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 Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up a brief visit to Brazil on Friday with a season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, but despite the defeat, the team outshone their divisional rivals in the fight for the hearts and minds of Brazilian fans. In Sao Paulo for just the second-ever NFL game in the city, Chiefs players — especially quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce — were treated as major celebrities throughout their stay, turning Corinthians Arena into a scene reminiscent of the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium. Before kickoff, crowds of fans gathered around the Chiefs’ tunnel, eager to catch a
New Zealand stayed firm at their Eden Park fortress to claim an attritional 24-17 win over South Africa in a heavyweight clash between the world’s top two rugby sides yesterday. Under pressure after conceding a first-ever defeat on Argentine soil against the Pumas two weeks ago, the All Blacks responded with a performance of grit and discipline to stretch their unbeaten run at their Auckland stronghold to 51 matches. Two well-taken tries by Emoni Narawa and Will Jordan set up a 14-3 lead at halftime before Quinn Tupaea grabbed a third five-pointer for the hosts 13 minutes from time. Well-held for most of
The Wallabies trusted their instincts to keep pushing for a late try instead of a potential equalizing penalty goal late in their Rugby Championship Test match yesterday against Argentina, with prop Angus Bell scoring the clinching try in the sixth minute of added time to give Australia a comeback 28-24 win. The Wallabies were awarded three kickable penalties after the 80th minute, but kept pushing in search of the match-winning try, which was finally delivered by an unlikely hero in reserve prop Bell. “It’s just relieving,” Bell said. “It’s just awesome we could get the win in the end; not go for
Mikel Merino on Sunday scored a hat-trick as a majestic Spain thumped Turkey 6-0 away in World Cup qualifying, while a brilliant Florian Wirtz free-kick helped Germany beat Northern Ireland 3-1 to get their bid up and running. European champions Spain were in unstoppable form in the central Turkish city of Konya, claiming their second biggest-ever away win in World Cup qualifying as Arsenal midfielder Merino scored his first professional hat-trick. Barcelona playmaker Pedri Gonzalez opened the scoring inside six minutes and later completed the scoring, with Ferran Torres netting the visitors’ other goal. The quality of Merino’s strikes was remarkable, with his
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