FOOTBALL
Gronkowski out for season
The New England Patriots have placed tight end Rob Gronkowski on injured reserve with a damaged right knee, meaning he will miss the rest of the season. Gronkowski was hurt midway through the third quarter of the Patriots’ 27-26 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday when he was hit on the right knee by safety T.J. Ward after a 21 yard reception. Gronkowski missed the first six games this season after forearm and back surgeries. In the next six games, he led all NFL tight ends with 37 catches and 560 yards receiving. On Sunday, he had two catches for 32 yards. The Patriots signed tight end D.J. Williams to the 53-man roster.
GOLF
Watt to make pro debut
Australia’s Brady Watt, a semi-finalist at this year’s US Amateur, is to make his professional debut this week at the Thailand Golf Championship. The 23-year-old Watt, who reached No. 1 in the world amateur golf rankings in June, will attend next year’s Asian Tour School, but hopes to attract invitations to play globally. Watt said his dream as a boy was to turn pro eventually, “and I am absolutely delighted that this day has arrived.” Golf Australia high-performance director Brad James said the organization will continue to work with Brady through its Rookie Professional program, “which is specifically designed to support players as they make this transition.”
SOCCER
Celtic ban 128 fans
Scottish champions Celtic on Monday banned more than 100 of their fans in response to another outbreak of crowd trouble during last week’s win at Motherwell. A reported ￡10,000 (US$16,450) worth of damage was caused to seats in the lower section of the South Stand housing Celtic fans at Fir Park on Friday. A flare was let off in the same area before the game, while two green smoke-bombs were thrown into the goalmouth, one of them landing meters from Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Now, the club have handed “precautionary suspensions” to 128 supporters preventing them from attending home and away matches, while 250 season-ticket holders housed in Section 111 — the infamous Green Brigade’s corner of Celtic Park — will be moved to other parts of the ground. Celtic have already given the ultras group one reprieve this year after reversing a decision to shut down Section 111 following complaints about safety breaches in August.
SOCCER
Greenpeace at Madrid event
A banner from environmental activists Greenpeace protesting against Russian oil giant Gazprom’s exploration in the Arctic interrupted a Real Madrid press conference ahead of their Champions League clash away to FC Copenhagen on Monday. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and defender Pepe had just begun the press conference in the Danish capital when a banner was lowered behind them that read: “Save the arctic, show Gazprom the red card.” The banner was quickly removed by officials before the press conference continued. Gazprom is an official sponsor of the Champions League and it is not the first time Greenpeace has launched a protest of this type this season. In October, Swiss club FC Basel were fined 30,000 euros (US$41,260) when four activists abseiled from the stadium roof to unfurl a banner saying: “Don’t foul the Arctic” during their Champions League match against Schalke.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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