Espanyol files complaint over Lewandowski’s eligibility
MADRID, Jan 3: Espanyol challenged the result of the derby against Barcelona to Spanish officials, alleging striker Robert Lewandowski was ineligible because of a suspension.The teams drew 1-1 on Saturday in La Liga. Espanyol played under protest because Lewandowski appeared after being sent off in Barcelona’s previous league game.A court in Madrid on Friday ruled that Lewandowski, the league top scorer, was allowed to play until Spain’s administrative court for sport made a final ruling on the appeal that Barcelona lodged against his three-game suspension for consecutive yellow cards in the game at Osasuna on Nov. 8.Espanyol said it was harmed by the unexpected decision by the Madrid court to temporarily lift the suspension. Lewandowski played a part in Marcos Alonso’s goal for Barcelona in the seventh minute at the Camp Nou. The goal helped Barcelona remain unbeaten against Espanyol.The club has notified the officiating crew before Saturday’s match about Lewandowski’s ineligibility. Lewandowski could still be suspended if the administrative court for sport rules against Barcelona’s appeal. (AP)
National Beach football Championship from Jan 26
NEW DELHI, Jan 3: After starting a rejuvenated format of the Santosh Trophy at the end of last year and the second edition of the Futsal Championship set to follow, the AIFcontinues to expand football’s frontiers. The National Beach Soccer Championship will be held at the Dumas Beach in Surat, Gujarat. Groupings for the Championship:Group A: Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar.Group B: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Services, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh.Group C: Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Delhi.Group D: Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka. (IANS)
Batra reaches career high of 35
NEW DELHI, Jan 3: Indian table tennis star Manika Batra on Tuesday gained three places to reach a career-high 35 in the ITTF world rankings.The 27-year-old had produced a special performance to win India’s first ever medal at the Asian Cup in November. She had stunned world number 5 Hayata of Japan and world number seven Chen Xingtong of China on way to securing a historic bronze in Bangkok.That effort fetched her 175 points in the rankings, contributing to her rise. That effort fetched her 175 points in the rankings, contributing to her rise. She had also reached the semifinals of two WTT Contender events in Hungary and Slovenia.confident, The Asian Cup medal came after she returned home empty handed from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. (PTI)