Bhutia files fresh nomination for AIFF president post
New Delhi, Aug 25: Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia on Thursday filed a fresh nomination for the post of president ahead of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) elections that are scheduled to be held on September 2. The 45-year-old former India captain’s nomination was proposed by the Andhra Football Association (AFA) and seconded by the Rajasthan FA. “I have filed my nomination for AIFF president’s post and I feel I am the right person for the job,” Bhaichung told PTI. “I have played so many games for the country and top clubs and I also know a bit on the administrative side as I am in Mission Olympics Cell of sports ministry as well as in other committees. I want Indian football to reach new heights,” he added. (PTI)
Frankfurt’s Trapp to turn down Man Utd offer
Frankfurt, Aug 25: Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp says he has turned down an offer from Manchester United to stay with the German club. United had reportedly offered a four-year deal to the 32-year-old Trapp, a Germany international who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain and Kaiserslautern. “It’s true that there’s a written offer,” Trapp wrote Thursday on Instagram. “Manchester United is a global club and I hope everyone can understand that I consider such an offer and think about it.” Trapp said he decided to stay in Frankfurt, where he won the Europa League and has a contract till 2024. (AP)
Van De Zandschulp makes Winston-Salem Open quarters
Winston Salem, Aug 25: Botic Van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands cruised into the Winston-Salem Open quarterfinals, beating Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-3 in the US Open tune-up event. Dominic Thiem fell to Britain’s Jack Draper 6-1, 6-4 victory at Wake Forest University in the third round. Van de Zandschulp advanced to play Benjamin Bonzi of France, a 7-5, 6-2 winner over Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro. Thiem had reached the third round after top-seeded Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria retired in because of dizziness. In other matches, fourth-seeded Maxime Cressy of the United States beat No 14 seed Lorenzo Sonego of Italy 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (3). Cressy moved on to face France’s Adrian Mannarino, who cruised past eighth-seeded Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain 6-3, 6-3. (AP)
Matthäus returns Maradona’s 1986 World Cup final jersey
Madrid, Aug 25: The jersey Diego Maradona wore in the 1986 World Cup final was back in Argentine hands Thursday thanks to German great Lothar Matthäus. Matthäus, who swapped jerseys with Maradona at halftime of the final won by Argentina, returned the historic apparel at a ceremony at the Argentina Embassy in Madrid. The shirt will be displayed at a new football museum in the Spanish capital. “It was always a great honour to play against him,” Matthäus said of the late Maradona, through a translator. “As a player and a person, he was always someone very important to me. He will always be in our hearts.” Matthäus said he exchanged jerseys with Maradona after the 1990 World Cup final won by the Germans in Italy. He said that shirt was in a museum in Germany. (AP)
Belgian cyclist Vanspringel passes away at 79
Brussels, Aug 25: Belgian cyclist Herman Vanspringel, who lost the 1968 Tour de France on the final day and became famously known as Monsieur Bordeaux-Paris for winning the marathon classic 7 times, has died. He was 79. Tour de France organizers confirmed the death Thursday in a tribute to the sweet-tempered rider known as much for his close finishes as his victories. In 1968, he entered the concluding Tour time trial with a 16-second lead over Jan Janssen only for the Dutchman to overtake him in the final kilometers to win the yellow jersey. He also finished second in Italy’s Giro and third in Spain’s Vuelta during a hard-luck career spent all too often in the shadows of his great compatriot Eddy Merckx. (AP)
Durand Organising Committee says action taken on racism row
Kolkata, Aug 25: The Durand Organising Committee on Thursday said it has taken serious cognisance of the incident related to racism against a Bengaluru FC player during the team’s game against Indian Air Force. BFC alleged that one of their players was racially abused during the game held at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday. Although the organisers said “swift action was taken” and the matter has been resolved, they did not mention what measures were taken. (PTI)