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Overall winner was uncertain until final climb – a world away from Slovenian’s dominance of men’s eventDemi Vollering’s second overall win in the Tour de France Femmes in Nice on Sunday was achieved after a heated dispute with Kasia Niewiadoma, but by the time the sun was setting on the Promenade des Anglais, the sisterhood that has always characterised this race had kicked back in.On a final stage of high drama, the Dutchwomen erased the lingering controversy with an attacking win of the highest quality, further boosting the prestige of the long-dormant native cycling scene in a gutsy performance from her French-sponsored FDJ United-Suez team. Continue reading...

Confederations write open letter damning Fifa presidentConcacaf president Montagliani seen as top contenderUefa, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf will push for Gianni Infantino to resign after writing an open letter calling for “leadership that serves football, not seeks to command it”.In a dramatic escalation of the war that has threatened to tear football apart since details emerged of the Fifa president’s failed Football Forward Enterprise scheme, the three governing bodies accused Infantino of “trust broken through deception” and condemned his failure to acknowledge that the proposal should not have been unilaterally launched. Continue reading...

Record 10-time Super League champions are poised to miss out on playoffs for the first time but their problems run deeper than poor resultsPerhaps the biggest concern as the full-time hooter sounded on another miserable evening for St Helens on Thursday was that the anger, along with thousands of supporters, had long since disappeared and had been replaced with a sense of apathy.No club have been as consistent a force in the history of Super League quite like Saints. Wigan were almost relegated 20 years ago, Leeds have finished in the bottom half on multiple occasions and the other two champions, Bradford and Hull KR, have spent extended spells outside of Super League. And that is why this is such a story. Continue reading...

Former Wimbledon champion’s suspension comes as Mykhailo Mudryk returns for Chelsea, exposing stark contrast in processesIn the months between the first announcement of Marketa Vondrousova’s doping test refusal and the release of the full reasoned decision after her four‑year ban, the 2023 Wimbledon champion did her best to grab hold of the narrative. Between her social media posts and later interviews, Vondrousova explained that she had serious concerns about her safety during the encounter, that the doping control officer at her door had acted improperly, and that her mental health problems had affected her judgment.Then came the 58-page document, a summary of the court tribunal process, which was finally released a little over a week ago. Among the ample questionable decisions it showed Vondrousova to have made that evening, the text to her boyfriend shortly after the doping control officer arrived was particularly revealing, an indication that she felt disdain towards the tester rather than fear: “So like here is ringing some cunt from the doping,” she wrote. Continue reading...

There will be a host of world-class athletes in Birmingham this week but the 800m should shine like a supernovaThey say betting is a mug’s game. But here are two predictions to take to the bank. The European Athletics Championships this week in Birmingham, with the BBC shoving its considerable heft behind it, will be far bigger than people expect. And the women’s 800m final on Friday night, featuring three of the best female stars in any sport, should shine as brightly as a supernova.The list of great athletes who will grace the Alexander Stadium in the coming days is long and lustrous. Mondo Duplantis, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Yaroslava Mahuchikh are all Olympic and world champions and world record holders. Amy Hunt, Matt Hudson-Smith and Katarina Johnson-Thompson should also do Britain proud. But no event is more anticipated than the women’s 800m. Continue reading...

Today’s fluff is counting the penniesA sense of excitement is what Aston Villa need at the moment after selling off key players. What better way to create it than signing a prodigious talent from Real Madrid? The Villans have inquired about the Brazilian Endrick, who impressed on loan at Lyon last season, and may make a similar temporary move to the Premier League.Manchester City are not particularly keen to sell Rodri but, with a year left on his contract money may well talk, especially if the midfielder wants to leave. Barcelona’s first bid was rejected but they are readying another. One idea is to offer Frenkie de Jong as part of the deal, so at least Enzo Maresca would have a shiny new midfielder to play with. Continue reading...

Mourinho: I reneged on deal and returned to ChelseaFerguson confirms story in new Netflix documentaryJosé Mourinho has revealed he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully renege on the deal and return to Chelsea.The football world was rocked when the Scottish great announced he was retiring having overseen a 13th Premier League title triumph during a spell of unrivalled dominance at Old Trafford. Continue reading...

With most of their rivals changing managers, can the champions go back-to-back for the first time in more than 90 years?Guardian writers’ predicted position: 1st (NB: this is not necessarily Ed Aarons’ prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 1st Continue reading...

The fifth edition of women’s version of the Tour de France featured 147 riders from 21 teams racing 1,175km, broken into three flat stages, three hilly stages, an individual time trial stage and two mountain stages which included a first visit to Mont Ventoux. Here are some of our favourite images from nine exhilarating stages Continue reading...

France full-back Lucas Digne signs three-year PSG dealMidfielder Shea Charles to sign five-year Fulham contractFrance defender Lucas Digne has completed his return to Paris Saint-Germain from Aston Villa on a three-year contract.The 33-year-old full-back, who featured in six of Les Bleus’ World Cup matches this summer, had two years left on his contract with the Midlands club, with PSG triggering a reported release clause of between £6m-£7m. Continue reading...