Sports
Barcelona-PSG rematch will thrill the world, but take a heavy toll on Luis Enrique
Barcelona hosting Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League has a big chance of being the best, most dramatic, thrilling match anywhere in the world this week.
Last time they met, 17 months ago, the Catalans won brilliantly in the French capital and the Parisians replied with a punishing victory in Barcelona. That tit-for-tat battle treated us to 10 goals while former Barça coach Luis Enrique inspired his new team through to the Champions League semifinals in his debut season.
Given that eight of the top 12 players in last week’s Ballon d’Or ranking were scheduled to decorate Wednesday’s match, there has been understandable focus on the injury lists: Raphinha, Gavi, Ousmane Dembélé, Marquinhos, Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all out; plus doubts of varying degrees surround João Neves, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha.
But this is a meeting that can leave participants in tatters, irrespective of the physical or mental state in which they approach it.
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Of the three I have in mind, only two are scheduled to go toe-to-toe again this time: Luis Enrique and Ronald Araújo. The other is Xavi Hernández, who, defeated and sent off on the night in April last year, only coached the club he passionately loves for seven more matches before they sacked him.
With that glimpse of Champions League glory (a potential semifinal against Borussia Dortmund and what would, hypothetically, have been Barça’s third Wembley final, this time a Clásico against Real Madrid lay ahead) while leading 4-2 on aggregate with 72% of the tie played, Xavi’s hopes of keeping his job disappeared. Such are the vagaries of football management.
However, it’s the two survivors who should interest you.
Since that season, since knocking out the club he adores, at which he’s a socio (club member), and the club where he won 16 trophies as player and coach across 14 years, Luis Enrique is à la mode, as the French would say. He’s won nine of the 11 trophies available to PSG over two incredible years, including his second treble, and, as recently as last week, won the Ballon d’Or-Johan Cruyff Trophy 2025 as coach of the year by a landslide. But what subsequently went completely unnoticed is how much it cost him, and his family, to go through that 2024 ordeal of eliminating Barcelona from the Champions League.
I’m fortunate to count him as a friend and he was generous with his time, and our access, when, at that very moment, we were filming our “No Teneis Ni P— Idea” (“You Have No F—ing Idea”) documentary about him. A couple of days after Araújo was sent off in the second leg and PSG ran riot, turning a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 aggregate win, we fulfilled a pre-agreed shoot with Luis Enrique in his office at PSG’s huge, modern and rather soulless Poissy campus. It’s a new build, it boasts fantastic facilities and it’s the HQ from which PSG planned, and effected, their thrilling all-out assault on European domination.
But it’s vast, it can feel like a cavernous, empty movie set. That gray afternoon, there were hardly any people about, the mood was somber and he simply told us the truth as he felt it then; times have changed, but this was a stark picture of a man’s affections divided and the cost of doing his job brilliantly.
That day, he told us: “I never want to have to face Barça again in the next 10 years. Not once! For my sake and for the family!”
He added: “It was ‘heavy’ for my family, for my friends, for me. Wow! Too much!”
The truth that emerged is that although he hails from the beautiful city of Gijón in the northern region of Asturias, Barcelona and its environs are his true home now and always will be. Moreover, the affection he and all his family hold for the Blaugrana club is deeply engrained.
Luis Enrique’s nearest family, his Catalan wife and two children, admitted that they were deeply conflicted about attending the second leg given their premonitions about it developing into a no-win situation. Get knocked out and it’s heartbreak for their husband and father, progress and there was bound to be a hangover feeling.
Enter stage right the other loser from that night: Araújo.
Luis Enrique and his PSG analysts identified the Uruguay international as good … but not good enough if the correct pressure points were pushed. In a scene that he allowed us to use in the documentary (the title of which the PSG fans used for the banner welcoming Luis Enrique back to Parc de Princes following his Ballon d’Or-Johan Cruyff Trophy win), he dictates to his players precisely how he wants them to isolate and then exploit Araujo’s weaknesses.
During the team meeting the night before the match at Montjuïc, the PSG coach told his players: “This gentleman is Araújo. A top-level footballer. No question. But the Barça player with the most problems.
“Every time the ball goes towards him, in whatever situation, while the ball’s still in movement we’re already closing his passing line and then pressing him. We let Araújo come out with the ball. Whenever he does that, we isolate him, and we press him.”
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Video evidence showed that Araújo was eager to get on the ball, a wholehearted leader and defender, but deficient in his use of possession when pressed. Prone to getting rid, rather than remaining calm. So PSG closed down other passes for Marc-André ter Stegen and the rest of the home defenders, steered the ball to the Uruguayan’s feet, and then sprung the trap. It was brutal.
In less than half an hour, the prize arrived. Araújo, on the ball, unaware PSG had steered this into happening, was pressed and gifted a wayward pass to the PSG midfield, Bradley Barcola set off on a sprint toward Barça’s goalmouth and, then, a last-man foul from the harassed and no doubt embarrassed Uruguayan resulted. Free kick, red card and the balance of the entire tie tilted. Precisely as Luis Enrique had predicted.
Postmatch, Xavi lamented that competing 10 vs. 11 at that level, against a rival like PSG, was practically impossible. Luis Enrique deserves an NB (good note) here.
He also demonstrated to his obedient team that PSG could (would) easily score from the edge of the box because of how Barcelona defended (this also happened) and inspired the type of (rare) pressing from Kylian Mbappé that coaches, including Xabi Alonso at the moment, have tried in vain to draw from the brilliant striker. PSG romped home, and when they finally made things safe, at 4-1 with a minute left, Luis Enrique let out a little of the bottled-up emotion he was feeling.
The next day, in fact days, were full of nasty, venomous, studs-in vitriol from Catalan media and social media, including comments like: “That was Mourinho-style behavior,” “Neither Xavi nor Pep Guardiola would ever celebrate coaching a win against Barcelona like that” and “Disgraceful, a complete lack of respect.”
Disappointment often channels itself as anger and vitriol, but this was over the top and did damage. Araújo’s confidence and reputation were both badly hit and, ironically, it’s only really now that his importance to the team and self-belief have been fully restored.
On that dank, quiet, reflective afternoon in Poissy, Luis Enrique told us: “Those were two brutal weeks. For the family too … well everyone, naturally. Really hard, emotionally. We were burned out. I’m in pieces.
“Honestly, for me it would’ve been much easier playing against Madrid! Much! All of that, even though we won. I’d hate to think about if it had finished badly. No way. I’d rather not have played them.”
Now here he goes again. New rival in the Barça dugout, defending champion, injury-hit team but up against the club he (deep in his heart) feels strong emotion for. Not a knockout this time, granted, but loads and loads on the line. Emotions, pride and how he’s greeted by the Catalan fans and media, not least.
Sports
NJ Transit CEO explains World Cup fare hike as NJ Gov again implores FIFA to pay for $150 train tickets
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An already-expensive trip to the World Cup just got even more costly, as NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee announced fare hikes to attend eight matches at MetLife Stadium this year.
The East Rutherford, New Jersey, stadium will host those matches, beginning June 13 and ending with the final on July 19, but a roundtrip train ticket to and from New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium will be $150, up from the usual $12.90. Shuttles are also available for $80.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri defended the fare hikes on Friday, saying that the ultimate cost to the public transportation company should not be the burden of New Jersey commuters.
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NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Alex Lasry, CEO of the 2026 FIFA World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee, speak during a press briefing on the regional mobility plan for the World Cup in Newark, New Jersey, on April 17, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
“It is an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world. Equally important, she has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair,” Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament will cost NJ Transit $48 million.
“In order to move 40,000 people and to pay for the cost of $6 million (per game), we have to charge $150.”
The CEO said that if the regular $12.90 fare were put in place, commuters would subsidize the $48 million bill by 92%.
“No one that I have spoken to thinks that’s fair or reasonable. Commuters in New Jersey should not carry the cost years into the future for a wonderful event, no doubt. But the fans going to the games should burden the cost, that’s all we’re trying to say,” Kolluri added.
Days after New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said that FIFA should pay for commuters’ costs, she did so again shortly after the fare hikes were announced.
“New Jersey is ready and excited to host eight FIFA World Cup matches this summer – including the World Cup Final,” Sherrill began in a social media post Friday.
A general view of MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Train Station is seen from a NJ Transit train before the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 9, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“Since I took office, my Administration has been working to prepare for the biggest sporting event our state has ever seen – and today, NJ TRANSIT released their Mobility Plan to move 40,000 fans to and from each match safely and efficiently. In the FIFA World Cup agreement that my Administration inherited, FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans. It also eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, putting the burden of transporting four times more matchday riders than typical for an event at the stadium on NJ TRANSIT. This agreement will cost NJ TRANSIT at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup.
“As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day.”
The fare hikes, however, did not please FIFA. In a scathing statement to Fox News Digital, World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi said the “current pricing model will have a chilling effect,” including congestion, late arrivals, and “broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.”
Schirgi also ripped Sherrill for her “unprecedented” ask to make FIFA pay for the commuting costs.
“No other global event, concert or major sporting promoter has faced such a demand. While FIFA is projected to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue, not profit, as the Governor incorrectly claims, FIFA has always been a not-for-profit organization as per our statutes. Revenues from the FIFA World Cup are reinvested into developing the game of football, particularly for youth and women, worldwide,” Schirgi said.
Commuters move through the NJ Transit section of Penn Station in New York City on May 20, 2025, after NJ Transit resumed operations following a tentative deal to end a three-day strike by train engineers. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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Parking has been barred from MetLife Stadium, and rideshare will be extremely limited, both of which will result in increased NJ Transit commutes.
New York Penn Station will also only be open to matchgoers beginning four hours prior to the start of games, and fans were urged to avoid nonessential NJ Transit travel on game days.
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- Lahore Qalandars defeat Rawalpindiz by 32 runs.
- Chasing 211, Rawalpindiz were restricted to 178-9.
- Fakhar Zaman gets Player of the Match award.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars secured their third victory of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 on Saturday, defeating Rawalpindiz by 32 runs at the National Bank Stadium Karachi to eliminate them from the tournament.
Chasing 211, Rawalpindiz were restricted to 178-9 in their 20 overs, courtesy of an excellent bowling performance by the Qalandars’ attack.
Pindiz made a poor start as opener Shahzaib Khan became the first batter dismissed in the third over, falling to skipper Shaheen Afridi.
Afridi struck again in the same over, removing captain Mohammad Rizwan for a run-a-ball nine, which included two boundaries, leaving the side struggling at 17-2 in 2.3 overs.
Daryl Mitchell and Yasir Khan then steadied the innings with a crucial partnership, taking the score past the 50-run mark. The duo added a 50-run stand as Yasir played positively, bringing up his fourth PSL half-century.
However, their 71-run partnership was broken when Haris Rauf dismissed Mitchell for 11 off 15 balls, including one four, leaving Pindiz at 88-3 in 9.2 overs.
Rauf struck again in the same over, removing Yasir after a brilliant 58 off 29 deliveries, which included six fours and three sixes.
Sam Billings and Dian Forrester attempted to rebuild the innings and took the score past 100. However, Sikandar Raza broke the stand by dismissing Billings via stumping for just seven runs.
RawalPindiz continued to lose wickets as Usama Mir joined the attack, removing Dian Forrester for eight off 10 balls, leaving the side at 110-6 in 12.5 overs.
Usama struck again, dismissing Colin McConchie for three off five deliveries. Daniel Sams then removed Razaullah cheaply for five off 10 balls, adding further pressure on the batting side.
Saad Masood fought hard with a spirited knock, pushing the total past 150 and bringing up his maiden PSL half-century.
In the final over, Haris Rauf picked up his third wicket by ending Saad’s impressive innings of 54 off 26 balls, which included nine fours and one six, while Asif Afridi hit a four off the last delivery.
Batting first, Lahore Qalandars finished their innings at 210-4 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of outstanding performances by their opening batters Mohammad Farooq and Fakhar Zaman.
The pair began scoring at regular intervals, with Farooq leading from the front as runs flowed quickly through boundaries, putting early pressure on the Pindiz bowling attack as the score crossed the 50-run mark inside the powerplay.
Farooq was in top-notch form with the bat, while Fakhar contributed steadily from the other end, which also helped the young batter raise his bat for his maiden PSL fifty.
The duo troubled the opposition and showed no signs of slowing down as they brought up their 100-run stand, showcasing their brilliance while aiming to post a mammoth total to defend.
However, the 121-run partnership was broken when Mohammad Amir struck on the fifth delivery of the 11th over, dismissing the prized wicket of Farooq, who played an exceptional knock of 63 off 41 deliveries, including five fours and the same number of sixes.
Fakhar remained composed at the crease and kept the scoreboard moving for his side, which not only helped the team’s total surge past the 150-run mark but also saw the left-handed batter raise his bat for his 25th PSL half-century.
Abdullah Shafique came to the crease and started piling on runs, notching up a 50-run stand alongside Fakhar as the duo remained dominant with their batting approach.
However, Razaullah struck to break the 70-run partnership, dismissing Abdullah Shafique, who played a vital knock of 26 off 18 deliveries, including one four and two sixes.
Raza then dealt RawalPindiz another blow as he picked up his second wicket of the match, removing Sikandar Raza for a first-ball duck, leaving the team at 191-3 after 18 overs.
Qalandars lost their fourth wicket in the 19th over as Mohammad Amir struck to end Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant innings. He played an exceptional knock of 84 off 54 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and one six.
Charith Asalanka and Asif Ali came to the crease in the final over to finish the Qalandars’ innings.
Asif struck back-to-back sixes to push the team’s total past the 200-run mark and remained unbeaten on 14 off six deliveries, while Asalanka added one run.
Razaullah and Mohammad Amir led the bowling attack, picking up two wickets each during their spells.
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LAS VEGAS – Paul Walter Hauser is an actor who has been in “The Naked Gun,” “Blackbird,” and “Richard Jewell.” But on Friday night at Maple Leaf Pro’s first U.S. event, MLP Multiverse, there was no acting going on.
Hauser squared off against QT Marshall in a sin city street fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It was the final show of Slam Fest. The two pro wrestlers pulled out all the stops and left the ring in complete disarray.
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Paul Walter Hauser competed against QT Marshall at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)
It was a rematch of their brawl at Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor event. Marshall went on the attack first, throwing in all kinds of foreign objects into the ring, including a piece of wood wrapped with barbed wire, a table, a cane, chairs and even a door was brought into the match.
Hauser was able to regain momentum in the match. He set up the barbed-wire object in the corner. Marshall countered and was trying to whip Hauser into the barbed wire. However, Hauser stopped himself. As Marshall tried to take Hauser by surprise, the movie star avoided Marshall and tossed him into the barbed wire.
Marshall was busted open, but wasn’t done. Hauser was trying to inflict more pain. He set up a table near one corner of the ring and poured thumbtacks on top of it. Marshall was able to powerbomb Hauser through the tacked table.
Paul Walter Hauser is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nathan Congleton/NBC)
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Hauser was left with thumbtacks in his back and one in his head. He managed to power through and put Marshall into a sharpshooter. Marshall tapped out. Hauser picked up the victory.
Hauser got his start in pro wrestling in 2023 at Pro Wrestling Revolver. He worked his way through appearances at All Elite Wrestling before he signed with Major League Wrestling in 2024.
He’s currently Progress Wrestling’s Progress proteus champion.
Elsewhere, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) world heavyweight champion Hechicero defended his championship against Jonathan Gresham, Maple Leaf Pro Canadian women’s champion Gisele Shaw fended off Shotzi Blackheart, Persephone and surprise entrant Killer Kelly to keep the title.
Mistico, Mascara Dorada and Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)
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The show started with Subculture, the tag team duo of Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster, defeated Vaughn Vertigo and Guy Cool. The Demand’s Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona defeated Sidney Akeem, Michael Oku and Rich Swaan, Steve Borden defeated Kiran Gray and Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz – Desmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed.
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