Thu, Nov 21, 2024 page7

• SPORTS BRIEFS

  • Staff writer, with agencies
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  BADMINTON

  Lin secures Finals berth

  Taiwan’s Lin Chun-yi yesterday defeated Li Shifeng of China in straight games at the China Masters in Shenzhen to clinch a spot in the BWF World Tour Finals. The opening round men’s singles match was make or break for Lin, who was ranked No. 9 on the World Tour, and Li, who is eighth. Both needed the victory in the Super 750 event, which is the last tournament for qualification for the Finals. Lin defeated last week’s Kumamoto Masters champion 21-14, 21-19 in 56 minutes. Meanwhile, World No. 9 Taiwanese shuttler Chou Tien-chen crashed out of his opener, losing 21-17, 18-21, 21-13 to Alex Lanier. However, Chou is second in the World Tour rankings and is already guaranteed a spot in December’s Finals in Hangzhou, China.

  SOCCER

  Report criticizes safety

  Professional soccer is failing to apply required safety standards, contravening legal frameworks at both European and global levels, a report published yesterday said. The report by Belgian University Katholieke Universiteit Leuven was commissioned by global soccer players’ union FIFPRO. It is to be submitted as evidence to the joint complaint filed to European anti-trust regulators against FIFA by FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues and La Liga. Elite leagues accused soccer’s world governing body of abuse over the effects of the expanding soccer calendar on player well-being, including decisions around the expanded FIFA Club World Cup next year. The research looked at the job demands and resources in the professional game, particularly the stressors of a high-risk work environment, and examined the legal obligations around health and safety standards. It determined that Occupational Safety and Health standards should apply to the industry, as soccer players are recognized as workers under European and international labor laws.

  FOOTBALL

  Jets fire GM Douglas

  Jets owner Woody Johnson is cleaning house for his woeful New York Jets in what has been a hugely disappointing season. On Tuesday, he fired Joe Douglas as general manager, the latest shakeup for a franchise that had Super Bowl aspirations with a healthy Aaron Rodgers as quarterback, but has limped to a 3-8 start and appears likely to miss the playoffs for a 14th consecutive year. The dismissal of Douglas, who was 30-64 and had no winning seasons in his tenure, came exactly six weeks after Johnson fired Robert Saleh as coach on Oct. 8 after the Jets were 2-3 to open the year.

  BOXING

  Paul, Tyson fight sets record

  Jake Paul’s unanimous decision over Mike Tyson on Saturday was the highest-grossing combat sports event in Texas at US$18.1 million, the promotions company cofounded by Paul said on Tuesday. The eight-round fight at the home of the Dallas Cowboys drew about 72,000 fans and was part of a co-main event that featured Katie Taylor’s latest disputed decision in a super lightweight championship slugfest against Amanda Serrano. The event surpassed Texas’ previous sports combat high of US$9 million set by Canelo Alvarez when he faced Billy Joe Saunders at the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in 2021, Most Valuable Promotions said.
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