Man City’s Rodri says top soccer players close to going on strike because there are too many games

Man City’s Rodri says top soccer players close to going on strike because there are too many games
Manchester City’s Rodri during the press conference ahead of their Champions League match against Inter Milan, at Manchester City Press Conference at Etihad Campus, on Sept. 17, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 17 September 2024
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Man City’s Rodri says top soccer players close to going on strike because there are too many games

Man City’s Rodri says top soccer players close to going on strike because there are too many games
  • Rodri was asked on Tuesday if players might start refusing to play because of the calendar
  • “I think we are close to that,” he said in a news conference ahead of City’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday

MANCHESTER: Manchester City midfielder Rodri says top soccer players are close to going on strike because of the number of games they are having to play.
The Spain international said players are concerned about the way the game is headed as more games are added to the calendar in competitions like the Champions League, which starts on Tuesday.
Rodri was asked on Tuesday if players might start refusing to play because of the calendar.
“I think we are close to that,” he said in a news conference ahead of City’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday. “It’s easy to understand. You ask any player he will say the same — it’s not the opinion of (just) Rodri or whoever. I think it’s a general opinion of the players.
“If it keeps this way, it will be a moment when we have no other option, I really think. It’s something that worries us because we are the guys who suffer.”
Rodri is expected to start his first game for City this season when Inter visit Etihad Stadium, having been given an extended break by the club after winning the European Championship with Spain in July.


‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach
Updated 36 min 38 sec ago
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‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach
  • “If Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente told a news conference
  • “He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin”

MADRID: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente backed midfielder Martin Zubimendi on Friday to deputise for injured star Rodri Hernandez in the months ahead.
Manchester City’s Rodri, a key player for his country, suffered a severe knee injury in September and will be out for the rest of the season.
Rodri was vital in holding midfield as Spain clinched Euro 2024 victory this summer but Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi, 25, also made a big impact in the final.
Zubimendi replaced the injured Rodri at half-time against England in the Berlin final as La Roja triumphed 2-1 with two goals after the break.
“Zubimendi has been playing (brilliant) games for a long time, if Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente told a news conference.
“He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin.
“Martin doesn’t get nervous... he’s a very mature player, so calm... Zubi is a sure bet, who never fails.”
Nations League champions Spain, second in group A4, host leaders Denmark on Saturday in Murcia, before welcoming Serbia to Cordoba on Tuesday.
They are also without Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal, who is also set to miss the season with a knee injury, and explosive winger Nico Williams with a minor knock, among others.
“We’re not going to cry, we’re not going to make excuses about missing players, the ones who are here are very good too, also the best (players in the world) for me,” continued the coach.
“Whoever is playing tomorrow in the place of Nico, or Rodri, or Dani, are absolutely great... they will give us more tactical richness.
“We’re not going to change anything in terms of our plan or our idea of football... the idea is very clear.”
De la Fuente said injuries were the “ugliest” part of football, but they also created opportunities.
“Nobody is irreplacable... those who get the chance, albeit for unfortunate reasons, it’s the time to take advantage of it,” added De la Fuente.


Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Kingdom’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday

Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Kingdom’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday
Updated 11 October 2024
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Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Kingdom’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday

Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Kingdom’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday
  • Green Falcons resumed training on Friday evening at their camp

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s head coach Roberto Mancini has called up Al-Ahli’s defender Ali Majrashi for his side’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain on Tuesday.
After losing 2-0 to Japan in Jeddah on Thursday — their first defeat in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup — the Green Falcons resumed training on Friday evening at their camp in preparation for the Bahrain clash.
The two Gulf national teams face each other at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
It is believed that Mancini called up Majrashi as right-back Saud Abdulhamid will be unavailable due to suspension after receiving two yellow cards.
Mancini divided the players into two groups during training on Friday. The first group consisted of the players who had started the match against Japan, and they were assigned recovery exercises in the gym.
The second group included the rest of the players, who trained at the King Abdullah Sports City with warm-up exercises and passing practice. The players then went on to various tactical exercises and stretches.
The national team will continue their preparation program on Saturday with a closed training session at King Abdullah Sports City at 6 p.m.


Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ after ‘greatest rival’ Nadal’s retirement

Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ after ‘greatest rival’ Nadal’s retirement
Updated 11 October 2024
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Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ after ‘greatest rival’ Nadal’s retirement

Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ after ‘greatest rival’ Nadal’s retirement
  • He clashed 60 times with Djokovic, who edged their rivalry 31-29
  • “He remains the greatest rival that I ever had,” said Djokovic

SHANGHAI: Novak Djokovic said Friday he was “overwhelmed” by the news of Rafael Nadal’s retirement and called the Spaniard “the greatest rival that I ever had,” but said he has no plans to stop.
Nadal announced Thursday that he will step back from tennis after the Davis Cup finals in November, ending his 22 Grand Slam-winning career.
He clashed 60 times with Djokovic, who edged their rivalry 31-29.
“He remains the greatest rival that I ever had. He has impacted me a lot as a player, my development, he has inspired a lot of people around the world,” said Djokovic, speaking after he beat 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in three sets to progress to the Shanghai Masters semifinals.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion said that the news had come as a shock despite the Spaniard’s struggles with injury.
The 37-year-old Serb is now the last man standing from tennis’s golden era, with Roger Federer retiring in 2022, and Andy Murray calling it quits this year too.
“I’m playing, you know, still keep going... but part of me left with them, that’s for sure,” mused Djokovic.
“The era of the four musketeers, so to say, the four of us and all the rivalries we had was incredible,” he said.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed, to be honest, but, you know, I still have the desire to play.
“Fighting against a 19-year-old for two and a half hours on the court is something that still drives me... and I try to get the best out of myself.”


Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee
Updated 11 October 2024
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Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee
  • The Spanish club called the surgery successful
  • The player would start his recovery process in the coming days

MADRID: Spain defender Dani Carvajal has undergone surgery on his right knee, his club Real Madrid said Friday.
The Spanish club called the surgery successful and said the player would start his recovery process in the coming days.
Carvajal suffered his likely season-ending injury during a Spanish league game last weekend. He was diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteus tendon in his right leg.
Shortly after his injury, the club said it had agreed with the 32-year-old right back to extend his contract until June 2026.
Carvajal helped Spain win the European Championship in July.


Umpire Aleem Dar joins Pakistan cricket selection panel after England defeat

Umpire Aleem Dar joins Pakistan cricket selection panel after England defeat
Updated 11 October 2024
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Umpire Aleem Dar joins Pakistan cricket selection panel after England defeat

Umpire Aleem Dar joins Pakistan cricket selection panel after England defeat
  • PCB appoints Dar, ex-test fast bowler Aqib Javed, former test captain Azhar Ali, analyst Hasan Cheema to selection committee
  • The immediate task of the committee is to finalize the squad for the second test against England, starting Tuesday at Multan

ISLAMABAD: After a disastrous innings defeat to England, the Pakistan Cricket Board has revamped its selection committee ahead of the second test.

The PCB appointed former international umpire Aleem Dar, ex-test fast bowler Aqib Javed, former test captain Azhar Ali and analyst Hasan Cheema to the selection committee with voting rights. The committee already includes Pakistan captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie.

The immediate task of the committee is to finalize the squad for the second test against England, starting Tuesday at Multan.

The PCB said in a statement that committee members held their first meeting in Lahore on Friday and will meet with the captain and coach in Multan on Saturday before the squad is named for the second test.

There are also four non-voting members on the selection panel, including assistant coach Azhar Mahmood and Bilal Afazal, an adviser to the PCB chairman.

Dar resigned from ICC’s elite panel last year but has been supervising domestic matches, including international games at home. Last month, Dar said he will quit umpiring at the end of the domestic season in 2025.