PSG suspend women’s team coach after allegations surface
PARIS, May 25: Paris Saint-Germain suspended the coach of its women’s team, with the club saying it had been informed of “inappropriate behavior and remarks” made by Didier Ollé-Nicolle toward some of his players. “These facts and comments, if confirmed, would be incompatible with the sporting and human values of Paris Saint-Germain,” the French league club said in a statement. “Paris Saint-Germain takes the situation very seriously and intends to shed full light on the facts and comments reported.” PSG said it has opened an internal club investigation but did not give more details about the case. According to the RMC Sport website, Ollé-Nicolle made an “inappropriate gesture” toward one of his players during a pre-season tour in the United States. (AP)
Albanian police clash with Italian, Dutch football fans
Tirana (Albania), May 25: Albanian police reported at least 10 officers and two civilians injured in clashes with Dutch and Italian fans a day ahead of the Europa Conference League final between Dutch club Feyenoord and Italy’s Roma. Two separate groups of opposing fans clashed with police in separate areas while trying to go toward each other, a police statement said. Dutch fans hurled plastic and glass bottles and other objects toward police officers. In another incident, Italian fans used hard objects and batons to clash with police. Police said 48 Italian fans and 12 Dutch “involved in violent acts” were detained. Feyenoord and Roma are storied clubs with big fan bases, and notorious violent elements among their supporters. They were gathered in separate “fan zones” one kilometer (0.6 miles) apart. (AP)
Tokyo expected to host track and field World C’ships
TOKYO, May 25: The $1.4 billion Tokyo national stadium, built by the Japanese government for last year’s Olympics, is being viewed as a site for track and field’s world championships. An inspection team from World Athletics – the governing body of the sport – met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Wednesday and was to tour the stadium on Thursday. Eugene, Oregon is the venue in July for the next World Championships, which were postponed from 2021 to make way for the Olympics. Budapest, Hungary, is set for 2023. The venues for 2025 and 2027 are undecided with Tokyo, Nairobi, Kenya, and Australia having expressed interest. Tokyo must be considered as a favorite. Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, said last year in Japan that he hoped to bring the championships to the city. (AP)
Liverpool’s Klopp named EPL manager of the season
London, May 25: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been named the Premier League manager of the season for 2021/22. The 54-year-old German helped ensure one of the best title races in history went down to the final minutes of the campaign as his Liverpool team pushed Manchester City all the way. Liverpool were 14 points behind Man City in January but won 16 and drew two of their remaining matches to finish on 92 points, losing fewer matches, two, than any other team across the campaign. Klopp wins the award for a second time, having also claimed it in 2019/20 after steering Liverpool to their first Premier League title. The 54-year-old won after votes from the public were combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide who would top a five-man shortlist, according to a statement on premierleague.com. (IANS)