SOCCER
Chelsea finally get Moses
Chelsea are set to sign Nigeria forward Victor Moses from Wigan Athletic after the European champions finally met the Latics’ asking price. The Blues had seen four bids for Moses rejected by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan during the course of a fractious transfer saga that had lasted since the end of last season. Whelan had infuriated Chelsea by speaking publicly about the negotiations in a bid to drive up the price. However, Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo is on the verge of getting his man at the fifth attempt after Wigan confirmed they have accepted an improved offer and have given the 21-year-old permission to discuss a contract with the west London club. It has been reported that Wigan were demanding around £9 million (US$14.3 million) for Moses, who has risen to prominence after a series of impressive displays last season.
SOCCER
Fulham complain over Reds
Fulham launched an official complaint to the Premier League on Thursday over Liverpool’s conduct in their pursuit of US forward Clint Dempsey. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers last month broke managerial protocol when he went public with his interest in Dempsey. Yet there has been no firm bid from Liverpool since then, leaving the player confused and Fulham boss Martin Jol furious. Jol has left Dempsey out of his squad for today’s trip to Manchester United, having already dropped him for last weekend’s victory over Norwich because he felt the player was not in the right frame of mind to perform.
SOCCER
Cissokho goes to Valencia
Valencia will sign France defender Aly Cissokho from Olympique Lyonnais subject to him passing a medical, the Spanish club said on Thursday. The 24-year-old is poised to agree a four-year contract and Spanish media said the deal was worth about 6 million euros (US$7.5 million). “He has extensive experience despite his age,” Valencia sports director Braulio Vazquez said in a statement. “Cissokho is physically very strong, he is very good in defense and will help raise the competition for places in the squad particularly on the left flank,” Vazquez added. Cissokho will help cover at left back after Valencia sold Spain full back Jordi Alba to Barcelona.
CYCLING
Oldest cyclist clinches lead
German cyclist Jens Voigt, the oldest competitor in the USA Pro Challenge, made light of wet conditions to clinch the fourth stage of the competition on Thursday by nearly three minutes. American Tejay van Garderen regained his tiebreaker race lead by finishing third in front of sixth-placed compatriot Christian Vande Velde. The 40-year-old Voigt, a three-time Tour de France stage winner in his 16-year career, pedaled alone for nearly four hours in periodic rain to complete the 156.5km course from Aspen to Beaver Creek in three hours and 54 minutes. Van Garderen and Vande Velde have the same overall race time, but Van Garderen has the race lead based on higher stage finishes.
MOTOGP
Stoner misses Czech GP
World champion Casey Stoner will miss tomorrow’s Czech MotoGP due to an ankle injury which could threaten his overall title defense. Stoner was hurt during qualifying for the Indianapolis Grand Prix, sustaining multiple chip fractures and four torn ligaments in his right ankle following a hard crash during last Saturday’s qualifying round. Despite the injury, Stoner was cleared for the race and finished fourth.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Roger Federer on Wednesday said that staying involved with tennis in retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of this week’s Laver Cup in Berlin. Federer, who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador. “I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters. “I feel I ripped the Band-Aid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there,” he said. “I don’t feel like an alien, which is a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or