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Southampton fans 'deserved better' - Scienza

Southampton winger Leo Scienza believes that Saints fans "deserved better" after the club were expelled from the Championship play-offs.

BBC Leo Scienza wearing his red and white Southampton shirt

On Wednesday night, the EFL announced that a league arbitration panelhad dismissed the club's appealagainst the sporting sanction.

This means that Saturday's Championship play-off final will be contested between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium.

Scienza was the first Southampton player to post on social media after the club were removed from the play-offs.

"Disappointment, anger, sadness. It's difficult to find the right words for what we're all feeling right now," he posted on his instagram account.

"What has happened over the last days is heartbreaking. For the club, for every player in this dressing room, and above all for our supporters. A moment like this should never end the way it did.

"I feel sorry for every football fan, as well as the players and supporters of Hull and Boro, who were caught up in all of this chaos too.

"We gave everything for this dream. Day after day, sacrifice after sacrifice, always believing we could bring this club back to where it belongs. For me, the dream of playing in the Premier League was something I fought for with everything I had. That's why this pain cuts so deep."

Scienza has played a key role at Southampton this season, joining in the summer from Bundesliga club Heidenheim, and having a big impact on the pitch.

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The Brazilian registered seven goals and ten assists in his debut campaign and was named player of the season by both the Saints fans and his fellow players.

This move to the south coast of England has been his first venture into English football having previously played in Germany, Sweden, Uruguay and Brazil.

He has developed a special connection with the Southampton fans this season, becoming something of a hero at St Mary's and often seen as one of the last players to leave the field after a game following a long lap of appreciation.

Perhaps his most memorable moment with those fans from the season, was when he scored the goal to fire Saints ahead inJanuary's south coast derby at Fratton Park.

The winger ran the entire length of the field after scoring, back to the travelling Southampton fans to celebrate as his side took the lead against their bitter rivals.

Having been part of the team that lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi final, Scienza said that he was bitterly disappointed not to be returning to the national stadium with the Saints fans this weekend.

He previously admitted thatit would have been a "dream" to play at Wembley againand achieve a personal goal of playing in the Premier League.

"The hardest part is knowing how much our fans deserved this moment," he added.

"You stood behind us all season with incredible passion, loyalty and belief. Even in the toughest moments, you carried us forward.

"Thank you for staying with us through everything, you definitely deserved better."

Southampton fans 'deserved better' - Scienza

Southampton winger Leo Scienza believes that Saints fans "deserved better" after the club were expelled from the Championship...
Jason Kidd reportedly supported Luka Doncic trade to Lakers

Ever since theDallas Mavericksshockingly traded Luka Doncic to theLos Angeles Lakerslast February, they have undergone wholesale changes. They traded Anthony Davis, the superstar big man they received in the Doncic trade, to theWashington Wizardsand fired Nico Harrison, the executive who executed the Doncic trade, earlier this season. Now, they have fired Jason Kidd, who was their head coach for the past five seasons.

USA TODAY

Kidd's firing came as something of a surprise, especially after he guided a somewhat subpar Mavericks squad to the 2024 NBA Finals despite finishing with only the fifth seed in the Western Conference that year.

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" andshared an interesting nugget: Kidd had a level of involvement in Doncic being shipped to Los Angeles.

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“How involved was Jason Kidd?” Charania said. “He wasn't making the trade, but Mavs sources do believe that he had a level of support for that trade.”

It seems as if the Mavericks are suffering from a major case of bad karma after getting rid of Doncic, given the injuries that players such as Davis and Kyrie Irving have suffered since. They have missed the playoffs in both of the last two seasons after playing for the world championship two calendar years ago, and although they were fortunate enough to draft Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, their future is quite murky.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have a glimmer of hope after Doncic got into much better shape and put forth an MVP-caliber campaign during which he won his second scoring title and averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.6 steals a game. They have plenty of work to do this offseason, but if they make the right moves, perhaps they will seriously contend for the NBA title next season.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire:Jason Kidd reportedly supported Luka Doncic trade to Lakers

Jason Kidd reportedly supported Luka Doncic trade to Lakers

Ever since theDallas Mavericksshockingly traded Luka Doncic to theLos Angeles Lakerslast February, they have undergone wholesale change...
Iran rebuilding military industrial base faster than expected, CNN reports

May 21 (Reuters) - Iran has already restarted some ‌of its drone production ‌during the six-week ceasefire that began ​in early April, CNN reported on Thursday, citing two sources familiar with ‌U.S. intelligence ⁠assessments.

Reuters

US intelligence indicates Iran’s military is rebuilding ⁠much faster than initially estimated, the report added, ​citing four ​sources.

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Reuters could ​not immediately ‌verify the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States was ready to proceed with further ‌attacks on ​Tehran if Iran ​did ​not agree to ‌a peace deal, but ​suggested ​Washington could wait a few days to "get the right ​answers."

(Reporting ‌by Rhea Rose Abraham ​in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Aidan Lewis)

Iran rebuilding military industrial base faster than expected, CNN reports

May 21 (Reuters) - Iran has already restarted some ‌of its drone production ‌during the six-week ceasefire that began ​in early April, ...
2028 NFL draft to take place in Minnesota

The site for the 2028 NFL draft has been chosen, and it will not be in Arizona. It will be in Minnesota.

USA TODAY

The NFL selected Minnesota to host the 2028 NFL draft.

After years at Radio City Music Hall in New York, it began to rotate host cities in 2015. Phoenix, Arizona has not yet hosted a draft. It was in Pittsburgh this year and will be in Washington D.C. in 2027.

Since 2015, here have been the locations of the draft:

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  • 2015: Chicago

  • 2016: Chicago

  • 2017: Philadelphia

  • 2018: Dallas

  • 2019: Nashville

  • 2020: Virtual

  • 2021: Cleveland

  • 2022: Las Vegas

  • 2023: Kansas City

  • 2024: Detroit

  • 2025: Green Bay

  • 2026: Pittsburgh

We can add D.C. and Minnesota to that list now.

Will the Phoenix area ever get serious enough about wanting to host the draft.

Get moreCardinalsand NFL coverage fromCardsWire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe onSpotify,YouTubeorApple podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Cards Wire:2028 NFL draft to take place in Minnesota

2028 NFL draft to take place in Minnesota

The site for the 2028 NFL draft has been chosen, and it will not be in Arizona. It will be in Minnesota. The NFL selected Minneso...
Could former Commanders LB Bobby Wagner land with AFC contender?

At the conclusion of the 2025 season, theWashington Commanderswere facing a massive wave of impending free agents ahead of the March 11 opening of the market. In total, 40 players were set to become free agents. Since then, theCommandershave brought back 17 of those players; six have landed contracts elsewhere, and 17 are still without a deal.

USA TODAY

One of the remaining available free agents is linebacker Bobby Wagner. NFL analysts and experts have tried to figure out the best landing spots for the remaining top free agents, including Wagner. In a recent ESPN article by Matt Bowen, Wagner appears tofit bestwith theJacksonville Jaguars.

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Wagner's 9.5 tackles per game ranked sixth overall in 2025, showing he can still key quickly and rack up run stops. He does have limitations in coverage at this stage of his career, which Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile would have to manage.

However, as an early-down defender, Wagner could potentially take on the role next to Foyesade Oluokun. Devin Lloyd, who was a mainstay on Jacksonville's second level, signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Panthers this offseason.

If any team could benefit from Wagner's veteran leadership and production, it's the Jaguars. In 2025, their leading tackler was linebacker Foyesade Oluokun with 143 tackles. The next player behind him was safety Andrew Wingard with 84 tackles. And this was with Devin Lloyd. Jacksonville saw Lloyd depart in free agency this offseason and needs a replacement. While the current version of Wagner lacks Lloyd's athleticism, he could bring to Jacksonville in 2026 what he brought to Washington in 2024.

Bobby Wagner could be a difference-maker in Jacksonville, even at his age. His presence, veteran experience, and quality character are all reasons to want Wagner on your team. For the Jags, adding his production would be huge. Wagner has 2,000 tackles over his career, an average of almost 143 tackles per season. He may not be the player he once was, but he still has some gas left in the tank and could very well help a Jacksonville linebacking corps that is slim in depth and production.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire:Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner's 'best fit' is with AFC contender

Could former Commanders LB Bobby Wagner land with AFC contender?

At the conclusion of the 2025 season, theWashington Commanderswere facing a massive wave of impending free agents ahead of the March 11...
Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate runoff

President Donald Trumphas endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate runoff race.

USA TODAY

"The Highly Respected Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, an America First Patriot, and someone who has always been extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT, is running for the United States Senate," Trump said in a social media post.

This long-awaited endorsement comes as early voting in Texas started Monday, May 18, for theRepublican U.S. Senate primary runoffbetween Paxton and incumbent John Cornyn, among other runoff elections across the state.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appears at a rally for his senatorial campaign at George’s Banquet Hall in Waco, Texas, U.S. March 2, 2026.

Trump saidin his postthat Cornyn is a "good man," but cited the senator's lack of support for him when "times were tough" and his late backing during Trump's 2024 presidential run as reasons he did not endorse him.

Paxton also took tosocial media,saying he was honored to be endorsed by the president.

"No one has ever fought harder for the American people than President Trump, and I look forward to championing his America First agenda in the Senate!" read Paxton's statement.

Recent pollingin early May shows that Paxton narrowly leads Cornyn in the race, with Election Day being on May 26.

The race between the two to become the Republican nominee has grown increasingly bitter, with each airing several politically and personally charged attack adsover the past few weeks.

While Paxton gained Trump's support today, neither candidate has won the backing of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott,who ruled out endorsing either candidate last week.

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz have also not endorsed either candidate.

The winner of the runoff election is set to face the Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarico, in the November 2026 general election.

Cornyn responds to Trump endorsing Paxton

After Trump announced his endorsement, Sen. Cornyn said he has worked closely with Trump during both presidential terms and voted with him more than 99% of the time in a statement.

"He has consistently called me a friend in this race," read the statement. "It is now time for Texas Republican voters to decide if they want a strong nominee to help our GOP candidates down ballot and defeat Talarico in November, or a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about. I trust the Republican voters of Texas.

A recent poll showsCornyn and Paxton statistically tied in hypothetical general-election matchups against Talarico.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MAY 18: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) speaks during a news conference after casting his vote during early voting in the primary runoff at the Circle C Community Center on May 18, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Sen. Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are facing each other in the 2026 Texas Republican primary runoff.

Talarico responds to Trump's endorsement of Paxton

Talarico's camp released a statement on Trump weighing in on the Paxton-Cornyn Republican runoff election, saying it really doesn't matter who wins the runoff election

"We already know who we’re running against: the billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt political system. For decades, John Cornyn and Ken Paxton have embodied a broken politics that enriches wealthy donors while costs skyrocket for the rest of us," read Talarico's statement.

The Democratic nominee noted that his movement to take Texas back for the working people rises above partisan politics.

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times:Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Senate race

Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate runoff

President Donald Trumphas endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate runoff race. "The Highly Respected A...
Blanche will face questions from lawmakers over a nearly $1.8B fund to compensate Trump allies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will appear on Capitol Hill Tuesday for his first congressional testimony since taking the reins at the Justice Department as the law enforcement agency faces intense scrutiny over its plans to create a$1.776 billion fund to pay allies of the Republican presidentwho believe they were targeted politically.

Associated Press Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche attends the 45th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol, Friday, May 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announces that former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted, at the Justice Department in Washington, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Vance Police Week

Blanche's testimony before a Senate appropriations subcommittee follows Monday's announcement about the creation of the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which critics decried as an illegal abuse of power designed to line the pockets of Trump supporters with taxpayer dollars.

In the weeks sinceassuming control of the Justice Department, Blanche has moved aggressively to advance the president's priorities —pushing forward casesagainst Trump's political foes, cracking down on leaks to media outlets and establishing the new fund to compensate those who believe they were mistreated by the Biden administration Justice Department.

Tuesday’s hearing is meant to address the Trump administration's budget request for the Justice Department but is likely to delve into other controversies that have escalated concerns about theerosion of the law enforcement agency's tradition of independencefrom the White House.

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Blanche is expected to face tough questions from lawmakers about the fund designed to resolve Trump's lawsuitagainst the Internal Revenue Serviceover the leak of his tax returns. Nearly 100 Democrats in the House of Representatives signed onto a legal brief urging a judge to block what they described as an unprecedented resolution that they said would unjustly enrich people close to the president and open the door to meritless claims of political persecution.

“Let’s call this what it is: a billion-dollar slush fund for Trump to reward felons, insurrectionists, and cronies, paid for by YOUR taxpayer dollars,” Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, a member of the subcommittee from Delaware, wrote on X. “It’s bad enough that this DOJ believes it works for Donald Trump. Now, it’s giving him its budget to use as his piggy bank.”

Blanche said Monday the fund will allow for people who believe they were targeted for prosecution for political purposes to apply for payouts, creating what he described as “a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.”

“The machinery of government should never be weaponized against any American, and it is this Department’s intention to make right the wrongs that were previously done while ensuring this never happens again,” Blanche said in a statement.

The fund is a further demonstration of the administration’s eagerness to reward allies who before Trump came to power were investigated and in some cases charged and convicted. Most notably,the president on his first day back in office pardoned or commutedthe sentences of supporters who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His Justice Department since then hasapproved payouts to supporters entangled in the Trump-Russia investigationandinvestigated and prosecuted some of his perceived adversaries.

Blanche will face questions from lawmakers over a nearly $1.8B fund to compensate Trump allies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will appear on Capitol Hill Tuesday for his first congressional testimony since ...

 

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