Sports Poets Society

Shane Wenzlick/ Phototek Moment of history: Vanuatu’s Alex Saniel celebrates  the first goal in the new Oceania Pro League. Fijian side Bula’s draw with Vanuatu may struggle to register in Europe but it has potential to disrupt the football world, writes Rory Smith Rory Smith 18 Jan 2026 - THE OBSERVER / Sport Gianni Infantino sent his apologies. In a video address played to the dozens of dignitaries and executives enjoying the hospitality lounges at Eden Park, the FIFA president expressed his sincere regret that he could not be with them, watching performances from tattooed Maori warriors and Pacifika dancers in spectacular head-dresses. He had, at least, a valid excuse: ever the globe-trotter, Infantino was in Morocco, watching Afghanistan’s women’s team taking part in an exhibition tournament, assiduously documenting it all for his lively Instagram account. Still, he wanted those gathered 12,000 miles away in Auckland to celebrate the birth of the world’s newest professional le...

Jeff Pachoud/AFP/ Getty ImagesAin’t it grand: Tour’s start in Yorkshire created more than £100m for the local economy. Hopes are high that costly start of both men’s and women’s races in UK can reap dividends 18 Jan 2026 - THE OBSERVER / Sport Jeremy Whittle The last time the Tour de France came to Britain 12 years ago it brought millions of jubilant fans to the Yorkshire roadsides and tears to the eyes of race director Christian Prudhomme. It also celebrated an era of British success, through Team Sky’s serial dominance of Europe’s Grand Tours. In the summer of 2027, the Tour will be back with an unprecedented project – perhaps the most ambitious in its long history – to stage the opening weekends of the men’s and women’s races in Scotland, Wales and England. The bid for what has been called the “grandest of Grands Departs” was originally announced in former prime minister Rishi Sunak’s autumn budget in 2021, as part of a multi-million pound package that targeted hosting more world-cl...