PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool explains spending
Liverpool’s investment on transfers is the result of long-term planning, Liverpool chief executive officer Billy Hogan said, adding that winning a record-equaling 20th Premier League title convinced the club that it was time to act like a modern powerhouse. Liverpool’s latest acquisition, French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth ￡79 million (US$106.84 million), including add-ons, has taken the club’s transfer expenditure this window to nearly ￡300 million. Outgoings, six players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, have so far generated about ￡64 million. The outlay marks a sharp departure from Liverpool’s traditionally measured approach in the market, but Hogan insists the club has not deviated from the club’s policy of financial sustainability. “It doesn’t just happen; it’s been years in the making,” Hogan told The Athletic in an interview. “One of the things we’re constantly focused on is that ‘virtuous circle.’ Trying to run the club in the right way to ensure that we can generate as much revenue as we possibly can. That obviously helps in terms of being able to put more back into the team.”
Photo: Reuters
MEXICO
Javier Hernandez apologizes
Javier Hernandez on Thursday apologized for remarks that led to him being sanctioned by the Mexican Football Federation and his club, Guadalajara. Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Hernandez, 37, triggered uproar after comments in a TikTok video in which he accused women of “eradicating masculinity.” His comments prompted an outcry, including from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who on Wednesday called the remarks a “very macho idea” of women. “Embody your feminine energy by caring, nurturing, giving life, cleaning and supporting the home,” Hernandez said in the video. “Don’t be afraid to be women, to allow yourselves to be led by a man who only wants one thing: to see you happy.” The federation described Hernandez’s comments as a form of “media violence” and said it had fined and warned the player. In a statement posted on Instagram on Thursday, Hernandez expressed regret for the remarks. “I deeply regret any confusion or discomfort my recent comments may have caused,” he wrote. “It was never my intention to mock, hurt, or divide... I listen, I reflect, and I commit to expressing myself with greater clarity and sensitivity, especially on such sensitive issues.”
BRAZIL
Neymar slams ‘insults’
Neymar said it was hard to control his feelings when he was being insulted, commenting on a heated exchange he had with a fan after his late goal was ruled out and his club Santos lost 2-1 to leave them in the Brazilian Serie A relegation zone. The 33-year-old went to the stands at the end of Wednesday’s game with Internacional to talk with a fan who appeared to be remonstrating with him. Videos showed Neymar gesticulating, then raising a thumbs up as a teammate ushers him away. “In the heat of the moment, it is difficult to control your feelings when you are unfairly offended,” Neymar wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “I will never argue with fans when they criticize me on the pitch, because they have the right to say whether I played badly or not, and they have every right to boo me. What they can’t do is insult me the way they insulted me.”
Tainan TSG Hawks slugger Steven Moya, who is leading the CPBL in home runs, has withdrawn from this weekend’s All-Star Game after the unexpected death of his wife. Moya’s wife began feeling severely unwell aboard a plane that landed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Friday evening. She was rushed to a hospital, but passed away, the Hawks said in a statement yesterday. The franchise is assisting Moya with funeral arrangements and hopes fans who were looking forward to seeing him at the All-Star Game can understand his decision to withdraw. According to Landseed Medical Clinic, whose staff attempted to save Moya’s wife,
Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday homered for the fifth consecutive game, tying a Los Angeles Dodgers franchise record. Yankees star Aaron Judge was the last player to homer in five consecutive games, accomplishing that feat last year. Ohtani, who leads the National League with 37 home runs, homered in the first inning off Minnesota Twins starter Chris Paddack. He hit a slow curveball 134m to center. He carried the bat midway down the first-base line and then did a bat flip. He did not hit a home run later in the game with the Dodgers trailing, but his presence was felt. With two outs
Taiwan’s world No. 6 shuttler Chou Tien-chen yesterday defeated India’s H.S. Prannoy to advance to the quarter-finals of the China Open in Changzhou. It was former world No. 2 Chou’s eighth win in 14 matches against Prannoy, who had earlier this week lamented the age divide between him and up-and-comers, although he is only two years younger than 35-year-old Chou. The Taiwanese, who is seeded sixth at the tournament, rebounded from a close 21-18 loss in game 1 on Court 2 at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium. He bounced back to take the next games 21-15, 21-8 and set up a tough quarter-final
The Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday acquired Taiwanese-American outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations to fill the roster after All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe was placed back on the injured list. Fairchild was designated for assignment by the Braves on Monday after hitting .216/.273/.333 in 28 games for Atlanta, with most of his work coming as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. He joins Tampa Bay as a versatile fourth outfielder option. To make room for Fairchild on the 40-man roster, the Rays transferred relief pitcher Manuel Rodriguez (forearm strain) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day
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