#Football⚽

Father of Luis Diaz released after 12 days!

In a nutshell: After almost two weeks since his kidnapping by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), Liverpool star Luis Diaz's father has been released.

Luis Manuel Diaz was released on Thursday and is currently in the hands of a humanitarian commission made up of the United Nations and the Catholic Church, Blu Radio reports.

This comes after Liverpools 3-2 Europa League defeat to Tolouse, where Diaz started the match.

Maddison withdraws from England squad

Here it is: News just coming into us this morning that James Maddison has withdrawn from the upcoming England squad due to an ankle injury.

Does this open the door for James Ward-Prowse to come into the fold?

ICYMI: Ireland squad named for upcoming internationals

Heres the deal: James McClean is set to link up with the squad for the New Zealand fixture at the Aviva Stadium for his final Ireland appearance.

#SportsRound-Up 🏀🏐🎾⛳

#Football ⚽ - Brighton beat Ajax 2-0!

In an nutshell: Brighton beat European giants Ajax 2-0 in their own patch, and a Lucas Paqueta strike helped West Ham overcome Olympiacos!

#Rugby 🏉 - Oli Jager set to join Munster!

Here's the deal: Munster are the front-runners in the race to sign Irish-qualified prop Oli Jager from the Crusaders

Graham Rowntree is believed to be an admirer of Jager, and as such, the Munster boss is keen to add him to his squad.

Key Points:

• Jager was born in London, but spent most of his early life in Ireland, moving to New Zealand in 2013 (aged 18)

• Attended both Newbridge College and Blackrock College

• Jager has made 51 appearances for the Crusaders

#NBA 🏀 - Giannis goes off in Bucks loss to Pacers

Bucks 124 - 126 Pacers

Briefly: The Greek Freak finished with 54 points as the Bucks lost to the Pacers.

Haliburton finished with 29/10/6 for Indiana.

Check out every Giannis bucket here!

Hawks 120 - 119 Magic

Quickly: Trae Youngs 41 helps the hawks overcome the Magic in Mexico City!

Check out this Trae dime in the final minute to help propel Atlanta to victory!

And check out the top 5 plays from last nights action!

#NFL 🏈 - Bears beat Panthers to improve to 3-7!

Summary: Bagent started his fourth game for the Bears in place of Fields and struggled despite not turning the ball over. The offense was out of rhythm all game. Bagent was off target on 22% of his throws and didn't find opportunities to utilize his legs until the second half. The undrafted rookie finished 20 of 33 for 162 yards.

For the panthers, For the second straight game, Young took a step backwards. He had only 63 yards passing in the first half, and 45 of that came on one play. He came into the game with an NFL-worst 29.6 Total QBR, and that won't improve. Young finished 21 of 38 for 185 yards.

Click here for the highlights.

Friday

• 8.30am: Cricket World Cup, South Africa v Afghanistan – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 9am: Nedbank Golf Challenge, South Africa – Sky Sports Golf.

• 12.30pm: Snooker International Championship – Eurosport 1.

• 3pm: LPGA Pelican Women’s Championship – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 5.15pm: Racing live from Dundalk – TG4.

• 5.30pm: Zebre v Sharks, United Rugby Championship – Premier Sports 1.

• 6pm: Bermuda Championship, PGA Tour Golf – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 7.30pm: UCI Track Champions League, London – Eurosport 1.

• 7.35pm: Ulster v Munster, United Rugby Championship – RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports 1.

• 7.35pm: Cardiff v Bulls, United Rugby Championship – Premier Sports 2.

• 7.45pm: LOI promotion-relegation playoff, Waterford FC v Cork City – Virgin Media Three.

• 7.45pm: Gloucester v Bath, Premiership Rugby – TNT Sports 1.

• 8pm: Blackburn Rovers v Preston, Championship – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 10pm: Boxing live, Eubank v Schwarzkopf – Channel 5.

Saturday

• 12.30am: NBA, Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – TNT Sports 3.

• 3am: NBA, Phoenix Suns v LA Lakers – TNT Sports 3.

• 5am: Cricket World Cup, Australia v Bangladesh – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 8.30am: Cricket World Cup, England v Pakistan – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 9am: Nedbank Golf Challenge, South Africa – Sky Sports Golf.

• 12.30pm: Wolves v Tottenham, Premier League – TNT Sports 1.

• 12.30pm: Sunderland v Birmingham City, Championship – Sky Sports Football.

• 12.30pm: Snooker International Championship – Eurosport 1.

• 1pm: Racing live from Wincaton, Newcastle and Aintree – ITV4.

• 1.40pm: AFLW, Adelaide Crows v Brisbane Lions (deferred coverage) – TG4.

• 2pm: WNL – Cork City v Shelbourne – LOI TV…(Bohemians v Treaty United, 3pm; Shamrock Rovers v Athlone Town, 4pm; Wexford Youths v Galway United, 4.30pm).

• 3pm: Arsenal v Burnley, Premier League – Premier Sports 1.

• 3pm: Benetton v Stormers, United Rugby Championship – Premier Sports 2.

• 3.05pm: Leicester Tigers v Harlequins, Premiership Rugby – TNT Sports 1.

• 4pm: Bermuda Championship, PGA Tour Golf – Sky Sports Golf.

• 4.30pm: WNL – Peamount United v Sligo Rovers – TG4.

• 5pm: Juventus v Cagliari, Serie A – TNT Sports 2.

• 5.15pm: Ospreys v Glasgow, United Rugby Championship – Premier Sports 1.

• 5.15pm: Scarlets v Lions, United Rugby Championship – Premier Sports 2.

• 5.30pm: Bournemouth v Newcastle United, Premier League – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 6pm: UCI Track Champions League, London – Eurosport 1.

• 7pm: LPGA Pelican Women’s Championship – Sky Sports Golf.

• 7.15pm: Ulster SFC club quarter-final, Trillick (Tyrone) v Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) – RTÉ 2.

• 7.35pm: Edinburgh v Connacht, United Rugby Championship – Premier Sports 2 and TG4.

• 8pm: Real Madrid v Valencia, La Liga – Premier Sports 1 and ITV4.

• 11pm: NBA, Orlando Magic v Milwaukee Bucks – TNT Sports 2.

Sunday

• 3am: UFC 295, Jiri Prochazka v Alex Pereira – TNT Sports 1.

• 7am: Snooker International Championship Final, (Later at 12.30pm) – Eurosport 1.

• 8am: Nedbank Golf Challenge, South Africa – Sky Sports Golf.

• 8.30am: Cricket World Cup, India v Netherlands – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 11.15am: AFLW, Melbourne Demons v North Melbourne Kangaroos (deferred coverage) – TG4.

• 11.30am: Napoli v Empoli, Serie A – TNT Sports 1.

• 12pm: Livingston v Rangers, Scottish Premiership – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 12.30pm: Tottenham v Liverpool, Women’s Super League – BBC Two.

• 1.15pm: Dragons v Leinster, United Rugby Championship – RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports 1.

• 1.30pm: Leinster SHC club quarter-final: Naomh Éanna (Wexford) v Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly) – TG4.

• 2pm: West Ham v Nottingham Forest, Premier League – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 2.30pm: NFL: New England Patriots v Indianapolis Colts – Sky Sports NFL.

• 2.30pm: Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership – Sky Sports Football.

• 3pm: St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians, FAI Cup final – RTÉ 2.

• 3pm: Northampton v Exeter, Premiership Rugby – TNT Sports 1.

• 3.15pm: Barcelona v Alaves, La Liga – Premier Sports 1.

• 3.15pm: Ulster SFC club quarter-final: Kilcoo (Down) v Scotstown (Monaghan) – TG4.

• 4pm: Bermuda Championship, PGA Tour Golf – Sky Sports Golf.

• 4.30pm: Chelsea v Manchester City, Premier League – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 4.55pm: Ireland v France, EuroBasket 2025 qualifying round – TG4.

• 5pm: Lazio v Roma, Serie A – TNT Sports 2.

• 5pm: NBA, New York Knicks v Charlotte Hornets – TNT Sports 4.

• 6pm: NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars v San Francisco 49ers – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 6.45pm: Leicester City v Arsenal, Women’s Super League – Sky Sports Football.

• 7pm: LPGA Pelican Women’s Championship – Sky Sports Golf.

• 7.45pm: Inter Milan v Frosinone, Serie A – TNT Sports 1.

• 8pm: Atletico Madrid v Villareal, La Liga – Premier Sports 1.

• 8.30pm: NBA, Los Angeles Clippers v Memphis Grizzlies – TNT Sports 3.

• 9.05pm: NFL: Los Angeles Chargers v Detroit Lions – Sky Sports Main Event.

• 1.20am: (Monday) – NFL: Las Vegas Raiders v New York Jets – Sky Sports Main Event.

#Football ⚽ - Is VAR fighting a losing battle?

In brief: The laws of the game are ‘subjective’ when it comes to football, and some fouls, rec cards and decisions are not black and white like it is in most other sports, so is VAR fighting a losing battle when the laws of the game are so vague?

Key Points:

• Dermot Gallagher branded Joelintons ‘push’ a subjective matter

• VAR is in the spotlight, but is it the rules of the game that are the issue?

• Other sports like Tennis and Rugby are more defined in their laws, if this happens then it results in this, is it the same for football?

Read the full story here