UEFA punishes Serbia and Montenegro after offensive chants
NYON, Nov 2: UEFA ordered Serbia on Wednesday to play in an empty stadium at its last home qualifying game for the European Championship because of another charge of offensive chants by its fans against Montenegro.The Montenegro soccer federation also was punished with a charge of “racist behavior” from the neighboring countries’ game in Belgrade in October that Serbia won 3-1.Both federations also were punished for the same offenses after fans traded ethnic slurs when the teams met in Montenegro in March.UEFA said Serbia must play its Euro 2024 qualifying game without fans when it hosts Bulgaria on Nov. 19. Fan numbers also were restricted when Serbia hosted Hungary in September.The Serbian federation faced other charges including “failure to take action against black-market ticket sellers” and must pay fines totaling nearly 90,000 euros ($95,000).The Montenegro federation must pay UEFA 20,000 euros ($21,000) and cannot sell tickets to fans for a qualifying game in Hungary on Nov. 19. (PTI)
Real Madrid extend contract with Vinicius Junior to 2027
MADRID, Nov 2: Real Madrid extended the contract of Vinicius Junior on Tuesday, tying the Brazil forward to the club through the 2026-27 season.Vinicius’ original contract was set to expire at the end of this season. Madrid did not reveal financial details, but Spanish media said the deal makes Vinicius the team’s highest-paid player and carries a buyout clause of 1 billion euros. ($1.06 billion).“Improbably, but not impossible,” the 23-year-old Vinicius said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Thank you president, fans, teammates and everyone who works at Real Madrid. Thank you family and friends. In the club of my dreams until 2027, fighting for more titles together.” (AP)
Al-Dawsari named Asia player of the year, Kerr wins women’s award
DOHA, Nov 2: Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari was named the men’s player of the year by the Asian Football Confederation on Tuesday and Sam Kerr of Australia won the women’s prize.Al-Dawsari scored the winning goal in Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 victory over eventual champion Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. The winger also played a major role in Al-Hilal reaching the final of the 2023 Asian Champions League.Al-Dawsari beat Almoez Ali of Qatar and Australia’s Mathew Leckie and became the sixth Saudi player to win the award. There was some consolation for Australia as Kerr received the accolade for a second time after helping English club Chelsea to a league and cup double.Hajime Moriyasu was named as the men’s coach of the year after leading Japan to the second round of the World Cup, defeating Germany and Spain in the group stage. China’s Shui Qingxia won the female coaching award. (AP)