Timelines
How the main stories unfold, day after day: each timeline gathers the articles about one event, with a summary.
- Gianni Infantino faces a fresh FIFA controversy over an alleged 'secret World Cup payment'
Gianni Infantino is in a fresh FIFA controversy over a 'secret World Cup payment', The Independent reported on Tuesday 13 October, saying the FIFA president allegedly failed to disclose receiving a World Cup payment. Pressure is mounting on Gianni Infantino as the FIFA president's 'second salary' has been revealed, the Evening Standard reported, and the Swiss chief's job has been plunged into further uncertainty after the latest scandal, according to the Evening Standard.
- DP World Tour to bar LIV Golf players from its 2027 season and the Ryder Cup
The DP World Tour will not allow any player who signs up to LIV Golf next season to be a member of its circuit in 2027, Sky Sports reported on Monday 12 October. City A.M. reported that players who sign up to a resurrected LIV Golf tour will be prohibited from competing on the DP World Tour or in the Ryder Cup, and that the league has secured funding from BC Partners to exit bankruptcy proceedings after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund pulled its backing. The Independent said the breakaway series is set to relaunch in 2027 and reported that Ryder Cup stars had been issued a new ultimatum.
- Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency
Ramon Vega, a former Tottenham defender and Switzerland international, has confirmed plans to challenge Gianni Infantino in next year's FIFA presidential election, becoming Infantino's first presidential rival. Vega, a treble winner with Celtic, played for the club during Martin O'Neill's first spell.
- Jon Rahm quits LIV Golf, which has filed for bankruptcy after Saudi Arabia's PIF withdrew funding
Former world number one Jon Rahm has quit LIV Golf ahead of the breakaway series' relaunch, after an offer described as 'unacceptable', and will not be part of LIV 2.0, leaving his playing future uncertain. The two-time major winner is reportedly owed more than £100m by LIV, which has filed for bankruptcy after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew funding.
- Lionel Messi's Argentina career ends with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin
Lionel Messi, 39, played a final match for Argentina, a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires, and ended an international career with a goal in a 3-0 win. The country's all-time top scorer was involved in all three goals, with a penalty and two assists, and leaves with a World Cup medal and 126 goals in 208 caps. Messi described playing for Argentina as 'the most wonderful thing that can happen to you'.
- Referee confirmed for Liverpool vs Manchester City Anfield match
Chris Kavanagh, from Greater Manchester and one of England's elite match officials, will referee Liverpool against Manchester City in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday. It will be City's first outing since they were found guilty of breaching financial rules over a nine-season period.
- Carlos Alcaraz wins first title in eight months after injury hell
Carlos Alcaraz beat Jiri Lehecka in the Japan Open final to win his first title since February, in his first final since returning from a right wrist injury that kept him out for a significant part of the season.
- Coco Gauff faces racist abuse after China Open incident
Coco Gauff said she received an 'insane' wave of racist abuse on social media after a disputed point in her 7-5, 6-1 third-round win over home player Sun Xinran at the China Open. Gauff stopped a rally late in the first set after the electronic advertising boards around the court flickered. Sun, 16, who recently won the US Open junior title, was distraught after the defeat.
- Saints suffer loss on 20th Domecoming anniversary
A day of festivities marking the 20th anniversary of the Superdome's reopening after Hurricane Katrina, one of the most triumphant moments in New Orleans Saints history, ended with a lopsided defeat. Bijan Robinson stole the show for the opposition, and the 'embarrassing' loss drew boos and early exits from Saints fans.
- Medvedev disqualified for hitting spectator during Djokovic match
Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic in Beijing on 5 October after hitting a spectator in the face with a ball. The world No 5, trailing 7-5, 5-3 and one game from defeat, struck a rebounding ball into the crowd. Djokovic, whose record at the China Open is now 33-0, faces Alex de Minaur in the final and is one win away from his first title of 2026.
- Sale overcome Jacques Vermeulen's red card to defeat Saracens
Sale defeated Saracens 21-17 in a match marked by Jacques Vermeulen's first-half red card. Despite the disadvantage, Sale showed strong performance in the second half to secure the win. Multiple players contributed to the victory, including Nathan Jibulu, Tom O'Flaherty, and Ben Bamber. Tom O'Flaherty was highlighted as a standout performer. The match took place at StoneX Stadium.
- Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix, held in Malaysia, as George Russell retires late
Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix, held this year in Malaysia, after a chaotic start in difficult conditions. It was his first win of the year. Late in the race, George Russell was forced to retire, a heavy blow to his title bid.
- Andy Murray comes out of retirement to face Rafael Nadal in the 'Rafa Nadal Academy Slam'
Andy Murray came out of retirement as he arrived for a televised tennis return against Rafael Nadal on 3 October, Wales Online reported. The tennis greats were set to clash in the celebratory 'Rafa Nadal Academy Slam', according to the Evening Standard, and the match up was being broadcast on The Tennis Channel across the world.