Ibra extends stay at Milan
MILAN, April 23: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is going to keep playing with AC Milan when he’s 40. And he’ll likely make his return to the Champions League. Milan announced Thursday that Ibrahimovic, who turns 40 on October, had signed a one-year contract extension. Ibrahimovic’s return at the start of last year signaled a turnaround for Milan that saw the Rossoneri leading Serie A for much of this season. Milan is currently in second and still in the Champions League places. Ibrahimovic has scored 15 goals in 17 Serie A games for Milan this season. However, he has also missed many games through injury, the coronavirus and suspension. (AP)
Kúdela appeals 10-match ban
PRAGUE, April 23: Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kúdela is appealing his 10-match ban for racially abusing a Black opponent in a Europa League soccer match. The law firm that represents him announced the move on Friday — a day after Kúdela received a detailed verdict from UEFA. The ban prevents the 34-year-old Kúdela, who has recently been a starter for the Czech Republic, from playing at the European Championship. The Czechs begin their Euro 2020 campaign on June 14 against Scotland in Glasgow. It was in the same city that Kúdela was found to have racially abused Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara on March 18. Kúdela acknowledged swearing at Kamara but denied using racist language, which another Rangers player also claimed to have heard. Ten games is the minimum ban for racial abuse in UEFA’s disciplinary code. Slavia published apologies by the club and its player to Kamara and offered to work “with major anti-racism British organizations.” (AP)
Gangjee makes cut at Kansai Open
KOBE (JAPAN), April 23: India’s Rahil Gangjee shot his best round in more than 30 months as he carded a flawless 5-under 66 to make the cut at the Kansai Open Championship, the second event on the Japan Golf Tour, here. Gangjee, who got off to a disappointing start with a 2-over 73 in the opening round, is now tied-31. The 42-year-old had spent two weeks in preventive quarantine before joining the Tour last week. He had missed the cut in the opening event. (PTI)
Aditi makes 6th cut on LPGA
LOS ANGELES, April 23: India’s Aditi Ashok missed a number of makeable putts as she carded even par 71 to make the cut at the Hugel Air Premia LA Open on the LPGA. Aditi, the only golfer from her country with current playing rights on the world’s biggest Tour for ladies, is now one-under 141 and Tied-40th after 36 holes. This is the sixth successive cut for Aditi in 2021, but she has not finished better than T-23 at LPGA Drive On Championship. (PTI)