CK Updates
McCarthy calls for Mourinho to apologise over racism incident comments
Benfica’s head coach Jose Mourinho (L) speaks with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior who walked off the pitch after dennouncing racism in the stands to the referee during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Benfica and Real Madrid, in Lisbon, Portugal, 17 February 2026. EPA/JOSE SENA GOULAO
Saturday Feb 21, 2026. 15:13
Former South African international and current head coach of the Kenyan national team Benni McCarthy has called on Benfica coach Jose Mourinho to admit he made a mistake after the manager’s comments surrounding the alleged racial abuse of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.
The real Madrid star was allegedly subject to racist comments from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni in Real Madrid’s 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory against Benfica at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on Tuesday.
In response to the allegations, Prestianni denied having said anything racist, stating in a now-deleted Instagram post that his words were misheard by the Madrid players.
Mourinho denied his player having said anything racist, citing the fact the club’s greatest ever player, Eusebio, was black as an explanation for how none of the club’s players could be racist.
In addition, the club defended Prestianni, calling the allegations a “smear campaign” and stating:
“The club clearly and unequivocally reaffirms its historic and uncompromising commitment to defending the values of equality, respect, and inclusion, which are in line with the core values of its foundation and are best symbolized by Eusébio.”
Speaking to the BBC World Service, McCarthy, who won the Champions League under Mourinho at Porto in the 2003/04 season, defended the coach’s character while simultaneously calling for him to acknowledge the harm caused by his comments.
“The situation, he could have handled it better or chosen his words better but emotions got the better of him,” said McCarthy.
“When it comes from somebody I know personally and I know how he feels about our continent and our people and the players that play for him, he’s the most stand-up guy that any African player will ever play for.”
“I think it was an emotional decision where he maybe made a call and it wasn’t the right call – which he will later, hopefully, come out and say that he made a mistake. That’s what I would like to think. That’s the kind of man he is.”
The former Porto striker was not the only established name in football to call Mourinho out, with former Manchester City captain and Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany calling the [Mourinho age]’s comments a “huge mistake”.
UEFA’s investigation into the incident is ongoing, with no guilt or punishment leveled against Prestianni yet.
By Nic Gleeson
CK Updates
Commonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales
Gymnast Ruby Evans has won Wales’ first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow with victory in the floor final.
Evans, 19, performed the final routine of the women’s programme and defeated England’s Abigail Martin into silver, with her team-mate Shantae-Eve Amankwaah securing bronze.
Evans left the arena in tears on Sunday after her disappointing sixth in the all-round individual competition, that after Wales finished fourth in the team event.
Now, after Welsh identical twins Abigail and Emily Roper won bronze medals within a couple of hours of each other on Monday, Evans has delivered gold.
It was the first victory for Team Wales in Scotland and a ninth medal alongside two silver and six bronze.
There is also a guaranteed podium position for boxer Connor Williams after he reached the semi-finals.
CK Updates
Saltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating
An amateur cricket match has made global headlines after a fielder was accused of cheating by clicking his fingers to get a wicket.
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has started an investigation into a second XI Division 2 game between Saltburn and Norton.
A viral video on social media appears to show a Saltburn fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes Noman Shabir’s bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Saltburn appeal and the umpire gives Shabir out.
It has been suggested that the finger-clicking was designed to trick the umpire into thinking the batter edged the ball.
Saltburn won by 159 runs and are top of Division 2 by 17 points.
“The league have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday,” the league said in a statement on X.
“A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”
Last week Bowes took eight catches in Saltburn’s 22-run win over Shildon Railway. The men’s Test record for catches by a keeper in an innings is seven.
Bowes leads the league standings with 31 catches, 10 more than any other player.
Rory Cotterill, who captained Middlesbrough second XI during a 29-run defeat by Saltburn last month, responded to a social media post containing the video and alleged two further incidents of cheating by Saltburn in that match.
The original video of the incident has had more than three million views on X, with publications in Australia and New Zealand among those to report it.
The BBC has contacted the league and Saltburn. Norton declined to comment.
CK Updates
West Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell
First Test, Tarouba (day three of five)
West Indies 311 (Hope 92; Ali 4-50) & 126-7 (Chanderpaul 35, Abbas 3-14)
Pakistan 282 (Masood 109; Greaves 5-27)
West Indies lead by 155 runs
West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves took five wickets without conceding a run in an incredible spell of bowling on day three of the first Test against Pakistan.
Greaves, who is playing in his 17th Test, claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul to help dismiss Pakistan for 282 in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 311.
The 32-year-old Barbadian’s spell – five consecutive wicket maidens – was all the more remarkable given he had bowled six overs earlier in the day for 27 runs without taking a wicket.
“When I came on captain Roston Chase just said ‘continue to be disciplined in what you are doing’ and to see if I can get some wickets for the team,” Greaves said.
“The ball nipped around and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations.
“To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I’m really happy, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the game.”
Pakistan captain Shan Masood was Greaves’ first wicket at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad when he was bowled for 109 in the 64th over following a superb set-up.
Greaves had pushed the ball wide to the left-hander from over the wicket before he tailed a delivery back into Masood who played down the wrong line and inside edged on to his stumps.
Aamer Jamal had his middle stump uprooted in Greaves’ next over as the seamer speared one through his defences.
Greaves then trapped Ali Usman lbw before he had Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas both caught behind as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs.
West Indies reached stumps on day three on 126-7 in their second innings – a lead of 155 runs – to leave the match finely poised.
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CK Updates11 hours agoSaltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating
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CK Updates24 hours agoCommonwealth Games 2026: Scotland’s Archie Goodburn on battling brain cancer
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CK Updates5 hours agoCommonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales
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CK Updates17 hours agoWest Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell

