Brazil’s Marcelo receives warm welcome by Olympiakos fans
ATHENS, Sep 6: A raucous crowd of about 20,000 fans welcomed Brazilian star Marcelo to Olympiakos on Monday. The fans chanted and lit flares as the new signing made his way onto the field at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Marcelo, accompanied by his wife and two sons, arrived at Athens International Airport in the afternoon by private jet and was escorted to the stadium by club sports director Christian Karembeu. He entered the field wearing the same No 12 he wore at Real Madrid for the past 16 seasons. “Thank you. I am very happy and satisfied. My family too. I hope to help the team with great devotion,” Marcelo told the fans, adding in Greek, “Let’s go, Olympiakos!” The attacking left back was signed on Saturday. (AP)
La Liga set to expand to Indian subcontinent, Middle East
MADRID, Sep 6: The Spanish league is set to announce a new joint venture to expand its reach in the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent on Tuesday, continuing its push to grow internationally and narrow the gap to the Premier League. The deal is expected to generate 3 billion euros in revenue and will be similar to what the league did with entertainment group Relevent Sports to help promote soccer and the league in North America. The league wants to significantly increase the presence of its clubs in this “strategic part of the world.” (AP)
More arrests made after Tokyo Olympics sponsorship scandal
TOKYO, Sep 6: Bribery allegations against a former Tokyo Olympics organizing committee member widened Tuesday as Japanese prosecutors ‘re-arrested’ Haruyuki Takahashi in a case involving suspected payments from a publisher which became a sponsor for the Games. The latest allegations centre on 76 million yen ($540,000) Takahashi received from Tokyo-based publishing company Kadokawa, according to Tokyo District prosecutors. The sponsorship allowed Kadokawa, which also makes films and games, to publish programs and other books related to the Tokyo Olympics. Also arrested Tuesday were two Kadokawa officials, Toshiyuki Yoshihara and Kyoji Maniwa, who allegedly deposited the money. Takahashi has been in detention since being arrested last month. (AP)
Kriti, Vidhatri share lead with Pranavi in WPGT 12th leg
HYDERABAD, Sep 6: Amateurs Kriti Chowhan and Vidhatri Urs hogged the limelight as they shared the opening day honours with Pranavi Urs in the 12th Leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour here on Tuesday. The trio shot 2-under 68 each and held a one-shot advantage over Anisha Agarwalla (69) at the Hyderabad Golf Association course. There was another indication of the growing strength in women’s golf as yet another amateur, Keerthana R Nair was tied fifth alongside Seher Atwal with a round of even par 70. The leader on the Hero Order of Merit, Pranavi had four birdies in her first eight holes. Later, she dropped a double bogey on Par-4 15th and finished with 68. (PTI)
Investigation into Juve, Inter fans for alleged antisemitism
ROME, Sep 6: Alleged antisemitic chants by Juventus and Inter Milan fans are being investigated by Italian soccer authorities. The chants, which allegedly included references to Jews, occurred on Saturday during Juventus’ 1-1 draw at Fiorentina and Inter’s 3-2 loss to AC Milan in the Milan derby. “We have been Brothers of the World since 1908,” Inter tweeted late Monday. “It is a commitment we have always made. It is in our history, it is who we are. Brothers Universally United (hashtag)NoToDiscrimination.” The federation also announced it’s investigating Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri for insulting the referee. (AP)
Pogba could miss Qatar World Cup due to knee surgery
TURIN, Sep 6: Reacquired Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba was undergoing surgery on his right knee and at risk of missing the World Cup with France. Pogba could be out for up to two months after tearing his meniscus and Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Monday that he won’t play for the club again until January. Pogba was injured in July during a preseason tour in the United States, having rejoined Juventus two weeks earlier from Manchester United. It’s been a rough period for Pogba, amid an inquiry into allegations that he was targeted by extortion attempts by his brother and childhood friends. (AP)
Subroto Cup kicks-off with goalless draw
New Delhi, Sep 6: Govt. Model HSS, Chandigarh and National Cadet Corps played out a goalless draw in the boys U-14 category as the 61st Subroto Cup kicked off here on Tuesday. There were not many clear cut chances in the game for both teams. The best chance of the match came for the Chandigarh side, but Maibam Borish Meitei missed it. As many as 15 matches will be played on Wednesday across four stadiums. The tournament is taking place after a gap of two years. (PTI)
PSG coach draws flak after comments on use of planes
Paris, Sep 6: PSG coach Christophe Galtier’s ironic comments about the club’s use of planes instead of trains have drawn sharp criticism from France’s sports minister. The French league champions have defended their use of chartered flights rather than more ecological trains after an executive for France’s high-speed rail network called out the club for flying its players on a short-haul to Nantes last weekend. In a news conference, Galtier was asked whether he spoke with his players about the transport options. “I thought I would get that question. To be very honest with you, this morning we spoke with the company that organizes our trips, and we’re trying to see if we can travel by sand yacht,” Galtier replied, sarcastically. (AP)