Blatter faces second FIFA ban for financial wrongdoing
Zurich, March 24: Sepp Blatter was banned for a second time by FIFA on Wednesday for financial wrongdoing, seven months before the 85-year-old former president’s first ban expires. Blatter has recently been in poor health and underwent heart surgery in December. FIFA said its ethics committee banned both Blatter and former secretary general Jerome Valcke for six years and eight months for financial wrongdoing linked to awarding themselves contractual bonuses worth millions of dollars. Blatter and Valcke were previously banned for six years and 10 years, respectively, in separate cases. In the latest case, both men were each fined 1 million Swiss francs ($1.07 million) and ordered to pay within 30 days. It is unclear what power FIFA has to enforce payment. (AP)
Vettel confident of taking Aston Martin to top of F1
Berlin, March 24: On his latest Formula One adventure with the Aston Martin team, Sebastian Vettel knows he will have to be patient. Vettel said at the F1 car launch that “to win is very ambitious but we’re here to win.” The 33-year-old four-time world champion eventually wants to return to the top after six mainly difficult years at Ferrari. Vettel’s experience from 257 grand prix and 53 victories is expected to help the team move forward. Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had said, “I am convinced he is in the right team now where he is looked after. That gives him the conditions to show the old Vettel again,” Ecclestone said. (IANS)
SAI seeks PCI report after COVID-19 protocols breach
Bengaluru, March 24: The Sports Authority of India on Wednesday sought a report from the Paralympic Committee of India after it emerged that facilities here at the National Para Athletics championship are not wheelchair-friendly and COVID-19 protocols are also “not being adhered to.” “It has been brought to the notice of Sports Authority of India that the facility in Bengaluru at which the Para Athletics National Championships is not wheelchair-friendly and that Standard Operating Procedures for prevention of COVID-19 are not being adhered to,” SAI said in a statement. (PTI)