Veteran Sri Lankan cricket coach Sumith Fernando, 62, died after an altercation involving young players during a cricket match in Colombo. The incident occurred on August 8 and reportedly began with a dispute over drinking water before escalating into a physical confrontation. Fernando was taken to hospital following the incident and died on August 11 while receiving treatment. Police have arrested a 17-year-old school cricketer on suspicion of assaulting the coach; he has been placed in child probation custody until August 17. Fernando, a former Prince of Wales College coach, had mentored several players, including Sri Lanka ODI captain Kusal Mendis. (PC: News 18)

India have withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to focus on their high-profile friendly against 5-time world champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said it was not possible to play both competitions. India were initially scheduled to participate in the ASEAN Cup from September 21 to October 6, alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in Division 1 Group A. The AIFF had considered sending a separate squad but dropped the plan. Instead, India will look to arrange other friendlies during the international window. Cabo Verde and Iran are reportedly possible opponents, but neither match has been confirmed. (PC: India Today)

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are officially married, with Ronaldo confirming the union on Tuesday by sharing a photograph of their hands displaying wedding bands. However, several photographs circulating online that allegedly show football stars including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane attending the wedding have been identified as fake and AI-generated. The images have sparked online speculation about the guest list, but there is no credible evidence that the prominent footballers were present at the ceremony. Ronaldo’s post remains the key confirmation of the marriage, while the viral images demonstrate how AI-generated content can create convincing but fabricated scenes involving high-profile celebrities and sporting personalities. (PC: X/@obua24)

Cristiano Ronaldo sent a heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of Messi’s father, Jorge, on August 8 after an illness. Messi, 39, shared his first public reaction on Wednesday, posting an emotional tribute to his father on Instagram and recalling their bond. Ronaldo, Messi’s longtime football rival, responded directly to the post with condolences for the Argentine star and his family. “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo. Stay strong,” Ronaldo wrote. Jorge, who had been battling illness for several months, did not travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo’s gesture offered a rare moment of solidarity between two iconic football rivals. (PC: NDTV Sports)

Lionel Messi paid an emotional tribute to his late father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, who died last week after a prolonged illness. Sharing their photograph on Instagram, Messi wrote “Te amo, pa” and admitted he still struggles to accept the loss. He recalled Jorge urging him to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and hoping to see Argentina reach the final. Messi said he wanted to win the trophy for his father but could not overcome his physical limitations. Argentina lost 0-1 to Spain in the July 19 final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Messi played all eight matches, scoring eight goals and providing four assists, while describing his father’s absence as deeply painful.

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, married longtime partner Georgina Rodríguez, 32, in an intimate civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, on August 11, 2026. The couple began dating in 2017 and announced their engagement exactly one year before the wedding. Ronaldo and Rodríguez share five children: Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, Alana, and Bella. Their relationship has attracted global attention, including through Rodríguez’s Netflix series I Am Georgina. The couple have largely kept their private life away from public scrutiny while sharing family moments with fans. Their wedding marks a new chapter after nearly a decade together. (PC: X)

Bengal and Delhi Capitals cricketer Abhishek Porel was arrested in Hooghly, West Bengal, after a medical student accused him of having a sexual relationship with her on the promise of marriage. Porel was arrested by Mogra police late Monday night following a court order. The woman, reportedly from Karnataka, had filed a complaint alleging they were in a relationship for around three-and-a-half years and had planned to marry. Police registered a case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act. Porel was subsequently produced before a court, which remanded him to three days of police custody. The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.(PC: X)

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has married his longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez in a private civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, according to his management. The 41-year-old Ronaldo and Rodriguez have been together since 2016 and first met when she worked as a sales assistant at a Gucci store. The couple made their relationship official with a private wedding, marking a new chapter in their nearly decade-long partnership. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. The couple had announced their engagement in August 2025. (PC: X)

Lionel Messi has reportedly taken an indefinite break from competitive football following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68. The Argentina captain travelled to Rosario to attend his father’s funeral and spend time with his family. According to reports, Messi has no fixed date for returning to Inter Miami or resuming football commitments. Jorge Messi was a major influence on Lionel’s career and had served as his agent and close adviser for years. Inter Miami are currently awaiting clarity on when their captain will return, while Messi focuses on grieving and supporting his family. (PC: AP)

Hardik Pandya reportedly wanted to return to Gujarat Titans, but the proposed blockbuster IPL trade move collapsed over his demand to regain the captaincy. The all-rounder, who led GT to the IPL final in 2022 and the playoffs in 2023, had moved to Mumbai Indians in 2024. Reports suggest Gujarat considered bringing him back, with Shubman Gill reportedly willing to accommodate Pandya. However, Pandya’s reported captaincy demand became the major stumbling block. His camp has denied that he personally approached Gujarat for a move. The development leaves his future with Mumbai Indians uncertain ahead of the next IPL season. (PC: X)