RALLYING
Two killied in car accident
Two members of an Argentine news team covering the Dakar Rally died on Thursday when the car they were driving in fell into a ravine, Super Rally magazine said. “The dead are journalism student Agustin Mina, 20, and Daniel Ambrosio, 51, who loved auto racing,” magazine manager Francisco Delgado said. Also in the vehicle were 31-year-old Martin Delgado, the magazine manager’s son, and Rodrigo de Quesada, 36. Both men are photographers for Super Rally magazine. The survivors were taken to a hospital in Tucuman. The group came from the central province of Cordoba, except for Quesada, who is Peruvian. The cause of the crash was not clear, Francisco Delgado said by telephone. “[The car] fell 100m over a cliff and those in the front seat were killed instantly. The others were saved,” he said.
FOOTBALL
Redskins appoint Gruden
Jay Gruden, who spent the past three years as offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, was named on Thursday as the new coach of the Washington Redskins. Gruden replaced Mike Shanahan, who was fired one day after the Redskins completed a disastrous 3-13 season, dropping their final eight games of the campaign. “I look forward to the challenge,” Gruden said of his first NFL head coaching post. “I don’t know what happened last year [in Washington] and I don’t care what happened last year. I am only concerned about the future.” The Redskins went 24-40 under Shanahan, winning an NFC East Division title in 2012, but flopping badly last season, despite some moments of success for run-pass double threat Robert Griffin III at quarterback.
FORMULA ONE
Irvine handed jail sentence
Former driver Eddie Irvine was sentenced to six months in prison by an Italian court on Thursday in a trial over a brawl in a nightclub, lawyers said. The judge found the Northern Irishman and Gabriele Moratti, the son of a former Milan mayor, guilty of “mutual injury” during the incident in the VIP section of the Hollywood nightclub in Milan in 2008. Each had accused the other of being the aggressor and using a glass in the brawl. Both men were sentenced to six months in prison, but the sentences can be appealed and if confirmed would probably be suspended so neither are likely to end up going to jail, lawyers said. The lawyers disagreed on whether the fight had occurred because the former racing driver made contact with a former girlfriend of Moratti. Irvine, 48 and from County Down, drove for Jordan, Ferrari and Jaguar before retiring in 2003.
CRICKET
De Villiers goes under knife
South Africa wicketkeeper A.B. de Villiers was set to undergo hand surgery yesterday, but is expected to be fit for the upcoming series against Australia, a Cricket South Africa spokesman said on Thursday. De Villiers was having a plate in his hand removed after it started to cause him discomfort, in a delayed procedure announced a week ago. The plate was inserted after he suffered a break in the Indian Premier League two years ago. “The recovery period is usually three to four weeks and he should be ready in time for the series against Australia in February,” South Africa manager Mohammed Moosajee said. South Africa are resting key fast bowler Dale Steyn, who suffered a small fracture in his rib in last month’s Test win over India, so that he can also be fit for the series. South Africa play three Tests and three Twenty20s against Australia, with the first Test starting in Pretoria on Feb. 12.
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
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