The Palestine Football Association (PFA) has filed an appeal with the international sports court against FIFA’s decision not to take action against Israeli clubs operating in the occupied West Bank. The appeal, submitted on April 20, 2026, follows FIFA’s statement last month that no disciplinary measures could be taken because the legal status of the West Bank remains internationally unresolved. The PFA described FIFA’s position as unfair and said it had exhausted all internal legal options within the organization.

PFA Vice President Susan Shalabi said the association would continue to pursue justice through legal means, emphasizing that discussions on the issue had been ongoing for 15 years without resolution. She also highlighted the dire state of Palestinian football, noting that most infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed or rendered unusable, professional leagues have been suspended, and player safety remains a major concern.

The appeal has drawn renewed international attention to the longstanding dispute over the participation of Israeli clubs based in occupied territories.

Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been handed a 13-match suspension following a violent incident during the Aragonese derby between Real Zaragoza and Huesca in Spain’s second division. The altercation occurred late in Sunday’s match when Andrada pushed Huesca defender Jorge Pulido near the touchline, earning a second yellow card and a dismissal. As he left the field, Andrada ran back and punched Pulido, sparking a brawl involving players and staff from both teams.

Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez retaliated by striking Andrada on the back of the head, and both he and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende were also shown red cards. Huesca went on to win the match 1–0, a crucial result in the relegation battle between the two struggling sides.

The Spanish Football Federation described Andrada’s actions as serious misconduct, imposing a one-match ban for the red card and an additional 12 matches for the punch, along with financial penalties for both the player and his club. Andrada later apologized, expressing regret for his behavior and vowing not to repeat such actions.

Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) president Shammi Silva and the board’s executive committee formally resigned following a decision made in a special committee meeting the previous day. The move came after Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requested Silva’s resignation amid allegations of financial irregularities and growing public anger. The two sides reportedly reached an understanding for a cordial departure during a meeting last Friday.

The Sri Lankan government is now set to appoint an interim committee to oversee the cricket board’s operations. Former parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne is expected to lead the committee, according to the report. Additionally, former national cricket legends Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama may be given key roles to help drive reform within the board.

No official announcement has yet been made regarding the composition of the interim committee or the specific responsibilities of the proposed members.

FIFA has announced a major change to its yellow card regulations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Under the new rule, players who receive a yellow card during the group stage will not carry that booking into the knockout rounds. The FIFA Council approved the proposal in a recent meeting, explaining that the change aims to ensure fair participation for players as the expanded 48-team format increases the number of matches.

According to the new system, all yellow card records will be wiped after the group stage, allowing players to start fresh in the knockout phase. The same reset will occur after the quarterfinals, ensuring that top players remain eligible for the semifinals and final. Previously, yellow cards were only cleared after the quarterfinals. FIFA stated that the adjustment was necessary due to the addition of an extra knockout round in the new format.

FIFA also announced a 15 percent increase in total financial allocations for participating teams, raising the fund to 871 million dollars. The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Bangladesh’s women’s hockey team concluded a remarkable campaign at the Asian Games qualifying tournament in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Competing in their first major international event, the team made history by becoming group champions and securing a spot in the final round. However, they fell short in the final, losing 3–1 to Chinese Taipei despite taking an early lead in the first quarter.

Throughout the tournament, Bangladesh displayed strong performances. They defeated Uzbekistan 3–2 and Hong Kong in the group stage, and held Chinese Taipei to a 5–5 draw in their earlier meeting. In the semifinals, they overcame experienced Singapore 3–1 to reach the final, marking a major milestone in their debut appearance.

Although the team could not claim the title, their spirited play and consistent results have opened new possibilities for women’s hockey in Bangladesh, signaling a promising future for the sport in the country.

Iran’s football federation representatives were absent from a crucial Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting in Vancouver, Canada, held ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The congress, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, was described as the most significant formal gathering of Asian football leaders before the tournament.

No discussion took place regarding Iran’s participation or the possible relocation of its matches from the United States due to the ongoing war. However, Iran’s absence sparked speculation among attendees. Reports suggest that visa complications may have prevented the Iranian delegation from reaching Vancouver, raising concerns about their participation in Thursday’s FIFA Congress and the World Cup starting on June 11.

At the end of the meeting, commemorative gifts were presented to the nine Asian teams that qualified for the World Cup. When Iran’s name was called, organizers stated that their gift would be handed over once the delegation arrived. Neither the AFC nor Iranian officials have issued an official explanation for the absence.

A range of cricket and football matches are scheduled for live broadcast on April 30, 2026. The second T20 match of the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka women’s cricket series will be shown live at 1:30 p.m. on Fancode and YouTube. Football fans can watch multiple European competitions, including the UEFA Europa League semifinals, with Sporting Braga facing Freiburg and Nottingham Forest meeting Aston Villa at 1:00 a.m. on Sony Ten 1/2 and Tapmad.

The UEFA Conference League will feature Rayo Vallecano against Strasbourg and Shakhtar Donetsk against Crystal Palace, both airing live at 1:00 a.m. on Sony Ten 5 and Sony Liv. In addition, the CONCACAF Champions Cup match between Los Angeles and Toluca will be broadcast at 8:30 a.m. on Fancode and YouTube. The Saudi Pro League fixture between Al Akhdood and Al Ettifaq will air at 10:00 p.m. on Fancode.

These broadcasts provide a full day of international sports coverage for viewers, spanning women’s cricket and top-tier football leagues across Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

England pacer Myles Davis achieved a rare feat by taking six wickets in six consecutive balls during a South Staffordshire County League Premier Division match between Penkridge Cricket Club and Pelsall Cricket Club on Saturday. Davis finished the match with figures of seven wickets for 16 runs, including two consecutive hat-tricks in a single over.

Penkridge batted first and scored 168 runs in 45.3 overs. Chasing the target, Pelsall collapsed under Davis’s fiery spell, being bowled out for just 52 runs in 12.5 overs. At one stage, Pelsall were 49 for two after eight overs before Davis dramatically changed the course of the match with his six-ball burst.

The performance set a remarkable record in the county league, surpassing traditional milestones such as a hat-trick or double hat-trick, and drew attention for its rarity in competitive cricket.

Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are entering the final stage, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti set to announce the 26-member final squad on May 18. Before that, a preliminary list of 55 players will be submitted to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The tournament, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, sees Brazil among the favorites, but intense competition for limited spots has made selection highly contested.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains the most reliable choice, while Ederson, Bento, and Hugo Souza are also in contention. In defense, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães are expected to be confirmed, with Éder Militão ruled out due to injury. The full-back positions appear less settled, and midfielders Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães are nearly certain selections. In attack, Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and Matheus Cunha lead the line, with several others vying for places.

The biggest uncertainty surrounds Neymar, who continues to struggle with injuries and fitness despite returning to Santos. His inclusion remains doubtful, and his omission would be a major surprise as Brazil finalizes its squad for the expanded 48-team World Cup.

FIFA has removed a referee from its 2026 World Cup panel following his arrest in the United Kingdom over allegations of sexually assaulting a minor. According to British media outlet The Sun, the 30-year-old match official was detained by London’s Metropolitan Police while staying at a hotel during a European competition. He was later released on bail, but the investigation remains ongoing.

FIFA responded swiftly, stating that the allegation is being treated with utmost seriousness and that the official will not be assigned to any FIFA competitions until the investigation concludes. UEFA has taken the same stance, suspending him from officiating in its matches as well. The referee’s name has not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.

The decision comes shortly after FIFA announced the list of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11.

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 5–4 in a dramatic nine-goal encounter in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal at Parc des Princes. Despite falling behind early to a Harry Kane penalty in the 17th minute, PSG fought back through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s solo effort and a Joao Neves header to take the lead. Bayern equalized through Michael Olise, but Ousmane Dembélé’s penalty restored PSG’s advantage before halftime.

In the second half, PSG extended their dominance as Kvaratskhelia scored again and Dembélé completed his brace to make it 5–2. Bayern responded with goals from Dayot Upamecano, assisted by Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick, and a solo strike from Luis Díaz to narrow the gap to 5–4. However, PSG held firm to secure the win in front of their home crowd.

The nine-goal contest set a new record for the highest-scoring single leg in a Champions League semifinal, marking a historic night for the French club.

Iranian snooker player Hossein Vafaei advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Snooker Championship after a dramatic 13–12 victory over top seed Judd Trump at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre on Monday. The win marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament and secured Vafaei’s first-ever appearance in the last eight of the championship.

Vafaei, ranked 32nd in the world, described the triumph as one of the best of his career. He dedicated the victory to the people of Iran, saying he wanted to bring them some happiness amid months of war and hardship. The player, known as the “Prince of Persia,” admitted he had been mentally distressed by the ongoing conflict and had even considered withdrawing from the tournament.

Having come through the qualifying rounds, Vafaei pledged to continue giving his best to bring more joy to his war-affected compatriots as the championship progresses.

Bangladesh's women's hockey team advanced to the final of the Asian Games qualifiers after defeating Singapore 3–1 in the first semifinal held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. The victory was powered by a hat-trick from Irene Riya, marking another milestone for the team in their debut appearance at the qualifiers and their first-ever international tournament.

Despite Singapore’s experience from four previous Asian Games, Bangladesh maintained strong momentum throughout the match. Riya opened the scoring in the eighth minute, but Singapore equalized in the twelfth minute through Chia Cheryl from a penalty corner. Bangladesh regained control in the final quarter, scoring twice to secure the win and a place in the final.

The result continues Bangladesh’s remarkable run in the competition, as the team keeps setting new records in their maiden international campaign.

During the first innings break in Chattogram, chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon discussed the upcoming Test series and confirmed that four players—Zakir Ali Anik, Hasan Murad, Hasan Mahmud, and Khaled Ahmed—were left out for tactical reasons. Zakir was dropped due to poor form, while Hasan Mahmud was not fully fit after injury. Despite strong performances, Hasan Murad and Khaled Ahmed were omitted based on team strategy.

Bashar explained that the selection panel considered Pakistan’s left-handed batting lineup and opted for off-spinner Nayeem Hasan instead of Murad. Khaled was replaced as selectors preferred wicket-taking bowlers like Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Ebadot Hossain. Bashar emphasized that players should not take the omissions negatively and that explanations would be given personally.

The new squad includes Amit Hasan as a backup wicketkeeper and Tanzid Hasan Tamim, known for his aggressive batting. Bashar said the selectors aim to give new players long-term opportunities, signaling a shift toward fresh planning in Bangladesh’s Test setup.

Bangladesh claimed a six-wicket victory against New Zealand in Dhaka on April 27, 2026, taking a lead in the series. Chasing a target of 183, the hosts stumbled early, losing three wickets for 77 runs in 10.1 overs. However, Towhid Hridoy, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Shamim Hossain turned the match around with aggressive batting, guiding Bangladesh to victory in 18 overs.

Hridoy and Parvez added 57 runs off 28 balls, with Parvez scoring 28 from 14 deliveries before departing. Shamim then joined Hridoy to add another 49 runs in just 21 balls. Hridoy remained unbeaten on 51 from 27 balls, while Shamim finished on 31 from 13. A dramatic 17th over from Fisher, in which Shamim scored 17 runs off a single delivery sequence due to extras, sealed the win.

For New Zealand, Sodhi took two wickets for 40 runs, while Kelly and Cleaver-Clark both scored 51. Hridoy was named player of the match for his match-winning fifty.