SOCCER
Russia eyes rooms problem
Russian Minister of Sports Vitaly Mutko said a lack of hotel accommodation for teams and officials is a major problem facing 2018 FIFA World Cup organizers. Mutko says that “the most severe problem is related to accommodating guests of the World Cup, with the hotels,” in comments reported by Russian agency Tass. He added that four of the 11 host cities — Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Saransk and Nizhny Novgorod — are behind on plans to increase hotel accommodation in time for the tournament. The issue concerns hotels for players, sponsors and FIFA officials, Mutko said, but Russia’s readiness to house fans has also been called into question. In December last year, Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency said only five of the 11 cities so far had enough accommodation for supporters.
SOCCER
Juventus sanctions Caceres
Juventus defender Martin Caceres has been temporarily removed from Juventus’ squad and fined after an alleged drunk-driving accident. A club statement says Caceres’ behavior on Monday night “represents gross violation of his responsibilities as a Juventus player, as well as damaging the image of the club.” The ANSA news agency reported that the Uruguay international also had his Ferrari and driver’s license taken away and was fined 531 euros (US$600) by police after the accident. ANSA said Caceres was not injured after his Ferrari hit a bus shelter after veering to the wrong side of the road and colliding with some parked cars. The 28-year-old Caceres is in his fourth season with Juventus.
SOCCER
Carpi name new coach
Last-placed Carpi has named Giuseppe Sannino as their new coach a day after firing Fabrizio Castori six matches into their first Serie A season. Carpi says Sannino signed a contract through the end of the season. The 58-year-old Sannino has previously managed AC Siena, US Citta di Palermo, AC Chievo Verona, Watford and Catania. Castori’s removal came two days after a 5-1 loss to AS Roma left Carpi with just two points. Castori had taken over Carpi in June of last year and led the club to the Serie B title last season, earning promotion to the top division for the first time in their 106-year history. Having had to face Inter, surprise leader ACF Fiorentina, SSC Napoli and title challengers Roma already, Carpi have scored just six goals and conceded a league-worst 15.
FOOTBALL
Ruling helps Brady’s season
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is all but certain to remain free to play for the rest of the season after a court ruled on Tuesday that the NFL’s appeal in the “deflategate” case would not be heard before February. The court granted a request by the league and players union for an expedited hearing, with the league ordered to file a brief by Oct. 26, with Brady’s attorneys to reply by Dec. 7 and the league having until Dec. 21 to respond. The appeal would be heard the week of Feb. 1, with the Super Bowl set for Feb. 7 at the new home stadium of the San Francisco 49ers. The timing virtually ensures Brady would not face a ban this season even if the ruling in the controversy about underinflated footballs that has haunted the Patriots since last year’s American Conference final. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell looked into the controversy of balls found to be below NFL air pressure minimums and banned Brady for the first four games of this season. Brady appealed the ban to Goodell and he upheld his punishment in July.
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Monday wobbled through a 28-pitch first inning at home against the San Diego Padres in his first appearance on the mound since August 2023. Scheduled to throw as many as two innings, Ohtani went a single frame while allowing one run on two hits. He did not issue a walk nor strike out a batter. “Not quite happy with the results overall, but the takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to make the next outing,” Ohtani said of his pitching performance. Ohtani still wound up with a positive impact
RSS