Sports
European Athletics Championships 2026: Jakob Ingebrigtsen ‘disappointed’ by rival Josh Kerr’s absence
Jakob Ingebrigtsen says he is “very” disappointed Britain’s Josh Kerr is not competing at the European Championships, claiming that athletes who choose to miss major competitions are “ruining” the sport.
Ingebrigtsen secured a stunning 5,000m gold on his long-awaited return from injury on Monday, becoming the joint-most successful athlete in European Championships history.
After 11 months out of competition, during which he underwent surgery on his Achilles, the 25-year-old wasted no time in reigniting his fierce rivalry with Kerr.
Last month, Kerr smashed the mile world record, which had stood for 27 years, before winning Commonwealth gold over the distance on home soil in Glasgow.
The Scot made clear the Europeans were never part of his plans this season, but Ingebrigtsen believes Kerr should have been able to include it in his schedule.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Ingebrigtsen was complimentary of Kerr’s record-breaking performance in London but said he “could never” prioritise a time over a title.
“Of course I am going to go for times, but I don’t think you have to do one or the other,” Ingebrigtsen said.
Asked if he was disappointed Kerr is not racing in Birmingham, he added: “Very – and I think a lot of people should be, because that is what championships are all about.
“It’s not for us as athletes to choose almost where to participate. We have these championships for a reason, and that is for the best athletes to compete – that is the whole point.
“So I definitely think it is ruining the sport if we are not participating. We all have different plans, but I could never see myself in that position.”
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Sports
Paris Saint-Germain agree deal in region of €50m to sign Barcelona forward Ferran Torres
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have reached an agreement in the region of €50m (£42.7m; $57.6m) for the transfer of Ferran Torres.
The Athletic reported on Wednesday that PSG were close to agreeing a deal with Barcelona for the 26-year-old.
The Spanish club have confirmed that the deal will involve no add-ons, that documentation between the two clubs is still to be exchanged and that the transfer will soon be made official.
Torres is coming off a successful World Cup campaign with Spain. He was primarily used as a substitute by head coach Luis de la Fuente and scored the winning goal in the 106th minute of the final against Argentina last month at MetLife Stadium.
In July, The Athletic reported doubts over Torres’ future with the La Liga champions. Barcelona were open to selling the forward due to the fact that any renewal of his contract would require a payment of around €8m (£6.8m; $9.2m) to be made to Manchester City, owing to a clause in the deal which saw him join Barca from City for an initial €55m plus a further €10m in add-ons in January 2022.
The financial ramifications of giving Torres an increased contract meant that Barcelona sporting director Deco was reluctant to work on a new deal, according to sources familiar with the situation, speaking anonymously as they did not have permission to comment publicly.
Senior club sources, meanwhile, said the club is open to a sale to avoid him potentially leaving on a free transfer next summer, when his contract expires.
Spain forward Torres scored the winning goal in the 2026 World Cup final (Justin Setterfield via Getty Images)
Torres played regularly in Barcelona’s back-to-back title successes, including featuring 49 times last season in all competitions, scoring 21 goals. He has scored 65 goals and provided 23 assists in 207 appearances for Barcelona and won three league titles with the side.
Barca have been active in adding to their front line, signing England winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, but Torres’ impeding departure will mean that both of their centre-forward options would have left the club, with Robert Lewandowski joining the Chicago Fire in MLS.
The club have heavily targeted Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, with the Argentina international expressing a desire to join Barca, but Atletico are not willing to sanction his exit.
A good deal for everyone?
Analysis by Barcelona correspondent Pol Ballús
At this point, this is the best outcome for all sides.
Ferran Torres gets a big move at a great time in his career, after scoring the winning goal at the World Cup final for Spain last month, maximising his value. His moves and public statements over the last few weeks cast doubt on his Barcelona future, and the fans will not be too affected by his departure.
Last week, Torres travelled to the United States during his holidays and carried out multiple interviews where he was very open about his future plans, did not commit to Barca and urged the club to make a move and show that they wanted him.
The words did not sit well with a fanbase that feels as though it has seen it all from Torres over the past four years, going from an underwhelming €55m signing at the start of his Barca tenure to a very capable back-up forward under Hansi Flick.
The move would allow Barcelona to cash in on Torres and avoid handing him a big contract, something Deco was reluctant to do as he believed it could have impacted the salary harmony in the dressing room. But it leaves plenty of work in the club’s senior offices.
Robert Lewandowski left by the end of June, after the expiration of his contract, and now Ferran Torres is close to exiting too. None of the last two seasons’ strikers are at the club now, which puts even more pressure on Barcelona’s search for a new number nine. There is growing pessimism over the signing of their primary target, Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, but what is clear now is that Barca will need to do something, and there are only three weeks left in the transfer window.
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Sports
NFL preseason scores and live updates: Latest news and analysis from tonight’s games
Hello, NFL fans. Welcome to our coverage of the NFL preseason!
A week of training camp practices followed last Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game, but we are back to the exhibitions with a six-game schedule of games tonight. Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy will coach his first preseason game for the Steelers against a familiar opponent: Green Bay, the team he and quarterback Aaron Rodgers led to the Super Bowl in the 2010 season. Out West, the Cardinals return to action after last week’s loss to Carolina and could pit Carson Beck against No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Be sure to follow along with our coverage all evening long for updates, stats and analysis from all six games.
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Sports
Rangers: PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech set for Rangers move
PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech is at Ibrox to watch Rangers face Jagiellonia Bialystok pending a transfer to the Scottish Premiership club.
The 24-year-old Moroccan is expected to complete his move on Friday.
Driouech, who predominantly plays on the left, scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 40 appearances last season.
However, he was often used as a substitute, starting just once in PSV’s eight Champions League outings and coming off the bench 24 times in the Eredivisie.
Driouech, who has represented Morocco at Under-23 level, spent three seasons with Rotterdam side Excelsior before joining PSV in the summer of 2024.
He will be the 10th summer arrival at Ibrox and the second winger following the signing of Daisuke Yokota from Hannover last week.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh said on Monday he expected “three to five more players” while “a number will possibly go out”, with midfielder Mohamed Diomande sold to Turkish club Corum on Wednesday.
Having come through the youth ranks, and made his professional debut, with Heerenveen, Driouech rose to prominence with Excelsior, making 101 appearances and scoring 16 goals before his high-profile transfer to PSV.
Known for his quick feet, speed, precise finishing and ability to play on both wings, Haarlem-born Driouech had the choice of also representing France and the Netherlands but was part of the Morocco squad that won the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
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