Medvedev fined $12,000 for outburst against chair umpire
Melbourne, Jan 29: World No. 2 tennis player Daniil Medvedev has been fined USD 12,000 for his outburst during the Australian Open semifinal clash against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, which the Russian won to set up a title clash with Spain’s Rafael Nadal. During the four-set victory, the reigning US Open champion called the chair umpire Jaume Campistol a “small cat” and repeatedly said, “Are you mad?” “Are you mad? Are you mad? (Tsitsipas’) father can coach every point?” aside from other comments. Medvedev shouted at Campistol. Tennis Australia (TA) imposed a fine of USD 12,000 under two separate counts – $8000 for visible obscenity and $4000, for unsportsmanlike conduct. (IANS)
Djokovic could miss French Open with new virus rules
PARIS, Jan 29: France is tightening its vaccination rules in a way that could put Novak Djokovic at risk of missing the French Open. From Feb. 15, anyone who is not vaccinated against the coronavirus will need to show proof they tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous four months – down from the current six-month window – in order to enter sports venues in France. The French law is central to the government’s plan for tackling the virus and aims to bar unvaccinated individuals from stadiums, restaurants, bars and other public places. Djokovic, who is not vaccinated, said he tested positive in mid-December. (AP)
City’s Walker gets three-game European ban for red card
NYON, Jan 29: Manchester City defender Kyle Walker will miss round-of-16 games against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League after receiving a three-match European ban from UEFA on Friday. UEFA said its disciplinary panel imposed the suspension for Walker’s red-card foul on Leipzig forward André Silva in a group-stage game in December. The foul was “a very bad judgment,” the England international acknowledged this month, “a stupid error that a 31-year-old shouldn’t be making with the amount of games that I’ve played.” Walker will now miss both games against Sporting, on Feb. 15 and Mar. 9, plus the first leg of the quarterfinals if the English champion advances. (AP)
Wolfsburg sign American Paredes for $7.35 million
WOLFSBURG, Jan 29: Wolfsburg signed American winger Kevin Paredes from DC United on Friday for what the Major League Soccer team said was a $7.35 million transfer fee. The German club said the 18-year-old Paredes signed a 3 1/2-year contract until the end of the 2025-26 season. DC said the transfer fee is its record high for a sale. The deal includes additional money contingent on performance and a percentage of any future transfer fees. Paredes has two goals in five appearances for the United States under-16 team. (AP)
Gladbach reeling as sporting director Max Eberl quits
BERLIN, Jan 29: Crisis-hit Borussia Mönchengladbach was left reeling on Friday when sporting director Max Eberl quit the Bundesliga club, ending an association of 23 years. “There’s a very simple reason why I can’t work anymore,” Eberl said as he held back tears at a hastily called news conference. “Because I’m just exhausted, because I’m tired, because I don’t have the strength anymore to do this job as this job needs, as this club needs it.” Gladbach wanted the 48-year-old Eberl to stay. Club president Rolf Königs said management was “shocked” when Eberl first spoke of resigning in October. “It’s not a nice day, it’s a crap day,” said Königs, who said Gladbach would look for a successor externally. (AP)
Liverpool could sign winger Luis Diaz from Porto
Liverpool, Jan 29: Liverpool could strengthen its attacking options in the final days of the January transfer window by signing Colombia international Luis Diaz from Porto. Diaz is currently with his national team and preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Peru on Friday before the Colombia squad heads to Argentina for another match on Tuesday. Officials from Liverpool are set to fly to Argentina in an attempt to tie up a deal, with reports that the Premier League club would pay an initial 37.5 million pounds with a maximum of 12.5 million pounds in potential add-ons. The 25-year-old Diaz is a skilful, exciting winger who has played for Porto since July 2019. (AP)
Rooney turns down approach from former club Everton
DERBY, Jan 29: Wayne Rooney turned down the chance to interview for the manager’s position at former club Everton, saying Friday he wasn’t ready to leave his current job at second-tier Derby. Rooney, who started his playing career at Everton and had a second spell at Goodison Park before retiring, said he was approached via his agent and thought long and hard before declining the opportunity at the Premier League club. Everton is looking for a replacement for Rafa Benitez, who was fired this month as the team slides toward the relegation zone. (AP)