Ten Bangladeshi hockey players have departed for Europe to participate in professional leagues, with several joining Germany’s Bundesliga. Among them, young striker Amirul Islam, who scored 15 goals in the last Junior Hockey World Cup, has earned a call-up to play in Germany as recognition for his standout performance. This marks his first experience in a foreign league.

Alongside Amirul, national team players Din Islam Imon, Roman Sarkar, Rakibul Hasan, Mahbub Hossain Joy, Imran Pintu, and Ashraful Islam are also set to compete in the German league. Amirul expressed hope that the upcoming season will help him learn new techniques, while forward Din Islam described the opportunity to play in Europe as a major step for Bangladeshi players. The athletes believe that competing in Germany, known for its high standard of hockey, will sharpen their skills and enhance their international experience.

The move is seen as a milestone for Bangladesh hockey, reflecting growing recognition of the country’s emerging talent on the European stage.

Bangladeshi International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman narrowly missed earning a norm at the Fubi Academy Grandmasters Chess Tournament held in Istanbul, Turkey. The event concluded with Fahad losing to Hungarian Grandmaster Aszel Gargely in the final round, which cost him the required points for the norm. He finished as runner-up with six points from nine games, adding eleven rating points to his record.

Fahad had previously achieved his first norm in 2024 and was aiming for his second in this tournament. He started strongly with three consecutive wins but drew against Iranian Grandmaster Arian Gholami in the fourth round and lost to Turkish FIDE Master Denis Dirikolur in the fifth. Despite recovering with 2.5 points in the next three rounds, he needed a win in the ninth round to secure the norm, which he could not achieve.

The result leaves Fahad disappointed but with improved performance metrics and a higher international rating, strengthening his prospects for future tournaments.

Al Nassr strengthened their position in the Saudi Pro League title race with a 2-0 home victory over Al Ahli on April 30, 2026. The Riyadh-based club maintained their winning streak, marking their 20th consecutive win in all competitions. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 75th minute with a header from a corner, breaking a long deadlock. Kingsley Coman sealed the result in the 90th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error.

Ronaldo’s goal was his 25th of the current league season, making him the first player to score 25 or more goals in three consecutive league campaigns for the second time in his career. The Portuguese forward now has 970 career goals across all competitions, including 126 for Al Nassr. Despite his milestone, he remains two goals behind Ivan Toney in the league’s top scorer chart.

With 79 points from 30 matches, Al Nassr lead the table ahead of Al Hilal on 71 points and Al Ahli on 66. The win further solidifies Al Nassr’s title ambitions as Ronaldo’s consistent form continues to drive their campaign.

The 39th National Snooker Championship began today in Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Billiard and Snooker Federation with support from Dhaka Boat Club. The tournament was inaugurated at the Dhaka Boat Club, where organizers shared details at a press conference attended by club and federation officials. A total of 183 players from 32 clubs across the country are competing, with attractive prizes for winners. The champion will receive 100,000 taka, the runner-up 50,000 taka, and semifinalists 20,000 taka each. Players achieving a break of 50 or more will also receive a special prize of 20,000 taka.

The event is sponsored by Amber Group, with co-sponsorship from Eminence Sourcing and Rashid Group. RC Cola and MUM are beverage partners, and Impact PR is the media partner. Dhaka Boat Club President Rubel Aziz said regular tournaments like this can help popularize cue sports in Bangladesh, though high import VAT on snooker tables remains a challenge. Federation President Brigadier General (Retd.) Sarker Md. Shamsuddin emphasized preparing talented players for international competition. The tournament will conclude with the final on May 14.

Organizers noted that the large participation reflects the growing popularity of snooker in Bangladesh and provides a platform for emerging talent.

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.