Alex Iwobi, the Super Eagles midfielder, has opened a temporary shop where poor families can get free food for Christmas celebrations.

The shop, named ‘Alexpress’, is situated in Canning Town in East London, the community where the footballer was raised.

The pop-up stall is loaded with various food items stacked neatly in rows, and all offerings have a price tag of £0.

In a chat with the BBC, Iwobi cited his parents as his “role models,” who have inspired him to be altruistic since he was younger.

“This is where I was raised for my primary school education. People, families are going come in. They select a drink and the stuff for the house. There are different foods that they can take, and by the end of it, there is a turkey,” the 28-year-old said.

“‘Alexpress’ is a minimart to try to give out food to families that are not able to get food for Christmas. If I can help them celebrate Christmas, why not?

“Just seeing how my parents are, I have always seen them give back. And with that as my role models, I fill like when I am in a position I am today, or if I was in less position, I would try my best to give back and help the less fortunate and people who are not able to eat.”

The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced today that a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, Max Purcell has been voluntarily suspended for breaking anti-doping rules.

The Australian, who is ranked 12th in the world for doubles, admitted to a breach of the regulations relating to the use of a “prohibited method” and had “requested to enter into a provisional suspension on December 10.”

No other details were divulged.

“Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction,” the ITIA said, with the ban coming into effect on December 12.

Under the suspension, the 26-year-old is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised by any of the sport’s governing bodies or national associations.

It means he will currently not be able to play in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park in January.

Purcell won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title alongside fellow Australian Matt Ebden and the United States Open crown this year, partnered by Jordan Thompson.

Tennis Australia stressed that the breach related to a prohibited method, rather than a prohibited substance.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the breach relates to the use of a prohibited method, rather than the presence of a prohibited substance.

“As the matter is currently under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further at this time,” it said in a statement carried by Australian media.

The ITIA is the same organisation that charged top-ranked Jannik Sinner and world number two Iga Swiatek over breaches of its anti-doping programme.

Italy’s Sinner was exonerated after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

He is currently awaiting the outcome of a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal against the decision.

Swiatek tested positive for a banned heart medication in August.

Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury by unanimous decision to retain his unified heavyweight titles.

The Ukrainian boxer was victorious over Fury for the second time in 2024 as the duo sweated it out at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of Sunday.

Usyk won the bout after all three judges scored it 116-112 in favour of the 37-year-old champion.

Usyk defeated Fury via split decision during their first face-off in May. The loss was the first of the British fighter’s professional career, and Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago.

The rematch went too similarly to the previous fight, with Usyk wearing down his bigger British opponents with the volume of his punches.

Fury’s determination was evident with the power behind his strikes. One of those struck Usyk in the first round and had the Ukrainian rocking for half a second.

Conversely, Usyk followed the game plan that had brought him success in the first fight between the two: plenty of body shots. As the lighter and smaller boxer, he used his advantage to pummel the Briton with speedy punches.

The Ukrainian only got more dominating as the rounds counted on, and Fury’s initial furore was waning. In the sixth round, Usyk landed an overhand left on Fury’s forehead.

The Briton replied in the following round, drawing a wince from Usyk with a sharp lefty hook. But Usyk sensed Fury’s uneasiness and pressed him continuously in the latter rounds.

The victory extends Usyk’s undefeated record to 23 wins in his professional career.