African soccer confederation strips Senegal of Africa Cup title and declares Morocco the champion
GENEVA (AP) — Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title by appeals judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January. The Confederation of African Football says its appeals board ruled Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the Final” and its 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco. In the Jan. 18 final in Rabat, Senegal left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes, and fans tried to storm the field when Morocco was awarded a penalty. Senegal said it would appeal Tuesday’s decision.
Broncos get star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from Dolphins in a blockbuster trade, AP sources say
The Denver Broncos have acquired standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster deal that sends three draft picks to the Miami Dolphins, including a first-rounder, according to two people with knowledge of the trade. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced. The Dolphins will receive the 30th-overall pick in next month’s NFL draft along with picks in the third and fourth rounds. Denver will get Miami’s fourth-rounder along with Waddle. Waddle gives Bo Nix another main playmaker along with Courtland Sutton, boosting a passing offense that finished 11th in the NFL last season.
In Miami for the WBC final, Venezuelan fans had plenty to celebrate as their team won the title
MIAMI (AP) — Venezuelan and American fans packed Miami for the U.S.-Venezuela World Baseball Classic final. Venezuela won the game 3-2 on Tuesday night. The crowd turned the Marlins’ ballpark into a sea of flags, face paint and mixed identities. Some fans wore a Venezuela jersey and a U.S. flag at the same time. The tense politics between the countries has stayed mostly outside the stadium. Venezuela’s manager insisted the team was there to play baseball, not talk politics. Fans and players described the game as bigger than sports. They say it united a whole country.
WADA delays decision over potential ban of Trump from major sporting events until after World Cup
The World Anti-Doping Agency has put off a decision about barring government officials from major sporting events if their countries voluntarily withhold dues. Tuesday’s move pushes a potential showdown with President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials until at least after this summer’s World Cup. The WADA executive committee met and said it would consider the new rule in September, two months after the end of the World Cup, which the U.S. is hosting along with Canada and Mexico. If such a rule is adopted later this year, it would presumably go into effect before the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Iran wants to move its World Cup matches from US to Mexico. FIFA is sticking to its schedule
GENEVA (AP) — Iran’s Embassy in Mexico has suggested the country is negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico after President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the tournament, citing safety concerns. FIFA says it is in regular contact with the Iran soccer federation and it is not changing the match schedule announced last December. Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the U.S. to keep the team safe during the World Cup. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was asked about it Tuesday. She said “We’ll see what FIFA decides.”
Freshman stars Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Darius Acuff Jr. picked for AP All-America first team
Duke forward Cameron Boozer is a unanimous first-team All-American in college basketball in voting released by The Associated Press. He was joined on the first team by fellow freshmen AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg and JT Toppin of Texas Tech. Braden Smith of Purdue headlined the second team after he was a first-team choice last season and an honorable mention pick in 2023-24. Graham Ike of Gonzaga was a third-team pick after he was honorable mention two years ago. Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries gave Arizona two honorable mention picks this season.
Howard gets its first March Madness win, holding off UMBC 86-83 in the First Four
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Bryce Harris had 19 points and 14 rebounds, and he sank a turnaround jumper with 13 seconds remaining that sent Howard to its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, 86-83 over UMBC in the First Four. Ose Okojie scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Bison, who entered with an 0-4 record in March Madness and had to hold off a late rally by the Retrievers. Howard heads to Buffalo, New York, to play top-seeded Michigan as the No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region. Jah’Likah King scored 19 points and DJ Armstrong Jr. had 17 for UMBC.