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Police investigating online abuse of Havertz's wife
Police are investigating online abuse received by the wife of Arsenal forward Kai Havertz.
Sophia Havertz shared on social media direct messages that were sent to her after Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on Sunday.
"Officers have received a report of malicious communications towards a Hertfordshire resident on Sunday 12 January. Enquiries are underway," a Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson told the Press Association on Wednesday.
Arsenal lost on penalties to United, with Germany striker Havertz missing a chance from close range to win the game at the Emirates Stadium and then failing to score in the shootout.
His wife shared two posts on her Instagram story on Monday, including one where someone threatens to "slaughter" her unborn baby.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called for action to be taken.
"It's incredible, honestly," Arteta said. We really have to do something about it, because accepting that and hiding this has terrible consequences," he said. "It's something we have to eradicate from the game because it's so cynical and dependent to a result of an action. There is no other industry like this."
Havertz was in action again for Arsenal on Wednesday as they beat rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the Premier League.
When the 25-year-old's name was read out by the stadium announcer when revealing the teams, there was a large cheer from the home fans.
"There's a social media perception, then when you come to the stadium and actually hear the real fans and what they think, it's two different things," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said.
"The cheer he got tonight was ridiculous, it was the loudest cheer of the night when his name called out you could tell that meant a lot to him."
Arsenal defender Emily Fox has praised the "steadying force" of interim manager Renee Slegers after reigniting confidence in the side following Jonas Eidevall's departure.
Slegers took charge on an interim basis following Eidevall's exit in October.
Arsenal had two consecutive losses, 5-2 to Bayern Munich and 2-1 to Chelsea, in the run-up to his departure. Sources told ESPN he had also lost the dressing room.
The United States international praised Slegers for "a smooth transition" and giving the side confidence after a slow start to the season, where Arsenal had only picked up one win from their first four Women's Super League (WSL) games.
"Renee's amazing," Fox told ESPN. I think definitely when she stepped in, it was a very hard time, but I think luckily we had a really great structure, and with her, I always say she's very even-keeled, confident, direct. And so with that, we regrouped I think she has a really good job of making things clear and giving people confidence."
Slegers remains in charge on an interim basis, but fans have called for her to be appointed permanently since the club's hunt for a replacement began last year. An update is expected ahead of Arsenal's WSL clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"It was a very smooth transition in that sense and she hasn't stopped," Fox added.
"I definitely think with having the mid-season, two week break, being able to finally have a time for her to just sit down and get things together, we already are doing more things that I think Renee has been wanting to do to lead up for the January games, which is exciting.
"I think when it first happened last year, it was kind of a week-to-week like, what's going to happen? But I think now that it's been a few months with Renee, we have that consistency and I think just trusting the club and the higher ups that they're doing everything that they can to find the right coach and give us information as soon as possible.
"I think Renee is just a steadying force and with the teammates that we have and the girls that we have, I think we're all just very confident and know how important she is for us."
Arsenal have two potentially title-deciding games coming up against league leaders Chelsea -- who are six points clear at the top of the table -- before they face second-place Manchester City.
"There is a lot in the line, but I think every time we play them, that's how it feels," Fox said.
"I definitely think with Chelsea and Man City, in terms of the atmosphere, the fans, there is always a little bit something more when we play those games. [It] definitely feels more like a rivalry when we play them. Whether it is a final or just in the league, I think anytime we play them [Chelsea] or Man City, we always see it as a game-deciding."
The right-back said she needs to be in control defensively to subdue Chelsea's attacking threats.
Chelsea have scored 31 goals league goals this season, conceding only six. Arsenal have netted 20 but have only leaked goals five times. Two of those were against Chelsea in the reverse fixture, with two others coming in the opening 2-2 draw with Man City.
"Without a doubt, defensively, I need to be on top of it, whether it's with my one vs. ones, or with set pieces, corners crosses and second balls in the box.
"So I think really just being on top of it. I feel like with Chelsea they can finish off of anything and kind of create something out of nothing. And so with that, just defensively being locked in all the time."
Blair Tickner rejoins Derbyshire for 2025 season
The New Zealand fast bowler played seven matches for the county last summer across the Vitality County Championship and Vitality Blast, before returning home early after his wife Sarah was diagnosed with leukemia.
Now with Sarah on the road to recovery, Tickner returns to Derby for the duration of the season, subject to international commitments. He has represented the Black Caps on 34 occasions, and made his Test debut against England in 2023.
Tickner, 31, is currently enjoying a fine domestic summer in New Zealand and is among the leading wicket-takers in the country with 13 dismissals in the Plunket Shield (first-class), 11 in the Ford Trophy (List A) and nine in the Super Smash (T20) so far.
Derbyshire's head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, said: "We never got to see the best of Blair in his first spell with us, there was a lot going on off the field, but he was the consummate professional and we were always eager to bring him back for 2025.
"His record deserved to be better last season, we dropped chances off his bowling and if we take those, his average comes right down. I'm confident we will be better in that regard in 2025, and Blair should reap the rewards, because he's a very good bowler.
"With the likes of Zak Chappell, Harry Moore, Pat Brown and Blair all vying to take the new ball, I'm very excited about our attack in 2025."
Tickner added: "Despite everything, I loved my first spell with Derbyshire and I've kept in touch with the players and coaches, the club have supported me massively and I'm looking forward to getting back to England and showing what I can do.
"I think everyone would agree that I have unfinished business with Derbyshire, I couldn't show my quality first time around and I'm coming back hungry to do just that and win games for the county."
Agar back at Northants
Northants chief executive, Ray Payne, said: "Ashton is a brilliant individual who played a very important role in our good form at the backend of the T20 Blast last year. He is highly skilled, very experienced and has had success at the very highest level of the game.
"We're all very excited to him again in a Steelbacks shirt in 2025."
Stephen Fleming steps down as Southern Brave head coach
Birrell will become the first county head coach also taking charge of a men's Hundred team, though several have served as assistant coaches. He will be replaced as Hampshire coach during the Metro Bank Cup, the 50-over competition which runs parallel to the Hundred, but remains in charge for the County Championship and the T20 Blast.
He has coached Chennai since 2009, and has also taken charge of their affiliated franchises in Major League Cricket (Texas Super Kings) and the SA20 (Joburg Super Kings), where he is currently. Fleming said in a statement that stepping down from his role with the Brave would allow him to spend more time at home.
"I absolutely loved my time at Southern Brave, working in the Hundred and working with a great group of people at Utilita Bowl," Fleming said. "We got close to winning a couple of times so it's difficult to step down but for family reasons I need to be able to dedicate more time to being at home this season. I wish everyone at Southern Brave the best for 2025."
Giles White, who is director of cricket at the Brave and Hampshire, said: "Stephen created an excellent environment for the players and it has been an enjoyable and successful stint with us In his place we are delighted to welcome Adi Birrell and look forward to seeing him build on the team's success in 2025."
The Brave are the fifth Hundred team to recruit a new coach this winter. Justin Langer has replaced Trevor Bayliss at London Spirit's men, while Ali Maiden (Birmingham Phoenix), Michael Klinger (Manchester Originals) and Lisa Keightley (Northern Superchargers) have taken over from Ben Sawyer, Stephen Parry and Dani Hazell respectively in the women's competition.
Spin-friendly Multan awaits WI as Pakistan look to continue home momentum
Big picture: Expect plenty of turn in Multan
But the spin-experiment could meet more resistance from West Indies than it did from England. The latter attempted to subdue Pakistan with the same cavalier belligerence that has served them well on flatter tracks, ending up playing right into the hosts' hands. West Indies are unlikely to do the same, and while they do not possess a star-studded batting line-up, they will show up with one that has experience in these conditions - as well as a spin attack that can potentially thrive in them.
However, West Indies sit at the bottom of the WTC points table for a reason. Their results - both at home and away - haven't been consistent enough. The exhilarating win over Australia in Brisbane feels like a long time ago. It was followed up by England clean-sweeping them away, a home series defeat against South Africa, and a drawn one against Bangladesh.
They are aware things need to change, and have made a significant call already; vice-captain Joshua Da Silva has been dropped after a run of underwhelming performances with the bat. However, Brathwaite and his team will know their problems run deeper than that, and this series allows them, at the very least, the chance to move off the bottom.
Form guide
Pakistan: LLWWL (last five Tests, most recent first)
West Indies: LWLDL
In the spotlight: Saud Shakeel and Gudakesh Motie
Team news: Roach unwell, Da Silva dropped
Pakistan have named their XI, featuring three spinners, as well as debutant Muhammad Hurraira to open.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Shan Masood (capt), 2 Muhammad Hurraira, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Kamran Ghulam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Noman Ali, 9 Sajid Khan, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Khurram Shahzad
Kemar Roach is unwell, while Anderson Phillip is not likely to be picked either in what is set to be a spin-heavy West Indies side. In Roach's absence, their seam attack will be led by Jayden Seales. Meanwhile, Da Silva has been dropped, with uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Amir Jangoo all but set to debut.
West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Mikyle Louis, 3 Justin Greaves, 4 Keacy Carty/Tevin Imlach, 5 Alick Athanaze, 6 Kavem Hodge, 7 Amir Jangoo (wk), 8 Gudakesh Motie, 9 Kevin Sinclair, 10 Jomel Warrican, 11 Jayden Seales
Pitch and conditions
This is the question, isn't it? Pakistan continue to rage against the elements, determined to suck the Multan surface dry in bitter cold by erecting a greenhouse on the square to heat the surface up. This has never been attempted here in January before, though Pakistan did succeed in bending the Rawalpindi surface against England to their will in October. If they're successful once more, expect significant turn right from the outset, and for spin to operate almost across the Test without pause. The weather, meanwhile, is expected to be bitterly cold.
Stats and trivia
- Kraigg Brathwaite is 99 runs away from surpassing Richie Richardson's Test tally, and 149 away from becoming the tenth West Indies batter to score 6000 Test runs.
- The last Test these two sides played in Multan, in November 2006, saw just 27 wickets fall across more than 439 overs and five days, with more than 1400 runs scored.
Quotes
"Home conditions are very important in Test cricket. We've adopted a certain style of play and pitch preparation, and we want to take the momentum of the England series forward."
Shan Masood urges consistency from his side
"We've adjusted well - similar conditions to Islamabad [where the warm-up game was held]. We have acclimatised and are looking forward to the Tests."
Kraigg Brathwaite believes conditions will not be too different to their three-day warm-up game
Danyal Rasool is ESPNcricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000
Hurricanes seal home final with last-ball win; Heat and Australia sweat on Kuhnemann injury
Hobart Hurricanes 207 for 5 (Jewell 76, Owen 44, Johnson 3-26) beat Brisbane Heat 201 for 6 (Labuschagne 77, Renshaw 40, Ellis 3-42) by five wickets
Matthew Wade hit a six off the final ball as Hobart Hurricanes unleashed their considerable firepower in a superb chase of 202 to defeat Brisbane Heat in a pivotal result that kept alive the BBL finals hopes of three teams.
The result kept alive the slim finals prospects of Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades, who would have all been eliminated if Heat had won.
Owen ignites early, Wade the late hero
The elevation of Owen from the middle-lower order to opener has proven a masterstroke for Hurricanes this season. The powerfully-built Owen has had the licence to attack in the powerplay and once again he got Hurricanes off to a flier.
He whacked three sixes in his favoured leg-side region as Hurricanes motored to 47 for 0 after four overs. Owen was running hot and, bizarrely, a fire started in the DJ booth in the terraces.
There was a brief delay as nearby fans had to be evacuated, but Owen did not lose his rhythm on resumption. He whacked legspinner Mitchell Swepson for a trio of blows into the crowd in the sixth over before holing out for 44 off 20 balls.
After Charlie Wakim was stumped for a duck in a tight call, Jewell and Nikhil Chaudhary combined for an 81-run partnership to get Hurricanes back on track. Jewell batted beautifully with several gorgeous strokes through the covers as Hurricanes gained the ascendency by the time they took the Power Surge in the 16th over.
But the match turned with Chaudhary and Jewell dismissed in the Surge and it came down to a nerve-jangling final over.
Wade and Jake Doran had to combat slower deliveries from Bartlett before Wade swept a faster paced ball into the crowd to seal a stunning result that had wider ramifications.
Heat's mixed fielding effort, Kuhnemann injury scare
Heat were outstanding with the ball and in the field during their championship run last year. But they've been ragged as this season has worn on and were left to rue several dropped catches.
Nathan McSweeney was the main offender with three dropped catches, including Owen and Jewell early in their innings. In his defence they were tough chances, and he did almost make up for it with brilliant efforts to dismiss Jewell and Chaudhary. Swepson also clung on to a blinder to dismiss Tim David, but it wasn't enough.
There will be a nervous wait over the fitness of Kuhnemann, who ran off the field with one ball left in his final over after being hit on his right thumb by a firm drive from Wade.
Newbie Bean strikes in professional debut
In a blow for Hurricanes, quick Billy Stanlake was ruled out for the remainder of the season after he suffered a shoulder injury in the outfield against Renegades.
Skipper Nathan Ellis handed the 21-year-old beanpole, pardon the pun, the new ball, but he made a nervous start after bowling a wide. He sprayed his next delivery but McSweeney could only toe the ball straight to cover in an ugly dismissal.
Bean, sporting a wispy moustache and bleached blonde hair, was naturally ecstatic as he pumped his fist and let out a scream in understandable jubilation. Bowling sharply around 135 kph, he bowled a cracking back-of-a-length delivery that beat Labuschagne.
By the end of his debut, Bean bowled in four different phases and equipped himself well to finish with 1 for 32 from 4 overs.
Labuschagne shines in sole BBL appearance
Khawaja tried to make up for lost time with a first ball boundary. He then showcased the type of inventive batting more befitting of his new Test opening partner Sam Konstas with a scooped six off Ellis followed by lapping a full toss to the boundary.
Khawaja raced to 23 off 8 balls before being deceived by a superb slower delivery by Ellis. In came Matthew Renshaw, who overshadowed Labuschagne with a rapid 40 to dominate the 69-run partnership.
Renshaw's improved power-hitting was again on show as Heat rattled along at a run rate of 10 per over. But he was left frustrated after being run out at the keeper's end attempting a second run.
Heat went through a lull in the middle overs until taking the Power Surge and blasting 33 runs across the 15th and 16th overs. Labuschagne took over as he mixed traditional strokes with inventiveness to slam quick Riley Meredith around the ground.
Labuschagne has a modest BBL record, but clearly relished - much like Steven Smith - the freedom of T20 cricket after a gruelling Test summer. He notched his second BBL half-century off 31 balls and combined with Tom Alsop in an innings-turning 85-run partnership.
Labuschagne reached a new BBL personal best score before being dismissed off the last ball of the innings.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
Gujarat Giants vs RCB to kick off WPL 2025 on February 14 in Vadodara; final in Mumbai
After the first six games in Vadodara, the tournament will move to Bengaluru for the next eight matches. Lucknow will then host four games before the last leg in Mumbai. Mumbai will also stage four games, including the Eliminator on March 13 and the final on March 15 - all at the CCI stadium.
RCB will play four games at their home venue, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which drew boisterous crowds last season. As for the UP Warriorz, they will play three games at their home base, Lucknow. Delhi Capitals are the only team who don't have home games in the five-team tournament.
Just like the previous season, all matches will be single-headers.
Sources: Chelsea leads race for USWNT's Girma
Chelsea are leading the race to sign San Diego Wave centre-back Naomi Girma, while Arsenal and Lyon are also interested in the United States women's national team star, sources have told ESPN.
Girma, 24, is under contract until 2026 with the NWSL side, so any deal will need a sizeable transfer fee. One source told ESPN it could become the first $1 million transfer in women's football.
Girma is one of the highest-rated defenders of this current generation and was instrumental in helping the USWNT achieve gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Manager Emma Hayes said Girma is "the best defender I've ever seen. Ever. I've never seen a player as good as her in the back."
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has admitted she is looking to bolster their options at centre-back following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan, and several sources have told ESPN Girma is top of their wish list.
Bompastor's former club Lyon, owned by businesswoman Michele Kang, has also expressed interest in the centre-half despite penning a deal with Swedish defender Elma Junttila Nelhage earlier in the transfer window.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, who've had their eye on Girma for quite some time, have also expressed interest in bringing the centre-back on board, another source told ESPN.
There will be several stumbling blocks, though, not least the transfer fee required to prize one of the world's best players away from San Diego Wave. Former Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall, San Diego Wave's incoming manager, would be reluctant to lose a player of Girma's calibre while the team are under new ownership, after the franchise was taken over by the Leichtman-Levine Family in October.
Wave have already parted ways with Jaedyn Shaw since Eidevall's tenure began last week. The 20-year-old forward moved to North Carolina Courage in exchange for $300,000 in allocation money and $150,000 in intraleague transfer fees, along with a 2025 and 2026 international slot to San Diego.
The current world record transfer fee in women's football is held by Racheal Kundananji who transferred to Bay FC from Madrid CFF for $860,000. Given Girma's talent, it is likely her transfer fee would need to surpass the current record to make it worthwhile for the franchise.
Girma won NWSL Defender of the Year for both 2022 and 2023, but missed out in 2024 to Emily Sans.
LIV Golf finalizes broadcast deal with Fox Sports
LIV Golf has reached a multiyear broadcast agreement with Fox Sports, which will show each of the three rounds of the events live in the U.S. on one of its network's channels and streaming app starting this season.
LIV Golf announced Thursday that more than half of its 14 tournaments would air live on Fox or FS1, while select rounds will be broadcast on FS2, Fox Business Network or the Fox Sports App. Every round will be streamed on the Fox Sports App and LIV Golf+, the circuit said.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and it wasn't clear whether Fox Sports would pay a rights fee to the Saudi Arabian-financed tour.
"We are thrilled to partner with FOX Sports, one of the preeminent broadcast networks in the world," new LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said in a statement. "LIV Golf is getting bigger and bolder, and this relationship signals the next phase of growth as our league joins the company of the nation's premier sports leagues and conferences.
"I want to thank the FOX Sports team who share our vision for the future of golf, a new model that is redefining how the sport is experienced. LIV Golf is drawing a younger, more active and tech-savvy fan base, and as our players and teams prepare for LIV Golf's biggest season yet, this agreement will take our broadcast to new heights."
O'Neil, the former top executive at Merlin Entertainments, was officially named LIV Golf's new CEO on Wednesday. The circuit said former CEO and commissioner Greg Norman will be handing over day-to-day operations but will remain involved in an undisclosed capacity.
LIV's third season tees off Feb. 6-8 at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, followed by tournaments in Australia (Feb. 14-16), Hong Kong (March 7-9) and Singapore (March 14-16).
The first LIV Golf tournament in the U.S. will be played at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami and is slated for April 4-6, the week before the Masters.
The Fox Sports deal should increase exposure in the U.S. for LIV Golf, which struggled to gain viewership in in its first two seasons on The CW network. According to Golfweek, fewer than 100,000 people watched Jon Rahm win the 2024 individual championship.
"FOX Sports is excited to broadcast the LIV Golf League, showcasing athletes at the top of their game competing at an elite level for viewers across the nation," Jordan Bazant, a Fox Sports executive vice president, said in a statement. "The addition of LIV Golf is a natural fit for FOX Sports' prominent slate of big events, world-class names and premium sports coverage."
U.S. amateur upstages McIlroy, Rahm in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- A 22-year-old American amateur making his debut on the European tour upstaged Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world's top players at the Dubai Desert Classic for a share of the first-round lead on Thursday.
David Ford, a senior at North Carolina, holed a 40-foot eagle putt at his first hole, ran off five straight birdies midway through the round and signed for a 7-under 65 at Emirates Golf Club.
Ford is a lefty, a triplet, No. 6 in the world amateur rankings and playing outside the United States for the first time. He earned an exemption for the Dubai Desert Classic, one of the most prestigious events on the European tour, as a reward for finishing the autumn section of the collegiate golf schedule at No. 1 in the PGA Tour's university ranking.
Asked if he was expecting to contend in Dubai, where six of the world's top 20 are competing, Ford said: "I try to keep my expectations low. I know where my game is at right now and I have got a lot of people around me believing in me, which is really helpful going into this week.
"I just tried to have fun. Just come out here and do the preparation that I do for college events and just keep everything really simple and keep having fun."
Ford was tied for the lead with Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal and David Micheluzzi of Australia -- and five shots clear of defending champion McIlroy, who said he felt "a little uncomfortable" in shooting 70 in his first competitive round of 2025.
The No.3-ranked Northern Irishman was 1 over after eight holes before playing his final 10 holes in 3 under -- including a chip-in at No. 7, his 16th hole.
"Definitely not as comfortable as I was in practice and coming in here," McIlroy said. "But it's nice to get a card in your hand. It sort of exposes the things that you need to work on.
"I got it around and got it in in a couple under, which is nice, and didn't put myself out of the tournament, which is the main thing."
Preston Summerhays, another top American amateur who played at the Walker Cup with Ford in 2023, shot 70 and was alongside McIlroy at 2 under.
Rahm, who plays on the Saudi breakaway LIV Golf circuit, shot 69 on his debut at the tournament. No. 8-ranked Viktor Hovland, who acknowledged this week he was going through a challenging time after tinkering with his swing, shot 75.
Ford, who is planning to turn pro in May, has played three times on the PGA Tour -- at the RSM Classic and Barbasol Championship across 2022-23 and the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.
At Bay Hill, he shot 1-under 71 in his first round but followed it with an 83 to miss the cut.
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