Barcelona have set a new Spanish football record of 35 games unbeaten in all competitions. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as they thrashed nine-man Rayo Vallecano 5-1 win in La Liga on Thursday night. In other games, Real Betis registered a 3-0 win at Espanyol and Granada beat Sporting Gijon 2-0. Barca now lead Atletico Madrid by eight points at the top of the league standings, while Real Madrid are a further four points behind in third with 11 matches remaining.
Alcaraz pulls out of Madrid Open for second straight year
Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year after withdrawing on Friday with a wrist injury, dealing another blow to the world number two's clay court preparations ahead of his French Open title defence.
Injured Djokovic to miss Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic is still working through the injury problems that forced him to miss recent tournaments in Miami and Monte Carlo and said on Friday that he will not feature at next week's Madrid Open, one of the last stops before the French Open.
Mumbai's IPL campaign fizzles amid Bumrah's barren run
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has defended Jasprit Bumrah after the struggling pace spearhead went a fifth Indian Premier League match without a wicket in Thursday's seven-wicket defeat by Punjab Kings.
Iran women football players thank Australian government for protection
Iranian women's football players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives.
Villa's Watkins looking to make late push for England World Cup squad
Ollie Watkins still has hope of making England's World Cup squad despite being dropped for last month's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with the Aston Villa forward saying all he can do in the last few weeks of the season is score goals.
Dubai Police, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior, have arrested an Irish fugitive accused of involvement in an organised criminal group linked to international crimes in his home country.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to discuss national priorities and the country’s continued development.
A number of drivers in Dubai are facing legal action for reckless driving stunts during the recent rains.
