Spanish league slams racist abuse targeting Vinícius during El Clasico
Madrid, Nov 5: The Spanish league has denounced racist abuse targeting Vinícius Júnior at last weekend’s “clasico” match between host Barcelona and Real Madrid. Madrid forward Vinícius, who is black, has been the victim of repeated racist verbal attacks from fans in the past two seasons. On Saturday, the league included the incident from the October 28 game in its weekly report to the Spanish football federation. The report compiles incidents at stadiums that could “incite violence or have insulting or intolerant contents.” The league says that Brazil star Vinícius was targeted by a fan during the game that Madrid won 2-1 at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. Barcelona has said it will investigate all alleged racist acts by its supporters. (AP)
Kane grabs hat-trick as Bayern drub Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in Bundesliga
BERLIN, Nov 5: Harry Kane scored a hat trick in “der Klassiker” as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 away to deliver a big Bundesliga statement on Saturday. Bayern’s 10th consecutive league win over its old rival dealt Dortmund its first defeat of the season in the Bundesliga, and it banished any fears of a slump in form for Bayern following its own shock German Cup exit on Wednesday. Bayern has now won its last 10 league games against Dortmund by a combined score of 33-11. (AP)
Djokovic beats Dimitrov for
7th title at Paris Masters
Paris, Nov 5: Novak Djokovic will head to the ATP Finals oozing with confidence. The top-ranked Serb will take on his rivals at the year-end event starting next weekend on an 18-match winning streak, fresh from a 40th Masters 1000 tournament win. Djokovic, who has not lost a match since his defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final in July, won a record-extending seventh title at the Paris Masters on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Grigor Dimitrov in the final. Djokovic, who had been pushed to three sets in his three previous matches, enjoyed a comfortable afternoon under the roof of the Palais Omnisports. “Incredible. To be able to win it after quite challenging circumstances for me this week,” said Djokovic, who was hampered by a stomach virus in Paris. Djokovic was in total control from the start in the final while Dimitrov got off to a timid start, letting his opponent dictate the play and never found his rhythm. (AP)
Brazil govt gives FIFA assurances in bid to host 2027 Women’s World Cup
Sao Paulo, Nov 5: Brazil’s government gave FIFA assurances Saturday about officially bidding to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Latin America has never hosted any of the nine editions of the tournament. Brazil’s sports minister André Fufuca and the president of the country’s football body, Ednaldo Rodrigues, delivered the document in person to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Brazil’s government said on its social media channels Saturday night that the document is signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and it gives FIFA the seven assurances that are requested in such bids. Among those are guarantees of specially assigned tax exemptions, work permits and visa procedures. (AP)
Dhiraj, Rai push India to second spot in men’s archery qualification round
Bangkok, Nov 5: Army duo of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Tarundeep Rai took the fourth and sixth place respectively in the rankings to help India take second place behind heavyweights South Korea in the men’s recurve team seedings of the Asian Archery Championships here on Sunday. India logged 2027 points, second behind Korea who aggregated 2061 to take the pole position in the men’s recurve team event for the continental championship. The recurve women’s qualification was suspended midway following heavy showers. Ankita Bhakat was leading among the Indian women challengers at ninth place, while Bhajan Kaur was the next best at 12th position. The event will resume on Monday. (PTI)