Monday, 23 December 2024
TWO-TIME GRAND SLAM WINNER ADMITS TO DOPING AS TENNIS IS ROCKED BY ANOTHER DRUG SCANDAL
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| AP Photo |
- Max Purcell has admitted to breaching tennis' anti-doping regulations
- The two-time Grand Slam winner admitted he was 'devastated' by the news
Australian tennis player Max Purcell has elected to enter a voluntary provisional suspension after admitting to breaching the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that the 26-year-old had contravened Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, which relates to the 'use of a Prohibited Method'.
The ITIA said that his provisional suspension came into effect on December 12, 2024, but did not stipulate how long the ban would go on for.
Purcell, a two-time doubles Grand Slam winner, has also taken to Instagram to admit he was 'devastated' by the news and revealed that the breach occurred when he had 'unknowingly' received a transfusion of vitamins that was above the 'allowable limit of 100ml'.
He added that he had told the medical agency that he was an athlete and needed the IV to be below 100ml.
As announced by the ITIA today, I have voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension since I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml,' Purcell wrote on Instagram.
'Until last week when I received medical records from a clinic showing that the amount of an IV I had received was above 100ml, I was fully convinced I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods.
'But the records show that the IV was over that 100ml limit, even though I told the medical clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be below 100ml.
'This news was devastating to me because I pride myself on being an athlete who always makes sure that everything is WADA safe. I volunteered this information to the ITIA and have been as transparent as possible in trying to put this whole situation behind me. I look forward to being back on the court soon.'
Purcell will now be banned for coaching or playing at any authorised or sanctioned event by the ITIA during his provisional suspension.
The ITIA wrote in a statement: 'The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Australian tennis player Max Purcell has elected to enter into a voluntary provisional suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
'Twenty-six-year-old Purcell, currently ranked world number 12 in doubles, has admitted to a breach of Article 2.2 of the TADP relating to the use of a Prohibited Method, and requested to enter into a provisional suspension on 10 December 2024.
'The suspension came into effect on 12 December 2024, and time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction.'
Purcell partnered with Jordan Thompson this year to reach the doubles final at Wimbledon, before going on to clinch the men's doubles title at the US Open, defeating Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow.
He had previously partnered with Matt Ebden to win the men's doubles at Wimbledon in 2022, beating Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in the final.
The 26-year-old is one of multiple players to have been embroiled in controversy with anti-doping authorities this year, after Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban for testing positive for a banned substance in November.
The ITIA had accepted that Swiatek's positive tests came through contamination of non-prescription medication melatonin.
Jannik Sinner, who won this year's men's singles title at the Australian Open and the US Open, is another to have made headlines in March after he tested positive twice for the banned steroid clostebol.
He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing by the ITIA, who claimed that there was 'no fault or negligence' from the Italian.
Shortly after the announcement, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the decision. The case is not likely to be heard until March 2025.
- ED CARRUTHERS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
LIVERPOOL'S MOHAMED SALAH SETS PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD IN WIN
If this is to be Mohamed Salah's final season at Liverpool, he is going out with a bang.
The Egypt forward scored two goals and set up two more in Liverpool's wild 6-3 win at Tottenham on Sunday to become the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists before Christmas in a Premier League season.
Sunday, 22 December 2024
TATUM DRAWS COMPARISON TO BIRD AFTER 40-POINT TRIPLE-DOUBLE
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| Jayson Tatum hit the third triple-double of his career |
CHICAGO -- Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics started slowly, tussling early with the Chicago Bulls.
But the defending NBA champions came on and prevailed 123-98 on Saturday night, with Tatum's 43-point, 16-rebound and 10-assist effort earning the five-time All-Star comparisons to former Celtics great and Hall of Famer Larry Bird.
Tatum's third career triple-double was the first for a Celtics player that included 40 or more points since Bird scored 49 points with 14 rebounds and 12 assists against Portland in a 152-148 double-overtime win March 15, 1992, according to the team.
Tatum emphasized that winning is what matters most, but a little icing on the cake isn't bad.
"Larry Bird is probably the best player to ever wear this uniform," Tatum said. "So any time you accomplish something in the same sentence as him, it's something special, even if you never reach that pinnacle."
Bird finished with 59 triple-doubles in his 13 seasons with Boston. According to the Celtics, Tatum's was the first for the team that included 40 or more points and 15 or more rebounds. Tatum's effort also counted as his sixth straight double-double and 14th this season.
Tatum got rolling in the second quarter, then scored 18 points in the third as Boston used a 19-8 run to open a 93-77 lead heading into the fourth. He finished 16-for-24 from the floor, hitting 9 of 15 3-point attempts. Two free throws rounded out his scoring line.
"As a basketball player, you feel the rhythm, the ball is finding you," Tatum said. "You're just being active all over the place and probably in that third quarter.
"Joe [Mazzulla] just challenges me every night, just to amplify my teammates and figure out ways to dominate all over the court. Obviously tonight, I'm scoring a lot and getting rebounds. It just looks different on a given night."
The game was tied at 42 midway through the second quarter, then the Celtics and Tatum found an offensive rhythm. Boston had a 61-54 lead at the half, using an 8-0 run to open a 12-point lead at one point. Tatum and the Celtics took charge in the third after the Bulls had closed to within five points.
"He went outside what we normally do and that's a testament to him," Mazzulla said. "Just his shot-making, his decision-making, his ability to rebound. I thought he kind of controlled the entire game."
- Associated Press
OLEKSANDR USYK UNANIMOUSLY DEFEATS TYSON FURY IN REMATCH
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Oleksandr Usyk retained the heavyweight championship with another decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday, this time unanimously, in a rematch that was every bit as competitive as their first meeting in May.
Usyk, ESPN's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer, prevailed by the same score on all three cards: 116-112.
The rounds were difficult to score as Fury found plenty of success, particularly from the southpaw stance as he switched from orthodox, but Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) enjoyed the bout's most indelible moments.
The Ukrainian, fighting for his war-torn nation, consistently beat the far bigger Fury to the punch and connected on a bevy of overhand lefts.
"I very respect this guy because I think he's very tough," Usyk, 37, told ESPN. " ... Tyson Fury makes me strong. Tyson is a great opponent. Big man. He's a good man. Tyson, a lot of talk but it's just show."
Usyk thanked Fury for an "unbelievable 24 rounds in my career." He called Fury the best opponent he has faced, though he thought the rematch was easier than the first fight.
Fury, 36, believed he did enough to win as he celebrated at the final bell. When the scorecards were announced, he was dejected and left the ring without an interview.
The bout was entertaining from bell to bell, a fast-paced heavyweight matchup that featured few clinches. But it wasn't nearly as thrilling as the first bout (also in Saudi Arabia's capital), which will likely earn Fight of the Year honors.
In that contest for the undisputed heavyweight championship, Usyk floored Fury in Round 9 when the ropes held up the Englishman after 14 unanswered punches. The 10-8 round was the difference on the scorecards.
Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) vowed in the lead-up to the rematch that if he simply didn't clown around and thus avoided a 10-8 round, he would even the score and force a trilogy bout. "The Gypsy King" made good on his promise to take the fight more seriously as he didn't taunt Usyk once.
The only time Fury played to the crowd was during his electric entrance as he belted out Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" followed by The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize."
"More serious," said Fury, ESPN's No. 2 heavyweight, at the postfight news conference " ... I thought I won the fight again. ... I was on the front foot the entire time."
Fury said he was confident he was ahead entering the final round. His right eye was busted up, but otherwise he never appeared hurt in the fight, unlike the first time around.
"When you don't get the knockout, this is what can happen," he said.
The judges agreed on seven of the 12 rounds. Just two of those were for Fury: Rounds 4 and 5, when he was able to score with his powerful right hand, particularly to the body and with a right uppercut to the chin.
And, as in the first fight, Usyk took over during the second half as he imposed his will. Usyk won Rounds 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 unanimously as he was able to consistently back up Fury with relentless, savvy pressure and feints.
The overhand left was Usyk's best weapon, and it was often smartly set up with a jab to the body. Usyk conceded 55 pounds to the 281-pound Fury (a career high, though at the weigh-in he stepped on the scale in a leather jacket and Usyk joked that he might have had cheeseburgers in his pocket, too).
And Usyk's superior hand and foot speed were evident as the southpaw was able to evade many of Fury's power shots set up by a beautiful jab. Usyk is the former undisputed cruiserweight champion and now reigns over boxing's glamour division, too, as the best heavyweight of his generation.
The 2012 Olympic gold medalist owns a pair of wins each over two of the sport's top stars, U.K. fighters who have sold out Wembley Stadium several times: Anthony Joshua and Fury.
"I did the best I could," Fury said. "If I could have done more, I would have done it and that's it."
- Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider
USYK CEMENTS LEGACY AS BEST HEAVYWEIGHT OF HIS GENERATION
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- With 24 rounds between them and no need for a third bout following another Oleksandr Usyk victory -- this time more clearly than the first bout -- Tyson Fury leaned over and kissed his rival on the head as the heavyweight champion celebrated.
The show of respect isn't surprising after just how grueling these two fights were. With so much at stake -- Fury's quest to regain his titles as a three-time champion and Usyk's push to turn him back again -- it was Usyk who pulled away down the stretch on Saturday night.
Their May meeting, the front-runner for ESPN's Fight of the Year, established Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) as the world's best heavyweight and No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the ESPN rankings. The rematch meant even more. In addition to reinforcing that dual status, a second, more definitive victory cemented Usyk as the best heavyweight of his generation, the greatest fighter in boxing's glamour division since Lennox Lewis retired in 2004, and an all-time great.
When Usyk won gold at the amateur European Championships in 2008, he was a light heavyweight while his Ukrainian countryman, Wladimir Klitschko, reigned as heavyweight champion in the pros. Four years later, Usyk captured gold at the Olympic Games in London as a heavyweight while Anthony Joshua won a gold medal at super heavyweight. Years after that, as a pro, Usyk cleaned out the cruiserweight division as undisputed champion and defeated Joshua twice at heavyweight to become unified champion.
The May split-decision victory over Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) earned Usyk, 37, the undisputed championship at heavyweight, too. And in that fight, he came close to stopping Fury in Round 9 when he landed 14 unanswered punches and delivered Fury's eighth trip to the canvas of his career.
Seven months later, there was no seminal moment with either fighter in serious trouble. And while the bout was entertaining, it wasn't nearly as thrilling as the first meeting. Despite no knockdowns scored, Usyk's victory was never in doubt this time, winning via unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 116-112).
"I very respect this guy because I think he's very tough," Usyk told ESPN. "... Tyson Fury makes me strong. Tyson is a great opponent. Big man. He's a good man. Tyson, a lot of talk but it's just show."
Fury was adamant that he deserved the nod. When asked if he felt Usyk's spirit in the bout, Fury responded, "Yeah, Christmas spirit, he received a Christmas gift."
Usyk conceded this fight was easier than the first time.
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| Oleksandr Usyk, above, retained his WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles with another decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday. Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing |
Fury, 36, boxed well, particularly when he switched stances and fired a southpaw jab followed by punishing left hands. But like the first fight, he faded down the stretch. He lost Rounds 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 on all three scorecards.
"When you don't get the knockout, this is what can happen," Fury said. "... I did the best I could. If I could have done more, I would have done it, and that's it."
Usyk left no doubt he was the better fighter, even if many rounds were very close. A third bout isn't necessary. Two future Hall of Famers met over 24 rounds and Usyk proved that he was the better man despite a 50-plus-pound disadvantage and giving up nearly six inches in height.
Usyk will fight on, of course. There are tens of millions to be made as his star continues to grow and he brings more attention (and pride) to war-torn Ukraine. Daniel Dubois, whom Usyk KO'd in nine rounds in August 2023 in Poland, interrupted Usyk's postfight interview to call for a rematch.
"I want my revenge," said Dubois, who picked up the IBF title Usyk was stripped of in June with a fifth-round KO of Joshua in September.
Usyk quickly responded that he was ready for a rematch, but that fight won't approach the marquee stage he enjoyed this year with two wins over Fury, one of the sport's top stars. The first Dubois bout wasn't remotely competitive, and Usyk scored the KO with a jab.
England's Dubois has enjoyed an impressive run since with three consecutive wins inside the distance (TKO victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic before the upset of Joshua).
Dubois, however, must push past a tough test against former titleholder Joseph Parker on Feb. 22 in Riyadh. With Joshua and Fury out of the way for good, there's no megafight on the horizon for Usyk.
Fury, meanwhile, could face Joshua in the loser's bracket in a fight that will still be highly anticipated for their combined star power, especially in the U.K. And no matter where Fury goes from here, he'll go down as an all-time great.
But he'll always rank behind Usyk.
- Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider
Saturday, 21 December 2024
PRP GUARDIOLA REVEALS WHY MANCHESTER CITY LET MORGAN RODGERS LEAVE AFTER ASTON VILLA DEFEAT
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| Morgan Rogers inspired Aston Villa to a 2-1 win over Manchester City (Picture: Getty) |
Pep Guardiola says it’s ‘obvious’ Manchester City would love to have a player of Morgan Rogers’ quality during their current crisis – but fierce competition for places blocked the youngster’s path at the Etihad.
Rogers left City for Middlesbrough in search of regular playing time last year and the 22-year-old has gone on to establish himself as one of the finest young players in Premier League football under Unai Emery’s guidance at Aston Villa.
This afternoon, Rogers was the star of the show as City’s crisis deepened, with the attacking midfielder assisting Jhon Duran’s opener before doubling Villa’s lead in a 2-1 victory.
Phil Foden’s stoppage-time strike proved too little, too late as City suffered a ninth defeat in 12 games and the result saw Villa leapfrog Guardiola’s side into fifth place in the table.
City are now nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand over the champions ahead of their trip to Tottenham tomorrow afternoon.
Shortly after the full-time whistle, former City goalkeeper Shay Given was among those to criticise the club’s decision to allow a player of Rogers’ undoubted ability leave.
But Guardiola defended the call at his post-match press conference, underlining just how many established players Rogers had in front of him, from Kevin De Bruyne to Bernardo Silva.
Do you know what happened with some players? It was a team that won the treble and the quadruple. Sometimes it’s the right tempo, the right time to give the chance,’ the City head coach told reporters.
‘Of course, everyone knows how good Morgan is. A lot of players went on loan or have been sold.
‘But he was in that age, that moment, we had the players that we had that allowed us to create the most successful years in the history of our club.
‘In that moment, sometimes when they arrive they are two, three years younger and at that moment there is Kevin in his prime, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling and sometimes it’s difficult. That’s the only reason why.
‘In the situation we are in right now, of course these kinds of players would be with us. This is obvious.
‘I’m happy for him because he’s a lovely guy. He exploded last season and this season he’s a really, really top-class player. England have another exceptional player.’
In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Rogers pointed to Villa’s counter-attacking prowess as a major factor in Villa’s win.
‘It felt tougher than it probably looked. They make you work and it is so demanding out of possession,’ he said.
- Tom Olver
YUKI TSUNODA: CHRISTIAN HORNER HINTS AT RED BULL EXIT AFTER 2025
Yuki Tsunoda will represent experience and continuity at Racing Bulls next year but, passed over for promotion, the Japanese looks to be running out of road at the Red Bull-owned Formula 1 team.
A flurry of Red Bull announcements culminated on Friday with 20-year-old Isack Hadjar confirmed as Tsunoda's teammate.
The Frenchman takes the seat vacated by New Zealander Liam Lawson, who joins four times champion Max Verstappen at the main team after Mexican Sergio Pérez was dropped.
Tsunoda, 24, will be starting his fifth year with the team previously known as AlphaTauri and RB and has close ties to Red Bull's engine partners Honda.
The Japanese manufacturer is leaving Red Bull at the end of 2025, however, to work with Aston Martin.
"We're acutely aware that if we're not able to provide an opportunity for Yuki [at Red Bull] in all honesty this year, does it [keeping him on] make sense?," Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told reporters.
"You can't have a driver in the support team for five years. You can't always be the bridesmaid. You've either got to let them go at that point or look at something different."
Horner said he had spoken with Tsunoda, a fan favourite currently enjoying time off in Japan, and the driver was determined to show what he could do.
"I think he's very determined. He knows that things change very quickly," the Briton said. "Who would have thought nine months ago that we'd be sitting here talking about Liam Lawson being our driver for 2025?
Yuki Tsunoda missed out on a drive with Red Bull in 2025. Mark Thompson/Getty Images"Things change quickly in this industry and he's aware of that and he knows that he needs to be the one demonstrating that he's the one knocking on the door."
Italy-based Racing Bulls, who have had several name changes after Red Bull bought Minardi in 2005 and renamed them Toro Rosso, have always been a feeder for the title-winning main Milton Keynes team.
Drivers to have come through their ranks include four times world champions Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen as well as race winners Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz.
Hadjar is one of a group of young prospects coming into the sport and Red Bull also have Arvid Lindblad as an exciting talent on the horizon.
Horner rates the 17-year-old, who has both British and Swedish nationality, particularly highly after a strong rookie season in Formula 3 including a Silverstone double win.
Currently without a super-licence, Lindblad will be seeking the necessary points in New Zealand early next year before a full F2 season that could set him up for promotion in 2026 at Tsunoda's expense.
- Reuters
SOURCES: FALCONS EXPECTED TO CUT KIRK COUSINS BEFORE $10M BONUS DUE
Kirk Cousins' divorce from the Falcons is expected to be finalized before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, with executives across the NFL fully expecting Atlanta to release him by then.
The split between Cousins and the Falcons is inevitable at this point, according to multiple sources.
Front office executives observing the situation have pointed out that, due to the no-trade clause in Cousins' contract, he now has all the leverage. And nobody believes he will do any favors for a Falcons team that surprised him on draft night by selecting another quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., in the first round then benched him this week in favor of the rookie.
Thus there now is a widespread expectation across the league that the Falcons will not be able to trade Cousins and will have to release him before March 17, when his $10 million roster bonus for the 2026 season comes due. There is no need for the Falcons to absorb any more costs for a quarterback who they have paid $90 million for 14 games.
Therefore, for the second straight offseason, Cousins is expected to become a free agent, able to choose the team and situation he believes will be best for him.
A Falcons official told ESPN on Saturday morning that it was too early to determine whether the organization would release Cousins. The official added that Penix's relatively low salary cap number for 2025 ($5.2 million) gives the Falcons the financial flexibility to potentially keep Cousins.
But the expectation around the league remains that the Falcons will release Cousins before the roster bonus is due.
The Denver Broncos were in a similar situation last offseason, when Russell Wilson ultimately was released before his $37 million salary for the 2025 season became fully guaranteed. Wilson's guarantee was due on March 17, 2024, exactly one year before Cousins' roster bonus with the Falcons is due.
Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth the veterans minimum at $1.2 million -- similar to the type of contract offers the 36-year-old Cousins would field from other teams if he chooses to play in 2025. Any salary Cousins earns in 2025 would be offset by the $27.5 million owed to him by the Falcons, making him a potential bargain option for next season.
Had the situation in Atlanta been handled differently, in the eyes of executives across the league, the Falcons maybe would have had a chance to work with Cousins to facilitate a trade to another team. But considering the history that has unfolded in recent months, that is not expected to be the case.
Cousins was not informed that the Falcons would draft a quarterback until they called the four-time Pro Bowler while they were on the clock for their first-round pick in April.
This caused frustration and confusion from the Cousins camp, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported on draft night, because Atlanta didn't use the eighth overall pick on a player to support Cousins and make the team better; instead the Falcons selected a player to eventually take over for Cousins.
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| Kirk Cousins, who has a $10 million roster bonus due on March 17, acknowledged this week that his turnovers hurt the Falcons but insisted that he "didn't forget how to play quarterback." Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire |
"He got the call on the clock, obviously because of the sensitive time with the issues of what you got going on," Falcons coach Raheem Morris said in April. "It's never a right time to talk to a quarterback about those things, and reactions are always going to be private when it comes to those things, unless Kirk decides to tell you some of those things that are whatever they may be.
"But he's a competitor, just like us all. And you can always expect those things to go just like you kind of think."
The Falcons announced Tuesday that Penix was their starting quarterback "moving forward" with three games remaining this season, sending Cousins to the bench just months after he signed a four-year, $180 million contract that included $100 million guaranteed.
The Falcons might try to see whether there is a way to trade Cousins but would need his cooperation, and nobody across the league expects them to get it, meaning it's only a matter of time before Atlanta will be left with no choice but to release him.
What also makes the move interesting is the perceived shortage of quality quarterbacks available this offseason. Next year's draft is not considered as good or deep at the quarterback position as this year's, and the free agent quarterback class currently is scheduled to include Sam Darnold, Wilson and eventually Cousins.
Teams expected to be in the quarterback market this offseason include the Steelers, Jets, Giants, Raiders, Saints, Browns and Titans. As usual, there aren't enough quarterbacks for everyone.
Morris said Wednesday that the biggest factor in benching Cousins was his turnovers. Cousins has a league-leading 16 interceptions, and his 12 fumbles is tied for the most in the NFL with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
"There's a standard that I have for myself, that the team has for me, that, unfortunately, I wasn't playing up to that standard consistently enough," Cousins said Wednesday in his first comments since being benched. "And so, it is what it is, and you roll with it and now you still get ready -- 'one play away' kind of a thing -- and support Mike and just try to help our team be able to find a way to win these last three to get in the playoffs, and that's what it's all about."
The Falcons (7-7) are second in the NFC South but own the tiebreaker over the first-place Buccaneers (8-6) and have a 20% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN's Football Power Index projections.
Atlanta hosts the struggling Giants (2-12) on Sunday, when Penix will make his first career start.
Cousins said Wednesday that, despite coming back from a torn Achilles in 2023, he is not injured. As far as beyond this season, he said he will deal with that when the time comes.
"I didn't forget how to play quarterback," he said. "Certainly, turnovers were not what you want, but I didn't forget how to play."
ESPN's Marc Raimondi contributed to this report.
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REY MYSTERIO SNR DEAD, WRESTLING PROMOTION ANNOUNCES, JUST WEEKS AFTER A FAMILY TRAGEDY - AS FANS PAY TRIBUTE TO MEXICAN LEGEND
- Mexican wrestling company Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide revealed the news
- Mysterio's nephew, Rey Mysterio Jnr, is still currently still wrestling with WWE
Rey Mysterio Snr has passed away, his family have said.
The wrestling legend, real name Miguel Angel Lopez Dias, was the uncle of current WWE star Rey.
Mexican wrestling company Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide revealed the news on social media. They posted: 'We regret the sensitive death of Miguel Angel Lopez Dias, known as Rey Mysterio Sr.
We send our most sincere condolences to his loved ones and raise our prayers to heaven for his eternal rest.'
Mysterio, who was 66, began wrestling in 1976 and officially retired in 2009. His son, Rey, and grandson, Dominik, are still with WWE and Rey was introduced into the Hall of Fame in 2023.
The tragedy comes just a week after Mysterio Jnr's father, Roberto Gutierrez, died at the age of 76.
Mysterio first began training as a boxer, but found out about wrestling through his trainers.
He debuted in January 1976, and, throughout his career, wrestled for the likes of Pro Wrestling Revolution, Tijuana Wrestling and World Wrestling Association.
To distinguish the star from his nephew, he was often referred to as Rey Mysterio Snr, with Dominik his grand nephew. His grand niece, Aalyah, has also appeared in WWE on a number of occasions.
Upon the passing of his father, Rey Jnr wrote on Instagram: 'You did more than set the example of how to love & maintain a strong marriage and father 4 boys, you were the example and passed every single time until your death with flying colors. Excellent husband, loving father, beautiful grandfather, incredible son & brother, and amazing father in law.
'You checked every list on the box and can honestly say my majority [traits] I picked up from you. You fought until the very last minute and know that you biggest fear was leaving Moms behind, but I can assure you that she will not be alone and we will always look out for her.'
'You are with God now and smiling from the heavens while we continue with the real struggle of life until we see again. You will never be forgotten and will always be loved, RIP Pops.'
'Prayers for the Mysterio family,' one fan posted on social media.
Another wrote: 'Man, Rey is having a heartbreaking past few weeks. First he lost his father and now his uncle. Stay strong Mysterio family.'
Dominik, meanwhile, shared a video honouring his uncle to his Instagram account, captioned: 'Q.E.P.D. Tio,' accompanied by a crown emoji. He also shared images of his uncle with a black love heart.
- LEWIS BROWNING
NOTRE DAME BEATS INDIANA IN FIRST GAME OF EXPANDED CGP
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame players and coaches linked arms in the northeast corner of the field late Friday, waiting to sing the alma mater for the final time at home in 2024.
After a slight delay, coach Marcus Freeman bounded into the group, pumping his first toward the student section before the band began to play. No. 7 Notre Dame had beaten No. 10 Indiana 27-17, using a familiar formula of stifling defense, big-play runs and relentless physicality to overwhelm a lesser opponent, just like the Fighting Irish had done for most of the season.
But Friday's win and setting was different. A Notre Dame program steeped in history became the first to win a campus College Football Playoff game. The Irish, who had not won a CFP game before, played their first Friday home game since 1900, before a full-throated crowd, many of whom came to campus on a snowy morning and celebrated throughout the day and night.
Freeman, fresh off a new contract in his third season as Notre Dame's coach, took a moment to enjoy the scene.
"I've never been part of an environment like that," Freeman said. "Not many times in life you're the first to do something, and as I told the [team] in there, we were the first to win and play a playoff game in Notre Dame Stadium. That's historic. Something we'll cherish for the rest of our lives."
Defensive coordinator Al Golden, whose group drove Notre Dame into the CFP and overwhelmed Indiana for much of Friday's game, doesn't walk around campus or the team's facility with blinders on. He absorbs the national championship banners and other symbols of the program's distinct path.
"The lineage is so strong and so storied that it's hard to come about something that's the first," Golden said. "So everybody in that locker room, everybody that's a part of it, can say that for the rest of their lives."
Notre Dame ensured that its first home CFP game would not be its last of the season, jumping ahead 14-0 after Jeremiyah Love's 98-yard touchdown run and a 16-play, 83-yard drive capped by a Riley Leonard pass to Jayden Thomas.
Love's run through the left side of the line marked the longest play in CFP history, the longest run by an FBS player this season, the longest play Indiana has ever allowed and tied for the longest run in Notre Dame history (Josh Adams in 2015 against Wake Forest). The sophomore isn't fully recovered from a knee injury suffered in the regular-season finale at USC and also had been battling illness.
"He is the engine that sparks this thing to go in a real positive direction," offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said.
Love was "gassed" after crossing the goal line and could barely speak after the game. He would log only eight carries in the game but made sure no Indiana defender would track him down.
"I was looking up on the video board [and] he wasn't going to catch me," Love said. "I slowed down. I knew I was going to score."
Safety Xavier Watts set up Love's touchdown with an interception and propelled Notre Dame's defense with 10 tackles. The Irish kept Indiana's offense out of the end zone until less than 90 seconds remained and turned away the Hoosiers on eight of 12 third-down opportunities, while racking up three sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Notre Dame led 17-3 at halftime and 27-3 with 4:50 left before Indiana scored two late touchdowns.
"They pretty much suffocated our offense until the last minute and a half of the game," Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said.
Leonard rebounded from an interception on his first pass attempt to complete 20 passes for 215 yards and two scores in his final game at Notre Dame Stadium. Leonard spread the ball to 10 receivers, including wide receiver Jordan Faison, who set a career high with seven reeptions.
Leonard, a Duke transfer and Alabama native, will continue his quest closer to home against No. 2 seed Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, a CFP quarterfinal. Notre Dame has lost 10 consecutive major bowl games since its last in a marquee New Year's Day game, the 1994 Cotton Bowl.
"This is special for us," Leonard said. "My freshman year, I went 3-9 [at Duke] and was just begging to make a bowl game. To be playing in the Sugar Bowl right now, I've got to go full circle. It's really cool. We're just staying alive and we're just trying to play as many games as we can."
Notre Dame's win might have come at a cost, as starting defensive tackle Rylie Mills did not return after suffering a right leg/knee injury after sacking Indiana's Kurtis Rourke on the first series of the second half. The Irish also had injuries to offensive lineman Rocco Spindler and defensive lineman Bryce Young.
Freeman told ESPN's Scott Van Pelt that he has "optimism" about Mills, whose injury likely won't be season-ending. Mills leads Notre Dame with 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
"We just got to get him right here in the next 10-11 games and get him ready for this upcoming contest down in New Orleans," Freeman told Van Pelt.
- Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer
DOGGED DEFENSIVE DISPLAY ENOUGH FOR SINGAPORE TO REACH ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS AT MALAYSIA EXPENSE
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| Singapore are through to the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Championship after a 0-0 draw with Malaysia saw them advance as Group A runners-up at the expense of their fierce rivals. SPORTFIVE |
It wasn't pretty. Far from it.
And it was extremely nervy. Hearts were in mouths several times throughout the 90 minutes.
Ultimately, a dogged defensive display by Singapore -- in the intimidating away venue that is Bukit Jalil National Stadium -- reaped a 0-0 draw against bitter rivals Malaysia that was enough to see them return to the semifinals of the ASEAN Championship for the first time since the 2020 edition.
The result ensured Singapore stayed inside the top two at the conclusion of the Group A action, meaning it is them that will be joining defending champions Thailand in marching on into the last four.
Even though Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura had spoke of the danger in heading into the game playing for a draw, it was apparent from the opening whistle that his side were not going to take any unnecessary risks.
Now permanently a defender by trade, Nazrul Nazari was employed as a defensive right winger, while Shahdan Sulaiman was introduced to the starting XI as a deep-lying playmaker to allow the more energetic duo of Shah Shahiran and Hami Syahin to press high.
The return from club duty of centre-back Safuwan Baharudin was a huge boost for Singapore, while the decision to start with the more defensive-minded Irfan Najeeb and Amirul Adli highlighted the conservative approach the visitors were prioritising.
It worked for much of the first half. Malaysia were applying pressure but Singapore were largely able to keep that at bay without too much of a scare.
Yet, there is only so much defending a team can do before really coming under the pump -- and the introduction of Paulo Josué got Malaysia looking that much more dangerous.
A freekick from the naturalised Brazilian-born playmaker was spilled by Izwan Mahbud and had to be desperately cleared away before any Malaysian player could pounce.
Moments later, Josué outjumped Izwan to send a header off the bar - with a follow-up effort from Harith Haiqal deflected wide right on the goal-line by a defending Singapore player who had not known too much about it but was in the right place at the right time.
Harith, who is always a threat when coming up for set-piece situations, then met an Endrick corner in the 69th minute with a firm header that saw Singapore rescued by the woodwork once more.
As the game really opened up in its final stages, the Lions did have chances of their own to kill off the contest.
Kyoga Nakamura had an audacious 30-yard lob sail narrowly wide with Haziq Nadzli scrambling, while Ryhan Stewart was twice denied in quick succession via a combination of the Malaysia goalkeeper and his post.
But, perhaps epitomising what has been a trying campaign for Harimau Malaya, they just lacked that extra bit of poise and killer instinct to find the winner even with their opponents looking on the ropes -- allowing Singapore to hold out and claim the all-important point they needed.
Now through to the semis for only the second time since they last won the tournament in 2012, the current campaign should already be a pass mark for Ogura -- who only took over back in February.
Before the start of proceedings, the Japanese tactician had stated a target of going into every game looking to win. By default, that meant the belief they could actually become champions.
Now that they into the business end of knockout football, there could even be renewed belief that it might just be their year.
For Malaysia, there is likely to be some serious soul searching in what is proving to be a stormy season.
Their prospects were already hampered by the unavailability of a whole host of seasoned campaigners due to the Malaysia Super League being in play concurrently, and it did not help that caretaker coach Pau Martí had announced that he would not be staying on after the tournament -- even before a ball was kicked.
Malaysia have since named former FC Tokyo coach Peter Cklamovski as their new man in charge.
He will have plenty on his plate from the moment he officially starts the job on Jan. 5.
- Gabriel Tan
Friday, 20 December 2024
CHESS IS MAKING HISTORY BY JOINING THE ESPORTS WORLD CUP (EWC) 2025! 🏆♟️
The event, taking place from July 31 to August 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will feature top chess players competing for a massive $1.5 million prize pool.
This partnership, announced by Chess.com, Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), brings chess to the esports world, connecting it with a new generation of fans.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF, says: "Chess, the mother of all strategy games, is a perfect fit for uniting the world's most popular games."
Magnus Carlsen, the chess ambassador for EWC, is excited about the opportunity to grow the game and inspire new players.
Chess now joins over 20 global gaming titles at the EWC, celebrating both tradition and modern gaming! 🎮
MANCHESTER UNITED'S AMORIM HAS NO REGRETS ON RASHFORD DECISION
Ruben Amorim insisted he was right to drop Marcus Rashford from the Manchester United squad despite going out of the Carabao Cup at the quarterfinal stage following a 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Rashford was left out of Amorim's squad for the second game in a row after he was also dropped for the 2-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
The 27-year-old suggested in an interview Tuesday that he wants to leave the club. Asked afterward whether Spurs' victory made him rethink his stance on the England forward, Amorim said he stood by his decision.
"I feel that I do the right thing for the team so it's never a mistake," the United head coach said. "We have to make a selection. I think it wasn't a mistake because I'm always doing the best for the team in my way of seeing things."
Without Rashford, United briefly recovered from 3-0 down to make it 3-2 thanks to two errors from goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Spurs made it 4-2 before Jonny Evans scored a late consolation and Ange Postecoglou's side held on to book a semifinal spot against Liverpool.
Amorim, meanwhile, was left to rue an eight-minute period at the start of the second half during which Spurs scored twice.
"We control the possession I think," Amorim said. "We were not the best team in all of the game, but for most of the parts I think we were the best team. I think we disconnect for eight minutes and it is really hard to recover from that. The lads did a great job to recover.
"We still had time to win the game, but the fourth goal was really hard for us. In the end it was not enough and we're out of the cup."
It was a difficult night for both goalkeepers with United's No.2 Altay Bayindir -- handed a rare start ahead of André Onana -- at fault for two goals. Forster's mistakes were more embarrassing, particularly the second when he took too long with a back pass and was charged down by Amad Diallo.
"He is disappointed because he was outstanding for us," Postecoglou said. "Even before then in the first half I thought he was really good with his feet, he found some great solutions.
"The first one probably affected his confidence a little bit and he lost a bit of belief and the second one compounded it. But he is a big boy and he is another one who has stood up for us big time in this period. I can't speak highly enough of this group of players."
Tottenham host Liverpool in their semifinal first leg on the weekend of Jan. 6, while Newcastle will travel to face Arsenal at The Emirates.
- Rob Dawson, Correspondent
Thursday, 19 December 2024
SUPHANAT MUEANTA HAS GONE FROM TEENAGE PRODIGY TO THAILAND'S MAIN MAN AT JUST 22
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| Still only 22, Suphanat Mueanta has emerged as Thailand's most-influential player in their quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive ASEAN Championship title. Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto via Getty Images |
Suphanat Mueanta has always been destined for big things -- from the time he became the youngest player to both debut and then score in Thai League 1 at the age of 15.
A year later, in 2019, he would set a similar record on the continental stage - becoming the AFC Champions League's youngest scorer at just 16 years and eight months.
Many a prodigious talent has however failed in living up to their full potential. That will not be the case with Suphanat.
Still only 22, the fleet-footed attacker recently returned to Buriram United after a loan stint in Europe with OH Leuven.
The fact that he did not make a real breakthrough might led some to suggest it was a failed spell but the exposure he received would have been invaluable, especially considering he did make 14 appearances in the Belgian Pro League.
It will be intriguing to see what the future holds for Suphanat, who should be aiming to continue developing at a higher level than in Thailand. Following in the footsteps of older brother Supachok Sarachat -- who has spent the last two and a half years with Consadole Sapporo -- and venturing to Japan's J1 League seems a logical move.
In the present, though, his focus is firmly fixed on helping Thailand win a record-extending 8th ASEAN Championship title.
And despite his relative youth, his undeniable quality and the fact that he has been around for a while now mean he is even playing the role of main man -- in an talented but inexperienced Thailand outfit missing some notable names in Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerathon Bunmathan and Teerasil Dangda.
The added responsibility has hardly fazed him.
With victories over Timor-Leste, Malaysia and Singapore, the War Elephants are already guaranted top spot -- and a semifinal berth -- ahead of Friday's Group A finale against Cambodia.
Remarkably, Suphanat has been named Player of the Match in each match and already has three goals in as many games.
He is already the early frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player award, which would see him emulate compatriots Kiatisuk Senamuang (2000), Therdsak Chaiman (2002), Chanathip (2014, 2016, 2020) and Theerathon (2022) -- who are all Thai greats in their own right.
Curiously, although his senior international debut was back in 2019, this is Suphanat's first ASEAN Championship -- although he did feature in the AFC Asian Cup at the start of the year and has notably scored against powerhouses like South Korea and United Arab Emirates in the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup.
But when asked how he felt about the leading role he is playing in the side despite his tender years, Suphanat instead pivoted to the importance of an even contribution from the entire squad.
"I feel everyone in the team is trying to communicate with each other," he told ESPN.
"Everyone is friendly to each other [regardless of age or experience].
"Having this feeling that we are a family is very important for us going forward."
Thailand have certainly been happy to share the workload with their 15 goals coming from seven different scorers, including three each for Suphanat, Patrik Gustavsson and Teerasak Poeiphimai.
Gustavsson's ability to battle away as the focal point in attack has enabled Suphanat to deal plenty of damage from the right, while Teerasak's ability to make an impact from the bench could even see him rewarded with a start against Cambodia.
Further back, captain Pansa Hemviboon provides the assurance in defence, while Peeradon Chamratsamee and Weerathep Pomphan are key lynchpins in the engine room.
Thailand may not be at their best but they are still a formidable outfit.
There is every chance they could go all the way again and win an unprecedented third consecutive title.
If they do so, it is almost certain that Suphanat -- whether he wants the spotlight or not -- would have been the main man behind the success.
- Gabriel Tan
MOTIVATION | ROBERTO CARLOS WAS TOL HE WILL NEVER SUCCEED
Throwback to 1995 when Roy Hodgson told Roberto Carlos that he wouldn’t make it as a left back…
Roberto Carlos: “Once upon a time at Inter Milan, Roy Hodgson told me I would never succeed as left back. He told me l wasn’t good enough. I told him that he doesn’t understand football.”
He then went onto win:
🏆 La Liga
🏆 Champions League
🏆 Supercopa
🏆 Brazil Série A
🏆 Campeonato Paulista
🏆 Turkish Cup
🏆 Copa America
🏆 Club World Cup
🏆 World Cup
And he became one of the greatest, if not the greatest, left back of all time 🐐
AMORIM WANTS RASHFORD TO STAY
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| Getty |
Rúben Amorim has told Marcus Rashford he wants him to stay at Manchester United.
Rashford has suggested he's ready to leave and pursue a "new challenge" after a 20-year association with the club.
Amorim, however, insisted the 27-year-old can find that challenge at Old Trafford as he looks to return United to the top of European football.
"We have here a new challenge," Amorim told a news conference on Wednesday.
"It's a tough one. For me it's the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge."
Rashford's comments came just days after he was dropped from the squad for the 2-1 derby win over Manchester City.
"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," Rashford, who admitted it was "disheartening" to be left out at the Etihad Stadium, told journalist Henry Winter. "When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings.'"
Amorim revealed he is yet to speak to the England forward, who was given a day off on Tuesday, and will decide after training on Wednesday whether he will be part of the group which travels to London for the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
Alejandro Garnacho was also dropped from the squad at the Etihad but is available to face Spurs after training on Sunday and Monday.
"It's the same situation for all the other players," Amorim said.
"If they train well then I have to make a choice. We will see at the end of training.
"I want the best of each one of them [the players] and that is the key point for me. I just want to win and to help the team be better.
"We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past. And that's all.
"This kind of club needs big talent and he's a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus."
- Rob Dawson, Correspondent
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
OFFICIAL: PEREZ ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE FROM RED BULL RACING FOR 2025
An agreement has been reached
After four successful seasons together, and following the conclusion of the longest Formula One season in history, Sergio Pérez and Oracle Red Bull Racing have reached an agreement to part ways for 2025.
Checo joined Oracle Red Bull Racing for the 2021 season and across four seasons and 90 race starts with the Team, the Mexican racer enjoyed the most successful spell of his 13 years in Formula One. As well as scoring five wins, including victory at the Monaco Grand Prix and a pair of Azerbaijan Grand Prix wins that earned him a reputation as ‘F1’s King of the Streets’, Checo helped the Team to two Constructors’ Championship titles, in 2022 and 2023. As a title runner-up in his own regard last year, he also sealed the Team’s first one-two finish in the Drivers’ standings.
Checo, said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing Team. Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I’ll always cherish the successes we achieved together. We broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way. A big thank you to every person in the Team from the management, engineers and mechanics, catering, hospitality, kitchen, marketing and communications, as well as everyone at Milton Keynes, I wish you all the best for the future. It has also been an honour to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success. A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And remember…Never give up.”
Christian Horner, Team Principal and CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said: “I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons. From the moment he joined in 2021 he proved himself to be an extraordinary Team player, helping us to two Constructors’ titles and to our first 1-2 finish in the Drivers’ championship. His five wins, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular mark of his determination to always push to the limit. While Checo will not race for the Team next season, he will always be an extremely popular Team member and a treasured part of our history. Thank you, Checo.”
Further announcements regarding the Team’s full 2025 line-up will be made in due course.
- NextGen Auto
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