SOCCER
Dyche doubts sin bins
Everton manager Sean Dyche said he does not think sin bins are needed nor wanted in soccer and urged rulemakers to “leave the game alone.” The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved trials of 10-minute sin bins at “higher levels” of the sport at a meeting this week, while measures to improve player behavior and increase respect for match officials were also supported. A proposed trial whereby only the team captain may approach the referee in certain game situations was backed, and it was also agreed that temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical offences should be trialed. Sin bins have already been tested at grassroots levels, but Dyche saw no need for them at the top level. “I don’t know why they don’t leave the game alone at times,” he told BBC Sport. “I don’t think it is needed. I don’t think it is wanted, personally, but fans might have a different view.” He also questioned how sin bins would be managed. “If a player goes off the pitch, how are you going to manage that? The health and safety? Is he warming up, or is he allowed to sit down? Does he have to stay sitting down? Does he get two minutes out of the 10 to warm up again?” The IFAB is also considering a measure that would see referees announce the final decision of video reviews. “Leave referees alone,” Dyche said. “I say take everything away, take the screen away, the noise away and let them get on with their job.”
CRICKET
Dominica withdraws
Dominica on Thursday withdrew as one of the cohosts of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, citing the delay in completing upgrades of match and practice venues, Cricket West Indies said. Dominica was one of seven countries in the West Indies selected to stage matches in the showpiece tournament in June along with the US. Windsor Park in Roseau was scheduled to host one group match and two Super Eight games of the 20-team tournament, but the government has conveyed its inability to get the facilities ready on time, Cricket West Indies said in a statement. “While recognizing their commitment, we note the reasons stated for the decision that has been made and understand the position,” Cricket West Indies chief executive officer Johnny Grave said. “We look forward to continuing to work with the government of Dominica and the Dominica Cricket Association to host international matches in the future.” Tournament director Fawwaz Baksh said that contingency plans were ready.
RUGBY UNION
Tackle change to be trialed
Rugby Australia yesterday said that it would trial a lowering of the legal tackle height from the shoulder line to below the sternum in a bid to reduce concussions. The new measure would take effect from February for two years at all levels of the game below Super Rugby, following six years of research by World Rugby. Phil Waugh, the governing body’s chief executive, said that research by World Rugby showed a clear opportunity to make the game safer. “Obviously it is impossible to remove all risk from the game,” he said. “However, we firmly believe that promoting safer tackle techniques and reducing the risk of head contact and concussion will lead to an even safer game.”
‘AWFUL PERFORMANCE’: Golden State were always chasing the game after failing to threaten from long range, making just eight of 33 three-point attempts Aaron Gordon on Monday scored 38 points as the Denver Nuggets shrugged off the absence of Nikola Jokic to halt the Golden State Warriors’ seven-game winning streak with a 114-105 victory over their Western Conference rivals. A dazzling display from Gordon inspired what was ultimately a comfortable win for Denver, who were missing regular starters Jokic and Jamal Murray from their lineup. The absentees were barely felt by Denver, who startled the Warriors early at San Francisco’s Chase Center and led for most of the game. The Warriors threatened to stage a late rally after slashing the Nuggets’ fourth-quarter lead from 15 points
The US’ bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title came to a stunning end as they fell 1-0 to Panama after a stoppage-time goal from Cecilio Waterman on Thursday in Inglewood, California. Despite dominating possession, the US struggled to break down a resilient Panama side for long periods. Panama spent the bulk of the match defending, but pounced on a giveaway by the US before substitute forward Waterman sent a shot from the right side of the area to the bottom left corner late in stoppage time. Up next for Panama in tomorrow’s final is to be Mexico, who beat
DOMINATION: McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took the first two spots as Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen followed them Australian Oscar Piastri yesterday roared back from season-opening disappointment in his home race by winning the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix from pole position in a McLaren one-two with championship-leading teammate Lando Norris. George Russell finished third for Mercedes, ahead of Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Saturday’s sprint winner Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth respectively. Piastri’s win denied Norris a third victory in a row, including last year’s Abu Dhabi season-ender, but left champions McLaren unbeaten in two races so far this year. “Mega job guys. The car was very, very lovely,” Piastri said
Armand Duplantis will be among the reigning Olympic champions adding star power to the world indoor championships this weekend when the Chinese city of Nanjing hosts the first major global athletics meet since the Paris Games last year. The three-day event was originally slated for 2020 and faced multiple postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Nanjing’s Sports Training Center would finally welcome more than 570 athletes for the start of the showpiece today. One of the main attractions would be pole vaulter “Mondo” Duplantis, who soared 6.27m to break the world record for a staggering 11th time in Clermont-Ferrand last
RSS