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Police in South Africa have launched an investigation into the death of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams, just two weeks after he helped his country reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time.

According to the Associated Press, the 25-year-old’s body was discovered on Saturday at a property in Cape Town’s Schotsche Kloof neighbourhood, with authorities confirming that the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

“Cape Town central police registered an inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday,” police said in a statement, adding that no cause of death has yet been established.

Father of the deceased, Juanito Adams, said the family was awaiting the outcome of an autopsy before making funeral arrangements.

“As you all know, it was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it. It won’t be easy to carry on. People say it will become easier, but it won’t. You just learn to live with it,” he said.

The midfielder featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping Bafana Bafana qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s history. He did not play in the team’s 1-0 defeat to Canada in the Round of 32 on June 28.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, urged the public to avoid speculation while investigations continue. He also revealed that Adams had shown remarkable resilience by playing against the Czech Republic only hours after learning of his grandmother’s death.

Tributes have continued to pour in following the midfielder’s passing, with moments of silence observed before the World Cup quarter-final matches between England and Norway and Argentina and Switzerland on Saturday.

Authorities have not announced when the results of the post-mortem examination will be released.

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Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after he was removed from FIFA’s list of officials for the 2026 World Cup following a police investigation in the United Kingdom.

The Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) confirmed his death on Sunday, although no cause of death was disclosed.

Dieperink had been selected to serve as a video assistant referee (VAR) at the World Cup before FIFA withdrew his appointment in May. His removal came after he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in April over an allegation of sexual assault involving a teenage boy. The investigation was later closed without charges after police said there was insufficient evidence to meet the required threshold.

The KNVB paid tribute to Dieperink, describing him as a respected official and colleague. “With Rob, we lose a highly valued referee, but above all a kind and dedicated colleague,” the association said. “Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear. We wish them much strength and support in processing this great loss.”

Dieperink had officiated in the Eredivisie since 2017 and also worked as a VAR at Euro 2024. Before his World Cup appointment was withdrawn, he had continued to officiate at European level, including serving as VAR during Crystal Palace’s 3-0 Europa Conference League quarter-final first-leg victory over Fiorentina on 9 April.

Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf after his removal from FIFA’s World Cup list, Dieperink insisted he had done nothing wrong. “It saddens me greatly that I have been wrongly accused,” he said. “From the beginning, I have fully cooperated in the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.”

He added: “I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way in which they have dealt with this case. It is a pity that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup anymore. Of course, I am disappointed about that.”

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said officers responded to a report of a sexual assault at an address on Wellesley Road in Croydon on 9 April. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault before detectives carried out what they described as a thorough investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage and examining digital devices. Police concluded there was not enough evidence to proceed, adding: “No further action will be taken.”

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Jannik Sinner was at his clinical best as he successfully defended his Wimbledon title with a bruising four-set victory over French Open champion Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.

The world number one recovered from losing the first set in a match largely dominated by serve, eventually wearing Zverev down to secure a 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-4 win.

“You can feel the nerves on Sunday morning; it is a very special place,” said Sinner, who saved the only break point he faced on Centre Court.

“You never know how many times you are going to come back. I never take it for granted.”

The Italian was rewarded for his perseverance in an attritional contest with his first Grand Slam title since lifting the trophy at the All England Club 12 months ago.

Sinner’s fifth Slam crown is just two behind the major’s tally of his injured rival Carlos Alcaraz after notching his 100th match win at tennis’ four biggest events.

He hit 58 winners against only 25 unforced errors in three hours and 46 minutes on Centre Court, refusing to buckle against an in-form Zverev who brought a 13-match winning streak at the Slams into the final.

“It has been an amazing final once again. It takes two players,” added Sinner, who banks the winner’s prize of £3.6 million ($4.8 million).

“I’m very happy about the win but I’m mostly very happy about the level we played.”

Sinner has banished the memories of his shock second-round exit from the French Open at the hands of Juan Manuel Cerundolo when he blew a two-set lead last month.

The closest Sinner came to crashing out of Wimbledon was in the first round when he had to come from behind to beat Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets.

It was plain sailing from then on for Sinner, who has become a fearsome force on grass.

The 24-year-old now boasts a remarkable 44-3 win-loss record this year after winning his sixth title of the season.

Zverev had never even reached the quarter-finals in nine previous visits to Wimbledon.

He managed to take a first set off Sinner in seven meetings, but could not kick on to snap a now 10-match losing streak against a seemingly unbreakable rival.

Zverev, who was bidding to become the first German man to win the trophy since Michael Stich in 1991, will climb above Alcaraz to second in the ATP rankings on Monday.

“At 29 years old, it’s the first time I actually believe I can win this trophy,” said the second seed.

Zverev left frustrated

Zverev saved the only break point of a tight first set dominated by serve as it went to a tie-break.

The first 15 points of the breaker went with serve, with both men saving set points, before Zverev clinched it with a fizzing forehand winner.

There were no break points in the second set as the players again efficiently bludgeoned their way to 6-6, but this time Sinner stepped it up in the tie-break to level the match.

Zverev finally created his first break point in the seventh game of the third set, but slipped when Sinner dinked over a drop-shot winner.

He clutched his knee and Sinner crossed the net to check on his opponent as the crowd held its breath, but was helped to his feet by the Italian.

Sinner made his move in the next game as Zverev’s serve finally broke down.

Zverev threw his racquet angrily across the turf after looping a forehand long on a break point which had seen Sinner lying flat on the turf earlier in the rally.

The top seed immaculately served it out to love, sealing a two-sets-to-one lead with an ace.

Zverev gamely tried to prolong the contest but his race was run when Sinner broke for a 4-3 advantage in the fourth set.

He wrapped up the title on serve despite a dramatic final game featuring arguably the two best rallies of the match, falling to the turf in celebration after slapping away a forehand winner on his first match point.

AFP