Forest hire Nuno Espírito Santo to replace Steve Cooper as manager
Nottingham, Dec 20: Nottingham Forest hired Nuno Espírito Santo as its manager on Wednesday with the Premier League club moving quickly to replace Steve Cooper. Santo, who previously managed Wolves and Tottenham in England’s top division, has signed a 2 1/2-year contract. Most recently the Portuguese coached Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad and won a league and cup double last season. Forest fired Cooper on Tuesday after a run of one win in 13 league games saw the club drop to fourth-to-last place in the table. (AP)
Juve coach Allegri fined $11,000 for disrespecting referee
Turin, Dec 20: Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was fined 10,000 euros (USD 11,000) for disrespecting the referee and his assistants in their locker room after the Italian league match at Genoa. Allegri was given the fine by Italy’s sports judge on Tuesday. The 56-year-old Allegri was mad at refereeing decisions during Juventus’ 1-1 draw at Genoa on Friday and went to the officials’ dressing room to protest “at first with a calm tone” and then “in a disrespectful way,” according to the judge’s statement. It added that the incident only ended when the referee asked Allegri to leave. Juventus is second in Serie A, four points behind Inter Milan. (AP)
Vita Dani becomes first Indian in ITTF as governing board member
New Delhi, Dec 20: Sports entrepreneur Vita Dani has become the first Indian to be inducted as a governing board member of the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2018 by the ITTF to attract more people to the sport. Commenting on her new role, Vita said, “It is a great feeling to be inducted into an organisation that aligns perfectly with my vision for the growth of table tennis and its impact on the community. “Table tennis is a sport that anybody can play. It has great mental and physical benefits, and our aim is to spread that message and make the game accessible to everyone.” ITTF and ITTF Foundation President Petra Sorling said, “I am delighted to welcome Ms Vita Dani to the ITTF family as a new member of the ITTF Foundation Governing Board. Her passion for growing our sport and using it as a catalyst for development makes her a valuable member.” Vita and her organisation (Dani Foundation) have played a big role in shaping the upward trajectory of Indian table tennis. She is also the co-owner of the Chennaiyin Football Club, which features in the Indian Super League. (PTI)
Italian shot putter Ponzio banned for 18 months in doping case
Milan, Dec 20: American-born Italian shot putter Nick Ponzio was banned for 18 months by the Italian Anti-Doping Agency for drug-testing violations, ruling him out of next year’s Paris Olympics. Ponzio reached a plea deal with doping authorities after he was unable to be found for surprise tests on three occasions. According to Italian media reports on Tuesday, Ponzio said it was not his fault and that there was a glitch with the app on his phone that meant he did not receive the notifications. Ponzio’s ban runs until August 27 as it started last February. The Olympics take place from July 26 to August 11. Ponzio, who was born in San Diego but qualified for Italy because his great grandfather was Italian, competed at the Tokyo Olympics but didn’t get past the qualifying round. He finished fourth at last year’s European Championships. The 28-year-old Ponzio is the second Italian athlete to be suspended in less than a week after steeplechase runner Ahmed Abdelwahed was given a maximum four-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit on Thursday. Italy’s athletics team had a breakout performance in Tokyo, winning five gold medals including a surprise victory for Marcell Jacobs in the 100 metres. (AP)