Murali Kartik retires from cricket
New Delhi: Veteran left-arm spinner Murali Kartik retired from competitive cricket on Saturday having played eight Tests and 37 ODIs for India between 1999 and 2007 taking 24 and 37 wickets respectively. However it was first-class cricket where Kartik was always a force to reckon with 644 wickets from 203 games which also included stints with English county sides like Middlesex, Surrey and Somerset. “I have decided to hang up my boots from all forms of competitive cricket but will honour my commitments for Kings XI Punjab during this year’s Champions League T20. I want to thank everyone for their support and felt that it is the right time to go. I have enjoyed playing this game and it has given me a lot,” Kartik said in a press conference here. (PTI)
David Luiz strikes record deal with PSG
Paris: Amidst World Cup fever, Brazilian star David Luiz has quietly slipped in a record five-year deal with France’s Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain, moving on from Chelsea to become the world’s most expensive defender. “Paris St Germain is delighted to announce the transfer of Brazilian international David Luiz from Chelsea for the next five years,” the club said in a statement. The 27-year-old defender from Sao Paulo, who started for hosts Brazil in their 3-1 win over Croatia in the World Cup opener, is reported to have left Stamford Bridge for an amount ranging between 40 to 50 million pounds (Rs 405-506 crore). The move will see Luiz link up with his national teammate and centre half partner Thiago Silva, who was part of the PSG side that was knocked out of last season’s Champions League by Chelsea. (AFP)
Ex-Eng goalie David James to be part of ISL
New Delhi: Former England World Cupper David James is keen to be a part of the Indian Super League football tournament. The development is a result of a tie-up between sports management firm Anglian Management Group and leading UK-based firm Legion Football Advisory. “As part of the tie-up, ex-England National Team Goalkeeper, World Cup star and Legion client David James will participate in Upcoming Indian Super League and provide his expertise to the national team as well as upcoming Indian players,” Anglian Holdings said in a release. Anglian Holdings also holds stake in I-League club Shillong Lajong, which also co-owns the Guwahati ISL franchise, North East United FC. Under the partnership, Anglian and Legion will work together to help advise ISL and I-League clubs as well as work with players, coaches, organisational staff and other business entities that happen to be involved in the sport. Legion has worked with the Football Association, as well as clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Fulham. (PTI)
Protesters smear FIFA HQ with paint
ZURICH: About 150 protesters gathered outside FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich on Saturday with banners criticising the ruling body’s management of the World Cup in Brazil, causing minor damage to the building. FIFA’s reputation has been tarnished by allegations of corruption and its running of the tournament which started on Thursday has also been criticised. Pictures published on the website of Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten showed masked protesters smearing the signpost outside the building with red paint and agitating banners of left-wing youth organisations. (Reuters)