Page 1508 - Sports
Greece wants bold Merkel embrace of Macron's euro zone plans
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel should be bolder in responding to French proposals to strengthen the euro zone, the Greek finance minister said in interview published on Wednesday, adding that concerns over Italy had highlighted the need to act.
Putin says football remains a non-political sport
Russian president Vladimir Putin, whose country is hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup, insisted on Wednesday, the eve of the competition's opening game, that football remained a non-political sport and that his country was ready to welcome fans from around the world.
Greek club Olympiacos FC signs striker Guerrero
Spanish striker Miguel Angel Guerrero has signed a contract with Olympiacos FC, the Greek League football club announced Wednesday.
FIFA president says 2018 World Cup in Russia to be best in history
FIFA President Gianni Infantino predicted on Wednesday that the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was set to be the best edition of the tournament in history, and emphasised that he had reformed and revived football's governing body after taking the helm two years ago.
Fernando Hierro appointed Spain's new coach
The Spanish football federation, RFEF, on Wednesday named Fernando Hierro as the national squad's new head coach, minutes after the firing of Julen Lopetegui due to the latter's surprise signing for Real Madrid.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says will stand for re-election in 2019
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said today he will stand for re-election as the head of football's world governing body next year. Infantino said earlier that FIFA had been "clinically dead" when he took over in 2016 from long-time president Sepp Blatter who was engulfed by corruption allegations. Two years later, it was "very much alive" and full of "joy", with a clear vision for its future, Infantino said in remarks to the FIFA Congress in Moscow on the eve of the opening match of the 2018 World Cup. Infantino's announcement was widely expected. Blatter is being investigated by Swiss prosecutors for alleged corruption during his 17-year reign at the head of FIFA. Elections that handed the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 have since been the target of allegations of bribery, and hastened the end of Blatter's time in office. He continues to protest his innocence. Infantino has put FIFA on a sound financial footing and made efforts to address allegations that FIFA had become ..
England stars given World Cup security briefing
England's World Cup stars have been given a briefing by security experts on how to stay safe from hackers during the tournament in Russia. Gareth Southgate's players and his coaching staff received advice from GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on how to protect their personal information and possessions. Russian hackers have wreaked havoc with global cyber-attacks in recent years, including targeting top British cyclist Bradley Wiggins, and the English Football Association called in the experts in a bid to avoid any World Cup security breaches. According to a Daily Mail report, protective software has been added to the team's mobile phones and devices which will only be removed on their return to England. During the recent seminar at the FA's headquarters in St George's Park, England's players -- who arrived in Russia on Tuesday -- were advised not to access their online bank accounts while away and to avoid any online activity that could embarrass them if it went public ...
Chhetri named StarPick's brand ambassador
Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri was on Wednesday named brand ambassador of online fantasy sports platform StarPick.
India's selection headaches: Rahul vs Karun, Kuldeep as extra spinner?
The Indian team management will have to choose between opener KL Rahul's red hot form or Karun Nair's skills when it decides on the playing XI for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, starting tomorrow. The match gives the think-tank an opportunity to check on some of the key components in their combination before the series against England. With all three specialist openers Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul reportedly fit (till Wednesday evening), head coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Ajinkya Rahane, along with two selectors (Devang Gandhi and Sarandeep Singh are here), will have their task cut out. During the day's optional practice, senior openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay were rested while both Rahul and Karun sweated it out at the NCA nets. All the bowlers (two frontline pacers Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav along with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja) save Kuldeep Yadav and Navdeep Saini were rested. Ditto for all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The selection .
World Cup 2018: England 'thugs' stopped from going to Russia
Over 1,200 British 'thugs' banned from attending football matches have surrendered their passports ahead of the World Cup in Russia, the UK Home Office said today. Of 1,312 individuals with football banning orders, 1,254 have given up their documents before the tournament, which starts tomorrow. Police say they will continue working to trace the remaining 58. The action would ensure "thugs" would not "ruin the tournament for real fans", the BBC quoted Police Minister Nick Hurd as saying. About 10,000 people from the UK are expected to travel to Russia for the World Cup, it said. In March, English police had to reassure Russian authorities only "genuine fans" would make the journey, after more than 100 supporters were arrested when England played the Netherlands in Amsterdam. There were also violent clashes between Russia and England supporters when the two countries played each other in Marseille at Euro 2016. Police will be deployed at major UK ports during the World Cup to stop ...
We cannot take Afghanistan lightly: Rahane
India will not take spin-heavy Afghanistan lightly, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane said ahead of their one-off Test here on Thursday.
Players to watch at 2018 FIFA World Cup
There are plenty of outstanding footballers whose skills will be on display at this summer's 2018 FIFA World Cup, in addition to the obvious superstars like Argentina's Lionel Messi, Portugal's Cristiano Ronald and Brazil's Neymar.
Spain name Fernando Hierro as coach for World Cup
Spain on Wednesday named federation sporting director Fernando Hierro as its World Cup coach to replace Julen Lopetegui, who was sensationally sacked after his appointment as Real Madrid manager. "Fernando Hierro will assume coaching responsibilities at the World Cup in Russia," the Spanish football federation announced. The 50-year-old Hierro's only real coaching experience came when he was in charge of second division Spanish outfit Oviedo for one season.
'Ruthless' India won't take Afghanistan lightly: Rahane
Despite Afghanistan playing only their first-ever Test match from Thursday, stand-in Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane has said his side will not going to take the visitors lightly.Afghanistan, who have fast established themselves as a force to reckon with in the shorter formats, will become the 12th side to feature in men's Test cricket after Ireland debuted against Pakistan last month.Both Ireland and Afghanistan were granted Full Member and Test status last June.Speaking on the eve of their historic one-off Test match against Afghanistan, Rahane said that as a team they would try to be ruthless, but could not take their opponents lightly even if it is the tourists' first game on the big stage."We are not going to take Afghanistan lightly. They have a decent team... bowlers [are good]. As a Test team we cannot take anyone for granted because cricket is a funny game. We want to go out there and be ruthless," Rahane said."We are going to focus on our strengths, our positives. We are not ..
Spain sacks coach Lopetegui ahead of World Cup
Just a day after being appointed as new Real Madrid manager, Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as the boss of the Spain football team.The axing came a day before the commencement of the FIFA World Cup, where Spain will lock horns with Portugal in their opening clash in Russia on Friday.Lopetegui was roped in as Zinedine Zidane's successor at the Real Madrid in a three-year deal and, that he would take over the reins following the World Cup.However, Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales confirmed that they have decided to sack Lopetegui on the eve of the showpiece event."We have decided to fire the national coach. What we have achieved in getting here is due in great part to him, and we must thank him and wish him luck," goal.com quoted Rubiales, as saying.Rubiales further lashed out at Real Madrid for not speaking to Lopetegui without their consultation."Real Madrid look for the best coach, that is fine by me. I have no opinion about how Real Madrid act. But the federation
Windies look to pocket series in second Test vs Sri Lanka (Preview)
Fresh from a 226-run win in the first Test, the West Indies will aim to pocket the three-match rubber when they take on a depleted Sri Lanka in the second match at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium here from Thursday.
Sri Lanka's Mathews, Gamage out of West Indies tour
All-rounder Angelo Mathews and fast bowler Lahiru Gamage have returned home from Sri Lanka's tour of the West Indies, the cricket board said Wednesday, adding to the country's woes after losing the first Test. Gamage fractured a finger batting in the first Test which Sri Lanka lost on Sunday, said a board statement. Mathews withdrew due to a "personal reason", it added. Dasun Shanaka and Danushka Gunathilaka will leave on Wednesday to join the squad for the remaining two Tests. Sri Lanka are already missing opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who fractured a finger while batting in the nets. The second Test starts on Thursday in Saint Lucia.
Like-minded Maguire hopes to end England fans' misery
England defender Harry Maguire insists he will do everything possible to bring some cheer to long-suffering fans having experienced the frustrations of following the Three Lions from the stands at Euro 2016. Maguire travelled with a group of friends and family to watch a 0-0 stalemate with Slovakia in St. Etienne in France two years ago when playing for Hull in the Championship. "It's a trip that costs a lot of money and it's good to know I've experienced that because I've seen the passion that the fans show and what it means to everyone," said Maguire before England landed in their World Cup base in Repino, just outside St Petersburg on Tuesday. "All I can say is we are going to go there and try to be a success." His presence then was barely noticed by the England faithful. But after starring for Hull in his debut Premier League season in 2016/17, a 17 million (USD23 million) move to Leicester last summer provided the platform to force his way into the national team. "I had a few ...
2026 FIFA World Cup awarded to US, Mexico, Canada
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the President of the global football association announced here on Wednesday.
Prajnesh shocks Shapovalov in Stuttgart
Indian Davis Cupper Prajnesh Gunnewaran today earned the biggest win of his career by stunning world number 23 Denis Shapovalov in the opening round of the ATP Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart. The left-handed Indian shocked the Canadian sixth seed 7-6(6) 2-6 6-3 in the opening round of the Euro 729,340 grass court event. Prajnesh, who had won the decisive fifth rubber against Yibing Wu in the Davis Cup tie against China, has been in good nick in the last few months, winning his maiden ATP Challenger tournament. Two days back, he touched his career-best rank of 169 in singles. He next faces Argentina's world number 75 Guido Pella and may run into legendary Roger Federer in the quarter-finals. The Indian singles player have made their presence felt on the Tour with their big wins, of late. Yuki Bhambri had got the better of world number 12 Lucas Pouille in March at the Indian Wells Masters. In August 2017, Bhambri had beaten World No. 22 and Citi Open defending champion Gael Monfils and in ...