Page 878 - Sports

BEML receives order worth Rs 3015 crore for Mumbai Metro

For supply and commissioning of 378 metro coaches

Mitchell Starc replaces Billy Stanlake for final T20I against India

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has replaced right-arm bowler Billy Stanlake ahead of the last T20I against India in the ongoing three-match series.Stanlake has been ruled out of the final match due to an ankle injury which he had sustained during a warm-up session. The pacer also had to miss the second T20I because of the injury.Australian skipper Aaron Finch has backed Starc for the last T20I saying that the bowler has got enough experience in the limited-over format to give a dominant performance."(Starc has) got so much experience in the limited-overs games as well and we've seen how dominant he can be when he gets it right with the ball," Cricket.com.au quoted Finch, as saying."We'll have a look at the wicket this afternoon and discuss the side but coming straight off a Shield game with an eye on the first Test, his preparations will be really good," he added.India are currently trailing the three-match series 1-0 against Australia. After losing the first T20I by four runs in ...

Valverde says he would not trade league loss at Wanda for UCL win in June

In the lead up to the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid showdown, Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has fielded an interesting question from the press.

Atletico coach praises goalkeeper Oblak ahead of Barça clash

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has said that goalkeeper Jan Oblak is important for the team heading into this weekend's upcoming La Liga clash with defending champions Barcelona.

Croatia win 1st point in Davis Cup final over France

Croatia won the first point in the Davis Cup final after Borna Coric defeated Jeremy Chardy of France 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes.

Real Madrid deny Sergio Ramos' failed doping test

Real Madrid have denied the failed doping test allegations levelled on captain Sergio Ramos.The Spanish footballer was, reportedly, tested positive for a banned substance dexamethasone following a urine test by the defender, prior to the 2017 Champions League final against Juventus.Terming the reports of doping breach as "insubstantial" in nature, the club stated that they will not address the evidence presented."Sergio Ramos has never breached anti-doping control regulations. UEFA requested timely information and closed the matter immediately, as is usual in these cases, after verification by the experts from the World Anti-Doping Agency, AMA, and of UEFA itself," the club's statement read."Regarding the rest of the content of the aforementioned publication, the club will not address evidence of such an insubstantial nature," the statement added.Union of European Football Association [UEFA] also issued a statement in the matter where it completely denied the allegations."UEFA ...

PSG to face disciplinary board for racial profiling

Paris Saint-Germain is facing possible disciplinary action by the French league for its scouts' use of racial profiling. The French Football Federation ethics board said after hearings on Friday with PSG director general Jean-Claude Blanc and others that it decided to forward the case to the French league's disciplinary commission. The federation's statement said the hearings established "that files mentioning an ethnic origin were indeed used in PSG recruitment cells until 2018." But the ethics board also backed PSG's position that there was no proven case of discrimination. French law prohibits the collection of personal data that shows the racial or ethnic origins of individuals. PSG has acknowledged that forms with "illegal content were used between 2013 and 2018." But it declined responsibility for implementing the policy after the Mediapart news website reported that, up until this year, scouts were asked by PSG to mention the origin of possible recruits according to four ...

Real Madrid denies Ramos breached anti-doping rules

Real Madrid has denied Sergio Ramos broke anti-doping rules as suggested by German magazine Der Spiegel in the latest "Football Leaks" revelations. The magazine reported Ramos failed a doping test after the Champions League final against Juventus in 2017, and that the Madrid captain did not follow proper procedures when asked to take a test after a Spanish league match in April this year. Madrid said in a statement on Friday "Ramos has never breached anti-doping regulations." It said "UEFA requested specific information and immediately closed the case referred to, as is customary in such instances, following tests carried out by experts from the World Anti-Doping Agency and UEFA itself." UEFA also released a statement, saying it "strongly and categorically refutes unfounded allegations it has covered up positive doping results." It added: "All UEFA doping control cases are conducted in full compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency Code. UEFA has informed both WADA and FIFA of all .

Guardiola rules out January signings despite Mendy injury

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City will not be making any signings in January, effectively ruling out buying a short-term replacement for the injured Benjamin Mendy. Guardiola believes his squad is strong enough to get through to the end of the season, despite the injury absences of Mendy, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and back-up goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Belgian playmaker De Bruyne and Portuguese midfielder Silva are likely to be available for the Premier League leaders within the next 10 days but Mendy will be out for up to 12 weeks after having surgery on meniscus damage in his left knee. Asked whether he might be tempted to sign a replacement for Mendy in January, Guardiola said, "No. We are not going to spend anything (in January). I am so happy with the squad, people are coming back, so no." Guardiola's comments also signal that any move for Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong will wait until the end of the season. De Jong, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad ...

Denayer sends Lyon second by clinching tense derby win

Centre-back Jason Denayer headed home a second-half winner as 10-man Lyon edged to a 1-0 derby win over bitter rivals Saint-Etienne on Friday to take second place in Ligue 1. A largely disappointing game was decided by Denayer 62-minute header from a Memphis Depay corner, with the hosts holding on late in the second half after Rafael was dismissed with 20 minutes remaining. Former Manchester United full-back Rafael ensured a nervy ending for Lyon as he was handed a straight red card for a lunging tackle on Yann M'Vila. Home goalkeeper Anthony Lopes made an excellent late save from Remy Cabella as Lyon extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches. Coach Bruno Genesio will now turn his attentions towards Tuesday's crucial Champions League group match against Manchester City at the Groupama Stadium. Runaway league leaders Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to extend their 100 percent start to the campaign against Toulouse at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, although ..

Coric, Cilic put Croatia on brink of Davis Cup title

Croatia moved to the brink of a second Davis Cup title on Friday as straight-set victories for Marin Cilic and Borna Coric gave them a 2-0 lead over reigning champions France in the final. The visitors were dominant throughout the day in front of a capacity crowd at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille as Yannick Noah's France failed make the most of home advantage and the clay court. Coric got Croatia off to the best possible start with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 thrashing of Jeremy Chardy, who was a surprise selection by Noah ahead of Benoit Paire and Lucas Pouille, the highest-ranked member of the French squad. World number seven Cilic then made short work of an injury-hit Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who needed to take a medical timeout during the third set before succumbing 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. "I didn't lose my serve in the match and I played outstanding tennis throughout," said Cilic. "I am able to play all three days. I often play all three days in Davis Cup. We will see with the captain (Zeljko ...

Casillas behind anti-De Gea campaign, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has reopened his feud with former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas on Friday after claiming he is behind a campaign to oust David de Gea from the national team. The Manchester United stopper came in for renewed criticism last week following Spain's 3-2 Nations League defeat to Croatia, which cost them a place in the semi-finals and led to Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga taking his place for the subsequent friendly win over Bosnia on Sunday. But Mourinho hinted his former Real Madrid stopper Casillas, who has been linked with a possible return to international duty, is behind a media-driven campaign to drive the United player out of the Spain team. "Why (is there) criticism in Spain? Do you know?" said Mourinho. "I know. It is because there is somebody very powerful that is thinking about 'jumping' again but I think it's very difficult to jump when you have the best goalkeeper in the world in front of you." De Gea was among a number of leading Spanish internationals whose ...

Injured Ngidi ruled out of Pakistan series

Leading South African bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the upcoming home series against Pakistan owing to a knee injury.The 22-year-old had sustained the injury during the T20I against Australia last Sunday. The further check-up revealed that he has a ligament injury in the right knee.Confirming the same, South Africa's team manager Mohammed Moosajee stated that the pacer needs rest for 12 weeks to make a successful return."Lungi fell awkwardly while fielding during the T20I against Australia last Sunday. He underwent investigations and further assessments with knee specialists upon his return to South Africa, which revealed a significant ligament injury to the right knee," ESPNcricinfo quoted Moosajee, as saying."Due to the significant nature of the injury, he will require a minimum of 12 weeks of rest and rehabilitation to make a successful return to play," he added.The right-arm bowler, following his injury, was also ruled out from the ongoing Mzansi Super League where he ..

Mourinho reveals Lukaku mission amid striker's struggles

Jose Mourinho has revealed he travelled to Belgium last week to try and get to the bottom of Romelu Lukaku's dramatic loss of form for Manchester United. The United manager attended Belgium's international victory over Iceland in Brussels even though neither of his players, Lukaku or Marouane Fellaini, were in action for Roberto Martinez's side in the Nations League game. But Mourinho has explained that his visit was for the express purpose of supporting Lukaku after the striker's recent alarming dip in form for his club side. "I went (to) fundamentally be with Lukaku ... to see his situation, his injury," said the 55-year-old. Lukaku, 25, has failed to score for United since September 15 -- 10 matches in all competitions -- and lost his place in the starting line-up for United's past four matches. "Roberto invited me to meet him which I decided not to because I don't like to disturb people before matches," added Mourinho. "But I was with Roberto on the phone ... trying to understand .

It was the right time to retire: Drogba

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, who drew curtains on his 20-year-old illustrious football career, termed it a right decision and not something 'to be regretful about'.Speaking to ANI in the National Capital, Drogba said, "It was the right time, I spent many years playing at a high level, scored a lot of goals and won a lot of trophies. For the last two years, it was a chance to give something back to the youngsters."The Ivory Coast striker had two spells at Chelsea, most notably from 2004-2012, scoring 164 goals in 381 games, and winning four Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in 2012. He spent the last 18 months of his career with the United States based football side Phoenix Rising FC, the club he co-owns.The 40-year-old further indicated that he might take up coaching in the days to come."Yes, I might. If you look at Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, or even my former teammate Frank Lampard, they all are coaches now and are doing well. John Terry is also the assistant ...

Australia fined for maintaining slow-over rate in first T20 against India

Australia have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first T20 International against India in Brisbane. Jeff Crowe of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the fine after Aaron Finch's side was ruled to be one over short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration. Australia won the opening T20 by four runs on Wednesday while the second one on Friday was called off due to rain. "In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount," said the ICC in a statement. Finch has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while his players have received 10 per cent fines. If Australia commit another minor over-rate breach in a T20I within 12 months of this offence with Finch as captain, it will be deemed a ...

ISL: Incredible NorthEast bury Kerala at the death

NorthEast United FC scripted a stirring late comeback to stun Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Friday.

Real Madrid coach praises F1 driver Alonso

Real Madrid's Argentine coach Santiago Solari on Friday praised Spanish Formula 1 (F1) driver Fernando Alonso, who is to retire from after the upcoming season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Man City defender Mendy 'could be out for 12 weeks'

Benjamin Mendy will be out of action for up to 12 weeks after having surgery on a knee injury, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday. The France defender suffered the problem after City's 3-1 victory over neighbours Manchester United on November 11 and travelled to Barcelona last week for an operation. Mendy has not suffered a repeat of the cruciate ligament damage in his right knee that forced him to miss much of last season and threatened his participation at the World Cup with France. This time, the left-back has suffered an injury to his meniscus in his left knee, although Guardiola says he does not expect the full-back to play again before late February. "It's 10 to 12 weeks," said Guardiola, who also confirmed that Bernardo Silva would not be fit to play in Saturday's Premier League match at West Ham. The playmaker picked up a knock on international duty with Portugal. He may also miss City's Champions League clash at Lyon next week. "He (Silva) cannot play this ..

Hockey World Cup: India beat Argentina 5-0 in warm-up

Indian hockey team geared up for the men's World Cup with a 5-0 thrashing of reigning Olympic champions Argentina in its first warm-up match here on Friday. Harmanpreet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Dilpreet, Nilakanta Sharma and Hardik Singh were the scorers for the Indian team, while Argentina drew a blank. The first and third goals were penalty corner conversions, while the rest were field goals. "I think we played well in patches. I'm happy we scored goals, the two PC goals and the field goals. But we broke the structure and Argentina took control which is not acceptable but the boys have understood," India coach Harendra Singh said after the match. "For any tournament, it is important to start on a good note and I should give compliment to my boys. Practice matches give you confidence. We tried couple of things and I am happy, especially the way midfielder created the opportunities. We always look for striker to get us the goal but today midfielders created the goals." "If you see the ..