Sports
South Africa’s Asenathi Ntlabakanye banned for 18 months for doping violation
South Africa prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been banned for 18 months for breaking anti-doping rules – a decision which is set to rule him out of the 2027 World Cup.
Ntlabakanye, who plays for Johannesburg-based club Lions, tested positive for the banned substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 2025 and carried on playing while the issue was investigated.
The 27-year-old “self-declared” using DHEA believing it was allowed but, after being charged by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), has been banned by an independent doping tribunal panel.
His 18-month suspension started on 13 May and will take him up to next November, at the end of the World Cup in Australia. Ntlabakanye has 21 days to appeal.
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Sports
Premier League Darts: Play-off scenarios and prize money in final league phase night in Sheffield
With a £1.25m prize pot being shared among the eight-man field this year, there is certainly more than just glory at stake.
The winner of night 16 in Sheffield, as has been the case throughout the course of the league phase, will bank a bonus of £10,000.
And once the table is finalised after next week’s action, we’ll have a clearer picture of how much certain players can and will earn overall.
Those in the bottom four are fighting it out for the following sums:
Fifth: £95,000
Sixth: £90,000
Seventh: £85,000
Eighth: £80,000
But the prize money is significantly higher for the four players who will compete at finals night.
The tournament winner will bank £350,000, with the runner-up set to earn £170,000.
The two losing semi-finalists will each earn £110,000.
Littler, the league phase winner, will take on the player finishing fourth in the semi-finals.
Clayton, who is guaranteed to finish second, will meet the third-place player in the other semi-final on finals night.
The winner of each last-four tie will meet in the final.
The semi-finals are the best of 19 legs and the final is the best of 21 legs.
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Sports
David Beckham becomes UK’s first billionaire sportsman
Former United midfielder Beckham is now a co-owner of American club Inter Miami, estimated to be Major League Soccer’s most valuable franchise at $1.45bn (£1.07bn).
The 51-year-old, who was knighted in November, is also a brand ambassador for companies such as Adidas and Hugo Boss.
Victoria Beckham’s wealth has primarily been generated from her fashion label, having originally found fame as a member of the Spice Girls.
Promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn have joined Britain’s billionaire club, with their combined wealth estimated at £1.035bn.
Barry Hearn is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, one of the leading promoters across boxing, darts and snooker.
His son Eddie is Matchroom’s chairman and promotes British boxer Anthony Joshua, who is the eighth highest sports figure on the list with £240m, one spot above his heavyweight rival Tyson Fury (£162m).
Seven-time F1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton is fifth (£435m) while England football captain Harry Kane and two-time Wimbledon champion Sir Andy Murray are joint 10th (£110m).
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Sports
Premier League VAR: Three more errors recorded by Key Match Incident panel
Three more video assistant referee errors have been confirmed by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel, taking the total this season to 23.
The panel has recorded three errors involving penalties, two of which should have been awarded for holding offences.
Everton, the only team not to get a VAR intervention in their favour this season, were wrongly denied a spot-kick against Manchester City.
David Moyes’ side led 3-2 at Goodison Park when, on a corner, Bernardo Silva held back Toffees midfielder Merlin Rohl – unseen by referee Michael Oliver.
The VAR Paul Howard decided the holding had taken place before the corner was taken, so he could not intervene to award a penalty.
“If that doesn’t get given as a penalty, then it’s an absolute free-for-all from now on,” Moyes said after the game.
All five members of the KMI panel agreed with Moyes, saying “there is a clear, sustained holding offence which continues as the corner is taken and the ball comes into play”.
City equalised deep into stoppage time through Jeremy Doku to snatch a 3-3 draw.
It is the third time this season Everton should have been given a penalty through video review, the others being in a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal and a 2-1 defeat at West Ham.
The panel also voted 5-0 that a penalty awarded to Bournemouth in the 29th minute of their 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace should have been overturned.
Marcos Senesi went to ground claiming contact from goalkeeper Dean Henderson, and referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot. The VAR Peter Bankes decided to uphold the decision.
“Henderson drops the ball, reaches for it and Senesi goes down under very minimal contact from the goalkeeper,” the panel said.
“The referee’s call of a penalty was incorrect and that VAR should have intervened to recommend a review.”
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