Liverpool striker describes club’s support for Muslim players during Ramadan

Liverpool striker describes club’s support for Muslim players during Ramadan
Sadio Mane said that fasting during the holy month can be difficult to manage as a player. (Reuters)
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Updated 27 April 2022

Liverpool striker describes club’s support for Muslim players during Ramadan

Liverpool striker describes club’s support for Muslim players during Ramadan
  • English club made schedule change to suit fasting players: Sadio Mane  
  • Mane: We train in the morning. It’s easier for us. If you train in the morning then you have time to rest and go home

LONDON: Liverpool striker Sadio Mane has described how the club has supported its Muslim players throughout Ramadan.

Mane, a Muslim, said fasting during the holy month is difficult to manage as a player due to training times and the variety of kick-off times.

Premier League footballers often play midweek evening matches and a range of afternoon kick-offs on the weekend.

But ahead of this year’s holy month, Mane said the captain spoke to Manager Jurgen Klopp to request a change in training times to accommodate the club’s Muslim players.

“Playing and training and doing Ramadan isn’t easy at all,” Mane told beIN Sports. “But before Ramadan we tried to talk to the captain and to tell the boss, maybe can we change the schedule?

“We train in the morning. It’s easier for us. If you train in the morning then you have time to rest and go home … If you train around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. it’s going to be tough. They said yes and I think that made it easier. We are trying to do our best.”

He added: “Game day is something else but with Ramadan it’s tough. Liverpool tried to make everything easier for us. We spoke with our nutritionist, especially before the game. She did everything easier for us.”


Man United bidders set to make latest takeover offers

Man United bidders set to make latest takeover offers
Updated 15 sec ago

Man United bidders set to make latest takeover offers

Man United bidders set to make latest takeover offers

MANCHESTER: After a series of high-level meetings last week, a second round of bids to buy Manchester United are due Wednesday.

Representatives of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani toured Old Trafford and the club’s training ground last Thursday, meeting with United executives. Jim Ratcliffe held talks with the Premier League club on Friday and was pictured being greeted by chief executive Richard Arnold. American investment firm Elliott Management has also held meetings with a view to providing capital for takeover bids or other finance options.

Indicative offers were submitted to American merchant bank Raine last month, with Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe confirming their intention to buy out the Glazer family, the current owners of United.

The next stage of the process included a closer look at United’s business and meetings with key executives before making renewed bids.

Sheikh Jassim is chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank and the son of a former Qatari prime minister. He is aiming to take 100 percent ownership of United and is intent on investing in the club’s stadium and training facilities. He sent real estate advisers as part of his delegation last week.

Ratcliffe is the billionaire owner of petrochemicals giant INEOS and is bidding for majority ownership after launching a failed attempt to buy Chelsea last year.

United are expected to become the most expensive sports team in history, with the price estimated to reach up to $6 billion.

Last year, Raine handled the sale of Chelsea to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital for about $3 billion. The Denver Broncos were sold to Walmart heir Rob Walton and his daughter and son-in-law for a record $4.65 billion last year.

United’s prospective new owners could also have to spend about $1 billion to redevelop the stadium.

Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe remain the only bidders to publicly declare their interest in the 20-time English league champions. There is still a possibility that the Glazers could opt against a full sale of the club as they explore “strategic alternatives.”

Second bids for United are due to be placed by 9 p.m. Wednesday.


Mallorca bans fan who racially insulted Vinícius Júnior

Mallorca bans fan who racially insulted Vinícius Júnior
Updated 5 min 40 sec ago

Mallorca bans fan who racially insulted Vinícius Júnior

Mallorca bans fan who racially insulted Vinícius Júnior
  • The fan, reportedly a 20-year-old Mallorca season ticket holder, is accused of calling Real Madrid forward Vinícius and Villarreal midfielder Chukwueze a monkey
  • Spain’s anti-violence commission has already proposed a fine of $4,300 and a 12-month ban from stadiums for the fan

MADRID: Spanish club Mallorca handed the fan who racially insulted players Vinícius Júnior and Samu Chukwueze a three-year ban from club membership on Tuesday.
The fan, reportedly a 20-year-old Mallorca season ticket holder, is accused of calling Real Madrid forward Vinícius and Villarreal midfielder Chukwueze a monkey in separate Spanish league games this year. Both Vinicius and Chukwueze are Black.
Spain’s anti-violence commission has already proposed a fine of 4,000 euros ($4,300) and a 12-month ban from stadiums for the fan, who may also face criminal charges. He was identified by club security officials.
“RCD Mallorca are against all xenophobic manifestations and will continue to work actively to eradicate this scourge,” said the club, whose president is American Andy Kohlberg.
Vinícius was also insulted after the Mallorca match when he stopped to pose for photos and sign autographs for fans.
The Brazilian has been subjected to insults since arriving in Spain five years ago, though little has been done to punish fans.
Valladolid recently suspended 12 season ticket holders while investigating their alleged verbal abuse of Vinícius.
The first trial against a fan who racially insulted a player in Spain is expected to begin this year following remarks by an Espanyol supporter against Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams a few years ago.
The Spanish league has filed several complaints to authorities for racist insults or chants against Vinícius, with some of them being shelved by prosecutors.
The league has also increased the number of overseers at matches to try to identify perpetrators, especially when Vinícius plays.
Authorities have yet to find those responsible for hanging Vinícius’ effigy from a bridge in Madrid before the derby against Atletico Madrid earlier this year.
The attacks against Vinícius increased after he began celebrating his goals by dancing.


English Premier League referees to halt matches for Muslim players to break their fast

English Premier League referees to halt matches for Muslim players to break their fast
Updated 21 March 2023

English Premier League referees to halt matches for Muslim players to break their fast

English Premier League referees to halt matches for Muslim players to break their fast
  • Stars observing Ramadan to be given time to take on liquids, energy gels, supplements
  • Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly and others to benefit from decision during evening games

DUBAI: England’s top-flight referees have been asked to pause night matches to allow Muslim players to break their fast in Ramadan, which begins on Thursday in the UK.
Muslim footballers who observe the holy month, like Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City, and Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly, along with many others, will be granted short recesses to break their fast in after-sunset matches, The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday.
Referees officiating England’s top four divisions have been asked to halt night games to allow fasting players to take on liquids, energy gels and supplements, said Sky Sports.
Match officials are reported to have been advised to wait for a natural stoppage in the game, such as a corner or a free kick, before pausing the match.
Media reports said clubs have also been told to agree on the stoppage time with the referee before the start of the match.
Premier League games have been stopped before for the same reason, and in April 2022 Burnley’s match against Southampton was halted so Mohamed Elyounoussi and Yan Valery could break their fast.
Wesley Fofana was granted a short pause to break his fast when Leicester played Crystal Palace in April 2021.
Fofana took to his social media after the match to say “that’s what makes football wonderful,” after the cooperation of players and officials.
Clubs previously had to request a pause before the match, but this season referees have been given clear instructions to halt proceedings.
High-profile matches to be affected will be Leeds United’s clash with Liverpool on April 17, at which Salah is expected to feature, and Arsenal’s home game with Southampton four days later which kicks off at 8 p.m., with the sun expected to set six minutes later.
Elyounoussi could play in the match for the relegation-threatened Saints at the Emirates Stadium.


Bahraini-owned, Newmarket-trained El Habeeb out for glory in Dubai Gold Cup

El Habeeb winning in the UK in August 2022.
El Habeeb winning in the UK in August 2022.
Updated 21 March 2023

Bahraini-owned, Newmarket-trained El Habeeb out for glory in Dubai Gold Cup

El Habeeb winning in the UK in August 2022.
  • Kevin Philippart de Foy issued positive report on El Habeeb’s preparation for Dubai

LONDON: Bahraini-owned and Newmarket-trained El Habeeb will feature on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday when he lines up for the Dubai Gold Cup.

Trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy will be looking for a maiden win at the meeting on the prestigious evening of racing in Dubai at Meydan and was positive about El Habeeb’s preparations.

The horse, which is owned by Mohamed Khalid Abdulrahim out of Bahrain, joined Philippart de Foy’s stable midway through last summer, after running a creditable race to finish midfield in the Derby at Epsom Downs.

His form since then has steadily improved with two wins from four starts, most recently a hard-fought victory in the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot, where he beat out Giavellotto — who lines up alongside El Habeeb on Saturday for the 3,200-meter run.

Speaking with Great British Racing International in a video feature released on Monday, Philippart de Foy issued a positive report on El Habeeb’s preparation for Dubai.

He said: “He had a tough three-year-old season, and we started again in December, and we just started to build him back up in view to run in Dubai, and that was always the plan to come here.

“He’s been in great shape, he’s probably stronger than he was last year. He didn’t grow a huge amount but just kept getting stronger, and his preparation has been ideal.

“I think the horse will enjoy the trip, will enjoy the ground out there and obviously it’s tough competition, it’s one of the big staying races of the calendar and we have a decent chance.

“We won’t be favorite, but I think the horse has the right profile, competitive, and he’s very laid back which should help with the travelling side of things.

“Obviously, winning our first Listed race and going for the first time travelling abroad, quite far away, it’s very exciting, and I’m very honored and privileged to be training him,” Philippart de Foy added.

The Newmarket-based trainer said he was delighted with the trajectory of El Habeeb’s training career so far and was looking forward to the challenge in Dubai.

“It’s great to take part, and that kind of meeting was always the ambition. We started obviously to build up a team and now we are getting where we want to be.

“Obviously we want to be competitive, and we want to win those kinds of races, but that’s what it’s all about, being on the big stage and winning big races,” he added.


Navratilova reveals she is ‘cancer-free’ after double diagnosis

Navratilova reveals she is ‘cancer-free’ after double diagnosis
Updated 21 March 2023

Navratilova reveals she is ‘cancer-free’ after double diagnosis

Navratilova reveals she is ‘cancer-free’ after double diagnosis
  • The former world number one revealed in January she had been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer
  • Navratilova, winner of 59 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles, revealed her diagnosis had left her fearing the worst

LONDON: Martina Navratilova has revealed she is now “cancer-free” after the tennis great feared she “may not see next Christmas” following a devastating double diagnosis.
The former world number one, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her long career, revealed in January she had been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer.
The 66-year-old is due to undergo further preventative radiation treatment but said in an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV she should then “be good to go.”
“As far as they know I’m cancer-free,” she said in the interview due to be aired later on Tuesday, excerpts of which were reported in the British press.
Navratilova, winner of 59 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles, revealed her diagnosis had left her fearing the worst.
“I was in a total panic for three days thinking I may not see next Christmas,” she said.
“The bucket list came into my mind of all the things I wanted to do. And this may sound really shallow, but I was like, ‘OK, which kick-ass car do I really want to drive if I live like a year’?’“
Navratilova, who previously underwent treatment for early-stage breast cancer in 2010, sought medical help after noticing an enlarged lymph node in her neck, with tests subsequently confirming she had cancer.
She added: “This was the first week in December, (I’m thinking) I will see this Christmas but maybe not the next one.”
But doctors were able to tell her the throat cancer was “extremely treatable” and she had a “95-percent” chance of a full recovery.
Navratilova, a Czechoslovakia-born naturalized American, brought a new physical dimension to women’s tennis, with her powerful serve and agility at the net making her the dominant player of her era.
She won her first Wimbledon singles title in 1978 and went on to lift the trophy a record nine times — more than any other player in the men’s or women’s game.
Navratilova retired after winning the mixed doubles with Bob Bryan at the 2006 US Open shortly before her 50th birthday and has become a sought-after pundit.
Away from the courts, she has become an ardent defender of the LGBTQ cause. In 2014, she married her long-time partner Julia Lemigova.