Russian football league president steps down after 14 years
MOSCOW, Oct 6: The president of the Russian Premier League resigned on Tuesday after 14 years in the job following debate over TV deals, the format of the league and how to boost Russia’s results in European club football. The league didn’t give a reason for Sergei Pryadkin’s resignation. He was elected unanimously to a new five-year term last year and has a seat on the UEFA professional football strategy council. Ashot Khachaturyants, the head of the Russian Football Union’s refereeing commission, has been named interim league president. (AP)
National player alleges sexual abuse in Australian football
SYDNEY, Oct 6: One Australia’s leading international goal scorers alleged she’d been groomed and harassed by senior players early in her career. Lisa De Vanna, who played 150 games for Australia, said she first experienced harassment, abuse and bullying in 2001 when she joined a national women’s squad at age 17. She told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper she’d been pulled down from behind by a few teammates and “I fought my way off the floor kicking and screaming. As a youngster and a player I didn’t know how to address this … but it is still happening across all levels and it’s time to speak up.” (AP)
Venezuelan footballers accuse ex-coach of sexual misconduct
CARACAS, Oct 6: Two dozen players from Venezuela’s women’s national football teams have accused a former coach of sexual harassment and abuse. The players signed a letter making the allegations against Kenneth Zseremeta, who led the women’s national teams at various levels in Venezuela for nine years until he was fired in 2017. The 24 Venezuelan players said they’d “decided to break the silence to avoid the situations of abuse and harassment, physical, psychological and sexual.” The letter said one player revealed last year she had been sexually abused by the coach since she was 14. (AP)
Brazilian footballer arrested for kicking referee in head
SAO PAULO, Oct 6: A Brazilian soccer player was arrested after kicking a referee in the head during a second-division game, knocking him unconscious, authorities said. William Ribeiro kicked referee Rodrigo Crivellaro twice during Monday’s match between Sao Paulo de Rio Grande and hosts Guarani de Venancio Aires, the second time when the official lay on the ground. The incident happened after Crivellaro did not give Ribeiro’s Sao Paulo team a free kick. The match was suspended and Crivellaro was taken to a local hospital. Ribeiro was arrested at the stadium. (AP)
Former Germany captain Lahm opposes biennial World Cup
Berlin, Oct 6: Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm is opposed to FIFA’s plans to implement a biennal World Cup. “I find the current rhythm should remain as it is. I think as a player you can expect a tournament every two years, and I think that other sports also have the right to be in the spotlight. So, that’s why I’m absolutely in favour of keeping it the way it is now. I’ve always felt comfortable like this as a player. I can only speak from my own perspective,” Lahm said on Tuesday. “As a fan, I think it’s great that such a major event takes place every two years.” (AP)
Basketball legend Pau Gasol retires after 22-year career
Madrid, Oct 6: Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 41. Gasol made the announcement on Tuesday evening at a press conference after a career which lasted 22 years and took him full circle as he began his career at FC Barcelona before moving to the NBA and then returning to Barcelona. During his career he played for the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Chicago Bulls, the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks, winning the NBA title in 2009 and 2010. (IANS)