Page 1331 - Sports
Parma docked five points as striker banned for match-fixing
Parma will begin the Serie A season with a five-point deduction after striker Emanuele Calaio's alleged attempt to fix the match that sealed their promotion, the Italian football federation (FIGC) said today. A 2-0 win at Spezia on May 18 saw two-time UEFA Cup winners Parma promoted to the top division just three years after a financial meltdown led to relegation from Serie A and rebirth in the semi-professional Serie D, Italian football's fourth tier. Calaio, 36, has been handed a two-year ban for match-fixing after he sent text messages to a former team-mate that appeared to ask Spezia players not to try too hard. Spezia fans reacted furiously to their team's display after the match, directing particular anger toward former Italian international and ex-Parma player Alberto Gilardino, who smashed a penalty for Spezia high and wide with the hosts still only a goal down. "The tribunal (Italy's National Federal Court) considers proven that Calaio, by sending the messages in ...
Poland's new coach wants to rebuild team slowly
The Polish football team's new chief coach Jerzy Brzeczek on Monday said that he plans to take a step-by-step approach to rebuilding the squad with younger players.
Ozil's resignation sparks Germany racism storm as Ankara cheers
Mesut Ozil's decision to quit playing for Germany unleashed a racism storm in Berlin today, but earned the applause of Ankara with a Turkish minister hailing "a goal against the virus of fascism". After months of silence over a controversial photograph with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May, which sparked questions about his loyalty to Germany, Ozil erupted on Sunday. The Arsenal midfielder posted a stinging four-page statement taking aim at German Football Association (DFB) bosses, sponsors and the media. Ozil, a key member of the squad which won the 2014 World Cup, blamed the DFB management, in particular its president Reinhard Grindel, for failing to side with him against his critics. "In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose," Ozil wrote. The 29-year-old said he was true to both his Turkish and German origins and insisted he did not intend to make a political statement by appearing with Erdogan just before ..
First 4-day match between India A and South Africa A shifted to Bengaluru from Belgaum
The first four-day match between India A and South Africa A has been shifted to Bengaluru from Belagaum due to inclement weather forecast. "The match, which was scheduled to be played at Belgaum next week, has been shifted to Bengaluru due to expected inclement weather conditions," KSCA Spokesperson Vinay Mruthanjaya told PTI here. The first of the two games was scheduled to be played in Belgaum from August 4 to 7 followed by the second one in Bengaluru (August 10-13). But now both the matches will be held here. Mruthunjaya said local grounds men could not prepare the pitch due to incessant weather in Belagaum, forcing BCCI to shift the series opener. "The groundsmen escalated the matter to higher KSCA authorities, who took up the matter with BCCI officials," he said.
Root falls cheaply again in Roses clash ahead of India opener
England captain Joe Root's hopes of spending valuable time in the middle batting against the red ball ahead of next week's first Test against India were dealt another blow today as he again fell cheaply in the Roses match. The only consolation for Root, who fell for three in the second innings of Yorkshire's County Championship clash away to arch-rivals Lancashire, was that he was caught behind off the bowling of England spearhead James Anderson on the second day of four at Old Trafford. In a Roses match where bowlers have been on top, Adam Lyth had earlier fallen for four Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, out for just one as ex-England paceman Graham Onions struck twice. Root had been the first of a trio of world-class batsmen involved in a hat-trick from Lancashire all-rounder Jordan Clark on Sunday when he was lbw for 22. Next ball Clark then had Williamson lbw for a duck before England wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow was caught in the slips. Yorkshire, the White Rose county, .
Halep maintains No.1 spot in world tennis rankings
Romania's Simona Halep maintained her No.1 spot in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings released on Monday, ahead of Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, as the top 10 remained unchanged.
Lunin says very happy to join Real Madrid
Real Madrid's newly-signed goalkeeper Andriy Lunin said on Monday that he is very excited to join the European Champions.
IOA wants equal number of men and women support staff
The Indian Olympic Association has asked the National Sports Federations to nominate equal number of men and women support staff in their respective contingents for the upcoming Asian Games, a top official said today. Out of the 541 athletes cleared so far by the IOA, 297 are men and the remaining 244 are women. The apex body also wants an almost equal number of men and women support staff in the Indian contingent. "Except for a few disciplines, all others have almost equal representation of men and women athletes. In some disciplines (like fencing, basketball and taekwondo), there are only women athletes. So, we want an almost equal number of men and women support staff," IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta told PTI. "It may not be that the number of men and women support staff should be exactly same but it should be nearly same number. The difference should not be much. We have have told this to the NSFs," he added. Mehta said that the total number of officials nominated by the NSFs .
Moscow to host 2019 European Beach Volleyball meet
The Russian capital of Moscow has been selected to host the 2019 Beach Volleyball European Championship, the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) announced on Monday.
Asal, Araby win titles in World Junior Squash as Egypt dominate
In an all-Egyptian final, the second-seeded Mostafa Asal pulled off a stunning win over top seed Marwan Tarek in the men's final to emerge the new champion in the WSF-World Junior Squash Championship (under-19) here today. Asal played confidently to defeat Tarek, the defending champion, 11-7 13-11 11-4 in 45 minutes at the Express Avenue mall, which saw a good turnout. In the women's final, top seed Rowan Redy Araby justified her billing with a straight games win over fellow Egyptian Hania El Hammamy and retained the crown. The No.1 seed began well and took an early lead as the two were involved in a battle of attrition marked by long rallies. Tarek went ahead 5-3 and was beginning to look comfortable before his countryman hit back. After a few long rallies, Asal found himself in front and closed out the opening game, conceding seven points. Tarek seemed intent to wait for his rival to commit mistakes, but that tactic did not work against Asal, who was not only adept in returns but ..
Blasters face Melbourne City in Kochi tourney opener (Preview)
Local favourites Kerala Blasters FC will take on A-League outfit Melbourne City FC in the opening match of the Toyota Yaris LaLiga World football tournament here on Tuesday.
Suspended for dope violation, Punjab keeper Gupta picked for Duleep Trophy
In a faux pas, the BCCI has named Punjab wicket-keeper batsman Abhishek Gupta in the Indian Red squad for Duleep Trophy despite the fact that he is serving a doping ban till September 14. The Duleep Trophy is scheduled to take place from August 17 to September 8. In June, Gupta was handed a retrospective eight-month suspension for an "inadvertent" doping violation. The 27-year-old's suspension started from January 15 and will end on September 14. Gupta had inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance (terbutaline), which can be commonly found in cough syrups, the BCCI had said back in June. The selectors met in Kolkata today to pick the squads for Duleep Trophy. Faiz Fazal will captain India Blue, Abhinav Mukund will lead India Red and Parthiv Patel will skipper India Green. Gupta has played six first-class matches, six List A games and nine T20s.
Ashwin to return to Worcestershire after England Test series
India off-spinner Ravicahndran Ashwin has signed up for Worcestershire and will stay back in England after the Test series to take part in the final two rounds of the County Championship. Ashwin has joined Worcestershire for the final two Specsavers County Championship matches against Essex at Chelmsford and Yorkshire at Blackfinch New Road. According to a statement issued by Worcestershire, the 31-year-old, who has had a stint in Worcestershire, will replace Wayne Parnell as the county's overseas player. Ashwin made a massive impact on and off the field after being signed for the final four Championship matches last summer, helping the county to gain promotion to Division One. He picked up 20 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls and also made crucial runs with the bat batting at number six and averaged 42. Worcestershire have been trying for many months to re-sign Ashwin and have received the green light from the BCCI. Worcestershire CEO Matt Rawnsley, who has played a major role
Russia's high jumper Chicherova applies for neutral status
Olympic 2012 high jump champion Anna Chicherova has submitted an application to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for permission to compete under a neutral status, a spokesperson for Russias governing track and field athletics body said on Monday.
Goalkeeper Adan excited by big move to Atletico
Atletico Madrid's newly-signed goalkeeper Antonio Adan said on Monday that he was excited to make a big move to a top football club, during his presentation at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
Dheeraj to debut as Kerala Blasters FC meet Melbourne City FC in LaLiga World
Young goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem will debut for Kerala Blasters as the ISL side takes on A-League's Melbourne City FC in the opening match of the LaLiga World tournament here tomorrow. Dheeraj, who was one of the standout performers for the India U-17s at the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year, had attended trials outside India. After a trial stint at Scottish club Motherwell FC, Dheeraj trained with English Premier Club Bournemouth before joining Kerala Blasters. The three-team pre-season tournament also features Spanish club Girona FC who will play their first game on Friday against Melbourne City FC. After training in the football loving city of Kochi for the last four days, Melbourne City FC head coach Warren Joyce sounded upbeat. "We will be facing a side that will be playing in front of their home crowd, I am expecting them to come hard at us. The team has had a good couple of days of training and I would like to applaud the facilities here in Kochi which are truly up to ...
Klose predicts Mbappe will beat his World Cup goals record
Miroslav Klose, Germany's all-time leading scorer at World Cups, feels French star Kylian Mbappe can set a new record for goals scored at the tournament.
Sherco TVS Rally Team wins Baja Aragon in Spain
Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team's Michael Metge continued his strong form on Day 3 to win the 35th edition of Baja Aragon here. It is the first time the TVS squad has won the Baja Aragon title. Metge's teammate and brother Adrien also came up with a strong performance to finish third. Indian rider Aishwarya Pissay unfortunately suffered an injury and had to abandon the rally at the start of Day 3. Baja Aragon was an intense experience for the team with multiple ups and downs, however, both the Metge brothers showcased tremendous character. Michael was excellent throughout the Rally, displaying immense professionalism and his performance has boosted the team's spirit," said Team Manager David Casteu. Commenting on his performance, Michael Metge said: "The Baja Aragon is tough and very competitive and I am thrilled to have maintained a consistent performance and finish at the top. This was my first stint with Sherco TVS Factory Rally team and I am grateful to them for the support. The RTR
Indian cyclists denied visa by Swiss embassy for World Junior C'ships
The Switzerland embassy has rejected the visa application of six Indian cyclists ahead of the upcoming World Junior Cycling Championship 2018.The six Indian players who have been denied visas are-- Amar Singh, Bilal Ahmad Dar, Gurpreet Singh, Manoj Sahu, Naman Kapil and Venkappa Shivappa.Citing the reason for the same, the embassy officials stated that 'justification for the purpose, condition and intended stay was not provided' and the information given 'was not reliable.'The officials further stated that 'intention to leave the territory of member states before visa expiry couldn't be ascertained' in the visa application'.Meanwhile, Secretary General of Cycling Federation of India (CFI) Onkar Singh and Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) has written to Swiss Embassy, requesting them to issue the necessary visa to Indian cycling team so that they could participate in the tournament.On a related note, the World Junior Cycling Championship is slated to be held from August 15 to 19.
Dusseldorf sign Watford striker Lukebakio on loan
Fortuna Dusseldorf have signed young striker Dodi Lukebakio on loan from English Premier League (EPL) outfit FC Watford, both football clubs confirmed on Monday.