Inter Miami owner David Beckham not attending White House visit

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham will not be in attendance when the teamvisits President Donald Trump at the White Houseon Thursday, March 5.

USA TODAY Sports

The MLS club was invited to Washington D.C. tocommemorate the 2025 MLS Cup titlethat it won in December.

Inter Miami flew to the nation's capital on Thursday ahead of a game against D.C. United in Baltimore on Saturday.

All players,including Lionel Messi, were expected to attend, but Beckham did not make the trip.

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023. Lionel Messi celebrates the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against Vancouver. Tadeo Allende and Lionel Messi celebrate the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against the Whitecaps. Lionel Messi celebrates the final whistle in the MLS Cup final against Vancouver.

See Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's jubilant MLS title celebrations

According to CNN, Beckham is in Paris with his wife Victoria ahead of her runway show at Paris Fashion Week on Friday, March 6.

Advertisement

Beckham announced in 2014 that he would become the co-owner of a new MLS franchise based in Miami.

When Beckham signed for the LA Galaxy in 2007, his contract included a clause that gave him the option to purchase a MLS expansion team for just $25 million.

Inter Miami began play in 2020, making waves in the international game by signing Messi in 2023.

Beckham currently owns the team with brothers Jorge and Jose Mas.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Is Inter Miami owner David Beckham going to White House?

Inter Miami owner David Beckham not attending White House visit

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham will not be in attendance when the teamvisits President Donald Trump at the White Hou...
Mike Brown calls out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for doing a 'great job of convincing' refs he's getting fouled

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown wasn't a fan of the way the refs officiatedhis team's narrow 103-100 lossto the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. Brown's nemesis throughout the contest proved to be Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who Brown called out after the loss.

Yahoo Sports

Brown specifically noted Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to get to the free-throw line, though thecoach implied that wasn't always deserved, per ESPN.

"SGA, he's a tough cover, and he does a great job of convincing the referees — probably better than anybody in the league — that he's getting hit," Brown said.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot a game-high seven free throws in the win. He made every single one of them, scoring 26 points to lead the Thunder to the win.

Brown's frustrations with Gilgeous-Alexander weren't limited to the Thunder star getting calls. In the first quarter, the coach received his first technical foul since joining the Knicks after arguing with officials over a missed foul call against Gilgeous-Alexander.

Advertisement

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]

The play in question occurred with 1:57 on the clock in the first quarter. As Gilgeous-Alexander drove to the basket, he knocked Knicks star Jalen Brunson to the floor. Officials did not call a foul on Gilgeous-Alexander, who gathered himself and hit a layup to extend the Thunder's lead.

As Brunson hit the floor, multiple Knicks players — including Brunson — put their hands in the air looking for a foul call on Gilgeous-Alexander.

But no one was more furious than Brown, who got directly in an official's face to complain. That earned Brown a technical foul.

While Brown did not want to blame that missed call for deciding the game, it was a pivotal play. If the refs penalized Gilgeous-Alexander on that play, it would have given him three fouls in the first quarter. The Thunder likely would have played it cautious with their star the rest of the way, and that may have resulted in a different outcome.

Some may take issue with how Gilgeous-Alexander does it, but the Thunder star does have a knack for getting to the free-throw line. He's led the league in free throws made per game the past two seasons, and is currently in the lead for that honor again this season.

Gilgeous-Alexander ranks second in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game this season, trailing only Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić.

Mike Brown calls out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for doing a 'great job of convincing' refs he's getting fouled

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown wasn't a fan of the way the refs officiatedhis team's narrow 103-100 losst...
NHL trade deadline tracker, live analysis on all of the deals

TheNHLtrade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, but teams also like to get deals done early.

USA TODAY Sports

Already this season, theMinnesota Wildhave acquired defensemanQuinn Hughesfrom theVancouver Canucks, theLos Angeles Kingshave traded for high-scoringNew York RangersforwardArtemi Panarinand theUtah Mammothacquired defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from theCalgary Flames.

In the latest moves, theColorado Avalancheacquired center Nicolas Roy from theToronto Maple Leafs, and theVegas Golden Knightsacquired center Nic Dowd from theWashington Capitalson Thursday, March 5.

Plenty of players remain, and the Rangers, Canucks,St. Louis Blues, Flames, Maple Leafs andPhiladelphia Flyerscould be sellers.

Here are some of the more notable trades this season. Follow along for analysis on deals as the NHL trade deadline approaches:

Feb. 24: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick for defenseman Brett Kulak. <p style=Feb. 4: The Los Angeles Kings acquired left wing Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Feb. 4: The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick. <p style=Jan. 27: The New York Islanders acquired left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 26: The New York Islanders acquired defenseman Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. <p style=Jan. 20: The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 19: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028. <p style=Jan. 16: The Anaheim Ducks acquire winger Jeffrey Viel from the Boston Bruins for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Anaheim will give up the better of the fourth-rounder previously acquired from Philadelphia and Detroit.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jan. 8: The San Jose Sharks acquire goaltender Laurent Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan and a 2028 seventh-round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for defensemen Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and a 2028 fourth-rounder.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Dec. 29: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Dec. 19: The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault, right, from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick. Dec. 19: The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick. <p style=Dec. 12: The Minnesota Wild acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Dec. 12: The Edmonton Oilers acquired Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Oct. 24: The Vancouver Canucks acquire forward Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26

March 5: Blues' Colton Parayko turns down trade to Sabres

From NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet:

March 5: Avalanche acquire Nicolas Roy

The trade:TheColorado Avalancheacquire forward Nicolas Roy from theToronto Maple Leafsfor a conditional first-round draft pick in 2027 and a conditional 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

Analysis:Roy gives the Avalanche playoff experience and depth down the middle. He won a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023 and has won 52.9 percent of his faceoffs this season. Roy was in his first season in Toronto after being part of the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade. He has a year left on his contract. If Colorado's 2027 first-round selection is in the top 10, Colorado will send its unprotected 2028 first-round pick to Toronto. The fifth-round pick will be the lowest of the three that the Avalanche currently hold.

March 5: Golden Knights acquire Nic Dowd

The trade:The Vegas Golden Knights acquire forward Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals for goaltender Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2029 second-rounder.

Analysis:Dowd has been with the Capitals since 2018-19 and is a solid bottom six forward who kills penalties. He has another year left on his contract. Vikman plays in the American Hockey League.

After acquiring Dowd, the Golden Knights placed Mark Stone on the injured list.

March 4: Oilers acquire Jason Dickinson, Colton Dach

The trade:TheEdmonton Oilersacquire forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach from theChicago Blackhawksfor forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round pick.

Analysis:Edmonton continues to go all in after falling just short in the Stanley Cup Final two consecutive years, sending out another future first-round pick. Dickinson and Dach are hardly needle-movers (the veteran Dickinson has 13 points in 47 games and Dach, 23, has 9 points in 53 games) but they add to the Oilers' depth. Plus, Dickinson comes at a bit of a discount, the Blackhawks retaining half of his $4.25 million salary.

It also creates some future cap room, with Mangiapane's 2026-27 cap hit of $3.6 million off the books and Dickinson set to be a free agent this summer (Dach is an RFA). While that seems like a decent bit of business, it solves a problem the Oilers created themselves by giving Mangiapane, who has just 14 points in 52 games, a two-year deal. And it comes at the cost of a first-round pick andremoves all protections from their 2026 first-round pick, which they had previously traded to theSan Jose Sharks.

March 4: Avalanche acquire Nick Blankenburg

The trade:The Colorado Avalanche acquire defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Analysis:You can never have enough defensive depth, and Blankenburg provides a left shot on a Colorado team heavy on right shots. Blankenburg, who ranked second among Nashville defensemen with 21 points, is the third Predators player to be dealt in two days. Nashville now has 12 picks in the 2027 draft and added two in 2028 from the Michael McCarron and Cole Smith trades. The Avalanche earlier changed up their blue line by trading Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

March 4: Mammoth acquire MacKenzie Weegar

The trade:TheUtah Mammothacquire defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Olli Maatta, Cornell center Jonathan Castagna and three second-round picks.

Analysis:The Mammoth have upgraded their defense since moving to Utah in 2024. Weegar is the latest in a list that includes Mikhail Sergachev. Weegar is a right-shot defenseman who scored 20 goals two seasons ago, though he has only three this season. That (and his minus-35 rating) should improve on a Utah team that sits in a wild-card position. He is signed through 2031 while Maatta is a pending unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Castagna is in his third year at Cornell and has 32 points in 29 games.

March 4: Colton Parayko, MacKenzie Weegar deals in works?

TSN's Darren Dreger reports that the Blues and Sabres are working on a deal to send defenseman Colton Parayko to Buffalo. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that defenseman MacKenzie Weegar could be traded to the Utah Mammoth. Both would have to approve the moves.

March 4: Maple Leafs sit out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 2 others

Analysis:Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton won't play for roster management reasons, the team said. All three players have been mentioned in trade rumors. Laughton and McMann are pending unrestricted free agents and Ekman-Larsson is signed through 2028.

March 4: Sharks re-sign Kiefer Sherwood

The details:He gets a five-year, $28.75 million contract extension, a cap hit of $5.75 million.

Analysis:The Sharks dealt two draft picks and a minor leaguer to land Sherwood, who has 18 goals and is second in the league in hits. The extension means they won't have to flip him. Hesaid he's "just fired up"about the extension.

March 4: Stars acquire Tyler Myers

The trade:The Dallas Stars acquire defenseman Tyler Myers from theVancouver Canucksfor a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-rounder.

Analysis:The Stars have won 10 in a row and Houston native Myers gives them veteran depth on their blue line. The right shot defenseman has another year left on his contract, and the Canucks are retaining 50% of his salary. The Stars have the 6-foot-8 Myers and 6-foot-7 Liam Bischel on their defense corps.

March 3: Golden Knights acquire Cole Smith

The trade:The Vegas Golden Knights acquire forward Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators for defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a third-round pick in the 2028 draft.

Analysis:That's two trades in one day for the Predators. Just like Michael McCarron, who was dealt to the Wild, Smith kills penalties. He was tied for second in hits in Nashville (behind McCarron) with 119. Sedoff has spent the last three seasons in the American Hockey League.

Advertisement

March 3: Wild acquire Michael McCarron

The trade:TheMinnesota Wildacquire forward Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick in the 2028 draft.

Analysis:Minnesota adds to its depth as it eyes a deep playoff run, importing the hulking McCarron, who stands 6-foot-6. He has 12 points, 73 penalty minutes and 165 hits in 59 games this season for Nashville, kills penalties and has a 52.8 faceoff winning percentage.

March 2: Oilers acquire Connor Murphy

The trade:The Edmonton Oilers acquire defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick.

Analysis:The Blackhawks retain 50 percent of the $4.4 million cap hit for the pending unrestricted free agent. The Oilers have been leaking goals, and the 6-foot-4 Murphy is a solid defensive defenseman. He played on the No. 1 unit of the league's best penalty kill, led the Blackhawks in blocked shots and was third in hits.

Feb. 24: Penguins, Avalanche swap defensemen

The trade:The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche for defenseman Brett Kulak.

Analysis:The Avalanche pick up salary cap space and add a defenseman who has been to the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. The Penguins had acquired pending unrestricted free agent Kulak in the Stuart Skinner trade, Girard is also a pending UFA, and Pittsburgh gets a draft pick in the deal by flipping Kulak.

Feb. 4: Kings acquire Artemi Panarin

The trade:The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Artemi Panarin from theNew York Rangersfor forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

Analysis:The Kings are hurting for offense and Panarin can provide plenty. He also signed a two-year extension with an $11 million cap hit, ensuring he'll be around after Anze Kopitar retires at season's end. It didn't help the team, though, thatKevin Fiala broke his legat the Olympics before Panarin suited up. Panarin had a full no-movement clause, so the Rangers were limited in their return, but Greentree was the Kings' top prospect and the third-round pickcould become a second-rounder.

Feb. 4: Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad

The trade:The New Jersey Devils acquire forward Nick Bjugstad from theSt. Louis Bluesfor forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.

Analysis:This is the third time Bjugstad has been moved near the trade deadline because the 6-6 forward is a good fit in the bottom six. He has another year left on his contract.

Jan. 27: Islanders acquire Ondrej Palat

The trade:The New York Islanders acquire left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

Analysis:That's two trades in two days with a division rival. Palat is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (with the Lightning) and kills penalties. Tsyplakov didn't get a lot of ice time with the Islanders but has potential.

Jan. 26: Islanders acquire Carson Soucy

The trade:The New York Islandersacquire defenseman Carson Soucyfrom the New York Rangers for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Analysis:Soucy was the first player moved after theRangers informed fans that the team would retool. It's a rare deal completed between the Islanders and Rangers.

Jan. 20: Sharks acquire Kiefer Sherwood

The trade:The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

Analysis:Sherwood had been mentioned as a trade candidate since the Canucks started slowly. The pending free agent is among the leader in hits and had 17 goals at the time of the deal. The Sharks are playing better than expected and this deal shows they are trying to push for a playoff spot.

Jan. 19: Golden Knights acquire Rasmus Andersson

The trade:The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028.

Analysis:The Golden Knights had been without Alex Pietrangelo all season and Andersson gives Vegas another puck-moving defenseman. The Flames get a good return for a pending unrestricted free agent. Andersson is the second defenseman Vegas had acquired from Calgary recently after the 2024 trade for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin eventually signed an extension and the Golden Knights will seek the same from Andersson.

Dec. 29: Penguins acquire Yegor Chinakhov

The trade:The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

Analysis:Chinakhov had requested a trade last season. He's a pending restricted free agent so the Penguins have control over his future. Heinen is a pending UFA.

Dec. 19: Canadiens acquire Phillip Danault

The trade:The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick.

Analysis:Danault is coming back to Montreal. He was a key shutdown player during the Canadiens' 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Dec. 19: Blue Jackets acquire Mason Marchment

The trade:The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

Analysis:Marchment had been off to a slow start after an offseason trade in which Seattle gave up a third- and a fourth-round pick. But he scored 22 goals in each of his last two seasons in Dallas.

Dec. 12: Wild acquire Quinn Hughes

The trade:The Minnesota Wild acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

Analysis:This is a sign that the Wild are going for it and it gives them a dynamic former Norris Trophy winner to match Cale Makar if they face the Avalanche in the playoffs. The Wild gave up a lot - Buium was great at Denver and for the USA at the world junior championships - andHughes acknowledged that and appreciated it. That could help sway Hughes when he's eligible to sign a contract extension in July.

Dec. 12: Oilers, Penguins swap goalies

The trade:The Edmonton Oilers acquire Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Analysis:The Oilers pull the plug on Skinner, who was either spectacular or bad during back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final. But they land another inconsistent goalie in Jarry, who has had injury troubles. Skinner and Kulak are pending free agents, so the Penguins could flip them at the deadline. If Skinner works out, it would allow the Penguins to continue developing goalie Sergei Murashov in the American Hockey League.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NHL trade deadline live tracker top deals, team, player analysis

NHL trade deadline tracker, live analysis on all of the deals

TheNHLtrade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, but teams also like to get deals done early. Alread...
Knicks finally facing defending champs but in tough back-to-back spot

TORONTO — Finally, the Knicks face the defending champs.

NY Post Sports An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Josh Hart dribbles up court during the Knicks' 111-95 blowout win over the Raptors on March 3, 2026 in Toronto, Image 2 shows Mitchell Robinson looks on during a break in the action during the Knicks' blowout win over the Raptors

The first Knicks-Thunder matchup of the season is Wednesday at MSG — more than five months into the campaign — and not ideal circumstances for Mike Brown's squad.

The Knicks will be operating on a back-to-backafter beating the Raptors 111-95on Tuesday and flying from Toronto to New York.

Josh Hart dribbles up court during the Knicks' 111-95 blowout win over the Raptors on March 3, 2026 in Toronto. NBAE via Getty Images

It's a big test — and a potential Finals preview — but both Brown and Josh Hart agreed it won't serve as an indictment on where the Knicks stand, win or lose.

"Obviously each game you want to build and learn. And we know that some games are tougher than others in terms of travel, back-to-back, things like that. [Wednesday] is going to be tough, a back to back playing a great team," Hart said. "But we've got to make sure we bring it, find where we can build off of and keep it moving. We let you guys [in the media] kind of argue and converse about the record and the teams."

Added Brown, "If they beat us, at the end of the day, or if we beat them at the end of the day, what does it mean? But they do a lot of things at that end of the floor. From the standpoint of this is a really good defense, a really good offense, they got an MVP candidate (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), they have two bigs (Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren), they have two individual defenders. So how are we going to handle the stuff they do on both ends of the floor? If we get stuck here, or stuck there, it's an opportunity to continue to grow."

The Knicks were swept in two games by the Thunder last season. They face them again in Oklahoma City on March 29.

Brownplayed Mitchell Robinsonon Tuesday in Toronto, prioritizing that victory over Wednesday versus the Thunder.

Advertisement

The coach explained why: "[The Raptors] are in our conference and all that stuff," Brown said. "Oklahoma City is in the Western Conference."

Mitchell Robinson looks on during a break in the action during the Knicks' blowout win over the Raptors. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Robinson, who underwent multiple surgeries on his ankles, has not played in both sets of back-to-backs this season and is happy with that plan since it's kept him healthy.

"I feel great. It's awesome," Robinson said. "This plan we're on, we should just stick to it."

***Robinson clutched his surgically repaired ankle and came up limping after fighting for a rebound in the first quarter Tuesday.

He left the game but returned and played in the second half. Robinson said there was no X-ray and didn't seem concerned.

"I came in here, re-taped, sat my ass right here [in the locker room] and listened to coach and went right back out," Robinson said.

Still, Robinson acknowledged the medical staff will likely take a closer look Wednesday, when Robinson will be on the inactive list because it's a back-to-back.

"They'll look at it probably [Wednesday]," he said. "But I'm straight."

Knicks finally facing defending champs but in tough back-to-back spot

TORONTO — Finally, the Knicks face the defending champs. The first Knicks-Thunder matchup of the season is W...
From silence to song: Iran women's anthem shift in Australia at the Women's Asian Cup

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — The Iran women's team sang and saluted as its national anthem played ahead of the Women's Asian Cup contest against Australia on Thursday, a contrast to the silence before its opening game.

Associated Press Iranians in Australia react with flags and political signs outside the stadium ahead of the Women's Asia Cup soccer match between Australia and Iran in Robina, Australia, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAPImage via AP) Iran players pose for a team photo ahead of the Women's Asia Cup soccer match between Iran and South Korea on the Gold Coast, Australia, Monday, March 2, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAPImage via AP)/AAP Image via AP)/AAP Image via AP)

Women's Asia Cup Soccer Australia Iran

Thesilence during the anthembefore Monday's loss to South Korea was variously reported as an act of defiance or a show of mourning. The team didn't clarify.

But in a news conference on the eve of the game against Australia, Iran strikerSara Didar choked back tearsas she shared the concerns of players and management for their families and loved ones amid thewar in the Middle East.

The 21-year-old Didar was on the bench when Thursday's match started in pouring rain on the Gold Coast, where Iran is scheduled to play all three of its Group A games.

The Iranian women's squad arrived in Australia well before the strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran last Saturday.

Advertisement

The change in approach with the anthem between games in Australia seemed to mirror the Iranian men's team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The men didn't sing the national anthem before theiropening loss against Englandas turmoil overshadowed the start of their campaign. In their second game against Wales, the men sang along to the anthem and celebrated when they scored.

Iran was competing in that World Cup amid a violent crackdown on a major women's protest movement that was spurred by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country's morality police.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

From silence to song: Iran women’s anthem shift in Australia at the Women's Asian Cup

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — The Iran women's team sang and saluted as its national anthem played ahead of the Women...

 

MON 8 BIZ © 2015 | Distributed By My Blogger Themes | Designed By Templateism.com