Relegation-threatened Watford fire manager Ranieri
WATFORD, Jan 25: Claudio Ranieri was fired by Watford on Monday after 3 1/2 months in charge of the Premier League team that has just slipped into the relegation zone. Watford won two of its 13 league matches under the 70-year-old Ranieri. A 3-0 home loss to Norwich dropped Watford into the bottom three for the first time this season. Watford is looking for its third permanent manager of the season, having already fired Xisco Munoz, and its 16th in the last 10 years. Losing heavily at home to a Norwich team that had scored just 10 goals in its previous 21 Premier League games spelled the end for Ranieri. (AP)
Haaland sidelined following ‘muscular problems’
DORTMUND, Jan 25: Borussia Dortmund’s top-scorer Erling Haaland has been forced to take another break due to what the club says are “muscular problems.” Haaland had to go off in the 63rd minute of Dortmund’s 3-2 win at Hoffenheim on Saturday with what appeared to be a groin injury. Earlier in the game, the 21-year-old Norwegian received treatment for a problem with his right knee before continuing. He underwent medical examinations on Sunday and Monday. (AP)
Explosion shakes Albanian football president’s home
TIRANA, Jan 25: An explosion shook the home of Albanian football federation president Armand Duka without causing injuries, his spokesman said Tuesday. The incident prompted European football’s ruling body UEFA to voice security concerns about the capital Tirana hosting the final of the inaugural Europa Conference League on May 25. The explosion occurred Monday at Duka’s home in the western port city of Durres, his spokesman Andi Vercani said. Duka’s wife and son were at home but were not injured. He was in Tirana. Cameras captured an image of a hooded person apparently setting the explosive. On Tuesday, Duka said he had received a life-threatening text message asking him to resign. He has led Albania’s football federation since 2002 and is running for re-election. (AP)
Anthony Martial expected to move away from Man Utd
manchester, Jan 25: Anthony Martial is close to securing a move away from Manchester United. The France forward is set to be loaned to Spanish team Sevilla until the end of the season. There will be no fee involved or option to buy. United manager Ralf Rangnick said last month that the 26-year-old Martial wanted to leave after falling down the list of forwards at the club, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood. (AP)
Barça’s Fati chooses to avoid surgery on hamstring injury
madrid, Jan 25: Barcelona forward Ansu Fati will follow a conservative recovery plan to treat his left hamstring injury, the club said Tuesday. Barcelona and the player have opted to avoid surgery and his recovery time should be reduced. The club did not say how long it expects Fati to be sidelined. The 19-year-old Fati had to be replaced in the first half of extra time in the 3-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey last week. (AP)
Former Netherlands midfielder Wim Jansen passes away at 75
ROTTERDAM, Jan 25: Wim Jansen, a former Netherlands midfielder who lost World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978 with the celebrated “Clockwork Orange” teams, died Tuesday. He was 75. Dutch club Feyenoord announced the death and called Jansen, who suffered from dementia, “one of the greatest to ever play for the club.” Jansen was a key part of the Feyenoord team that became the first Dutch club to win the European Cup. (AP)
Syed Modi men’s finalists meet to share prize money
New Delhi, Jan 25: The men’s singles finalists at the Syed Modi International badminton event will share the prize money after the title clash was declared a “no match” with one of the players testing positive for COVID-19. “The two men’s singles finalists at the Syed Modi India International 2022 will receive finalist World Ranking points and an equal share of the prize money. (PTI)
Djokovic could play in France under latest vaccine rules
Paris, Jan 25: Top-ranked player Novak Djokovic could be allowed to defend his French Open title under the latest COVID-19 rules adopted by the French government, even if he is still not vaccinated when the clay-court Grand Slam starts in May. Djokovic was deported from Australia and barred from playing in the Australian Open this month for not meeting the country’s COVID-19 vaccination rules. Under a law that took effect on Monday, anyone who has proof they tested positive within the previous six months is exempt from having to show a vaccine pass. (AP)