Page 1530 - Sports
Switzerland: A talented squad with a tough draw (Team Profile)
Switzerland fans have waited a long time to see their expectations exceeded at a major tournament. And while the team appears good enough on paper to progress to the knockout stages in Russia, a tough draw makes that a trickier prospect than it might have been.
Has the time come for Belgium's golden generation? (Team Profile)
After a disappointing quarter-final defeat to minnows Wales at Euro 2016, Belgium's golden generation now have another, possibly final chance to fulfil their potential at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Spain coach Lopetegui enjoying pre-World Cup nerves
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has admitted that he had a touch of nerves in an interview published in the Spanish media on the day his side flew to Russia to continue their preparations for the FIFA World Cup.
South Korea aim to overachieve at Russia 2018 (Team Profile)
All teams have ambitions to go as far as possible at the FIFA World Cup, but there are always teams who don't have much of a chance.
Abidal named new Barcelona technical secretary
FC Barcelona have confirmed that former star Eric Abidal will replace Robert Fernandez as the club's new first team technical secretary after deciding not to extend Robert's contract, which expires on June 30.
Neymar will be welcome at Real Madrid, says Marcelo
Brazil and Real Madrid full-back Marcelo has said that his national teammate Neymar would be welcome at the Spanish club, should he decide to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Bolt continues pursuit of professional football career
The world's fastest man Usain Bolt said that he still hopes to play professional football in big clubs although he has got many offers from small division teams.
Ghana dissolves football association over corruption allegations
The Ghanaian government has dissolved its football association and suspended the local premier league with immediate effect, Isaac Kwame Asiamah, the Minister for Youth and Sports, said.
Haryana govt seeks share of athletes' earnings
In an unprecedented move, the Haryana government has directed sportspersons employed with it to deposit one-third of their earnings from commercial and professional commitments to the state sports council, drawing sharp criticism from the athletes. "One-third of the income earned by the sportsperson from professional sports or commercial endorsements will be deposited with the Haryana State Sports Council. The money shall be used for the development of sports in the State," said the notification issued by Principal Secretary (Sports and Youth Department), Ashok Khemka. Khemka had hit the headlines during his stint as head of land registration department by alleging irregularities in land deals involving Robert Vadra a few years ago. "In case the sportsperson is treated on duty with the prior approval of the competent authority while taking part in professional sports or commercial endorsements, the full income earned by the sportsperson on this account will be deposited with the ...
Vani finishes Round 1 at Viaplay Ladies Finnish Open
Indian woman golfer Vani Kapoor, competing in the Viaplay Ladies Finnish Open as part of the Ladies European Tour (LET) Access Series, played at the Messila Golf Club, Finland, on Thursday and finished the first round tied at the 22nd position with a score of 3 over par (75 - 72).The day was led by Laura Fuenfstuek of Germany, who shot a score of 4 under par (68-72) to finish on top of the leaderboard. The current cut at the end of round 2 is expected to be at 5 over par (Cut by top 45 players + ties).The Viaplay Ladies Finnish open has prize money of 40,000 euros for the winner and will conclude on Saturday.Vani is the only Indian selected for the LET this season and is hopeful for winning a medal on her international stint, bringing laurels to the country.Her upcoming tournaments include the Czech Ladies Challenge 2018 and Belfius Ladies Open 2018.
Nigeria optimistic about World Cup despite poor warm-up
In spite of recent poor performances in international friendlies against England and the Czech Republic, Nigeria are confident of a rebound heading into the 2018 FIFA World Cup, an official has said.
Man Utd bound Fred injured in Brazil training
Brazil suffered an injury scare during their pre-World Cup camp here when midfielder Fred left a training session early with an ankle problem.
Delhi Dynamos sign striker Lahlimpuia
Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos have bolstered their attack with the signing of young Daniel Lahlimpuia for a two-year tenure. The 20-year-old forward, who was plying his trade with Bengaluru FC for the last three years, started his career with the Chandigarh Football Academy back in 2007, before moving to the AIFF Elite Academy in 2013 where he spent two years. The striker from Mizoram was also part of the Chennaiyin FC squad back in ISL Season 3. I am delighted to sign for Delhi Dynamos. The club's ethos is based on giving young players a chance and I feel at this stage of my career it is the ideal step for me. I want to contribute to the success of the club in the coming years, Lahlimpuia said. Lahlimpuia played a pivotal role in Bengaluru FC's AFC Cup campaign over the years helping them reach the finals, while also leading the side to the next round this year. The striker has been rewarded for his consistent performances by the national team as well, making his debut in ...
Chhetri thanks football fans for overwhelming support
Indian football team skipper Sunil Chhetri has welcomed the overwhelming fan support from across the country after his emotional message on social media urging to back the team up went viral.
Dighe quits as Mumbai coach after just one season
Former India stumper Sameer Dighe has resigned as Mumbai's chief coach after being at the helm for just one season due to personal reasons, forcing the multiple-time champions to search for a new coach. Dighe, who played six Tests and 23 ODIs for India between 2001-02, took over the role at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season. He, however, refused to extend his contract after his tenure ended recently. The contract with Dighe was for a year. His contract had ended. We (Mumbai Cricket Association) asked him whether he wanted to continue (with the job) but he said that due to some family issues, he did not want to continue. Yes, we will appoint a new coach , an MCA office-bearer told PTI on condition of anonymity. The 49-year-old Dighe took over Mumbai team's coaching job from another former India wicket-keeper Chandrakant Pandit. But under Dighe, the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions were knocked out it the quarter-final last season by Karnataka. Mumbai then made to the knock-out ...
Individual errors cost us, admits Constantine after NZ defeat
India's chief coach Stephen Constantine has blamed "individual errors" as the reason behind the hosts' 1-2 defeat against New Zealand in the Intercontinental Cup football tournament here. The Sunil Chhetri-led India scored resounding 5-0 and 3-0 wins over Chinese Taipei and Kenya before producing a below-par performance to slump to its first defeat in the tournament yesterday. And Constantine said silly individual errors cost India the match. Look, whenever you win two games 5-0, 3-0, maybe you get a little-bit carried away. New Zealand were a young and disciplined side, they played quite well. We made some mistakes. We didn't start off as we did in the previous two games. We scored first and we let two silly goals in. Individual errors cost us today," the coach told reporters last night. "This is part of the learning process. We are not going to beat every team 3-0. The Englishman made as many as seven changes to India's starting line-up yesterday and he said it was pre-planned ...
World Cup match official resigns after cash sting revealed
A World Cup assistant referee resigned from duty after being caught taking a USD 600 cash payment in an undercover television sting. Aden Range Marwa of Kenya told FIFA he would not go to Russia, the world soccer body said yesterday. FIFA said it passed details of Marwa's case and others linked to misconduct in a Ghanaian journalist's documentary to its "investigatory and judicial bodies to follow up." The Kenyan official, who was approved by FIFA for international games since 2008, was filmed taking the cash at an African continental tournament in footage in released yesterday by BBC Africa. FIFA's code of ethics prohibits officials taking cash gifts. The investigation was led by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and also implicated Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi, an elected member of FIFA's ruling council, in taking cash gifts. Marwa is the second World Cup match official implicated in corruption among more than 100 referees and assistants trained by FIFA for more .
Nigeria drop to 48th in FIFA rankings ahead of World Cup
Nigeria have dropped to 48th in the FIFA's global rankings in June, a week away from the start of 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Ghana FA dissolved, risks FIFA ban ahead of 2026 World Cup vote
Ghana risks being suspended from the 2026 World Cup hosting vote by FIFA after its government said yesterday it had disbanded the national soccer federation amid allegations of "widespread" corruption made in an undercover documentary. The allegations implicated, among others, the federation president, who is a member of the FIFA Council. Ghana was expected to vote for fellow African country Morocco next Wednesday in Moscow against the joint World Cup bid of the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Ghana government said the documentary had exposed "widespread fraud, corruption and bribery" at the Ghana Football Association. The government had taken "immediate steps to have the GFA dissolved," it said in a statement from the Ministry of Information, and would inform FIFA and the Confederation of African Football of its decision. It also invited police to investigate the officials accused of wrongdoing, which included GFA president and FIFA Council member Kwesi Nyantakyi and the acting
Latin American fans top global demand for Russia World Cup tickets
Latin American fans are leading global demand for tickets to the World Cup in Russia, football governing body FIFA has said.