Lukaku scores as Chelsea reach Club WC final
Abu Dhabi, Feb 10: Chelsea will get another chance to win the Club World Cup for the first time after beating Al Hilal 1-0 to set up a meeting with Palmeiras in the final. Romelu Lukaku’s close-range goal in the 32nd minute settled a match between the European and Asian champions on Wednesday. A European team has won 13 of the last 14 finals in the intercontinental competition. Another Brazilian team in Palmeiras, the south American champion, awaits on Saturday. (AP)
West Ham fine Zouma, loses sponsor over animal abuse
LONDON, Feb 10: Kurt Zouma was fined two weeks’ salary by West Ham and lost his sponsorship deal with Adidas on Wednesday after he was filmed kicking and slapping a cat. An animal welfare charity took custody of Zouma’s two cats while it investigates video footage that has been shared widely on social media and led to the France international issuing an apology for his conduct. His exact salary has not been disclosed but British media reported the fine by West Ham to be more than $300,000. (AP)
Xherdan Shaqiri moves from MLS’s Chicago Fire to Lyon
LYON, Feb 10: Lyon sold attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri to Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire for seven million euros ($8 million) on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Switzerland international agreed to a three-year contract. Shaquiri will be a designated player whose salary will count only partially against the league’s salary cap. Chicago said he is the most expensive transfer signing in the team’s history but did not specify the amount. Lyon made a small profit after signing Shaqiri for 6 million euros. (AP)