Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
Italy’s Jannik Sinner poses with the ATP year-end No.1 trophy along with former tennis players Boris Becker and ATP’s President Andrea Gaudenzi, during the ATP Finals tennis tournament in Turin on Nov. 11, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 14 November 2024
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Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
  • A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
  • The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year

TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.


Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia

Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia
Updated 28 sec ago
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Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia

Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia
  • Countdown to fight officially underway

RIYADH: The countdown to December’s hotly anticipated heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is officially underway following the release of a new cinematic trailer titled “The Obsession.”

Unveiled on Sunday by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, the promo film sets the tone for the “Reignited” bout scheduled for Dec. 21 at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena as part of Riyadh Season.

The clip is set to Kylie Minogue’s smash hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and showcases surreal moments as the rival heavyweights imagine each other everywhere during their daily lives.

From Fury seeing his family transformed into Usyk lookalikes to Usyk envisioning Fury on a sausage — a nod to Fury’s trademark taunts — the promo highlights the fighters’ lighthearted but intense rivalry.

Their rematch follows their electrifying first bout in May, in which Usyk made history as the 21st century’s first undisputed heavyweight champion.

The clip was developed by BigTime Creative Shop in collaboration with the award-winning French collective Megaforce and Riff Raff Films.


Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place

Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place
Updated 27 min 3 sec ago
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Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place

Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place
  • This was the most encouraging result of Amorim’s brief time at United as they recovered from a slow start to dispatch lowly Everton

LONDON: Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim earned his first Premier League win with a 4-0 rout of Everton.

Chelsea climbed to third place with a 3-0 win against spluttering Aston Villa.

United were held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in his first Premier League game last Sunday, before the Portuguese boss earned his maiden win with United in a 3-2 success against Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday.

The 39-year-old, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, has warned United would “suffer for a long period” before they can expect to challenge for the title.

This was the most encouraging result of Amorim’s brief time at United as they recovered from a slow start to dispatch lowly Everton.

United fans had gathered on the Old Trafford forecourt before kick-off to protest the clubs’ decision to increase ticket prices, displaying a banner with the slogan “Stop Exploiting Loyalty.”

If ninth-placed United are to justify those increases, they need a winning team and Amorim is taking steps in the right direction.

Marcus Rashford had scored the first goal of Amorim’s reign after just two minutes at Ipswich and he was on target again in the 34th minute against Everton.

Rashford’s drive from the edge of the area took a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite before flashing into the net.

United struck again seven minutes later as Amorim’s decision to select Zirkzee to lead the attack instead of Rasmus Hojlund.

Branthwaite lost possession to Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes teed up Joshua Zirkzee to convert with ease.

The much-maligned Netherlands striker’s second goal since his close-season move from Bologna ended a 17-game drought dating back to August.

Rashford underlined United’s superiority just 20 seconds after the interval as he applied a cool finish to Diallo’s incisive pass for his seventh goal this season.

Zirkee struck again in the 64th minute with a composed strike from the influential Diallo’s assist after shambolic Everton defending.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games as Villa’s dismal winless streak reached eight matches.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted this week that his young team are not title contenders in the first season of his rebuilding job.

But they look capable of at least securing Champions League qualification after a third successive win in the space of eight days moved them level on points with second-placed Arsenal.

The famous Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in October feels like a distant memory for 12th placed Villa, who have won only once in the Premier League since then.

Nicolas Jackson put Chelsea in front after just seven minutes with his eighth goal this season.

The Senegal striker met Marc Cucurella’s cross with a volley from eight yards that beat Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez via the near post.

Villa appealed in vain for a foul by Cucurella on Jaden Philogene in the build-up to the goal.

Enzo Fernandez added to Villa’s frustration in the 36th minute as the midfielder took a clever touch before firing home from 12 yards.

Cole Palmer grabbed his eighth goal this season with a superb finish from the edge of the area in the 83rd minute.

Seventh-placed Tottenham’s top four hopes were dented by a 1-1 draw against 10-man Fulham.

Brennan Johnson slotted Tottenham into the lead from Timo Werner’s 54th minute pass, but Tom Cairney curled Fulham’s equalizer into the far corner after 67 minutes.

Cairney was sent off with seven minutes left after his foul on Dejan Kulusevski was upgraded from referee Darren Bond’s initial yellow card to a red after VAR intervened.


Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty

Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty
Updated 01 December 2024
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Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty

Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty
  • That result meant McLaren, even with Oscar Piastri finishing third, were unable to clinch a first constructors title since 1998

DOHA: Max Verstappen avenged his overnight demotion from pole position by clinching his ninth win of the season and 63rd of his career with a dominant triumph for Red Bull in Sunday’s crash-hit and controversial Qatar Grand Prix.
In a race shaped by a litany of stewards’ decisions and penalties, including a harsh late 10-second ‘stop-go’ for Lando Norris of McLaren, the newly-crowned four-time world champion was flawless as he came home six seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
That result meant McLaren, even with Oscar Piastri finishing third, were unable to clinch a first constructors title since 1998 and have to try again in the final race in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes, despite being handed a late time penalty, ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari, two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Zhou Guanyu of Sauber, who scored his and the team’s first points of the season.
Kevin Magnussen was ninth for Haas and Norris, after a ferocious finale following his penalty, was 10th for McLaren.
Verstappen’s success was not enough to keep alive Red Bull’s challenge for the teams’ title which left McLaren top with 640, 21 points clear of Ferrari with one race to go.
“I am very happy with that,” said Verstappen, who has recovered his form in the last three races. “It’s been a long time since we had victory in the dry and it’s great for the team to be so competitive again.”
Leclerc said he was happy with second and forecast a “very tight” finish in the championship next weekend. “But 21 points is still a big margin,” he added.
The Dutchman’s overnight loss of pole, for driving too slowly and causing Russell to take evasive action, had gifted the Mercedes’ driver his career fifth pole and second in succession.
Fired up by that stewards’ decision, Verstappen made an excellent start to power by Russell and lead into Turn One with Norris squeezing through to take second before the opening lap was red-flagged for a Safety Car.
A crash involving Nico Hulkenberg, who lost the rear of his Haas and spun into Ocon’s Alpine, the pair taking the innocent Franco Colapinto with them in his Williams, caused the pause. It was the luckless Williams team’s 16th crash of the season.
Racing resumed on lap five with the top three unchanged ahead of Leclerc and Piastri, who swiftly jumped back to fourth, a move that kept both McLarens ahead of the two Ferraris.
For McLaren, it was going to plan, a description not claimed by Hamilton. After a false start, he was eighth with a five-second penalty.
His Mercedes team-mate Russell also suffered misfortunes, pitting after 24 laps in a slow seven seconds — due to a recalcitrant right rear wheel — and dropping from third to rejoin 12th on hards.
Russell’s problems lifted Piastri to third, 8.7 behind Norris, the two McLarens sitting ahead of Leclerc and Sainz, in fourth and fifth, with Verstappen on top before an errant mirror, from Magnussen’s Haas car, fell on the main straight, bringing double waved yellows.
Valtteri Bottas ran over the mirror on the lap 34, sending debris across the circuit. Hamilton and Sainz collected punctures and pitted before a belated Safety Car was deployed as Piastri and then the rest came in.
Leclerc profited by moving up to third, ahead of Piastri, who stopped before the SC interval, while Hamilton fell to 16th and Russell, angry after taking another set of hards, was seventh. “Why have we put hards on?” he screamed.


Al-Ittihad await news on injured duo

Al-Ittihad await news on injured duo
Updated 01 December 2024
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Al-Ittihad await news on injured duo

Al-Ittihad await news on injured duo
  • Dutch forward Steven Bergwijn and Saudi midfielder Abdulelah Hawsawi came off against Al-Ettifaq on Saturday
  • Pair set to undergo tests on Sunday ahead of clash with Al-Nassr on Friday

Al-Ittihad players Steven Bergwijn and Abdulelah Hawsawi will undergo medical examinations on their respective injuries on Sunday.

The Jeddah-based club stated through its official account on social media platform X that Dutch forward Bergwijn and Saudi midfielder Hawsawi will undergo tests to ensure their fitness, without disclosing further details about their injuries.

Hawsawi sustained an injury in the 46th minute of the match against Al-Ettifaq on Saturday, during the 12th round of the Saudi Pro League.

It forced the team’s coach, Laurent Blanc, into a substitution, bringing on Abdulrahman Al-Aboud in his place.

Bergwijn also suffered a knock in the 85th minute, and was replaced by Ahmed Al-Ghamdi.

The Dutchman’s injury came 15 minutes after he scored his team’s final goal in the 4-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq.

Al-Ittihad, currently leading the league with 33 points, next face a challenging clash with Al-Nassr, in third with 25 points, next Friday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.


India’s Jay Shah starts term as world cricket boss

India’s Jay Shah starts term as world cricket boss
Updated 01 December 2024
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India’s Jay Shah starts term as world cricket boss

India’s Jay Shah starts term as world cricket boss
  • The son of India’s powerful home minister Amit Shah was elected unopposed by the sport’s world body in August
  • Shah, the youngest person ever to hold the position, succeeds Greg Barclay, who decided not to seek a third term

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket boss Jay Shah began Sunday his tenure as chairman of the International Cricket Council, saying he looked forward to taking the sport to “new heights.”
The son of India’s powerful home minister Amit Shah was elected unopposed by the sport’s world body in August and succeeds Greg Barclay, who decided not to seek a third term.
At 36, he is the youngest person ever to hold the position.
“Cricket holds immense potential globally, and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to seize these opportunities and take the sport to new heights,” Shah said in a statement.
He said it was an “exciting” time for the sport with preparations underway for the 2028 Olympics and working to “make cricket more inclusive and engaging for fans worldwide.”
“We are at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats and the need to accelerate the growth of the women’s game,” he added.
From being the chief of the world’s richest cricket board to leading the ICC, Shah’s meteoric rise illustrates India’s domination of the sport’s global administration.
In a country where the sport and politics go hand in glove, Shah is best known for being the son of Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-hand man Amit Shah.
The ICC is the global governing body for cricket, with more than 100 members, and is responsible for staging global events such as the World Cup.
Shah’s start at his new job comes at a crucial time, with the fate of next year’s Champions Trophy hanging in the balance after India refused to travel to host nation Pakistan.
Sources from the ICC told AFP earlier this week that talks to settle the dispute were still ongoing.