Suárez signs with Inter Miami, reunites with Lionel Messi
FORT LAUDERDALE, Dec 23: The long-awaited reunion of Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi is now a reality, after the Uruguayan striker signed with Inter Miami on Friday for the 2024 season. Suárez and Messi spent six seasons together at Barcelona, winning four Spanish league titles and nine other trophies — including a Champions League title — in that span. Suárez is coming off a season where he was best player and best striker in the Brazilian league with Gremio. “I’m very happy and excited to take on this new challenge with Inter Miami,” Suárez said. “I can’t wait to get started, and I’m ready to work to make the dream of winning more titles with this great club a reality. I’m optimistic about what we can achieve together with our shared ambition.” There had been speculation for months that Suárez would join Inter Miami, especially given his relationship with Messi. (AP)
EPL has its first female referee as Welch handles Fulham-Burnley
London, Dec 23: The Premier League has its first female referee. Rebecca Welch blew her whistle to start the match between Fulham and Burnley on Saturday in a landmark moment for England’s top league. She was applauded by some fans as she emerged from the tunnel ahead of the match at Craven Cottage. Welch has already worked as the fourth official in the Premier League, for the match between Fulham and Manchester United on November 4. She has handled matches in the second-tier Championship and FA Cup. Welch has been a referee since 2010, initially balancing the role with her job in the National Health Service before becoming a full-time match official. (AP)
Boxing Nationals: World champion Boora, Rani in pre-quarters
Greater Noida, Dec 23: The experienced duo of Saweety Boora and Pooja Rani cruised into the pre-quarterfinals with contrasting wins on the second day of the women’s National Boxing Championships here on Saturday. While Saweety (81kg), the reigning world champion, faced a tough challenge from Alfiya of Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) before securing a 4-1 win, two-time Asian Championships gold medallist Pooja dominated the proceedings against Renu of Nagaland in the 75kg bout as she completed a commanding 5-0 victory. Besides Saweety and Pooja, 2022 World Championships bronze medallist Manisha Moun (60kg) and Saneh (70kg) were the other boxers from Haryana to clinch victories and enter the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Nupur of RSPB went head to head against Himanshi Antil of Delhi in her 81+kg round-of-16 match. Demonstrating swift and aggressive boxing, Nupur wasted no time in securing the victory in the first round with Referee Stopping the Contest (RSC) verdict. Nupur will be up against Monica Sahun of Uttarakhand in the quarterfinals. (PTI)
Indian Davis Cup team will
have to travel to Pakistan
NEW DELHI, Dec 23: The ITF tribunal has rejected AITA’s contention that its Davis Cup team could face security concerns during the World Group I Play-off tie in Islamabad, paving the way for an Indian tennis team’s visit to Pakistan for the first time in 60 years. If India fails to travel to Pakistan, the tie will be awarded to the host country and the Indian team will be relegated to World Group II. The last time an Indian team travelled to Pakistan was way back in 1964 when it beat the hosts 4-0. (PTI)