Sports
Burnley boss Scott Parker says fans’ booing ‘breaks my heart’
Scott Parker said the sound of Burnley fans booing at the final whistle of Saturday’s 3-2 home loss to Fulham “breaks my heart” after his relegation-battling side fell to a seventh straight Premier League loss.
The Clarets had their chances in the game but where Fulham were clinical, the hosts spurned their best opportunities as Bernd Leno made some critical saves for Marco Silva’s side.
And Burnley’s defence — key to their success in the Championship last term — wilted, badly at fault for Emile Smith Rowe‘s opener and then, after Lesley Ugochukwu levelled, for allowing Calvin Bassey to put the Cottagers back in front.
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Harry Wilson, who set up the first two goals, added a decisive third before the hour with Oliver Sonne‘s consolation too late for the hosts.
Former Fulham boss Parker had already heard chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the visiting fans but it was the boos from the home stands that brought an emotional response.
“That makes me sad, obviously,” he said. “It was only four months ago that I was standing on the balcony in the town centre and all of us were celebrating and the fans were right with us, and within four months that quickly changes.
“I understand their frustration. This is the world we’re in currently. I get it. How the world of football is the instant reaction is to boo…
“I don’t think you can question the commitment of this team. This team are foot to the floor and hugely committed and nothing’s changed. The level of hard work, the commitment we put in to be successful last season is exactly the same now.
“It breaks my heart at the end of the game because we came here today wanting to please our fans and wanting them to support us.”
Parker twice suffered relegation from the Premier League with Fulham and once with Bournemouth and has been here before, but said this season feels different.
“That’s why it’s frustrating,” he said. “I’ve been in relegation fights and I knew the challenge. A team like us coming into the Premier League, the challenge is there.
“There’s a lot of good things and what frustrates me is, I understand from the outside world, at the end of it there’s nothing to show for it. There’s no points and I get the judgment of this world.
“But we’re hugely competitive, we’re dominating in certain moments and we’re just falling short on this lack of focus, lack of urgency, a lack of understanding in this division.”
Fulham moved seven points clear of trouble with their second win away of the season, and first victory at Turf Moor in 74 years.
Boss Marco Silva said: “It’s a well-deserved win, and important win and a big win for us.
“When I was told about Fulham’s record in this match, to not win here since 1951, I was a little bit in shock but we spoke about it and said we have to stop it.”
Wilson now has three goals and three assists in his last four games, and Silva said: “In my opinion he’s in the best moment of his career … I believe this season is going to be his best in terms of numbers.”
Lionel Messi‘s “GOAT Tour” of India was marred by chaotic scenes Saturday after fans threw ripped up seats and invaded the pitch during the Argentina star’s brief appearance.
Messi’s tour will see him travel from Kolkata to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. However, it did not get off to a dream start, as his appearance was reportedly cut to just 20 minutes due to the violence.
The highlight of tour’s opening day was meant to be the unveiling of a 70-foot Messi statue — which is reported to be the largest statue of a footballer ever created.
Messi, who was accompanied by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked a short distance on the pitch and waved briefly toward the stands amid loud chants of “Messi, Messi,” but fans soon realized that the footballer remained tightly cordoned off and was barely visible from large sections of the stadium.
Messi’s appearance ended before he could complete a full lap of the stadium, sparking violent scenes.
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi,” a fan told ANI news agency. “Why did they call us then?
“We have got a ticket for 12,000 rupees ($130), but we were not even able to see his face.”
Mamata Banerjee, the region’s chief minister, issued an apology to Messi and ordered a probe into the incident.
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“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium,” Banerjee, who was on her way to the event when chaos broke out, posted on X.
“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she added.
“I am constituting an enquiry committee… the committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
The Indian football federation said it was “deeply concerned” by the scenes, adding that it was not involved in the event’s planning, deferring responsibility to the PR agency that organised it.
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Brady Cook wasn’t exactly tasked with salvaging the New York Jets’ 2025 season as he made the first start of his career on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, he was expected to showcase what he could do on the field – and he didn’t disappoint in the first quarter. Cook led the Jets on an eight-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell, and helped cut the deficit to seven points at the time.
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New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The CBS broadcast showed Cook’s parents celebrating in the stands at EverBank Stadium. It was the first touchdown pass of Cook’s career. He also completed six consecutive passes before throwing an interception.
Cook got some playing time against the Miami Dolphins last week. He was 14-of-30 for 163 yards and threw two interceptions as New York fell 34-10.
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New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook (4) runs on field before the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn tapped Cook as the starter as the experiments with Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor didn’t yield much success over the course of the year.
Cook latched onto the Jets’ roster as an undrafted free agent. He was waived as training camp came to a close but came back later on the practice squad. He bounced from the main roster to the practice squad a few times during the season before the game against the Dolphins.
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The former Missouri standout, 24, played his entire collegiate career with the Tigers. He had 9,251 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes during his career at Missouri.
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John Cena failed to conquer one last challenge as his WWE in-ring career came to an end at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington D.C.
Cena went up against Gunther, a two-time world heavyweight champion who earned the right to take on Cena by winning the Last Time Is Now Tournament. Gunther wasn’t shaken by Cena’s presence in front of the electric sold-out crowd that filled the Capital One Arena.
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Gunther in action against John Cena during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
As soon as Cena stepped in between the ropes, Gunther went to work. He battled Cena through multiple Attitude Adjustments, including one through the announce table. Cena did all he could do, but Gunther was just too much to handle.
Gunther eventually put Cena in a sleeper hold and made the 17-time WWE champion tap out. The fans in the arena were stunned as boos rained on Gunther.
After the match, WWE superstars and chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque came down to the ring to congratulate Cena on an incredible career. Cena bowed in the ring and saluted the fans for all they’ve done for him over the last 25 years.
John Cena and Triple H during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
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His retirement tour this year started at the Royal Rumble, where he finished as the runner-up in the match.
He won the Elimination Chamber match to go up against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He stunned fans with a heel turn that could only draw comparisons to Hulk Hogan. The heel persona only lasted a few months as he was back to the babyface fans grew to love and adore by the summer.
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk give John Cena the Undisputed WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025. (Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
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He and Rhodes battled one more time for the title at SummerSlam. He also had matches with Punk, Styles, Logan Paul, Brock Lesnar and Dominik Mysterio during the year.
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