Tirana: Albania defeated Poland 2-0 here to move top of qualifying Group E and take a big step towards qualifying for Euro 2024.
Albania broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Jasir Asani scored after good work from Elseid Hysaj, reports Xinhua.
In the 62nd minute, Mirlind Daku made sure of the points with Albania’s second goal.
With Sunday’s result, Albania now lead Group E with 10 points, followed by the Czech Republic and Moldova on eight points respectively. Poland are languishing in fourth place after the defeat with six points, while the Faroe Islands are propping up the group with a single point.&nbsp;
—IANS

Albania defeated Poland 2-0 here to move top of qualifying Group E and take a big step towards qualifying for Euro 2024.

Albania defeat Poland in Euro 2024 qualifiers

Los Angeles: Filmmaker Taika Waititi’s new film ‘Next Goal Wins’ is based on the true story of the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. Their story was immortalised in the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison.  Waititi has admitted that he took some creative liberties in adapting the story for the screen, reports Variety. “I had to twist the truth,” he told the audience before the world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. “Otherwise, watch the documentary.”  ‘Next Goal Wins’ picks up with the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, as the team hires down-on-his-luck coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) in the hopes he will turn around their bleak track record.
Waititi, who was last at the festival with 2019’s Oscar-winner ‘Jojo Rabbit’, said that the film is about finding your family. “Sometimes it doesn’t need to be related by blood,” he said, adding in a sing-songy voice: “Find your tribe.”  As per Variety, Will Arnett, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo and Lehi Falepapalangi round out the cast, but none of the stars were able to attend the festival because of the twin labour strikes that have left actors and screenwriters on the picket lines.  Instead, Waititi was joined by the real-life inspiration for Fassbender’s character as well as Jaiyah Saelua, who is portrayed by Kaimana and serves as the heart of the film. She’s a fa?afafine, a third gender in Polynesian society, and is the first openly non-binary and trans woman to compete in the FIFA World Cup. They were greeted at the Princess of Wales Theater with a heartfelt standing ovation.  “I’m really satisfied with Kaimana’s performance,” Saelua said. But, she admits, it was surreal to watch her story told in a movie. “It was hard for me to separate the documentary from Taika’s hybrid version. We understand he will do as he pleases.”  Waititi chimed in: “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!”
—IANS

Filmmaker Taika Waititi’s new film ‘Next Goal Wins’ is based on the true story of the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 

Taika Waititi says he has ‘twisted the truth’ in ‘Next Goal Wins’

Madrid: Real Madrid rallied from behind to preserve their perfect record, securing the top spot in La Liga after a tight 2-1 victory at home against Real Sociedad. Fede Valverde equalized Ander Barrenetxea's fourth-minute opener for the visitors with a robust shot from outside the penalty area just as the second half began. Joselu clinched the match for Real Madrid on the hour mark with a commanding header following Fran Garcia's run and cross from the left. Meanwhile, the visitors rued Take Kubo's first-half strike, which would have given them a 2-0 lead, being disallowed due to Mikel Oyarzabal's positional offside. Villarreal also rebounded from an early deficit to triumph 2-1 at home against Almeria in Jose Rojo 'Pacheta's' managerial debut. Sergio Akieme bypassed the offside trap to put Almeria in the lead in the 44th minute, but Gerard Moreno equalized from close range just before halftime. Almeria squandered numerous opportunities to seal the win and were punished when Alexander Sorloth netted the winner for Villarreal in injury time. Getafe edged out Osasuna 3-2 in a thrilling home match. Stefan Mitrovic and Jose Angel Carmona twice gave Getafe the lead with headers, but Iker Munoz and Ante Budimir responded for Osasuna, with Budimir converting a penalty. Nemanja Maksimovic's header in the 86th minute ensured Getafe's victory, and Mason Greenwood made a cameo appearance in the 77th minute. Sevilla's Dodi Lukebakio came off the bench to score the match's lone goal, granting Sevilla their inaugural points of the season with a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas. However, the highlight was Sergio Ramos donning a Sevilla jersey, nearly two decades after his departure to Real Madrid.
—IANS

Real Madrid rallied from behind to preserve their perfect record, securing the top spot in La Liga after a tight 2-1 victory at home against Real Sociedad

Real Madrid fight back to defeat Real Sociedad in La Liga

Manchester (UK): Manchester City began the defence of our UEFA Champions League trophy with a 3-1 victory over Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) on the opening night, here at the Etihad Stadium.
Champions League holders had to come from behind but a classy second-half display with Julian Alvarez’s brace and Rodrigo’s strike and earned the win against the Serbian champions on Tuesday night.
Red Star initially took the lead on the brink of half-time when Osman Bukari’s goal was awarded following a VAR check for offside. Erling Haaland headed against the crossbar and visiting goalkeeper Omri Glazer made a string of saves before Bukari ran through to beat Ederson for a shock lead.
However, Alvarez had City on level terms just 73 seconds into the second period before his free-kick on the hour – intended more as a cross than a shot – beat everyone and completed the turnaround. Then, Rodrigo, who scored the winner in June’s final, made the game safe with a cultured finish in the 73rd minute.
City have now gone 27 Champions League home games since their last Etihad defeat – a run stretching all the way back to September 2018.
Notably, Glazer made 13 saves, the first time a goalkeeper has made ten or more saves in a Champions League match since Kamil Grabara for Copenhagen in October 2022, also against Manchester City.
—IANS

Manchester City began the defence of our UEFA Champions League trophy with a 3-1 victory over Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade

Champions League: Manchester City begins title defence with 3-1 comeback win over Red Star

Madrid: Real Sociedad drew 1-1 at home to last season’s beaten Champions League finalists Inter Milan, in a game they might have won with ease but ended up clinging on for a point.
Real Sociedad opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the game when Brais Mendez curled home a left-foot shot after Ander Barrenetxea’s powerful effort bounced back to him off the post, reports Xinhua.
The San Sebastian side, with Barrenetxea and Takefusa Kubo both active down the wings, were in complete control of the game and both Robin Le Normand and Kieran Tierney had chances to add to the score before Mikel Oyarzabal hit the crossbar, although the chance was ruled out for offside.
Oyarzabal had a good chance early in the second half after Le Normand’s flick following a set-piece, but his header went straight at Inter keeper Yann Sommer.
Le Normand then saw a header graze the top of the Inter crossbar, before last season’s runners-up began to show some of their football.
The last 10 minutes saw Inter finally begin to attack, while Real Sociedad began to think about protecting rather than extending their lead, and the home side paid for that when Lautaro Martinez popped up at the far post to equalize in the 87th minute.
The Inter striker had been almost invisible until his goal, but from that moment, the Italians were in control and La Real had to cling on for a draw.
Europa League champions Sevilla began their Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to French side Lens in their difficult qualifying group.
Lucas Ocampos opened the scoring for Sevilla with a powerful header from an Ivan Rakitic cross in the ninth minute, but the home side’s advantage didn’t last long.
Angelo Fulgini leveled for Lens in the 24th minute with a thundering free kick, which Sevilla keeper Marco Dmitrovic got his fingertips to but was unable to keep out.
Lens keeper Brice Samba then made two fine saves to deny Ocampos and Youssef En-Nesyri to keep the score level before the break.
Mariano Diaz had a good chance for Sevilla in the last minute, but sent his shot high over the crossbar.
Earlier in the evening, Jude Bellingham scored in the 94th minute to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win at home to Union Berlin.
Madrid had a hatful of chances and took 16 corners, but it wasn’t until virtually the last action that the England international was able to score following a penalty area scramble.
—IANS

Real Sociedad drew 1-1 at home to last season’s beaten Champions League finalists Inter Milan, in a game they might have won

Real Madrid win, Sevilla, Real Sociedad draw in Champions League openers

Bhubaneswar: Chennaiyin FC suffered a 0-2 loss against Odisha FC in their opening match of the Indian Super League 2023-24 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
Jerry Mawihmingthanga scored the opening goal of the match in the 44th minute while Diego Mauricio (62nd) added the second goal for Odisha FC.
Chennaiyin FC created several goal-scoring opportunities but missed the finishing touch. One of such chances came in the 21st minute when Rafael Crivellaro’s strike was blocked by the opponent goalkeeper from the close distance. The visitors had almost opened their account in the 43rd minute but Connor Shields couldn’t manage to convert a brilliant cross from Aakash Sangwan. Later, Farukh Choudhary’s header went over the bar six minutes before the end.
Earlier, both sides continued their hunt for the opener relentlessly after a short interval due to rain. Chennaiyin goalkeeper Samik Mitra denied Odisha the lead in the 23rd minute with a brilliant save to keep out Isak Vanlalruatfela’s left-footed shot from the centre of the box.
However, Mawihmingthanga put the hosts in the lead just before the half-time whistle when he guided Amey Ranawade pass to the bottom left corner with a left-footed strike.
Odisha doubled their lead in the 62nd minute with Mauricio getting his name on the scoresheet.
Chennaiyin will next face NorthEast United FC in their second game of the season in Guwahati on September 29 while Odisha is scheduled to play a home game against Mumbai City FC on September 28.
—IANS

Chennaiyin FC suffered a 0-2 loss against Odisha FC in their opening match of the Indian Super League 2023-24 at the Kalinga Stadium

ISL 2023-24: Chennaiyin FC suffers 0-2 loss against Odisha FC

Madrid: Alvaro Morata netted twice as Atletico Madrid capitalized on defensive lapses to defeat Real Madrid 3-1 in the Madrid derby.  All three of Atletico's goals originated from crosses on their left side, exposing Madrid's central defenders who failed to effectively mark inside their penalty box, reports Xinhua.  This loss sees Real Madrid drop to third in La Liga. FC Barcelona now sits at the top, while Girona climbs to second place.
Atletico opened the scoring early, with Alvaro Morata converting a deft header from Samuel Lino's cross in the fourth minute. Antoine Griezmann then extended the lead in the 16th minute, powering a header home from a Saul delivery.  Saul had a chance to make it three shortly after, but Kepa Arrizabalaga made a swift save from Nahuel Molina's pass.  However, one can never count Real Madrid out. Toni Kroos fired a potent low shot from outside the box in the 36th minute, pulling one back for the visitors.  Real Madrid seemed to have the momentum as the first half concluded, but their resurgence was halted by another defensive lapse just after halftime. Atletico exploited the left flank once more, with Saul providing the cross for Morata to head in his second.  Following their third goal, Atletico adopted a more defensive stance, forcing Real Madrid to attempt shots from distance. The match concluded with Jude Bellingham fortunate to escape a red card after a rough tackle on Angel Correa.
—IANS

Alvaro Morata netted twice as Atletico Madrid capitalized on defensive lapses to defeat Real Madrid 3-1 in the Madrid derby.

Morata at double as Atletico Madrid beat Real in Madrid derby

London: Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League table as they clinched a dominant 2-0 win over Brighton &amp; Hove Albion.  Arsenal, who were unchanged in the Premier League for the first time this season, started brightly, with Bukayo Saka taking every opportunity to run at the 37-year-old James Milner, who was facing the Gunners for the 40th time in his career.  It was Saka, who had Arsenal’s first shot of the match, but his effort was saved by Bart Verbruggen, before Martin Odegaard’s left-footed strike curled the wrong side of a post, Premier League reports.  Brighton were dealt a blow just before the half-hour, when defender Joel Veltman limped off with what appeared to be a knee injury. Odegaard and Saka then combined brilliantly, but the latter’s cutback was fired over by Gabriel Martinelli.  Martinelli then had a shot kept out by Verbruggen, before Jan Paul van Hecke blocked from Havertz as Brighton were able to somehow repel Arsenal’s continued pressure at half-time.  After the break, Brighton’s willingness to play out from defence would prove costly and ultimately resulted in a deserved lead for Arsenal on 53 minutes.  A poor pass from Verbruggen fell to Rice, who passed to Saka, who then tried to find Odegaard but it was cleared for a corner by Van Hecke. From that set-piece, Saka’s inswinging corner was flicked on by Van Hecke for an unmarked Gabriel Jesus to head in his third league goal of the campaign at the far post.  Soon after Arsenal almost had a second, but Ben White’s header was cleared off the line by Lewis Dunk. However, Brighton came close to equalising against the run of play late on when a low cross from Kaoru Mitoma was met by the outstretched Pascal Gross, but the German could only hit the side-netting from close range.  With three minutes remaining, Arsenal finally added a second. Substitute Eddie Nketiah made a driving run and put in Havertz, who shot past Verbruggen.  —IANS

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League table as they clinched a dominant 2-0 win over Brighton

Premier League: Arsenal move to top with dominant win over Brighton

Madrid: Real Madrid enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Villarreal to return to the top of La Liga, but risk losing defender David Alaba for an extended period after he was carried off in the first half with what appeared a serious knee injury.  Madrid took advantage of the fact that Girona don't play Alaves until Monday, with Jude Bellingham putting them ahead in the 24th minute with a header from a Luka Modric cross. reports Xinhua.  Rodrygo then doubled their lead from close range following a corner, with a goal initially chalked off for offside but reinstated after a VAR check.  As well as Alaba's injury, Villarreal also lost two players, with Gerard Moreno limping off after a collision with Alaba, and Alex Baena injured after a challenge from Lucas Vazquez.  Jose Luis Morales pulled a goal back for Villarreal 10 minutes after the break, finding space between Nacho Fernandez, who had replaced Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger.  Brahim Diaz quickly re-established Madrid's two-goal lead with an individual effort that saw him beat three defenders before scoring with a low shot.  Luka Modric added a fourth after Rodrygo latched onto a dreadful Etienne Capoue backpass to set him up in the penalty area.  Real Sociedad and Real Betis drew 0-0 in a very even game which either side could have won.  Both sides hit the woodwork and Real Sociedad had three goals correctly ruled out for offside in a game that was more entertaining that the scoreline indicates.  On Saturday, FC Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw away to Valencia with another disappointing performance.  Joao Felix put Barca ahead in the 55th minute after a brilliant pass from Frenkie de Jong allowed Raphinha to set him up, but Hugo Guillamon leveled for Valencia with an excellent curling shot, and Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili also made several acrobatic saves to keep the scores level.  Athletic Bilbao celebrated their 125th anniversary with a brilliant 2-0 win at home to Atletico Madrid thanks to second-half goals from Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams, who curled a delicious shot past Jan Oblak.  The scoreline does not tell the whole story, as Nico and Inaki Williams both hit the post, while Oihan Sancet missed a penalty and Oblak made several vital stops to keep the score down as Atletico were completely outplayed.  Sevilla sacked coach Diego Alonso almost directly after the final whistle of their disastrous 3-0 defeat at home to Getafe.  Penalties from Borja Mayoral and Mason Greenwood and a 37th-minute shot from Jaime Mata gave Getafe three easy points against a Sevilla side that failed to win in eight league and four European games with Alonso in charge.  Jorgen Strand Larsen's backheeled goal in the 19th minute gave third-from-bottom Celta Vigo a vital 1-0 win at home to second-from-bottom Granada and possibly saved Rafa Benitez's job as coach.  The bad news for Celta was the red card shown to Iago Aspas for a cynical challenge from behind with 11 minutes left to play.  Cadiz's point in a 1-1 draw away to Las Palmas means Celta remain in the bottom three, but level on points with Sevilla. Pejino put Las Palmas in front with a powerful stop after seven minutes, but Chris Ramos saved a deserved point for Cadiz with an 83rd-minute header, although they remain without a win since September 1.  Almeria remain bottom of the table and winless, but did at least pick up their fifth point of the season after a painful 0-0 draw at home to Mallorca in a game where the visitors had 20 shots, but only managed to get two on target.  Raul Garcia's 95th-minute header allowed Osasuna to end a run of six games without a win with a 1-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano on Friday night.
—IANS

Real Madrid enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Villarreal to return to the top of La Liga, but risk losing defender David Alaba

La Liga: Real Madrid return to top, Barca and Atletico drop points

Nyon [Switzerland]: The draws for the final 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the holy grail of football were drawn in Nyon on Monday with holders Manchester City taking on FC Copenhagen, the Danish champion who defeated Manchester United in a group-stage tie at home last month, while Arsenal to play Portuguese side FC Porto. Following a thrilling couple of months of group-stage action, the focus now shifts to the knockout rounds where 16 teams will fight it out to win the ultimate crown.
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The top two from each group advanced to this level of the competition, which pits group winners against group runners-up. Manchester United and AC Milan have already exited the tournament while reigning champions - and treble winners - Manchester City have begun their title defence with an unblemished group stage. After finishing first in their respective groups, Pep Guardiola's table-winning City will travel to Denmark, while Arsenal will travel to Portugal for the first legs in February.  Among the eight ties, the most heavyweight was the runner-ups of the last season Inter Milan being drawn against Atletico Madrid while Spanish giants Barcelona were handed a tough task against Serie A winners Napoli. Harry Kane's Bayern Munich will take on Lazio, while the record 14-time winners Real Madrid have been drawn against RB Leipzig. Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will take on Real Sociedad and Borussia Dortmund have been given a clash against PSV Eindhoven. UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draws: Porto vs Arsenal Napoli vs Barcelona Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Sociedad Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid PSV Eindhoven vs Borussia Dortmund Lazio vs Bayern Munich FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid At the start of 2024, the last 16 will be played over four weeks. The first legs will be held on February 13, 14, 20, and 21, followed by the second legs on March 5, 6, 12, and 13.
—ANI

The draws for the final 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the holy grail of football were drawn in Nyon on Monday with holders Manchester City

Champions League last-16 draw: Manchester City pitted against FC Copenhagen; Arsenal to play FC Porto

Washington: Inter Miami and Newell's Old Boys will meet in a pre-season soccer friendly in Fort Lauderdale in February, a match that will pit Lionel Messi and Gerardo Martino against their former club.  The game will be played at Inter Miami's DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on February 15, both clubs said late on Monday, reports Xinhua.  "I'm delighted to be able to welcome my beloved Newell's to our home in Miami," said Inter Miami manager Martino, who made a club record 505 first-team appearances with the Argentine outfit in the 1980s and 90s.  He added: "It will be a special game because of everything that Newell's Old Boys means to me. It will also be a good opportunity to prepare for what is sure to be an exciting season."  Inter Miami said tickets for the match would go on sale on Tuesday.  In a separate statement, Newell's described the fixture as "unique" and "full of history", adding that it would connect to the football roots of Messi and Martino.  Messi joined Inter Miami on a free transfer in July after parting ways with Paris Saint-Germain.  He scored 11 goals in 14 games during his first season with the Herons, helping them win the 2023 Leagues Cup, the club's first ever trophy.
—IANS

Inter Miami and Newell's Old Boys will meet in a pre-season soccer friendly in Fort Lauderdale in February, a match

Messi's Inter Miami to meet Newell's in friendly

Los Angeles: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney recreated the classic ‘Last Christmas’ single cover from British pop duo, Wham to celebrate the holiday season.  Reynolds (47) and McElhenney (46) who together own U.K. soccer team Wrexham, styled their hair and outfits to mimic those worn by Wham! stars George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley on the original cover art, reports ‘People’ magazine.  Rob McElhenney then posted the hilarious results to his Instagram on Monday with Reynolds also sharing the image to his own Instagram Stories.  Underneath the pouting black-and-white picture, the pair replaced the names of the pop stars with their own and added the logo of their beloved Wrexham soccer club in the corner of the snap. The post’s caption simply read, “WREXHAM!”.  As per ‘People’, the stars also donned leather jackets to stage their own version of the 1983 Wham! studio album Fantastic. Against a red backdrop, the duo posed for the camera with McElhenney sporting a moustache, just as Ridgeley had on the original version, while Reynolds had his leather jacket unbuttoned.  They also replaced “Wham!” at the top of the cover art with ‘Wrexham!’, a nod to their docuseries ‘Welcome to Wrexham’. The ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Rob McElhenney subsequently shared the images to his own Instagram Stories accompanied by Wham!’s famous festive tune, ‘Last Christmas’.
—IANS

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney recreated the classic ‘Last Christmas’ single cover from British pop duo, Wham to celebrate the holiday season.

Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney recreate classic Wham! cover art

Dec 22: FIFA provided $2.79 billion to its member associations and confederations for investment in soccer development over the first two cycles of its Forward Development Programme, the world governing body said in a report on Friday.
Two iterations of the programme— a three-year and four-year cycle, have been completed since it was launched in May 2016, with FIFA committing money to a diverse array of local projects.  "With the third cycle of the FIFA Forward Development Programme now underway, we have the perfect opportunity to reflect on the programme's achievements since its launch in 2016," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.  "From the very start, we pledged that revenues generated by football would be used for the benefit of our sport all around the world; for girls and boys, for women and men, and we have been as good as our word."
In the period up to and including 2022, around 80% of the funds— $2.24 billion went to FIFA's 211 member associations, with the remainder going to the confederations and regional associations, the body said.  The associations spent the funds on building new, or maintaining existing, infrastructure, developing domestic competitions and covering running costs related to administration and governance.  FIFA added that over 1,600 projects with a "long-term impact on football" had been approved between 2016 and 2022, with almost a third relating to football infrastructure including technical centres and stadiums.  FIFA said member association will receive up to $8 million to support their development activities during the third edition of the programme, which began its four-year cycle in January.
—Reuters

FIFA provided $2.79 billion to its member associations and confederations for investment in soccer development over the first two cycles

Invested $2.79bn through development programme from 2016-22: FIFA

Rio de Janeiro: Venezuela international playmaker Yeferson Soteldo has joined Gremio on loan from Brazilian rivals Santos, the Porto Alegre club said on Friday.  The 26-year-old, who is contracted to Santos until June 30, 2027, will be tied to Gremio until December 31, 2024, reports Xinhua.  "He (Soteldo) is our first signing for 2024 and ... becomes the first Venezuelan to wear our colors," read a statement on the club's official website.  Soteldo has made 135 appearances over two separate spells with Santos, scoring 21 goals and providing 27 assists.  He endured a run of poor form in 2023 as Santos were relegated to Brazilian football's second tier for the first time in their history.  Gremio finished second in this year's top-flight standings, two points behind champions Palmeiras.
—IANS

Venezuela international playmaker Yeferson Soteldo has joined Gremio on loan from Brazilian rivals Santos, the Porto Alegre club said on Friday.

Venezuelan playmaker Soteldo joins Gremio on loan

London: All sporting roads lead to Paris next year with the first post-Covid Olympic Games looming large on the horizon but the two-week extravaganza will merely be the centrepiece for another 12 months of compelling theatre.
Four continental soccer tournaments beginning with the Asian Cup in Qatar and Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast in January, will mean little respite for players and fans.  Germany will stage the European Championship in June and July with the hosts running out of a time to put together a team capable of reviving past glories. At the same time, the Copa America takes place in the United States in what will be regarded as a rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup.  Saudi Arabia will enhance its status as a global sporting hub in February when Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury meet in Riyadh to decide the undisputed heavyweight boxing title -- a clash in which the hype will reach stratospheric proportions.
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As further proof, if any were needed, of Gulf states' appetite for staging major events, swimmers and divers will get an early chance to put down markers for Paris when the Aquatics World Championships takes place in Qatar in February -- the first time it has been held in the region.  After a miniscule break, the tennis season resumes days after Christmas and the Australian Open will welcome Spanish great Rafa Nadal who is returning to Grand Slam action in what will probably be his farewell year.  NFL's Super Bowl will dominate the US sporting narrative in the build-up to the February showpiece in Nevada and in Australia, 2024 kicks off in traditional fashion with a cricket test series against Pakistan.  The sporting conveyor belt, it seems, gets more and more loaded each year -- but once every four years everything, for a few weeks at least, bows before the Olympic Games.  Paris is, and will continue to be, dogged by the usual gripes about staging the greatest show on earth.  Transport issues and security concerns are par for the course but organisers are also contending with an outbreak of bed bugs, pollution in the River Seine and a stink about Paris's traditional street booksellers being dispersed.  By the time thousands of sportsmen and women arrive in the French capital, however, the focus will likely switch to a return to near Olympic normality after the delayed and Covid-impacted Tokyo Games played out in deserted stadiums.  More inclusive  International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach says Paris will be "new era" for the Games -- more inclusive and more sustainable than ever before.  Russian and Belarusian athletes, competing as neutrals, will also be welcomed with open arms, according to Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet. His opinion, however, might not be shared by all.  The world's oldest sporting competition, the America's Cup, returns in October when Barcelona hosts the 37th edition of the sailing's blue riband event with New Zealand seeking to regain the Auld Mug.  While great sporting sagas will unfold around the globe in 2024 with feats of human skill, endurance and athleticism, the narrative will have less edifying battles.  The European Court of Justice's ruling in December has raised the spectre of civil war in soccer with the proposed European Super League back on the agenda.  Golf also appears at a crossroads with the Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf likely to continue to disrupt the status quo over the next 12 months with more top players defecting to the money-spinning tour.  Sport, increasingly, is ruthless business where money alone talks and the joy is ebbing away.  Thankfully, however, it can still be fun.  New Year's Day's sporting programme might not make the headlines but for those attending the Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race in Northumberland, competing in Polar Bear swims in icy Canadian lakes or leaping off Rome's Cavour Bridge for the annual Tuffo nel Tevere, it is still the taking part that counts.
—Reuters

All sporting roads lead to Paris next year with the first post-Covid Olympic Games looming large on the horizon but the two-week extravaganza

All sporting roads lead to Paris in 2024

Berlin: The soccer world mourns the loss of Franz Beckenbauer at 78, a visionary who reshaped football and epitomized Germany's sporting achievements. His leadership steered the nation to the 1974 World Cup triumph, etching an enduring legacy.  Known as 'Der Kaiser' for his majestic on-field persona and strategic prowess, Beckenbauer symbolized Germany's dominance in football for decades—first as a player and then as a revered coach.  His illustrious playing career brimmed with accolades, conquering every major honor. Post-retirement, his transition to management continued the saga of success. As captain, he guided West Germany to World Cup glory in 1974 and earlier secured the European title in 1972.
 Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/franz-beckenbauer-iconic-german-football-legend-passes-away-at-78" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/franz-beckenbauer-iconic-german-football-legend-passes-away-at-78</a>  At Bayern Munich, his managerial genius thrived, securing three consecutive European Cups and multiple domestic triumphs, showcasing his unparalleled footballing acumen.  With 103 caps, Beckenbauer's prowess earned him numerous individual honors, notably twice crowned European Footballer of the Year.  A maestro on the pitch, he redefined the modern libero role, blending calmness under pressure with an astute reading of the game—a skill that propelled him to orchestrate precise attacks with flawless passes.  Beckenbauer's managerial legacy soared, guiding Germany to World Cup victory in 1990, joining the elite few to win titles as player and coach. However, his later years faced scrutiny over controversies involving the FIFA payment and allegations around the 2006 World Cup fund.  Despite health battles, Beckenbauer's imprint remained indelible, marking an extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to football legend. His impact on German football and global soccer endures as a testament to his unparalleled genius and leadership.
 —Input from Agencies

Remembering Franz Beckenbauer, the football maestro and German icon. Explore his legacy of triumph and innovation in the game.

Franz Beckenbauer: Architect of German Football Triumph, Icon of Sporting Success, Passes Away at 78

Berlin: The football world is reeling from the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, an iconic figure in German soccer history. Beckenbauer, hailed as one of Germany's finest football talents, led the national team to victory in the 1974 World Cup as captain and repeated the triumph in 1990 as a manager. His family announced his demise at the age of 78, leaving a profound impact on the sport.  Tributes poured in from across the globe, highlighting Beckenbauer's immense contributions to football. Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, hailed him as a modest yet knowledgeable legend, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized his role in shaping the excitement for German football across generations.  Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, former CEO of Bayern Munich, expressed deep shock and described Beckenbauer as not just successful but truly unique in his various roles within the sport. Herbert Hainer, Bayern's President, emphasized Beckenbauer's enduring influence on the club and the sport, transcending mere titles.  UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin highlighted Beckenbauer's unmatched skills and leadership, shaping the game's style during his era. The German Football Association (DFB) echoed the sentiment, mourning the loss of a football icon who made an unparalleled impact on the sport in Germany.  Other clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, joined in expressing their condolences, acknowledging Beckenbauer's lasting legacy and his significant contributions to football.  Gary Lineker, the former England striker, paid homage to Beckenbauer as one of the game's greatest, acknowledging his grace, charm, and achievements on the pitch.  Franz Beckenbauer's passing leaves an indelible void in the footballing world, but his legacy as a true maestro of the sport will endure as a testament to his greatness.
—Input from Agencies

Remembering Franz Beckenbauer: A tribute to the soccer icon whose World Cup victories and legacy in German football resonate worldwide.

Football world Mourns the Loss of Legendary Franz Beckenbauer

Inter Miami have apologised for Lionel Messi's inability to play an exhibition game in Hong Kong, a late decision that infuriated fans and disappointed organisers but one the Major League Soccer club deemed necessary.
Argentine Messi, record eight-times Ballon D'Or winner, did not warm up in front of the 40,000 fans in Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday as he was being assessed by medical staff who decided it was too risky for him and team mate Luis Suarez to play.  "Despite our best intentions, we understand there has been disappointment over the absence of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in Sunday's match and we are sorry that the two players could not participate," Miami said in a statement sent to Reuters on Thursday.
"We also recognize that the late decision caused frustration among our Hong Kong supporters and the event promoter, Tatler Asia. We do feel it necessary to express that injuries are unfortunately a part of the beautiful game, and our player's health must always come first."  Miami said that with regard to Messi and Suarez, they wanted to make a game-time decision so it offered the largest window to allow for the chance they could be made available for selection.  Three days later, 36-year-old Messi came on in the 60th minute in Inter Miami's friendly against J-League side Vissel Kobe in Tokyo where entire blocks of seating at the Japan National Stadium remained unoccupied, with only 28,614 tickets sold.  Spectators at the soldout Hong Kong game, which Miami won 4-1 over a local League XI, chanted "refund", while the Hong Kong government said match organisers Tatler Asia may face a reduction in funding.  The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) had granted HK$15 million ($1.92 million) for the event along with a HK$1 million grant for the venue, the government said in a statement.  Inter Miami said they would be eager to return to Hong Kong should the fans be open to receiving the club again.  "Players get injured in football and this is no one's fault. It is one part of the beautiful game that is cruel, and impacted our visit to Hong Kong on this occasion," Miami said.  "As we continue to consume the headlines and negativity towards the different stakeholders, we felt compelled to reiterate the reality of these types of sports injuries."
—Reuters

Inter Miami apologizes for Messi's absence in Hong Kong exhibition game. Fans outraged as medical assessment sidelines Messi and Suarez.

Inter Miami sorry for Messi's Hong Kong absence

Madrid: Former Spanish soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales will stand trial for his unsolicited kiss of national team player Jenni Hermoso after a High Court judge admitted the case, the court said on Wednesday.
Rubiales faces one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged actions in the aftermath of the kiss. The offences carry prison terms of one year and 18 months, respectively.  The High Court said it would also try the former coach of the women's national team, Jorge Vilda, the team's current sporting director, Albert Luque, and the federation's head of marketing, Ruben Rivera. All three stand accused of coercing Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.  Rubiales, 46, grabbed Hermoso and kissed her on the lips last Aug. 20 during the awards ceremony after Spain's victory in the women's World Cup in Sydney, making global headlines and causing a national debate in Spain about sexism.  Hermoso and her teammates said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning, but Rubiales argued it was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.  The court set a bail of 65,000 euros ($69,836) for Rubiales' charge of sexual assault and another 65,000 euros to be posted jointly between Rubiales, Vilda, Luque and Rivera for the coercion charge.  The case falls under the High Court's jurisdiction because the alleged offences took place abroad.
—Reuters

Former Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales to face trial for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without consent during Women's World Cup, triggering discussions on sexism in sports.

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