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Hockey Canada issues update on suspensions for 5 players acquitted of sexual assault charges

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Michael McLeod arrives at the London, Ont., courthouse in July 2025.

Michael McLeod, left, remains suspended from Hockey Canada programs until Nov. 10, 2030. Cole Burston / Getty Images

Hockey Canada has announced continued suspensions and one reinstatement for the five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team who were acquitted of sexual assault in July 2025.

Hockey Canada said an independent appeal board confirmed all five players breached the Hockey Canada code of conduct for their actions in 2018 and recommended formal suspensions from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs, which the governing body accepted.

Alex Formenton has been reinstated immediately, while the other four remain suspended: Cal Foote until Nov. 10, 2026, Carter Hart until Nov. 10, 2027, Dillon Dubé until Nov. 10, 2028, and Michael McLeod until Nov. 10, 2030.

According to Hockey Canada, any player under consideration for a national team will be subject to an enhanced screening process, which includes a criminal records check and social media screening.

The five players were charged with sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident in June 2018, when a woman known as E.M. — her identity is protected by a publication ban — said she was sexually assaulted over the span of several hours in a London, Ont., hotel room. They were found not guilty after a highly publicized trial.

This story will be updated.

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Eddie Jones says he shows videos of geese flying in formation to coach his Japan side

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Eddie Jones has revealed an interesting method he uses to coach his Japan side – watching videos of geese fly in formation.

Japan are facing Australia in a two-Test, home and away series this month, and Jones’ side were beaten 35-32 by the Wallabies in Osaka last weekend.

The former England coach has made five changes for the second Test in Townsville, Australia on Saturday, including picking university student Yoshitaka Yazaki on the wing and giving Shunsuke Uenobo his first start at centre.

Jones said Japan’s support play “wasn’t as sharp as we would have liked” in the opening game, so he has turned to nature to get his point across.

“The reason we watch videos of geese is that the head of the flock is like the ball-carrier,” the Australian said.

“The ball carrier is king, and then everyone else has got to follow after that.

“The geese fly hundreds, thousands of miles in formation and they follow the one goose in front, and it’s the responsibility of the support players to respond to what the ball-carrier does.”

Australia overcame an early red card for Miles Amatosero to defeat home side Japan and seal their first win under new head coach Les Kiss, who succeeded Joe Schmidt earlier this year.

With his geese videos in hand, Jones said Japan have “set ourselves the task of really taking it to Australia this week”.

He added: “We’re very disappointed to lose the last game, so the most important thing now is how we take on this game.”

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Ruby Evans: British gymnast on coping with fame and followers

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For someone who routinely sails through the air, her feet are firmly on the ground.

She says she is not driven by medals. Improving as a gymnast is her biggest motivation.

But asked if she’s targeting gold at the LA 2028 Olympics, she smiles.

“Maybe,” she adds. “If I’m good.”

For individual success at an Olympics, she will need to showcase two vaults with different entries on to the vault.

So that is her current focus in training.

“Maybe if I get a second vault, I’d have quite a good chance,” she added.

“But it’s in gear two. It needs to get to gear five.”

At the Europeans, Evans and her team are focusing on a strong performance in Sunday’s women’s team final as that will set them up for October’s World Championships – and with it a chance of Olympic qualification.

As ever, there’s likely to be a lot of attention on Evans – she’s been showing she is someone worth keeping an eye on.

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Fulham fans: How are you feeling about the 2026-27 season?

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A headshot of Alvaro Arbeloa

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa joined Fulham this summer Denis Doyle/Getty Images

The new Premier League season is almost upon us and we want to gauge the mood among fans of every club going into the 2026-27 campaign.

It is the time of year when a new signing can mean optimism abounds. Alternatively, a less-than-impressive pre-season and a lack of transfer activity can leave supporters fearing the worst.

Let us know how you feel about your club’s prospects this season via our simple poll below and, as has become tradition, George Caulkin will analyse the results and report back with The Athletic’s hope-o-meter, a not particularly scientific reflection of fans’ hopes and fears for the coming season.

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