Transfer deadline day: Premier League leads spending in Europe

Transfer deadline day: Premier League leads spending in Europe
Man United new signing Joshua Zirkzee celebrates after scoring his debut goal for the club. (AFP)
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Updated 31 August 2024
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Transfer deadline day: Premier League leads spending in Europe

Transfer deadline day: Premier League leads spending in Europe

It was deadline day Friday in the summer transfer window for Europe’s five big domestic leagues.
The English Premier League again leads overall spending — about $2.4 billion and counting — and once again Chelsea is first in line with an outlay of $290 million.
Among the big names in European soccer that could be changing jerseys were Ivan Toney (Brentford), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) and Victor Osimhen (Napoli).
But England’s top tier remains the most lucrative, even if its spending is down slightly from a year ago.
More evidence of the Premier League’s draw: Teams in the second-division Championship have spent more than 200 million euros ($221 million) to strengthen their squads. That’s the seventh-highest expenditure among leagues worldwide.
United bolsters midfield, Palace gets Nketiah
United signed Uruguay defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial 50 million euros ($55.7 million). It takes the club’s summer spending on new players to around $240 million. United had earlier signed striker Joshua Zirkzee, center backs Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, and full back Noussair Mazraoui. The 23-year-old Ugarte looks set to be the long-term replacement for Casemiro.
Crystal Palace had a busy Friday spending that Michael Olize money. The club added striker Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal for a fee reported to be $39 million. Nketiah is in search of playing time and grew up in south London. Arsenal might be clearing some space for a late signing. Earlier, Palace signed center back Maxence Lacroix from Wolfsburg for a reported fee of 21 million euros ($23 million). The move reunites the 24-year-old French player with Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who coached the German club for two seasons.
Napoli lands McTominay, Gilmour
Italy is back over the $1 billion mark again in overall spending — the second highest in Europe.
A pair of Scotland midfielders — Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour — are headed to Napoli. McTominay joined on a fee of $33 million from Man United, where the midfielder had been since he was five. United manager Erik ten Hag lamented the pressure that clubs are under to sell “homegrown” players — because of the good profit margin — amid the league’s financial regulations. Gilmour arrives from Brighton for a fee of about $20 million.
Romelu Lukaku joined Napoli on Thursday, reuniting with manager Antonio Conte, who had coached Belgium’s all-time record scorer at Inter Milan.
Bayern done buying
Bayern Munich signaled early Friday that it was done spending. The Bavarian powerhouse spent about 100 million euros ($110 million) combined for Portugal midfielder João Palhinha and forward Michael Olize as it aims to recapture the German title it lost to Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Leverkusen kept most of its double-winning team together, while last season’s surprise second-place team Stuttgart was ransacked by rivals.
The highest-profile signing by a German club on Friday was Netherlands defender Lutsharel Geertruida moving to Leipzig from Dutch club Feyenoord. Geertruida was a key player for Feyenoord last season under coach Arne Slot, who’s now at Liverpool. He also played two games for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
The most talked-about transfer on deadline day in Germany was one that didn’t happen. Leverkusen and Germany defender Jonathan Tah was a target for Bayern, and was linked with Barcelona. The defender confirmed on Friday he was staying put.
Reminder: Mbappé was free
The summer’s biggest move came with no transfer cost at all when Kylian Mbappé joined Real Madrid after his contract expired at Paris Saint-Germain. La Liga was on course to be the lowest spender among the big five — it entered the final week at just under $600 million.
Zaha to Lyon
Veteran forward Wilfried Zaha joined French club Lyon from Galatasaray for a modest fee of $3 million. The 31-year-old Zaha spent most of his career at Crystal Palace before playing last season in Turkiye, where he helped Galatasaray win the domestic league title.


‘Yes, no, wait, sorry’: Anatomy of a run out

‘Yes, no, wait, sorry’: Anatomy of a run out
Updated 36 sec ago
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‘Yes, no, wait, sorry’: Anatomy of a run out

‘Yes, no, wait, sorry’: Anatomy of a run out
  • Convention has it that the batter on strike calls for a run if he or she has full vision of the ball

In the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match between New Zealand and India, a bizarre incident occurred.

Amelia Kerr of New Zealand played the last ball of the 14th over to wide long off and took a single. The ball was in the hands of Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain. At that point, the umpire handed the bowler her cap, usually a sure sign that the end of the over has been called. Undeterred, the batters, presumably ignorant of the fact that the bowler’s cap had been returned, tried to steal a run. Kaur threw the ball to the wicket keeper, who ran out Kerr.

She headed off to the dugout, convinced of her dismissal, but was stopped by the fourth umpire. After some discussion, the umpires ruled that the ball was dead when the dismissal occurred. Kaur was incensed and had to be restrained, but the letter of the law was upheld. Observers were unanimous in saying that they had not seen anything like it before.

While this was a run-out attempt that failed, it generated a degree of drama, something common to this method of dismissal, since it can involve an error of judgment by not just one, but two people. Some batters are “bad runners.” This reflects their tendency to be a poor judge of when a run is possible, or not. It is conventional that the batter on strike calls for a run if he or she has full vision of the ball. If the ball is out of vision, the responsibility for calling falls to the non-striker.

A number of factors must be computed very quickly in a batter’s head when deciding if both parties can reach the other crease before the ball is returned by the fielder to the stumps. These include the speed at which the ball has been hit, how close it is to the fielder, the competency of the fielder in gathering and returning the ball at speed, underfoot conditions, the running speed of the two batters and the state of the match in terms of level of risk worth taking.

Denis Compton was a debonair, dashing, English batter whose best years were between 1946 and 1950. During this time, he scored 14,641 runs with 60 centuries in county cricket and for England, also finding time to play 250 matches for Arsenal, including the win over Liverpool in the 1950 FA Cup final. One of his English cricket colleagues remarked that “a call for a run from Compton should be treated as no more than a basis for negotiation.” Maybe this was the origin of “Yes, no, wait, sorry.”

There have been others afflicted with similarly impaired judgment. Inzamam-ul-Haq was a notoriously leaden-footed runner. An example occurred in the group stage of the 1992 ODI World Cup when Pakistan, chasing 212 to win against South Africa, were 135 for 2. Inzamam, on 48 from 43 balls, pushed the ball to point, set off for a run but was sent back by his captain, Imran Khan, who recognised the danger. But the world’s finest fielder was lurking, Jonty Rhodes swooped, flung himself horizontally, simultaneously releasing the ball, which broke the wicket. Pakistan folded to 173 all out.   

South African players have featured in other disastrous run-out incidents. At Edgbaston in the semi-final of the 1999 ODI World Cup, Australia were restricted to 213. With 39 deliveries remaining, South Africa required 31 runs, with four wickets in hand. The equation was reduced to nine runs in the last over, only one wicket remaining. Lance Klusener hit the first two balls for four. The field was brought in, Klusener hit the ball straight to a fielder, his partner had moved far out of his crease and a direct hit to his stumps would have led to a run-out.

The next ball was also hit straight to fielder, this time Klusener ran, but his partner did not, until too late. The match was tied. Australia progressed to the final by virtue of having beaten South Africa in the group stage.

No consideration of run-outs would be complete without reference to Geoffrey Boycott. In 1977, back in the England team after a self-imposed exile, he was batting at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, with local hero Derek Randall, who had never made a century in a Test match on his home ground. Randall had settled his nerves in making 13 when Boycott tried to play the ball into the off side, set off for a run only to find that the ball had gone straight back to the bowler. Boycott continued running to the non-striker’s end, Randall sprinted to the other end but was already doomed. The locals booed — I know, I was there — while Boycott stood with gloved hand over his face. He later wrote that “if the ground had opened and swallowed me at that moment it would have been a mercy.”

In January 1978, the tables were turned when Randall ran out Boycott in Pakistan, the latter remarking that he could not complain after Nottingham. The following month, Boycott captained England in New Zealand. In the second innings of the second Test quick runs were needed to seize the initiative. Boycott, in poor form, could not provide them. It is rumoured that senior team members decided that he should be deliberately run out. This responsibility fell to a young Ian Botham and he did not disappoint, to the chagrin of his captain.

Probably the most famous run-out in the game’s history occurred in Brisbane in 1961. When the last over of the match began, Australia, with three wickets left, needed six runs to beat the West Indies. Five runs were scored, but two wickets lost, one to a run-out. On the penultimate ball, the last pair set off for the winning run. The fielder, Joe Solomon, side on to the stumps, threw the ball, which hit the wicket with the scores level. The match was tied, the first ever in Tests.

These examples demonstrate that a run-out has the capacity to generate mixed and varied emotions. Tragic, even farcical lows, as experienced by the South Africans and Randall, are balanced by the incredulity of Australians and West Indians snatching unlikely victories. Victims and perpetrators of chaotic run-outs rarely forget the experience.


Captains Molinari and Rose seek success at Ryder Cup warm-up event in Abu Dhabi

Captains Molinari and Rose seek success at Ryder Cup warm-up event in Abu Dhabi
Updated 2 min 44 sec ago
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Captains Molinari and Rose seek success at Ryder Cup warm-up event in Abu Dhabi

Captains Molinari and Rose seek success at Ryder Cup warm-up event in Abu Dhabi
  • Free-to-attend Team Cup will pit Continental Europe against Great Britain & Ireland at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort Jan. 10-12, 2025  

ABU DHABI: Team Cup captains and Major champions Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose are both seeking success at the second edition of the event next year in Abu Dhabi.

The competition from Jan. 10 to 12 follows a thrilling competition in 2023 when Molinari captained Continental Europe to a 14.5-10.5 victory over a Tommy Fleetwood-led Great Britain & Ireland.

As a warm-up event ahead of the Ryder Cup, which will be hosted at New York’s Bethpage Black in September 2025, the Team Cup, formerly known as the Hero Cup, will feature a mix of high-profile, established stars alongside some of Europe’s brightest emerging talents.

A three-time Ryder Cup winner, Molinari is relishing returning for a tournament he believes is hugely important when taking the bigger picture into account.

“It was a great experience two years ago and I was very happy when Luke (Donald, European captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup) asked me to do it again,” said the Italian.

“It’s a fun, competitive week. Obviously, we want to play well and win, but it’s all under the umbrella of the European Ryder Cup team.

“There are various elements to it, seeing how some of the younger guys deal with the team environment, and the different responsibilities which come with playing for a team and not just yourself.

“I’m sure it’s going to be useful for Luke and the European team to prepare for Bethpage Black, hopefully it will kickstart a successful year for all of us.”

Although Molinari inspired his team to Hero Cup glory in 2023, there are no guarantees his leadership style will remain the same. “I think I did a pretty good job but there is stuff I might change,” he added.

“It depends a lot on what type of players you get. If you have players with more experience, or less experience, it’s something you need to take into consideration.

“You know me, I’m not too flashy, I just try to put the guys in the best condition possible to perform. A big part of the week is to try and form some bonds which you carry through the year and into the Ryder Cup.”

Rose, meanwhile, will be skippering a team for the first time and the Brit, a four-time Ryder Cup winner, having competed in the event on six occasions, is looking forward to pitting his wits against a player he holds in the highest regard.

“It’s going to be an awesome experience,” he said. “I’ve paid attention to the tournament the last couple of times around, and obviously I know Tommy (Fleetwood) did a great job with the team in 2023.

“These lads are all competitive and everybody wants to win, but it’s about creating that camaraderie and environment which frees everybody up to get the best out of themselves.

“I’m going to take a little bit of what works for me and blend it into the team, but you have to realize you’re dealing with a bunch of different characters. For me, it’s going to be the biggest learning curve.”

Having played as team-mates during Europe’s Ryder Cup triumphs in both 2012 and 2018, Molinari and Rose know all about each other’s strengths.

“We’ve shared some great moments together as team-mates in the Ryder Cup,” said Molinari.

“We’ve been around a long time, we’ve played against each other, but also together a few times. Justin is a friend, a great role model for me and our generation. He is still performing at a very high level and I’m looking forward to playing against him.”

Rose was equally complimentary about his opposite number, while also stressing his desire to come out on top when their teams collide in January.

“Fran is a hard guy to go up against,” said Rose. “You never root against him because he’s been such a class guy on the Tour for many years, so there’s no extra needle to it. But obviously you’re going out there to do a job.

“Fran’s a true professional and I like to think of myself as being similar, so may the best team win. I’m just excited to try and inspire a team to go out and put in a great performance.”

In addition to Molinari and Rose, the teams will comprise the leading four available Continental European and Great Britain & Ireland members from the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings.

The five remaining players on each side will be selected by the respective captains in consultation with Donald.


Schedule of 2024 Baseball United Arab Classic unveiled

Schedule of 2024 Baseball United Arab Classic unveiled
Updated 11 min 55 sec ago
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Schedule of 2024 Baseball United Arab Classic unveiled

Schedule of 2024 Baseball United Arab Classic unveiled
  • Saudi Arabia among 9 teams from the Middle East and South Asia to compete in 4-day tournament, including India vs. Pakistan on Friday, Nov. 8

DUBAI: Baseball United, the first professional league of the sport focused on the Middle East and South Asia, has announced the schedule for the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic tournament from Nov. 7 to 10.

The event, the largest tournament of its kind in the history of the region, will be held at the new Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai’s The Sevens sports and entertainment complex.

The competition will include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Afghanistan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and the newly formed UAE team.

“Every nation competing in this event is now a part of history,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United. “This will be the largest, most diverse, and most competitive national baseball team tournament this region has ever seen.

“The eyes of the world will be on these teams. We created the Arab Classic to give these nations, their federations, and their players and coaches a global stage to showcase their talent, skills, and heart.

“I can’t wait for the world to witness the progress these teams have made. And I hope to see fans in Dubai of each of these communities come out to support their country with passion and pride.”

The games will run from early morning to late evening on each day of the tournament, with start times ranging from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gulf Standard Time.

The first three days will be in a round-robin format, with playoffs for the top six teams on Sunday, Nov. 10. The championship game will begin at 8 p.m.

The teams will be split into two groups. Group A will include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the UAE. Group B will feature Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Palestine.

The two group winners will automatically advance to the semifinals, with teams second and third in each group competing in an opening quarterfinal round.

India will take on Pakistan in primetime on Friday, Nov. 8, with the first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m.

Pakistan is currently the highest ranked South Asian country in the World Baseball Softball Confederation rankings, moving up to No. 36 earlier this year. India is ranked No. 68.

Both teams have highly touted pitching prospects who will compete in Baseball United’s professional league next year.

Other key matchups include India vs. the UAE in the morning session on Thursday, Nov. 7, followed by Sri Lanka vs. Saudi Arabia, and Nepal vs. Palestine in the evening session.

Palestine, ranked No. 34, was the runner-up at last year’s West Asia Baseball Cup and competed in the most recent Asian Championships. They take on Sri Lanka in the evening session on Friday, Nov. 8, just before the match between India and Pakistan.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, the host team from the UAE will face Bangladesh in the morning, followed by an evening session that includes Palestine, India, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

Playoff teams and matchups will be announced at the conclusion of play on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Phase one of the ballpark’s construction is set to be complete by the time of the event, and will include professional lighting, dugouts, practice areas, and the full playing field.

Fan seating configurations will be smaller for this event, with expanded seating added for Baseball United’s professional games next year.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the ballpark, with exclusive hospitality offerings, including free ballpark fare, for Diamond Club ticket holders.

“We accelerated the construction of our ballpark so that we could create this experience for these national teams,” said Shaikh. “We have more work to do after the tournament to complete all aspects of the build, but the field and general areas will be ready.

“That means that the first pitch, the first catch, and the first hit in the history of our ballpark will now come from players from this region. And that is truly special.”


Retiring cricketer Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests

Retiring cricketer Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests
Updated 10 October 2024
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Retiring cricketer Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests

Retiring cricketer Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests
  • Shakib is among dozens of figures from ousted Hasina’s party facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters
  • More than 700 people were killed in the unrest leading up to Hasina’s ouster, according to Bangladesh’s health ministry 

NEW DELHI: Retiring Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has apologized for remaining silent during a student-led revolution but defended his contentious decision to serve the autocratic regime it toppled.
Shakib, 37, is among dozens of figures from ousted premier Sheikh Hasina’s party facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters during the summer uprising.
The former captain had been elected as a lawmaker earlier this year and served until parliament was dissolved after Hasina’s August resignation and exile to neighboring India at the peak of the unrest.
In a long note posted on his official Facebook page late Wednesday, Hasan said he was “sincerely apologetic” for not speaking up during the protests.
“I pay my respects to all the students who sacrificed their lives,” the note said.
“While nothing can fill the void of losing a child or a brother, I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by my silence. I too would have been upset if I were in your place.”
More than 700 people were killed in the unrest leading up to Hasina’s ouster, according to Bangladesh’s health ministry.
Shakib was playing in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada as the regime collapsed and has not returned to Bangladesh since.
But he has toured Pakistan and India with the Bangladeshi team with the approval of the interim government established to govern the country after Hasina’s departure.
Shakib’s election to parliament in January came after a poll boycotted by Hasina’s opponents and criticized by observers as unfree and unfair.
He said he had decided to contest the vote because he wanted to “contribute to the development of my hometown.”
“It is difficult to directly play a part in the development of your area in Bangladesh if you don’t have a designated position,” he wrote.
Shakib announced his retirement from international cricket last month but said then that he wanted to play one last Test series at home, with South Africa slated to tour later this month.
He said in his Facebook post that he wanted the opportunity to “say goodbye” to all of his fans.
“You all know that I will soon be playing my last match,” he said. “I hope — not just hope but believe — that at my farewell hour, you will all be with me.”


Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests

Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests
Updated 10 October 2024
Follow

Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests

Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests
  • Former captain had been elected as a lawmaker earlier this year and served until parliament was dissolved after Hasina’s August resignation and exile to neighboring India at the peak of the unrest

NEW DELHI: Retiring Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has apologized for remaining silent during a student-led revolution but defended his contentious decision to serve the autocratic regime it toppled.
Shakib, 37, is among dozens of figures from ousted premier Sheikh Hasina’s party facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters during the summer uprising.
The former captain had been elected as a lawmaker earlier this year and served until parliament was dissolved after Hasina’s August resignation and exile to neighboring India at the peak of the unrest.
In a long note posted on his official Facebook page late Wednesday, Hasan said he was “sincerely apologetic” for not speaking up during the protests.
“I pay my respects to all the students who sacrificed their lives,” the note said.
“While nothing can fill the void of losing a child or a brother, I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by my silence. I too would have been upset if I were in your place.”
More than 700 people were killed in the unrest leading up to Hasina’s ouster, according to Bangladesh’s health ministry.
Shakib was playing in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada as the regime collapsed and has not returned to Bangladesh since.
But he has toured Pakistan and India with the Bangladeshi team with the approval of the interim government established to govern the country after Hasina’s departure.
Shakib’s election to parliament in January came after a poll boycotted by Hasina’s opponents and criticized by observers as unfree and unfair.
He said he had decided to contest the vote because he wanted to “contribute to the development of my hometown.”
“It is difficult to directly play a part in the development of your area in Bangladesh if you don’t have a designated position,” he wrote.
Shakib announced his retirement from international cricket last month but said then that he wanted to play one last Test series at home, with South Africa slated to tour later this month.
He said in his Facebook post that he wanted the opportunity to “say goodbye” to all of his fans.
“You all know that I will soon be playing my last match,” he said. “I hope — not just hope but believe — that at my farewell hour, you will all be with me.”