Spain continued their impressive run in the UEFA Nations League with a 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Oviedo on Saturday, strengthening their position at the top of their group.

The world champions made a fast start at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium, with Lamine Yamal opening the scoring in the sixth minute. The forward produced a composed finish from the edge of the penalty area, curling the ball beyond the Czech defence and into the far corner.

Spain controlled much of the first half and doubled their advantage in the 35th minute. Rodri finished from inside the penalty area after combining with Dani Olmo, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead before the interval.

The Czech Republic responded more positively after the break and reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Jiří Sláma fired a low shot past Spain goalkeeper David Raya.

The visitors briefly threatened to level the contest, but their hopes suffered a major setback when captain Ladislav Krejčí was sent off for a second yellow card in the 85th minute. Spain then took advantage of the numerical advantage, with Mikel Merino scoring in the 89th minute to secure the three points.

The result gives Spain three wins from three Nations League matches and keeps their perfect record in the competition intact. The victory also extends their remarkable unbeaten run, which now stands at 41 matches inside 90 minutes according to reports following the game.

Spain’s victory also keeps them three points ahead of England at the top of their group, after England recorded a 7-0 win over Croatia earlier on Saturday.

For the Czech Republic, the defeat leaves them still searching for their first points of the campaign. Spain, meanwhile, will take confidence from another strong performance as they continue their Nations League campaign.

Bruno Fernandes has described Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the most powerful symbols of Portuguese football, highlighting the veteran forward’s lasting influence on the national team and the country.

Fernandes, who has established himself as one of Portugal’s key players, praised Ronaldo’s contribution to Portuguese football and his significance beyond his performances on the pitch.

Ronaldo has represented Portugal for more than two decades and has become synonymous with the national team. His record-breaking international career, leadership and longevity have made him one of the most recognizable figures in the country’s sporting history.

For Fernandes, Ronaldo’s importance extends beyond goals and individual achievements. The Manchester United midfielder views his fellow Portuguese international as a figure who represents the country whenever he wears the national shirt.

Ronaldo’s influence has also extended to younger generations of Portuguese players, many of whom grew up watching his rise from Sporting CP to becoming one of the most decorated forwards in world football.

As Portugal continues to compete at the highest level of international football, Ronaldo remains a central figure in discussions about the team’s identity and legacy.

Fernandes’ comments underline the extraordinary status Ronaldo has achieved in Portugal, where his name has become closely associated with the country’s footballing success and global sporting reputation.

October 2, 2026 — Sports

A game-worn Michael Jordan jersey from the Chicago Bulls’ celebrated 1998 championship season has sold for $12.3 million (£9.3 million), setting a new auction record for Jordan memorabilia.

The jersey was worn by Jordan during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals, when the Bulls faced the Utah Jazz during what became known as Jordan’s “Last Dance” season.

The sale was conducted through Joopiter, the digital auction platform founded by Pharrell Williams. Entrepreneur Ryan Gough had put the jersey on the market, with Joopiter estimating before the auction that it could fetch between $10 million and $15 million.

Image: Michael Jordan in his Chicago Bulls jersey during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals against Utah Jazz. Image title: “Michael Jordan in Action During the 1998 NBA Finals” Caption: Jordan wore the jersey during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals, part of his final championship season with the Chicago Bulls.

A record for Jordan memorabilia

The final price surpassed the previous record for a piece of Jordan memorabilia: $10.091 million, paid in 2022 for the jersey he wore during Game 1 of the same 1998 NBA Finals.

Jordan and the Bulls eventually defeated the Jazz 4-2 in the Finals, giving the superstar his sixth NBA championship. He was also named Finals MVP, as he had been for each of his six championship-winning series.

The 1997-98 campaign was Jordan’s final season with the Bulls and became one of the defining chapters of his career. The team won its second three-peat before Jordan retired from the NBA for a second time.

Image: Clear photograph of the actual red Chicago Bulls No. 23 jersey. Image title: “The £9.3m ‘Last Dance’ Jersey” Caption: The game-worn jersey has become the most expensive piece of Michael Jordan memorabilia sold at auction.

More than a jersey

The auction reflects the continued demand for memorabilia connected to Jordan’s final championship season with Chicago.

Joopiter described the Game 3 jersey as a particularly significant piece of sporting history, pointing to its connection with the end of the Bulls’ championship era and Jordan’s influence on basketball’s global popularity.

Another Jordan collectible was also sold alongside the jersey. His 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello reportedly fetched about $2.7 million (£2 million), around four times the previous auction record for that model.

Image: Jordan celebrating with the Bulls during the 1998 championship run. Image title: “The Final Championship Era” Caption: Jordan led Chicago to its sixth NBA championship during the 1997-98 season.

It is not the overall sports-memorabilia record

Despite the enormous price, Jordan’s jersey does not hold the record for the most expensive game-worn sports item.

That distinction remains with Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey, which sold for $24.12 million (£18.2 million) in 2024.

For Jordan collectors, however, the latest sale establishes a new benchmark for memorabilia associated with one of the most significant seasons of his career.

Accra, October 2, 2026 — Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports is preparing to engage the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation over the Black Stars’ difficult start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Committee Chairman Ernest Henry Norgbey said the committee intends to invite the two institutions to explain what is behind the national team’s recent performances. He said the committee has not yet conducted its own investigation but wants to establish what is happening within Ghana football.

Parliament to Seek Answers Over Black Stars’ Struggles Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports is preparing to engage football authorities over the Black Stars’ recent results.

Back-to-back defeats raise questions

The planned parliamentary engagement follows Ghana’s opening two defeats in Group C of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

The Black Stars lost 2–0 to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before suffering a 4–2 defeat to The Gambia in Accra, despite taking a two-goal lead in the second match. The results left Ghana without a point from its opening two fixtures.

The results have renewed discussion about the technical management of the team, player selection, preparations and the wider administration of Ghana football.

Norgbey told Akoma FM that the committee wants the GFA and the Sports Minister to provide explanations on the situation.

“We plan to invite the GFA, the Minister, purposely and specifically to interrogate what actually is happening to Ghana football, especially when it comes to the Black Stars.”

Black Stars Face Fresh Questions After Difficult AFCON Start. Ghana’s national team has lost its opening two matches of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Parliament committee has investigative mandate

The parliamentary committee’s role extends beyond discussing the Black Stars’ performances. According to Parliament’s official description, the Select Committee on Youth and Sports is responsible for matters relating to youth and sports and has authority to investigate and inquire into the activities and administration of ministries, departments and agencies under its mandate.

The committee is therefore expected to use the engagement to seek information from the institutions involved in the management and oversight of Ghana football.

GFA Leadership Set for Parliamentary Engagement. The Ghana Football Association is expected to provide explanations about the national team’s recent performances.

Restructuring discussion enters the debate

Norgbey has also raised the possibility of major restructuring within Ghana football, including the prospect of government intervention in the GFA.

However, he clarified that he was not making an immediate call for the dissolution of the GFA. His position, as reported, is that the committee should first understand the circumstances surrounding the Black Stars before considering possible measures.

The comments have come amid broader calls for greater scrutiny of Ghana football. The Sports Writers Association of Ghana has separately called on GFA leadership to address what it described as declining fortunes in Ghana football.

GFA and Ministry expected to face questions

The forthcoming engagement could place the focus on several areas, including national-team preparation, technical management, player selection, football development and the relationship between the GFA and the Sports Ministry.

The GFA and Sports Ministry have previously worked together on Black Stars programmes. In May 2026, the two institutions jointly participated in a national thanksgiving service following Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The parliamentary discussions will now take place against a markedly different backdrop, with the Black Stars facing questions about their start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

For the moment, the committee has indicated that its priority is to obtain explanations and establish the facts before determining what further action may be appropriate.

London, October 2, 2026 — Downing Street has stressed that Manchester City is not “above the rules” after Prime Minister Andy Burnham faced criticism over comments about the club’s owners following a major Premier League financial-rules ruling.

The clarification came after Burnham said he would be “really concerned” if Manchester City’s current owners decided to sell the club. He praised the City Football Group for its investment in Manchester and the development of the Etihad Stadium and surrounding campus.

The prime minister also said he did not intend to interfere in the independent disciplinary process and argued that it would be wrong to reach a conclusion while Manchester City contests the findings.

Downing Street clarifies position

Following criticism of Burnham’s comments, a No 10 spokesperson said the initial judgment against Manchester City was serious and that there could be no suggestion that anyone was above the rules.

The government also stressed that the process remains independent and should be allowed to run its course. Downing Street said that where wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face appropriate consequences.

The clarification came after opposition politicians questioned whether Burnham’s comments could be interpreted as political support for City’s ownership.

Shadow sports minister Louie French called for politics to be kept out of football and said the Premier League’s independent process should be allowed to operate without outside influence.

What Manchester City were found guilty of

The controversy comes days after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of most of the 115 charges brought against the club concerning Premier League financial rules covering the period from 2009 to 2018.

The Premier League said the commission found that City had arranged commercial agreements that were designed to disguise funding, with the findings referring to more than £830 million in secret funding. Manchester City has denied wrongdoing and has indicated that it will appeal the decision.

The commission’s sanctions will be considered separately. Potential penalties under the Premier League’s rules include financial penalties and sporting sanctions, although the eventual outcome remains subject to the continuing process and City’s appeal.

City expected to appeal

Manchester City has maintained that the commission’s conclusions contain significant errors and that the club has evidence supporting its position.

According to reports, part of the expected appeal could focus on the club’s argument that important sponsorship payments came from the Abu Dhabi government rather than directly from its ownership.

The Independent Football Regulator is also monitoring developments. Its chairman has said the regulator has powers concerning the suitability of owners, directors and executives, while emphasizing that proceedings surrounding the Premier League case remain ongoing.

HMRC questions also emerge

The case has also attracted parliamentary interest beyond football. Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the House of Commons Treasury Committee, has written to HMRC seeking reassurance that it is considering the potential tax implications of the findings.

For now, the dispute remains centred on Manchester City’s appeal and the separate disciplinary process that will determine any sanctions. The government’s latest statement is intended to underline that the football authorities’ process remains independent of political considerations.