Azpilicueta out of hospital after being kicked in head
London, Feb 21: Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been discharged from the hospital and is “recovering well” after being kicked in the head during an English Premier League game, the club said on Tuesday. Azpilicueta was taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace and breathing from an oxygen mask following a 10-minute stoppage after being hit in the face by an attempted overhead kick by Southampton player Sékou Mara in Chelsea’s 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Chelsea said Azpilicueta sustained a concussion and was back at the club training ground. “The club’s medical team are closely monitoring Cesar’s condition, adhering to the important concussion protocols in place to ensure his safety,” Chelsea said. “Cesar observed training today, before he starts working towards returning to the pitch.” The 33-year-old Azpilicueta joined Chelsea in 2012 and has helped the club win two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2021. He was named captain in 2019. (AP)
Spain court denies Dani Alves’ appeal to be freed on bail
Madrid, Feb 21: A Spanish court denied Dani Alves’ appeal on Tuesday to be freed on bail while the investigation of a sexual assault accusation against the Brazilian player continues. The court ruled that Alves was a flight risk and must remain in prison during the investigation. A trial has not been set. Alves was provisionally detained in January after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a nightclub on December 30. He has denied wrongdoing and said sex with the accuser was consensual. A judge ordered him to be jailed without bail after analysing the initial probe by authorities and hearing testimony from Alves, the alleged victim and others witnesses. Alves’ lawyers filed the appeal saying the Brazilian agreed to turn in his passport and wear a tracking device if he was freed. Alves would also report to the court and to authorities as often as required, including daily, and would not go within 500 metres of the accuser or her home or workplace. But the court ruled that those measures would not be enough to keep the player from potentially trying to escape considering he faces several years in prison if found guilty. It also said there was considerable evidence that a crime might have been committed, and that Alves’ wealth could make it easier for him to try to flee regardless of the amount of bail. “Nothing would stop Mr. Alves from leaving Spain by air, sea or even land without documentation and reaching his country of origin, where he could stay knowing that he would not be delivered to Spain despite international arrest warrants or extradition orders,” the court said. Brazil does not extradite its own citizens when they are sentenced in other countries. Another former Brazil player, Robinho, had a nine-year sentence for the rape of a young woman in Italy upheld by a top Italian court last year, but he remains free in Brazil. (AP)
India U-17 to play two friendly matches against Qatar
New Delhi, Feb 21: India will play two friendly matches against Qatar on February 27 and 28 as part of their preparations for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup. The Bibiano Fernandes-coached Indian colts qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup last year and have been training in Goa since November. The Blue Colts also played friendly matches with UAE U-20 and Uzbekistan U-17 last month. (PTI)
Lance Stroll out of F1 testing after bicycle accident
Silverstone, Feb 21: Lance Stroll has been ruled out of pre-season Formula One testing this week after he was injured in a bicycle accident, the Aston Martin team said. Aston Martin said the Canadian driver was hurt while training in Spain. The team didn’t give any more details of how the incident happened or the nature of Stroll’s injuries but said “Lance is however expecting a quick recovery and return to driving duties.” The team said it would issue an update on his fitness before the Bahrain Grand Prix starts the season next week. Aston Martin didn’t say who might take Stroll’s place when three days of testing begin on Thursday in Bahrain. Stroll’s teammate for 2023 is Fernando Alonso and the team has two reserve drivers, Formula Two champion Felipe Drugovich and former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne. (AP)
Dominic Thiem loses at Rio Open
Rio de Janeiro, Feb 21: Dominic Thiem is once again fighting through his matches and enjoying himself, but confidence is admittedly still lacking for the 29-year-old. Thiem lost in the first round of the Rio Open on Monday, falling to Thiago Monteiro 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (2). The former world No. 3 and 2020 US Open champion, who came in ranked at No. 96 after battling right wrist and abdominal injuries, fell to 1-2 on the year. He missed the Australian Open and got his first win last week at Buenos Aires, Argentina. “I was not convinced enough. It is a so-so leg of confidence. A leg of one match this year,” Thiem said. “Today was a little bit better than I did in Buenos Aires. But still when I step in it is too many mistakes. I need to find the right timing again, find myself closer at the baseline again.” Monteiro will next face either second-seeded Cameron Norrie or Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the clay-court tournament. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces Mateus Alves in the first round on Tuesday. (AP)