Former Leeds Rhinos captain Stevie Ward has retired from rugby league at just 27 due to the effects of concussions.
The forward, twice a Grand Final winner and a three-time Super League champion overall, sustained head injuries in January and February last year.
Ward says he still suffers daily symptoms and that the concussions "completely derailed plans and my ambitions".
He told Sky Sports News that he has suffered "one of the hardest years I've ever experienced".
Ward said: "[I have experienced] symptoms like migraines every day, balance and dizziness issues, sensitivity to light, screens and slurring my speech sometimes."
In a statement confirming his retirement, Ward said: "I have come to the conclusion, after over 11 months of severe symptoms, that I need to give this injury the respect and time it deserves and cannot put my health and brain to any further risk and detriment.
"I love the game of rugby league. I am immensely proud to have competed on some of the biggest stages next to childhood heroes and test myself to the absolute limit while feeling the incredible buzz from the Leeds fans after being one myself as a youngster.
"I thank every player that I have played with and against, and I am especially grateful for the incredible friendships the sport has given me.
"It is fair to say that my career has been only partly what I envisioned as a young fan stood in the South Stand, but I can honestly say it has surpassed my expectations in terms of how it has shaped me to become the person I am."
Discussions over the long-term effects of head injuries in rugby and football have risen to the fore again in recent weeks.
Temporary substitutions for head injuries are being trialled in some football competitions, including the FA Cup and Premier League. In rugby union, former World Cup winner Steve Thompson, who has early onset dementia and cannot recall winning the global trophy in 2003, is one of eight players reportedly planning to take legal action against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Zidane helps 'loyal' Real Madrid deputy land top job with Balotelli's Swiss team
Zinedine Zidane interrupted his hunt for a top job to give the glowing reference that secured his former Real Madrid assistant a first head coaching role in Switzerland.
David Bettoni has been appointed boss of Sion, the club where Mario Balotelli plays, and that may mean Zidane will be looking for a new second-in-command when he returns to football.
Zidane recently has made no secret of his eagerness to get back into work, having walked away from the Madrid hotseat after the 2020-21 season.
A post with a big club likely awaits the France great, while Bettoni begins his life as a head coach with a ringing endorsement from his friend and former boss.
Bettoni has been appointed on a short-term basis initially, taking the job until the end of the season.
Sion president Christian Constantin told newspaper Le Matin he spent over an hour on the telephone with Zidane, joking that was more than former French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet was willing to give of his time.
Le Graet caused uproar in France at the start of the year when he said he would not even have answered his phone to Zidane if he had called to enquire about the France job. That was after Zidane saw his hopes of being made boss of Les Bleus scuppered by Didier Deschamps signing up for another World Cup cycle.
Constantin said of his chat with Zidane: "It made me very happy to be able to talk about football with him for an hour and a quarter. He had a much better reception with me than with Le Graet!
"He told me how loyal David had been to him, that he had never sought to find fault with him in his mission. Without him, he told me again, I would never have succeeded in doing what I achieved at Real during all his years."
Sion sit ninth in the 10-team Swiss Super League and have not won a game in the competition since October.
Bettoni, who first got to know Zidane when they were teenagers at Cannes, initially joined Madrid when Zidane was in charge of the youth side, before stepping up and helping his compatriot lead Los Blancos to three Champions League triumphs.
Wane to remain England coach despite World Cup semi-final exit
Shaun Wane has signed a new contract with England to remain as head coach until the end of the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.
There was disappointment for England at last year's World Cup on home soil as they lost to Samoa in golden-point extra time to exit the tournament in the semi-finals.
Australia went on to defeat Samoa in the final, with the competition – officially the 2021 edition – having been held one year later than planned due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
But following a thorough review, which included the Rugby Football League (RFL) consulting with senior players, former Wigan Warriors boss Wane will retain his job, with France set to host the next World Cup in 2025.
"The RFL Board received and considered at length a detailed review of the performance of each of the England teams at RLWC2021," RFL chair Simon Johnson said.
"No stone was left unturned in the review, which included submissions from coaches, players and staff alike.
"The report generated a good, robust and lengthy discussion at our February board meeting. We are confident that we have the right people in place."
Former Real Madrid star Marcelo leaves Olympiacos just five months after joining
Real Madrid and Brazil great Marcelo has left Olympiacos just five months after signing for the Greek Super League champions.
The left-back, a five-time Champions League winner, called an end to his glittering Madrid career in September as he joined Olympiacos on a free transfer.
Marcelo made just five appearances in the Greek top flight this term, failing to start in any of those, after signing a reported one-year deal with an option of an additional year extension.
The 34-year-old took to Instagram to confirm he had parted ways with Olympiacos on Saturday.
"I have lived unforgettable moments in Greece, in which I was warmly welcomed to a new home, not only for me, but also for my family," he wrote.
"Piraeus and the people have all my heart and this won't be my last time in this amazing country. I can only express gratitude for wearing the Olympiacos jersey.
"Even though the brief stay, the experience and the friends I made there will be forever marked in my life.
"Today I say goodbye but I'm leaving my affection and respect to the president, my team-mates, all the employees and fans of the club.
"I wish Olympiacos a successful future! Thank you, Olympiacos."
The Greek Super League side added: "The entire Olympiacos family would like to thank @MarceloM12 for his cooperation and presence in Olympiacos.
"The time he stayed with us was brief but enough to create everlasting bonds. He knows that in Greece, in Piraeus he will always have friends!"
Reports suggest retirement is not on the cards for Marcelo, who remains Madrid's most decorated player after the 58-cap Brazil international lifted 25 major trophies with the LaLiga giants.
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