olympic Games Melbourne 1956, and Australian sports fans will be able to count on Seven’s sports broadcast expertise and passion for at least another edition of the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022. In addition, as the IOC redistributes over 90 per cent of its revenues, the financial support of our long-term commercial partners benefits the athletes, including the Australian Olympic team for Beijing 2022, and the entire Olympic Movement. This solidarity is more important now than ever.”

• BBC continues long and proud association with the Commonwealth Games which dates back to 1954
• 2022 coincides with the BBC’s own centenary celebrations
• Agreement announced as Birmingham 2022 confirmed as first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men

The BBC has signed up to be the Domestic Broadcast Rights Holder for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

The deal means the corporation will broadcast Birmingham 2022 events on television and radio and provide online coverage for the home nations, offering unparalleled coverage of the UK’s largest sporting event since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The BBC has a long and proud association with the Commonwealth Games which dates back to 1954. With the longstanding history between the BBC and the Games, the organisation will bring an unrivalled experience of covering Birmingham 2022. ​​

​Preliminary analysis of data collected at last weekend’s World Athletics Half Marathon Championships indicates that Gdynia has the best air quality of any major athletics event or road race measured since World Athletics’ Air Quality Project started in 2018.

The data suggests that the clean air in the Polish city, combined with the optimal temperature and humidity, was among the factors that contributed to the high number of personal best performances in Gdynia, which included the world record set by the women’s winner Peres Jepchirchir.

As part of World Athletics’ continuing pilot programme to measure air quality at sporting venues around the world, and with the support of the local organising committee, World Athletics’ health and science department measured clinical and environmental data in Gdynia.

The WTA (Women's Tennis Association) today pays tribute to German star Julia Goerges as she calls time on a 15-year career that saw her capture a total of 12 WTA titles and achieve a coveted Top 10 singles ranking and Top 20 doubles ranking.
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"Julia’s powerful playing style, exemplary sportsmanship and thoughtful nature made her a fantastic ambassador for women’s tennis and a fan favorite around the world," said Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO. "On behalf of the WTA family, I congratulate her on her wonderful career and the contributions she will leave with our sport and wish her every success and happiness for the future. She will certainly be missed."

The Coordination Commission for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026 concluded today (21 October) two days of virtual meetings that focused on the progress being made by the Local Organising Committee as it prepares to host the first-ever Olympic event on the African Continent.

Speaking after the meeting, Coordination Commission Chair Kirsty Coventry said: “We’re encouraged to see the progress being made by the team in Dakar during what has been an incredibly difficult period for humanity. This has been made possible by the solidarity shown across the Olympic Movement and through the support from stakeholders – further evidence that we are stronger together.”

She continued: “Dakar 2026 now have a unique opportunity to further optimise their delivery plans, implementing efficiencies that will deliver Games fit for a post-corona world. It will be an event by, for and with the youth. Whilst the road may seem long and full of challenges, we look forward to supporting their efforts as part of a ‘one-team’ approach, focused on delivering the first Olympic event in Africa in six years’ time.”

Complementing Chair Coventry’s thoughts, President of the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSS) and IOC Member Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye said: "With this postponement, the aim is to continue the excellent progress made so far, and to make the most of the four additional years. Emphasis will be placed on a large-scale mobilisation of youth from all regions of Senegal and their involvement in the organisation. They will thus be able to benefit from the preparatory activities and feel connected to the great celebration of the YOG Dakar 2026.”

It was a moment of joy and a shade of melancholy on the part of Ghana’s newly signed on professional bantamweight boxer, Daniel Selassie Gorsh aka ‘The Emperor’ when he was to put pen on paper to start a new journey in boxing at the Bronx Boxing Gym at James Town on Wednesday.

His fans had come in their numbers to witness the ceremony, and when he took the mic to speak, he began to cry, just because he was very happy to be lucky and also to rededicate himself to his long time coach and caretaker, Carl Lokko.

According to Gorsh, it is good he did not listen to people, and at the right time, he has landed a lucrative 3 year contract with USA based L & B Management Syndicate.

He said he decided to turn professional after he was not selected in the final squad for the 2020 Olympic Games Qualifier in Senegal.

NTT Pro Cycling’s (http://www.NTTProCycling.com) Ben O’Connor stormed to a sensational debut Grand Tour stage win claiming victory on stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia.

In the process, O’Connor scored NTT Pro Cycling’s first stage win at a grand tour since 2018, in emotional scenes at Madonna di Campiglio.

The 24-year-old Australian, along with teammates Louis Meintjes and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier, crucially formed part of the day’s 18-man breakaway from which he eventually made the winning move.

With 8km to go O’Connor took control of the race and soloed to an incredible victory, raising his arms aloft, sparking wild and emotional celebrations at the finish line.

O’Connor’s victory comes just a day after he placed second in stage 16, confirming a rich vein of form at a time that’s crucially important to the team as it looks to secure its future.

To finish off a brilliant day for the team, Domenico Pozzovivo safely navigated himself to the finish ensuring that on a potentially difficult day he secured his 8th position on the general classification.
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Daniel Selassie Gorsh, the young talented boxer of Bronx Boxing Gym at James Town has appeared on the radar of American based management company, L&B Boxing Management Syndicate.

Founded this year, they have over the seasons been following the sport and observing many boxers, but now is the time that they want to pick a boxer with a future and potential to be world class.
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Ghana Black Queens goalkeeper, Patricia Mantey, has completed a move to Nigeria women’s league side, Rivers Angels.

Mantey inked a one year deal with the club after successful negotiations.

Major League Soccer today unveiled a series of initiatives to combat racism, advocate for social justice and increase representation in the sport. The new programs, which include the formation of a Diversity Committee consisting of members of the MLS Board of Governors, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, representatives of the Black Players For Change (BPC), and other members of the soccer community, are the result of several months of discussions with key stakeholders across the league, including a recent meeting between the MLS Board and the BPC.
 
“Major League Soccer is committed to utilizing our wide-ranging platforms to create meaningful programs to address racism and social injustice in society and in the sport of soccer,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.  “Importantly, alongside key stakeholders, including MLS owners, Black Players For Change, former players, Black members of our technical staff and other employees, we have created a series of initiatives to close the representation gap across soccer in the U.S. and Canada.”

• 12 candidate cities in Australia and New Zealand to take part in virtual workshops from 20 October to 4 November

Following the decision in June to award Australia and New Zealand the right to host the next FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2023, the process to select the Host Cities for the tournament took its first steps today with confirmation that virtual workshops between FIFA and the 12 candidate cities will take place from 20 October to 4 November.

Bojan scored one goal and registered an assist to help Montreal secure a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami CF at Red Bull Arena on Saturday. Bojan has now tallied three goals and two assists this season. Montreal is eighth in the Eastern Conference standings with 23 points (7-10-2 overall record). 

Montreal took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute when Bojan dribbled past a pair of defenders and sent a difficult bouncing shot from well outside the box into the net, beating Miami goalkeeper John McCarthy just inside the right post (watch goal).

McDan Group of Companies and TT Brothers have pledged their support for the inaugural peace match between old stars of Accra Great Olympics and Accra Hearts of Oak fixed for Sunday, November 8 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The game was initially scheduled for February this year to inaugurate the Old Players Association of Great Olympics, but had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But with the new date and elections coming up, organisers decided to use the occasion to merge the two activities, with the message of peaceful election as its main focus.

Cyclists in Accra are getting ready for the second 2020 Bicycle Show dubbed ‘Okor Okpe’ Festival will climax at Ussher Fort at Ussher Town at 7 am on November 15.

Chief organizer of the event, Von Nii Otto Cofie of Tune Africa said the programme is recreational and invites all political and social leaders to come along on their bicycles to have fun and entertainment.

“I had to dig deep, man,” López says. “I’m thankful. I’m grateful. And each and every day, I take that in. I thank God first because I couldn’t do it without him.”

Asked why he came out firing in the 12th round after his father told him that he was well ahead on the scorecards, he says: “I’m a fighter. I gotta dig in deep. I knew he was coming. I didn’t know if they had him up on the scorecards or not, and I love to fight. I can bang, too. I don’t care, man. I’ll take one to give one. That’s what a true champion does. I find a way to win.”

Teofimo Lopez, Vasiliy Lomachenko - Vasily Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs) doesn't agree with the scores handed down by the judges in his 12 round unanimous decision defeat to IBF lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) on Saturday night in their unification match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Vasily Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs) doesn’t agree with the scores handed down by the judges in his 12 round unanimous decision defeat to IBF lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) on Saturday night in their unification match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Lomachenko, 32, says he thinks he was winning the fight after giving away a lot of rounds in the first half of the fight. The judges overwhelmingly gave it to Teofim by the scores: 116-112, 119-109 and, 117-111. The 116-112.

Legends of Ghana football - Stephen Appiah, Godwin Attram, Afo Dodoo and Richard Kingston have been appointed as Ambassadors for the inaugural peace match between retired players of Accra Hearts of Oak and Accra Great Olympics on Sunday, November 8 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Three times Africa Footballer of the year, Abedi Pele Ayew will also represent as Special Guest at the Oly / Hearts Old Stars Peace Match which is to create awareness of peace, love and unity in Ghana as the nation prepares for elections in December.

Abedi Pele who trained with Great Olympics before joining RTU and other top sports stars have been invited to contribute towards the match. The Maestro was also a crowd puller and very hot to handle anytime he played against both teams.

Some companies and individuals have also pledged support for the event.

The brash Brooklyn native built an early lead, fended off Vasiliy Lomachenko’s comeback in the second half of their 12-round lightweight title unification fight Saturday night, and upset Lomachenko by unanimous decision. The scores were wider than the action indicated, though, as judges Tim Cheatham (116-112), Julie Lederman (119-109), and Steve Weisfeld (117-111) had it for Lopez by big margins.

Cheatham, Lederman and Weisfeld scored eight, 11 and nine rounds, respectively, for Lopez. Lederman scored only the 11th round for Lomachenko.

The scoring notwithstanding, in just his 16th professional fight, Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) became boxing’s first fully unified lightweight champion in the sport’s four-belt era. He retained his IBF belt and won the WBA “super”, WBC “franchise” and WBO titles from Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs).

The 23-year-old Lopez also snapped the 32-year-old Lomachenko’s 13-fight winning streak and out-boxed an opponent who was commonly considered one of the top three fighters, pound-for-pound, in the sport. Before Saturday night, Ukraine’s Lomachenko, who was a 4-1 favorite, hadn’t lost since Mexico’s Orlando Salido upset him by split decision in their 12-round featherweight title fight in March 2014 at Alamodome in San Antonio.