Mohamed Salah says ‘I’ve been thrown under the bus’ by Liverpool

Mohamed Salah has accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out of the starting lineup for the third game running as the champions drew at Leeds, saying he has been made a scapegoat for the poor start to the season and casting severe doubt on his future at the club. “It seems like the club are throwing me under the bus – that’s how I feel the Egyptian said going on to claim he no longer has a relationship with manager Arne Slot.

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Verstappen on pole for season deciding Abu Dhabi GP

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen beat his McLaren title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole position with an imposing performance in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Both Verstappen’s laps in the final session were good enough for pole. He was 0.201 seconds ahead of Norris, who edged Piastri by 0.029secs. Norris heads Verstappen by 12 points going into the season finale, the Briton will be champion if he finishes on the podium regardless of anyone else’s result.

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Mexico to kick off 2026 World Cup against South Africa

The Republic of Ireland will face co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea if they qualify via the play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. England have been drawn against Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L for next summer’s World Cup finals in North America. Scotland have been drawn against five-times world champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, as well as Haiti, in Group C. Wales or Northern Ireland will head to Group B if they emerge victorious in the play-offs, alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

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South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth handed 12-match ban for eye gouging

Eben Etzebeth, South Africa’s double World Cup-winning second row, has been banned for 12 weeks for an eye gouge against Wales. The 34-year-old was seen to make contact with the left eye of Alex Mann with his thumb in the Springboks’ 73-0 win over Wales last Saturday. Etzebeth had come on as a second-half substitute in Cardiff but was shown a straight red card in the 79th minute by French referee Luc Ramos.

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Celtic appoint Wilfried Nancy as new manager

Celtic have named Wilfried Nancy as the club’s new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal. The 48-year-old arrives from MLS side Columbus Crew – where he won the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup – to become Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor, after he quit Parkhead for a second time in October. Nancy’s first match will be against Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday with the Frenchman taking over from interim boss Martin O’Neill tomorrow.

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