WORLD CUP
Box holders beat FIFA
Holders of boxes at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City won a standoff against FIFA over who gets to control the spaces during next year’s World Cup. The use of the boxes and VIP seating has become an issue in the lead-up to the tournament, as the stadium had signed contracts that spanned 99 years of box access to fund a 1966 renovation, said a spokeswoman at Ollamani SAB, the company that owns the stadium. The boxes include 12,500 individual spaces out of the 90,000 the stadium will have following the renovation. Following prolonged negotiations, an agreement was reached between a unit of Ollamani and FIFA — which rents the stadium during the World Cup — that includes the company taking on “relevant obligations and payment commitments” to FIFA to secure access for boxholders, a statement sent to local regulators said. The spokeswoman declined to comment on the amount of the deal, while representatives for FIFA did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.
Photo: Reuters
WORLD CUP
Mamdani seeks discount
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who won the Democratic nomination on a platform of making the city more affordable, is calling on FIFA to make it cheaper for residents to attend the World Cup. In a petition released on Wednesday, Mamdani demanded that FIFA reverse its plan to set ticket prices for next year’s tournament based on demand, likening the practice to “price gouging.” He also called for 15 percent of tickets to be set aside at discounted prices for residents. “As a lifelong football — sorry, I mean soccer, fan — I couldn’t be more excited,” Mamdani said in an accompanying social media video, speaking in a faux-British accent as he juggled a ball in his dress shoes. “But are any working-class New Yorkers actually going to be able to watch any of the matches?”
LA LIGA
Oviedo supporter arrested
A Real Oviedo supporter has been arrested for directing racist gestures at Real Madrid players when the sides met last month, Spain’s National Police said on Wednesday. “A fan has been arrested for mimicking racist gestures and sounds during a match between Real Oviedo and Real Madrid,” the National Police said on X. “LaLiga reported the incidents after the match held in Oviedo.” The National Police linked to a story in Spanish newspaper Marca, which said the arrest was related to an incident in the 37th minute of the game on Aug. 24, when Real Madrid players were celebrating Kylian Mbappe’s opening goal in a 3-0 win.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Watford unveil John shirts
English second-tier club Watford are to wear a special Elton John-inspired kit for tomorrow’s home game against Blackburn Rovers to mark the approaching 50th anniversary of the global pop icon becoming chairman. The blue strip, that is to be worn just once, is inspired by his Diamonds album artwork and features a star design sublimation, while embossed on the reverse of the shirt are the lyrics “How wonderful life is while you’re in the world” from his 1970 hit Your Song.
The Philadelphia 76ers, fueled by 36 points from Tyrese Maxey and a triple-double from Joel Embiid, on Thursday beat the Houston Rockets 128-122 in an NBA overtime thriller. Cameroonian big man Embiid scored 32 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and handed out 10 assists, posting the ninth triple-double of his career to help the Sixers end the Rockets’ three-game winning streak. Rockets star Kevin Durant scored 36 points and Amen Thompson added 17, but Thompson was scoreless in the fourth quarter. Even so, the Rockets led by nine midway through the final frame, Maxey tying it at 115-115 with 40.1 seconds left. Durant missed a
MARRED FINAL: As most of Senegalese players walked off the pitch after a controversial decision, some supporters threw objects and attempted to get onto the pitch Senegal on Sunday won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner sunk hosts Morocco 1-0 after a chaotic final that saw the eventual champions storm off the pitch late in the game. Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco with a controversial spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time as ugly scenes broke out in the stands. However, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted “Panenka” chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.
Tobias Harris on Monday scored 25 points as the Detroit Pistons held off the Boston Celtics to score a 104-103 victory in their top-of-the-table Eastern Conference showdown. Harris was one of four Detroit players to finish in double figures, with Jalen Duren adding 18 points and point guard Cade Cunningham scoring 16 points with 14 assists. The win sees Detroit extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to 31-10, 5.5 games ahead of second-placed Boston, who fell to 26-16 with the defeat. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics scoring with 32 points and almost snatched victory in the
The civil war engulfing tennis has been laid bare on the opening day of the first Grand Slam event this year, with details of Tennis Australia’s peace deal with the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) published for the first time. The PTPA last year launched an anti-trust lawsuit against the four grand slam tournaments, the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and the International Tennis Federation, accusing them of collaborating to reduce prize money, impose a restrictive ranking system and repress player promotional opportunities, but Tennis Australia was dropped from the claim last month after reaching a settlement agreement with the players’
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