Jorge Messi, the father of Argentine football star Lionel Messi, has died after a long illness at the age of 68. He died at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, and the family confirmed the news to Reuters. The report was published on August 8, 2026, at 20:24.

Jorge Messi’s health had recently been poor, requiring him to remain between a medical center in Rosario and his home for treatment. His wife Celia and children Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol were beside him in his final days.

He played an important role in Lionel Messi’s football career from his son’s childhood and later worked as his representative. Jorge also advised Messi on several career-related decisions outside the field. Messi had previously said that his father’s approval mattered to him and that he would ask him after every match how he had performed. During the 2026 World Cup, the family said Jorge was receiving treatment for health problems and requested privacy and respect amid speculation about his condition.

Seoul police searched and seized materials at the Korean Football Association’s offices on Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. Hong took charge of the national team for a second time in 2024, but his selection had faced questions from the outset.

The association reportedly halted a lengthy search for a foreign coach and appointed Hong after a short meeting. A later Sports Ministry investigation found that the KFA had broken appointment rules, although the ministry did not order Hong’s contract cancelled because it found no evidence of a criminal offence.

South Korea, described as having a golden generation including Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in, exited the World Cup in the group stage after a 1-0 loss to South Africa under Hong. His decision to leave Son on the bench in the first half of that match drew controversy. Hong resigned in June after the World Cup, while a July parliamentary hearing also raised questions about his reported salary of 38 billion won, a figure he disputed.

Shafiqul Alam, former press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, has called on the Bangladesh Cricket Board to erase all records, statistics and milestones of Shakib Al Hasan. In a social media post on August 7, he said a cricketer who publicly venerates a convicted genocidaire has no right to have his name in cricket history.

Alam compared Shakib with former South African cricketers Barry Richards, Graeme and Peter Pollock, Mike Procter and Eddie Barlow. He said those players were excluded from international cricket for being part of a racist regime, while alleging that Shakib was corrupt and criticising his political position.

Alam also said he had seen no remorse from Shakib over crimes he attributed to Shakib’s “captain,” Sheikh Hasina. He referred to the 2009 killing of 57 military officers at BDR headquarters and said several athletes, including national champions in kabaddi, volleyball, basketball, wrestling and athletics, received death sentences or life imprisonment in connection with the incident. The report included no response from Shakib.

The Asian Cricket Council has announced the final schedule for the Women’s Asia Cup, which begins in Dubai on August 28. Bangladesh has been placed in Group B alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. Bangladesh will begin its campaign against Indonesia on August 31 in the eight-team tournament.

India and Pakistan have again been drawn in the same group, Group A, which also includes Thailand and Hong Kong. Their match is scheduled for September 5. All matches in this edition of the Asia Cup will be played under floodlights, according to the announced schedule.

In the group stage, each team will play the other teams in its group. The top two teams from each group’s points table will advance to the semifinals. Group A’s champion will face Group B’s runner-up in the first semifinal, while Group A’s runner-up will play Group B’s champion in the second. The final will be held on September 13. Sri Lanka are the defending champions, while Bangladesh won the title once, in 2018.

Youth and Sports State Minister Md Aminul Haque said Shakib Al Hasan has no further opportunity to return to Bangladesh through a normal process because of his political position. In a statement issued on the evening of August 7, Aminul said Shakib would have to return through the legal process if he comes back to the country.

Shakib returned to discussion after speaking at Sheikh Hasina's news conference in New Delhi. In an interview with Reuters, the cricketer said he was prepared to return if his safety was guaranteed and wanted to prove his innocence through legal proceedings in court.

After taking up his new responsibility, Aminul had earlier said Shakib and Mashrafe could return to cricket after resolving the cases against them. He had maintained a flexible and tolerant position on their possible return to Bangladesh cricket. In his latest statement, however, the state minister presented a tougher stance toward Shakib.

Argentina and Mexico have backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino as he faces criticism over a plan to sell part of the World Cup’s commercial rights. Infantino apologized to members for FIFA’s mistakes. The Argentine Football Association said FIFA had made an error but should continue operating under his leadership until the FIFA Congress scheduled for March in Morocco.

The AFA praised FIFA under Infantino for working to develop football worldwide and build a transparent, stable administrative structure. Mexico’s football federation, departing from CONCACAF’s position, said it would work with other member countries at Infantino’s call to advance football in their interests. It also supported his leadership in developing world football.

CONMEBOL said it would not support any process to remove Infantino other than a vote by FIFA’s 211 member associations, a position echoed by Mexico. The Confederation of African Football also supported him. Norway’s football federation chief, Lise Klaveness, called for Infantino to resign, saying she had no confidence in FIFA. FIFPRO said Infantino had abused the apology and that the crisis had not ended despite FIFA acknowledging mistakes.

The government has launched a major plan to build modern playgrounds in every union across Bangladesh, aiming to expand grassroots sports and support children’s physical and mental development. The Youth and Sports Ministry, under a high-level committee formed with the Prime Minister’s Office, is advancing implementation. As reported on August 7, 2026, the ministry has written to members of parliament to identify suitable land for construction, renovation or upgrading of playgrounds in 4,499 unions. Each union is expected to have a central playground on at least eight bighas of land.

The plan prioritises protecting agricultural land. Where a union lacks a field, authorities will give preference to government-owned land near the union centre or a growth centre. The sites are intended as open play grounds for football, cricket, volleyball, kabaddi and local traditional sports. Proposed features include security fencing and a maintenance structure or committee formed with input from upazila authorities, local government and local MPs.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said district commissioners and upazila executive officers have been instructed to identify one central field per union and submit proposals for renovation and development. The government also plans international-standard sports villages in 10 regions in the next fiscal year, including all eight divisions, Faridpur and Cumilla.

Mobile courts will begin operations on Friday to address irregularities, illegal occupation, drug use and snatching around the Dhaka National Stadium Complex. Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque announced the measure after inspecting the complex on Thursday afternoon. He said the initiative follows the prime minister's instruction to develop the wider stadium area into a modern, safe and sports-friendly hub.

The state minister expressed deep disappointment over the complex's dilapidated and insecure condition, saying its historic sports facilities had lost their desired environment. There have been multiple complaints of increased activity by drug users and snatchers after evening. Alongside mobile court operations, police boxes will be installed at different stadium gates and regular police patrols will be arranged.

With city corporation support, authorities plan rapid garbage removal, road repairs and improvement of rundown buildings. A strict review has also been ordered of leases, rents and contracts for stadium shops, with National Sports Council revenue due to be ensured within a week where government revenue has been lost. Of 28 athletes with delayed allowances, issues involving 26 have been resolved, while the remaining two cases are to be settled quickly.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has acknowledged mistakes and issued a formal apology over a disputed proposal to sell part of football’s commercial rights to private investors. Despite strong criticism and calls for his resignation, he said he has no intention of leaving office. Infantino secured support from senior FIFA officials during an emergency meeting in Rabat, Morocco, according to a report published on August 6, 2026.

FIFA had proposed selling part of World Cup commercial rights through a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprises. Infantino sought support for private investment in exchange for grants of $40 million to each member association. UEFA strongly opposed the proposal, expressing no confidence in Infantino and describing the process as an opaque, secretive and unethical backdoor deal.

After the Rabat meeting, FIFA secretary general Matthias Grafstrom and the management committee issued a joint statement expressing full support for Infantino’s leadership. Infantino and Grafstrom also wrote to FIFA vice-presidents, council members and its 211 member associations, apologizing for errors in handling the proposal and pledging that such mistakes would not recur. FIFA rejected reports alleging political support was sought from Morocco over the 2030 World Cup final.

Pakistan defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the second and final Test in Jamaica, leveling the two-match series 1-1. The report, published on August 6, 2026, said Pakistan secured their first away Test victory in three years. It also marked a winning start for Babar Azam in his second stint as Test captain.

The match turned early on the fourth day when West Indies, resuming with a 75-run lead, lost their final four wickets in about half an hour. Controlled bowling by Ali Usman and Mohammad Ali dismissed the hosts for 189 in their second innings, leaving Pakistan a target of 75. Kemar Roach fell without adding to the overnight score, while Justin Greaves was dismissed attempting an aggressive shot. Brandon King could not bat because of injury.

Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais early in the chase, but Babar and Abdullah Shafique completed the pursuit without further trouble. Shafique, a first-innings centurion, and Babar, who made a half-century, remained unbeaten. West Indies scored 280 and 189, while Pakistan made 395 and 76 for two. The win ended Pakistan's eight-Test away winless run.

Santos defeated Remo 1-0 at Mangueirão Stadium to secure a place in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals on August 5, 2026, but Neymar’s conduct after the final whistle drew controversy. The Brazilian forward set up Rony Rústico for the match’s only goal, helping Santos advance despite sustained jeering from Remo supporters.

Neymar had faced mockery and boos while on the bench early in the match and after entering the field following halftime. After the game, as he headed toward the dressing room, he was reportedly provoked by people around him. Local media said Neymar repeatedly shouted “you have been eliminated” in response to Remo’s taunts.

The report said he also made physical gestures, performed a mocking dance and stuck out his tongue at opponents, escalating tensions in the corridor. Remo supporters and officials attempted to breach the security barrier before Santos security personnel intervened and brought the situation under control. Remo president Antonio Carlos Teixeira, known as Tonião, criticized Neymar in a video message, calling him “antisocial” and saying the player had provoked them.

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has officially joined Turkish club Trabzonspor on a free transfer, according to a report published on August 5, 2026. The club confirmed his arrival through a social media video, showing the star in Trabzonspor’s traditional maroon and blue shirt for the first time. The move ends one of the summer transfer window’s most widely discussed stories.

In a video message to supporters, Salah said: “Trabzonspor fans, are you ready? See you very soon.” He ended the message by saying the Turkish club slogan, “Bize her yer Trabzon.” The report said the process moved quickly after talks were formally announced, with his arrival in Turkey, medical examination and contract signing all completed in a short period.

Salah had been linked in recent weeks with Besiktas, Atletico Madrid, Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Diriyah, and several American clubs, but ultimately chose to remain in Europe. The transfer concludes his nine-year spell with Liverpool, where the report says he won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, among other titles.

Pakistan held control of the second Test against West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad, at the end of the third day. West Indies, batting in their second innings, lost six wickets for 103 runs in 40.5 overs. Spinner Sajid Khan claimed four wickets, while Ali Osman took two, leaving the home side under pressure.

Kavem Hodge was West Indies’ top scorer in the second innings with 34 runs. The side was only 60 runs ahead of Pakistan with four wickets remaining. In the first innings, West Indies made 344 in 105.4 overs, led by Justin Greaves’ 73 and Roston Chase’s 70. Sajid also took four wickets in that innings, conceding 85 runs.

Pakistan replied to West Indies’ first-innings total with 387 runs, taking a 43-run lead. Opener Abdullah Shafique remained unbeaten on 160 from 323 balls, with support from Babar Azam’s 88 and Azan Awais’ 55. West Indies bowler Jomel Warrican took six wickets for 112 runs from 46 overs.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called an emergency executive meeting amid intense dissatisfaction and instability within world football’s governing body over disputed decisions and commercial plans. The report, published on August 5, 2026, says the special meeting of senior FIFA officials was convened to address the emerging crisis.

Infantino had proposed selling and opening investment in FIFA’s commercial operations and the management rights for football events to the private sector. The stated aim was to multiply FIFA’s revenue. However, football executives and member associations view the initiative as a threat to football’s core identity and autonomy. Critics also allege that decisions were taken unilaterally while disregarding the views of key groups.

The plan to include private investors in tournament and broadcasting rights has prompted opposition, with several senior officials and advisers already resigning. The executive meeting may take a policy decision on whether the proposal will be withdrawn entirely or revised. The report describes the dispute as one of the biggest political and administrative crises of Infantino’s current term, saying major changes to his business plans would be needed to retain the confidence of FIFA’s governing board and regional bodies.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing pressure after abandoning a plan to sell about 20 percent of commercial rights for the World Cup and other major FIFA tournaments to private investors. The proposal, involving a planned entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise, aimed to raise $4.2 billion and was expected to include Thrive Capital, linked to Joshua Kushner. Infantino withdrew the plan within days after strong opposition from the football world.

The report said Infantino unsuccessfully tried repeatedly to contact US President Donald Trump by phone after the plan was cancelled. It also said he sought a private meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though a State Department official said no such discussion was planned. Infantino’s longstanding closeness with Trump, including the FIFA Peace Prize and reported intervention in a disciplinary matter, has drawn broad criticism.

His support for a third term has also weakened, according to the report. The Asian Confederation has joined a rebel camp involving UEFA and CONCACAF, while Oceania’s 11 countries are reportedly moving toward that alliance. A no-confidence vote could be called through an emergency FIFA Congress; if Infantino lost, Sheikh Salman would assume interim duties. Infantino remains the only declared candidate for the March 18, 2027 FIFA presidential election.