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Joseph Parker Responds After Failing Drugs Test For Cocaine

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Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has broken his silence after it emerged that he had failed a drug test for cocaine on the day of his fight with Fabio Wardley last month.

The bout at the O2 Arena in London had some high stakes attached, as the victor would earn the right to challenge undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, in early 2026. The 33-year-old New Zealander lost the fight in controversial circumstances, as referee Howard Foster called a stop to the contest in the 11th round despite Parker not appearing to be particularly hurt, and leading on the judges’ scorecards at the time.

In the aftermath of the result, there had been calls for an immediate rematch. However, that notion is now firmly off the table after Parker failed a test by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) administered just hours before the fight took place.

Although cocaine is classified as a recreational drug rather than a performance enhancer, Parker is still facing a two-year ban from the ring once his case is passed to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC). Per The Sun, traces of cocaine remain in urine for just a few days, indicating Parker took the substance in the immediate build-up to the fight.

Sources close to Team Parker expressed their shock when the news emerged on Friday morning, indicating that the fighter had spent much of his time in the lead-up to the bout around his family.

That shock was shared by the fighter himself who took to Instagram early on Saturday morning to protest his innocence, insisting the failure was a “real surprise”.

Joseph Parker Stunned By Drug Test Failure for Cocaine

Joseph Parker Grimaces in a Boxing Ring

“Before my recent fight, I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result. This came as a real surprise to me. I did not take any prohibited substance, I do not use performance enhancing drugs and do not support their use.”

Despite his surprise at the news, Parker confirmed he would be “cooperating fully with the process now underway” and is “confident the investigation will clear my name.”

He thanked supporters for their messages, before closing by stating: “When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer questions.”

Prior to his defeat at the hands of Wardley, Parker had been riding a six-fight win streak. He has only lost four times in his career, with the first of those coming against Anthony Joshua in 2018.

In heavyweight terms, Parker is currently in his prime years. However, it may be a long time until he adds to his 40-fight record (36-4), if he is found to have taken the substance. It should be noted that the boxer’s B-sample has still yet to be tested.

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Man Utd Leading Race to Sign £103m Star Felix Nmecha

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Manchester United are leading the race alongside Man City to sign Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha this summer, according to Sport BILD.

The Red Devils have had a difficult summer window so far, missing out on top targets Elliot Anderson to Man City and Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur, although a deal to sign Atalanta star Ederson is expected to be completed after the World Cup.

But midfield remains a priority position to strengthen, and even more so following Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury, and the Germany international has now emerged as a potential target at Old Trafford.

Man Utd Lead Race for Felix Nmecha

Felix Nmecha Germany Action Images

Nmecha, who has been described by Julian Nagelsmann as ‘one of the best central midfielders in the world’, shone at the World Cup for Germany before they were surprisingly eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32 on penalties.

But the Borussia Dortmund star has attracted the attention of a number of top clubs with his performances, including Man Utd, after they missed out on deals for some of their top targets.

Man City, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are all understood to be alert to his situation, but it’s Man Utd who are considered to be ‘the main attractions’ for the central midfielder, who came through the academy at Man City, meaning he would count as ‘homegrown’ in the Premier League.

However, Dortmund are not under any pressure to sell the 25-year-old and have set a price of at least €120m (£103m) to allow him to depart the Bundesliga side.

It’s unclear if United would be willing to go so high, but Dortmund are understood to be very confident that Nmecha will be playing for them next season rather than at Old Trafford or anywhere else.

Nmecha Not a Big Money Signing

felix nmecha dortmund borussia via Reuters

While Nmecha has impressed for both Dortmund and Germany in recent times, it’s clear that Dortmund are trying to cash in on the hype around him to get an inflated fee.

If Man Utd weren’t willing to pay the money needed to sign Anderson, who had been publicly earmarked as their top target for months, or Fernandes, who would have been considerably cheaper, then it’s hard to see how they justify paying that much for Nmecha.

While he has the skillset to excel and shine in United’s midfield, there are also several flaws in his game that would need hiding or helping, and the fee just simply isn’t anywhere near good value, making a deal highly unlikely to happen.


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Gary Neville Names Only Team That Can Stop France From Winning the 2026 World Cup

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Gary Neville believes there is only one nation that are capable of stopping France at the 2026 World Cup, following Les Bleus’ ruthless 3-0 demolition of Sweden in the last 32.

Kylian Mbappe struck twice to take his tournament tally to six goals, with Bradley Barcola adding a third as Didier Deschamps’ side continued their imperious form in New Jersey.

France have now beaten Senegal, Iraq and Norway before dispatching Sweden with ease, and Neville only sees the 2022 finalists as the team to beat, but their kryptonite is tipped to come back and haunt them.

Neville Tips Argentina as the Only Side with the Mentality to Stop France

Lionel Messi Argentina celebrates a goal at World Cup 2026 Action Images

Speaking on ITV, Neville singled out Argentina’s experience and resilience as the key factors that could see them stand in France’s way, with the two sides potentially on a collision course later in the tournament.


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“The only team I can see stopping France right now, because of the mentality, is Argentina. Because of the nastiness and the horribleness and their experience.”

The former Manchester United defender did leave the door open for other nations to emerge as contenders, though admitted he’s yet to see enough: “Look, something may emerge. England, Spain, Portugal, we may see a step up. Let’s hope so,” he added. “There’s a long way to go but you look at them now thinking, you’ll have let yourselves down if you don’t win this. Because they’re so far ahead, at the moment, of where the other teams are in terms of level.”

Ian Wright Says Rivals Will Fear France More Than Each Other

Kylian Mbappe (France) celebrates after scoring vs Sweden Dylan Martinez via Action Images via Reuters

Neville also praised France’s front four of Mbappe, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, warning defenders across the tournament will have nightmares trying to contain them.

“That four that started the game – they will cause nightmares for every single defender in the tournament and I don’t know how they stop that to be fair.”

Ian Wright echoed those sentiments, suggesting France’s upcoming opponents will be more concerned about facing Les Bleus than what they’d be over facing anyone else.


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“France in this form. They’ll be more worried about playing against France than they’d be worried about playing Spain or Portugal,” the Arsenal legend said. “It’s only if France have a total capitulation, which I can’t see, for them to [not] go on to win it. I can’t see what’s stopping them at the minute.”

France now turn their attention to Paraguay, who stunned Germany in the previous round on penalties, with the winner set to face Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals.

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Tottenham Agree £50m Deal for Luka Vuskovic to Join Brighton

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Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £50m deal to sell Luka Vuskovic to Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Spurs have had a very busy transfer window so far, completing deals for Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Martin Dubravka, while a move for Mateus Fernandes is on the verge of being completed for a club-record fee of £85m.

But the club are now working on outgoings alongside those incoming deals, and a deal with Brighton for young defender Vuskovic has now been finalised by all parties,

Tottenham and Brighton Agree Vuskovic Deal

Luka Vuskovic

Vuskovic, who has been described as ‘exceptional’, enjoyed a sensational season on loan at Hamburg in the 2025/26 season and had initially been expected to return to north London to compete for a starting place.

But the defender asked to leave to further his development elsewhere with more regular playing time, and after having a number of bids rejected, Brighton have now agreed to pay £46m plus £4m in bonuses to get a deal done for the Croatia international.

Spurs have agreed a deal that will see them continue to hold a 20% sell-on clause over his future, while they will also have matching rights if he moves on, allowing them to retain control over his future somewhat.

Romano adds that Tottenham are now ready to go ‘all in’ for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali with the new incoming funds, which could see the Italian join in a deal that would exceed the fee that is to be paid for Fernandes to West Ham, meaning the club would be breaking their transfer record twice in one window.

Vuskovic Deal Could Be Shrewd Business

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi celebrates win at Aston Villa via Reuters

While Vuskovic is considered to be one of the top young defenders in world football, Spurs need players for right now.

The club have Micky Van de Ven in their back line already alongside Kevin Danso, while Van Hecke and Senesi’s arrival means there is plenty of depth and competition. It’s also worth noting that as of this writing, Cristian Romero is still at the club.

That would likely make Vuskovic sixth-choice, and he’s of no use to anyone there. Selling him for a big fee, and retaining some control of his future, is excellent business, and Spurs can now focus on strengthening the squad even further as a result to get back to being competitive.


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