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☆ Luis Rubiales: Prosecutors seek 2.5-year jail term for Spanish soccer boss over unwanted World Cup kiss
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Heather Chen | Pau Mosquera | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison term of two years and six months for former soccer chief Luis Rubiales for giving an unwanted kiss to star forward Jennifer Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup victory. The kiss was televised globally and the scandal overshadowed a historic moment for Spain’s women’s team which was celebrating its first-ever World Cup win. Rubiales described the kiss as “mutual” – a claim Hermoso has strongly denied – and said he faces “excessive persecution” from authorities. Vilda had been filmed seeming to inappropriately touch a female staff member during the Women’s World Cup Final. He was replaced by Montse Tomé, the first woman in Spanish national team history to hold the position.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso, Spain’s, –, Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, Rubén Rivera, CNN Rubiales, Spain’s women’s, Vilda, Montse Tomé Organizations: CNN, Public Ministry, Royal Spanish Football Federation, FIFA, Prosecutors, Spanish, Hermoso Locations: Spain, Spanish

☆ Janja Garnbret: Olympic champion warns that climbing has a ‘cultural’ problem with eating disorders
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —As an Olympic gold medalist and an eight-time world champion, almost no one knows the world of competitive climbing like Janja Garnbret. Having risen to the summit of the sport, the Slovenian now wants to use her platform to raise awareness of “cultural” pitfalls in climbing that she says are contributing to a widespread issue with eating disorders. “I’m a strong believer that you can do climbing, or any sport, in a healthy way.”Garnbret competes during the women's lead climbing finals of the IFSC Climbing World Cup at Kletterzentrum Innsbruck on June 18, 2023 in Innsbruck, Austria. I was trying hard for, let’s say, two years to help them get out of it, but I couldn’t help. Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty ImagesWith one Olympic medal in her pocket – Garnbret secured the combined gold at Tokyo 2020 – the Slovenian is hungry for more.

Persons: Garnbret, “, ” Garnbret, Marco Kost, ”, Sasha DiGiulian, Marco Scolaris, wasn’t, Mohd Rasfan Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, Kletterzentrum, Kyodo, REDs, International Federation of, Paris, Olympic, Getty, Games Locations: Slovenian, Kletterzentrum Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria, Tokyo, AFP, Paris

☆ Chen Xuyuan: China sentences ex-soccer chief to life in prison in latest crackdown on sports corruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The ex-soccer chief, Chen Xuyuan, was jailed on Tuesday alongside multiple senior sporting executives, according to state media, following a months-long investigation. Five years later, the Chinese soccer association unveiled a plan to make the country a “world football superpower” by 2050. The Chinese men’s soccer team currently sits third in its FIFA World Cup qualify group, with four points, behind group leader South Korea, and second placed Thailand. Last Thursday, the team drew 2-2 with city-state Singapore, in a major blow to the country’s World Cup 2026 dream. The two sides face off again, on Tuesday, in what is being billed as a crunch match for underperforming China.

Persons: Chen Xuyuan, Xi, Chen, Yu Hongchen, Li Tie, “, ”, Chen Yongliang, Yu, Dong Zheng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, league, Chinese Super League, Winter, men’s, soccer, FIFA World, South Locations: Hong Kong, Chinese, Hubei, Huangshi, China, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore

☆ Son Jun-ho: South Korean soccer player returns home after being detained in China on suspicion of accepting bribes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —South Korean soccer star Son Jun-ho, who was detained in China for allegedly accepting bribes, has recently returned home, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday. The ministry has been communicating with the Chinese authorities through “various channels” and requested cooperation to “ensure a swift and fair process,” it said without giving details of the release. He has also represented South Korea’s men’s national team and reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in 2022 with the squad. Son became the first foreign soccer player to be investigated and detained since the CSL started in 2004, according to China’s state-run Global Times. His arrest was part of a broader initiative by Beijing to rid Chinese soccer of alleged corruption in the highest levels of the sport, during which the Communist Party’s anti-graft watchdog has been investigating a host of Chinese Football Association figures.

Persons: Son, “, ” Organizations: CNN, South, country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Super League, Football Association, Korea’s, CSL, Times, Communist, Chinese Football Association Locations: South Korean, China, China’s, Liaoning, Shandong Taishan, Beijing

☆ Stuart Webber: Former soccer club official criticized for ‘lazy stereotyping’ of Black players
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Webber’s comments came during an interview about his upcoming four-week expedition to climb Mount Everest for charity. Julian Finney/Getty ImagesCNN has attempted to contact Webber for comment. Webber and his wife Zoe are co-founders of the Summit Foundation, which works with other charitable organizations to create programs to help young people. According to the foundation’s website, one of its aims is to help break the poverty cycle through education. CNN has contacted Norwich City, which plays in the second tier of English soccer, for comment.

Persons: CNN —, ” Stuart Webber, – Jonny Rowe, Abu Kamara, Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis, Raheem Sterling –, Webber’s, ”, “, ” Raheem Sterling, Julian Finney, Webber, Zoe, we’ll, Kamara –, Norwich City –, Aarons, Amber, Lewis ’, Catrina, – Webber Organizations: CNN, Norwich City, England, Getty, Summit Foundation, League One, Portsmouth, Norwich City –, Huddersfield Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers, Liverpool, Wrexham Locations: England, Wales, Norwich, Iran, “

☆ Endrick: Brazilian teen sensation breaks records with winning goal against England
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Teen sensation Endrick scored the winning goal as Brazil beat England on Saturday, putting him into the record books and alongside some of the greats of the Seleção. He almost had another goal in the dying moments of the game but was denied by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. He is also a player with whom Endrick has drawn comparisons due to their playing styles. “In the stadium where Pelé never managed to play … Endrick with his first international goal and a winning goal against England,” South American football expert Tim Vickery told BBC Radio 5 Live afterwards. The kid is a prodigy.”Endrick’s goal against England was an important one too, with it giving new Brazil manager Dorival Júnior his first victory in his debut in the role.

Persons: Endrick, Jordan Pickford, Wembley –, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldo –, ” Endrick, Brazil’s, “ I’m, Pelé, Tim Vickery, “, Bobby Charlton, ”, Dorival Júnior, Lucas Paquetá Organizations: CNN, Brazil, England, Wembley, Brazil’s Globo, Reuters, Real Madrid, Brazilian, Palmeiras, Brazil national team, “, ” South, BBC Radio Locations: Brazil, London, Real, Spain

☆ Christoph Baumgartner scores fastest ever international goal inside game’s opening six seconds
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner scored the fastest ever international goal on Saturday, taking just six seconds to find the back of the net during his country’s 2-0 victory against Slovakia. Austria had to wait more than 80 minutes for its second goal when Andreas Weinmann doubled its lead and secured a 2-0 victory. Later that evening, Florian Wirtz scored Germany’s fastest ever international goal as his team claimed a 2-0 victory against France in Lyon, taking just a second longer than Baumgartner to find the back of the net. Florian Wirtz scored after just seven seconds against France. “We had a very good start and the kickoff was planned exactly that way,” Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said afterwards, per Reuters.

Persons: CNN — Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner, Lukas Podolski’s, Andreas Weinmann, Florian Wirtz, Baumgartner, Toni Kroos ’, ”, Julian Nagelsmann, Kai Havertz, Germany’s Organizations: CNN, Slovakia, France, Zuma Press, Reuters Locations: Germany, Ecuador, Austria, Lyon, France, ” Germany, “

Among the International Cricket Council games is the highly-anticipated India vs. Pakistan match-up. If you're looking to find tickets, then you're in luck, because we've rounded up everything you need to know about how to get India vs. Pakistan tickets for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. How much are India vs. Pakistan tickets? While it's unclear exactly how much the original standard India vs. Pakistan tickets went for in the ballot, the cheapest tickets for other matches at USA venues start at $35 (although India vs. Pakistan was most likely more). The only currently available India vs. Pakistan resale tickets on StubHub are $1,258 each.

Organizations: Business, ICC, West, International Cricket Council, ICC Men's Cricket, Australia, Nassau County International Cricket, USA Locations: United States, West Indies, India, Pakistan, New York, Barbados

☆ Silje Opseth: Her face bloodied, Norwegian ski jumper recovers from fall to set new world record
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Her face might have been bloodied and battered, but ski jumper Slje Opseth couldn’t stop smiling as reality dawned on her that she’d just set a new women’s world record. World record,” Norwegian Opseth wrote on Instagram later on Sunday, before thanking everyone involved in her record attempt. Opseth set a new women's world record with her final jump in the competition. The seven-time World Cup winner managed to recover, though, and broke the world record with her final attempt. On Sunday, the 24-year-old Opseth finished the first ever Women’s Ski Flying World Cup in second, behind Norwegian teammate Eirin Maria Kvandal.

Persons: Opseth, Instagram, ”, Geir Olsen, NTB, “, ” Opseth, Eirin Maria Kvandal, Klinec Organizations: CNN, Reuters Locations: Vikersund, Norway, Slovenia, plasters, Eirin Maria Kvandal .

☆ Putin scores a resounding win, but what’s next for Russia?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Nathan Hodge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Sovfoto/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Putin poses for a picture with his wife, Lyudmila, and daughters, Yekaterina and Maria. Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images Putin rides a horse during a vacation in Southern Siberia in August 2009. Dmitry Astakhov/RIA Novosti/AFP via Getty Images Putin plays with his dogs Yume, left, and Buffy at his home in Novo-Ogaryovo, Russia, in March 2013. Chris McGrath/Getty Images Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the G20 summit in Buenos Aires in November 2018. Getty Images Putin speaks with American right-wing pundit Tucker Carlson during an interview in February 2024.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, ”, Dmitry Kiselyov, Mikhail Mishustin, Ukraine –, Kiselyov, “, Maria Putina, Archivio GBB, ZUMA Press Wire Putin, Laski, Maria, Vladimir, Anatoly Sobchak, Lyudmila, Yekaterina, Boris Yeltsin, Yeltsin, Fidel Castro, Reuters Putin, George W, Bush, Stephen Jaffe, Camp David, Brooks Kraft, Alexey Druzhinin, Alexey Nikolsky, Mikhail Metzel, Ivan Sekretarev, AP Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Dmitry Astakhov, Buffy, Angela Merkel, Jochen Lübke, Thomas Bach, Medvedev, Vladimir Konstantinov, Alexei Chalyi, Sergei Aksyonov, Sergei Ilnitsky, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Alexander Lukashenko, Merkel, Francois Hollande, Petro Poroshenko, Mykola Lazarenko, Barack Obama, Ban, Chip Somodevilla, Turkey Andrei Karlov, Karlov, Donald Trump, Chris McGrath, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, LUDOVIC MARIN, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, Eliot Blondet, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Biden, Sergey Lavrov, Denis Balibouse, Macron, Sergey Ponomarev, Mikhail Gorbachev, —, Alexander Nemenov, Alexey Danichev, Xi Jinping, Pavel Byrkin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Prigozhin, Pavel Bednyakov, Kim Jong Un, Kim, Tucker Carlson, Zuma Press Putin, Maxim Shemetov, – what’s, Alexey Navalny, Navalny, ” Putin Organizations: CNN, coy, Kremlin, Getty, Russian, ZUMA Press, Putin, KGB, ZUMA Press Wire, Getty Images, Reuters, US, White House, Camp, Brooks, Brooks Kraft LLC, RIA Novosti, AP, AFP, International Olympic, Crimean, Ukrainian, United Nations, UN, Assembly, Russian Foreign Ministry, Sputnik, World, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Macron, SPUTNIK, New York Times, Central Clinical Hospital, AP Putin, Belarus, State Russian Museum, AP North Korean, Vostochny, Tucker Carlson Network, Zuma Press Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Putin Russia, Russian, Bakhmut, St . Petersburg, Leningrad, Germany, Moscow, AFP, Kazan, Cuba, Soviet Union, Southern Siberia, Russia's Tver, Novo, Ogaryovo, Hanover, Sevastopol, Crimea, Belarusian, Minsk, Belarus, France, Turkey, Helsinki, Finland, Buenos Aires, Ukrainian, Paris, Geneva, Switzerland, Taganrog, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Tsiolkovsky, Russia's, North Korea, United States

(AP) — Vanessa DiBernardo scored the first goal for Kansas City in its new stadium and the Current held off the Portland Thorns 5-4 on Saturday in the regular-season opener for the National Women's Soccer League. Rookie Ellie Wheeler scored moments later and the Current built a 3-1 lead by halftime. It was the first game at CPKC Stadium, which the team says is the first U.S. stadium built expressly for women’s pro soccer. Andonovski also coached two seasons with the Reign before taking over the U.S. national team. Brittany and Patrick Mahomes, part of the Current's ownership group, kicked off the game with a “K.C., baby!” chant.

Persons: — Vanessa DiBernardo, Shelby Hogan, DiBernardo, Ellie Wheeler, Bia Zaneratto, Kristen Hamilton, Alex Pfeiffer, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie, Smith, Hamilton, Pfeiffer, Beckie's, Vlatko Andonovski, Andonovski, Patrick Mahomes, ___ Organizations: KANSAS CITY, Kansas City, Portland Thorns, National Women's Soccer League, ABC, ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports, Portland, U.S, FC Kansas City, U.S . Locations: KANSAS, Mo, U.S, Missouri, Brazil, Brittany

☆ Covid casts long shadow over New Zealand paddler Jones
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The 35-year-old’s ambitions of reaching a fifth Olympics once seemed fanciful as she spent more than a year recovering after being diagnosed with long Covid in early 2022. “I’d get really tired from just going out and mowing the lawn or going for a walk,” she told Reuters in an interview. Jones speaks to the media at Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Auckland, New Zealand this week. Long Covid provided multiple reminders of how quickly things can unravel. “But I guess you just don’t know where you can get (Covid) from or when it’s going to hit.

Persons: Luuka Jones, Jones, “ I’d, “, Phil Walter, Valerie Adams, Barbara Kendall, I’ve, ”, Long Covid, I’m, ’ ”, Chris Froome, Jonathan Toews, Covid Organizations: Reuters, Paris, Beijing, Rio Games, Vector, Getty, Zealand, Olympic, British, de Locations: Tokyo, Zealand, Marne, Auckland , New Zealand, Beijing, New Zealand

☆ Qatar Airways to launch First Class, as airline courts Airbus and Boeing for new planes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Dan Murphy | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Al Meer confirmed to CNBC that Qatar Airways is now developing a high-yielding First Class concept for its cabins. Along with preparing its First Class proposal, Qatar Airways is redesigning its premium "Q-Suite" class of seats, and the latest offering is set to debut at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. A Qatar Airways Boeing 777 In New York. Leslie Josephs | CNBCThe new aircraft order proposal follows a major legal dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus over safety concerns caused by paint degradation. Al Meer also said Qatar Airways would halt Al Baker's plans for a fast "phase-out" of the flagship Airbus A380.

Persons: Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Al Meer, Qatar's, Akbar Al Baker, Leslie Josephs, Max, Al Baker's Organizations: Qatar Airways, Boeing, Airbus, CNBC, International Airport, Farnborough, Qatar, Qatar Airways Boeing, Rival Emirates Locations: Al, China, India, Australia, Japan, Korea, New York

☆ Josh Cavallo: Australian first openly gay top-flight male soccer star proposes to partner on home pitch
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Josh Cavallo, the first top-flight male professional soccer star to come out as gay, has blazed a new trail by proposing to his partner on the pitch of his club. Since then, Cavallo, 24, has become one of the most recognizable faces in the sport and an outspoken advocate for greater equality for the LGBTQ community. On Thursday, he announced that he had proposed to his fiancée at Coopers Stadium, home pitch of his Australian A-League team Adelaide United. To this day there are still very few professional male footballers who have come out as gay. “I want my brother… – or anyone of any sexuality, race or religion – to come to games without having to fear abuse.”

Persons: Josh Cavallo, Cavallo, ”, CNN Cavallo, “, I’m, ” Cavallo, I’ve, Aaron Ramsdale, … –, – Organizations: CNN, Coopers, League, Adelaide United, ”, Attitude Magazine, FIFA, Qatar, Rapid Vienna, Arsenal Locations: Qatar

Asian productions or nominees with a predominantly Asian cast have been making headway at the Academy Awards in recent years. South Korean thriller “Parasite” made history in 2020 as the first non-English language movie to win best picture, alongside three further awards. "The Boy and the Heron" producer Toshio Suzuki speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles on March 11, 2024. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty ImagesFor others, the award offered Japan a boost after a rough start to the year. Kelts, the Japan-based author, said the second Oscar win showed the Academy had recognized Miyazaki’s artistic genius and that Japanese animation is far from solely entertainment.

Persons: CNN —, Hayao Miyazaki, ”, Huy Quan, Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh, Heron ”, Ghibli’s, “, Roland Kelts, Miyazaki, Richard Harbaugh, Toshio Suzuki, ‘, ’ Suzuki, Suzuki, ” Suzuki, Richard A, Brooks, Tatsuji Nojima, “ Oscar, Takashi Yamazaki, Fumio Kishida, Yamazaki, ” Kishida, Hideaki Omura, Godzilla’s, Chris Hemsworth, Anya Taylor, Joy, Patrick T, Fallon, Kelts Organizations: CNN, Academy, Sony Pictures, Culture, Oscar Academy, Ghibli, Japan’s, NHK, Getty, Japan, Sunday, Gov, Hollywood, American, Waseda University Locations: Japan, America, Vietnam, ” Tokyo, Hollywood, Los Angeles, AFP, Aichi prefecture, Miyazaki, Japanese, Ishikawa, Tokyo

Jamahl Mosley made the Orlando Magic a contender. Mosley and the playoff-contending Magic — on pace for their best season in 13 years — have agreed on an extension that keeps him under contract in Orlando through the 2027-28 season, the team announced Tuesday. Mosley is in his third season with Orlando. We are very happy to have Jamahl lead the Magic for years to come.”The Magic contending might be viewed as a surprise in some NBA circles this season. But Mosley has insisted, publicly and privately, since even before the season started that this Orlando team would be different.

Persons: Jamahl Mosley, Mosley, —, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, “ Jamahl, Jeff Weltman, “, ” Mosley, Orlando, haven't, — Mosley, Orlando's Wagner, — Franz, Moritz —, Banchero, we'll, ” Organizations: Orlando Magic, Orlando, Division, NBA, Associated Press, Mavericks, USA Basketball, U.S, AdventHealth Training Center Locations: Orlando, Denver , Cleveland, Dallas, Las Vegas, Manila, Germany

☆ USWNT wins inaugural W Gold Cup after beating Brazil in final
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Ben Church | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The United States women’s soccer team won the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup on Sunday following a 1-0 victory over Brazil at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. “This is a group that’s moving forward together, that still wants more time together. “This is a group that’s just getting started.”All the US players celebrated on the field at the final whistle, as the 31,528 spectators in attendance cheered on. This, though, was the first time it had won the newly configured W Gold Cup tournament. In its next game, the US is set to play Japan in the SheBelieves Cup at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, on April 6.

Persons: Lindsey Horan, ”, Twila Kilgore, Sean M, Jaedyn Shaw, “, that’s, ” Shaw Organizations: CNN, United, soccer, Concacaf, Snapdragon, ESPN, Tri, CBS Sports, Japan, Mercedes Benz Locations: United States, Brazil, San Diego , California, Canada, San Diego, Mexico, Atlanta

☆ Mikaela Shiffrin: US ski star returns from injury to win record-equaling eighth World Cup slalom season title
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After six weeks out of the sport, ski star Mikaela Shiffrin made a triumphant return from injury to win a record-equaling eighth World Cup slalom season title in Åre, Sweden, on Sunday. The win ties the American with Lindsey Vonn and Ingemar Stenmark, who both clinched eight crystal globes – the trophy for Alpine skiing World Cup season titles – in a single discipline. Austrian star Marcel Hirscher won eight overall season titles during his career, but not in a single discipline. It was also Shiffrin’s 96th World Cup win of her career, extending the overall record she broke back in 2023. Shiffrin rushed to his side at the hospital and was with him when he woke up from surgery.

Persons: Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn, Ingemar Stenmark, Marcel Hirscher, ” Shiffrin, Pontus Lundahl, Reuters Shiffrin, Michelle Gisin, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Kilde, “, ” Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, TT, Agency, Reuters Locations: Åre, Sweden, Austrian, Italy, Croatia, Norwegian, Switzerland

☆ Kylian Mbappé breaks part of net with powerful goal as he’s hailed ‘No. 1 player in the world’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The 25-year-old’s double led the French side to a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad in San Sebastián, Spain, giving it a 4-1 victory on aggregate over the two legs of their round-of-16 clash. Such was the power of his goal that the strike actually broke the net, leaving a hole behind between post and net. Mbappé doubled PSG’s lead on the night and effectively finished off the tie 11 minutes after halftime with another trademark goal. Mbappé scores PSG's second goal against Real Sociedad. Alvaro Barrientos/APAlthough Mikel Merino scored late on to give Real Sociedad some consolation, the evening was all about Mbappé and his excellent outing.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, Germain, Mbappé, Alejandro Remiro, Alvaro Barrientos, Mikel Merino, “ We’re, ”, ” Mbappé, Luis Enrique lauding, ” Enrique, France’s, Mbappé –, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Rio Ferdinand, “, … Mbappé, don’t, Mbappé’s, ’ ”, Owen Hargreaves, Thierry Henry, Ronaldo Nazario, Hargreaves Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Champions League, Real Sociedad, PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, TNT Sports, France Locations: Paris, San Sebastián, Spain, –, England

☆ Paris 2024: Olympic Opening Ceremony capacity slashed in half to ensure security
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Joseph Ataman | Pierre Bairin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Attendance capacity at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games’ Opening Ceremony – the first to be held along a river – will be halved due to security reasons, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said Tuesday in an interview with French broadcaster France 2. French officials had boasted for years that some 600,000 people would be able to attend the Opening Ceremony. Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty ImagesHosting the ceremony outside a traditional stadium was central to the organizers’ vision of a more inclusive Olympic Games. An “anti-terrorist security perimeter” will be put in place in the days leading up to the Opening Ceremony around the Seine, with public access limited, he added. ET) – on the evening of the Opening Ceremony to prevent any disruption to the event, Darmanin added.

Persons: Gérald Darmanin, Darmanin, Alexander, Jacques Demarthon Organizations: CNN, Paris, France, Olympic, Paralympic Games, Getty, Stade de France, Qatar Locations: Paris, AFP

☆ Debate heats up as Singapore prime minister says exclusive Taylor Swift deal isn't 'unfriendly'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Marylou Costa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Tuesday that a closed-door deal for Taylor Swift to perform in the city-state ensured she would not perform in other Southeast Asian countries during her Eras tour. The statement is the first confirmation from the city-state that the agreement for Swift to perform in Singapore contained exclusivity terms preventing her from performing in other countries. He also did not reveal the size of the grant to Swift, but stated the amount is "not anywhere as high as speculated." During her first three concerts in Singapore, Swift asked her audience to applaud — first the locals, then those who had traveled from overseas to come to the show. Edwin Tong Singapore Minister for Culture, Community and YouthSome liken the deal to how cities vie to host major sports events, such as the Olympics, the Super Bowl and the World Cup.

Persons: Lee Hsien Loong, Taylor Swift, Swift, Edwin Tong, Srettha Thavisin, Joey Salceda, Lee, Ashok Kumar, —, Selena Oh, de Boer, Irene Hoe, — haven't Organizations: Singapore, Reuters, Thai, Swift's, Philippine, Getty, Edwin Tong Singapore Minister, Culture ,, Super Bowl Locations: Singapore, Southeast Asia, Melbourne, Bangkok, ASEAN, Tokyo, Asia, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Asia — Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Philippines, Cambodia, what's, Edwin Tong Singapore

☆ Xabi Alonso becomes Europe’s most wanted coach as Bayer Leverkusen runs away with Bundesliga
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Xabi Alonso was appointed the club’s head coach in October 2022, with Leverkusen languishing near the bottom of the German table. Prior to being appointed Leverkusen’s manager, Alonso had coached Real Madrid’s Under-14 team and Real Sociedad’s B team. We have seen in the past what else can happen,” Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tag told Dazn after the victory over Köln. There are 10 games remaining in the Bundesliga season and Leverkusen is the strong favorite to win its first ever league title. And with Leverkusen in semifinals of the domestic cup and the round-of-16 stage of the Europa League, Alonso could cap off a memorable second season in first-team management with a hat-trick of trophies.

Persons: ’, Michael Ballack, Oliver Neuville, Dimitar Berbatov, Zé Roberto, Zidane’s, Xabi Alonso, Alonso, Ina Fassbender, –, Jeremie Frimpong, Grimaldo –, Grimaldo, Frimpong, John Muller, “, ”, Jonathan Tag, Köln, Wolfgang Rattay, Thomas Tuchel’s Organizations: CNN, Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Real Madrid, Leverkusen, Spain, Bayern Munich, English Premier League, Köln, Getty, Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Merseyside, League, Spanish national team, Real Madrid’s, Real, Benfica, The, Bayern, Europa League Locations: Liverpool, AFP, Istanbul, Leverkusen, Europe

☆ William Troost-Ekong: Nigeria’s football captain on rollercoaster journey to the AFCON final
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Callum Sutherland | Amanda Davies | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Only six months ago, the Super Eagles skipper had been considering walking away from international football entirely following disagreements with coach José Peseiro. “[It] resulted in us not actually speaking for a few months,” the defender told CNN World Sport’s Amanda Davies in a recent interview. Captain William Troost-Ekong (center, number 5) celebrates after scoring a penalty during Nigeria's AFCON semi-final match against South Africa on February 7, 2024. After dispatching a penalty in regular time, Troost-Ekong made no mistake during the subsequent shoot-out to help send his side into the final in Abidjan. Once again, it was a lead that came courtesy of a Troost-Ekong goal; this time from a powerful header.

Persons: William Troost, José Peseiro, Ekong, Amanda Davies, I’ve, ”, “, AFCON, –, Issouf Sanogo, Sebastian Haller, Les Éléphants, Peseiro Organizations: CNN, Africa, of Nations, Super Eagles, The, Eagles, Equatorial, Guinea Bissau, South, Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, Nigerian Football Federation, English Premier League, Watford, Greek, PAOK Thessaloniki, PAOK Locations: Qatar, Portuguese, Dutch, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, AFP, Cameroon, Angola, Abidjan, “, Holland, Belgium, Turkey, Italy

☆ Sam Kerr: Australian soccer star pleads not guilty to ‘racially aggravated offense’ in London
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Sam Kerr, Chelsea FC star and Australia women’s captain, pleaded not guilty to a “racially aggravated offense” of a police officer, British authorities said Monday. The 30-year-old striker was charged following an incident involving an officer on January 30 last year in Twickenham, a suburb of southwest London. Kerr was charged “via postal charge requisition on 21 January with a racially aggravated offense under Section 4A Public Order Act 1986,” the Met Police added. CNN has reached out to Chelsea FC, who declined to comment. Last year, she led the Australia women’s team in making national history by becoming the first team – men’s or women’s – to reach a soccer World Cup semifinal.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Kerr, ”, – Organizations: CNN, Chelsea FC, Australia women’s, Metropolitan Police, Met Police, Thames, Crown Prosecution Service, Wimbledon, Court, Football Australia, “, ” Football Australia, Chelsea, League, Super League, AFC, Uzbekistan Locations: Twickenham, London, Kingston, United Kingdom, Perth

☆ LAFC head coach condemns MLS game played in heavy snow as an ‘absolute disgrace’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Issy Ronald | Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) head coach Steve Cherundolo said it was an “absolute disgrace” that his team’s match against Real Salt Lake (RSL) went ahead despite a blizzard engulfing the America First Field in Sandy, Utah on Saturday. After the Major League Soccer (MLS) match had been delayed for more than three hours due to the inclement conditions, LAFC sunk to a 3-0 defeat while the snow fell around the players. “It was not difficult conditions [but] impossible conditions, an absolute joke that we had to play today,” Cherundolo told reporters. LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo watches on from the touchline. “I didn’t even watch the game, the last 20 minutes you couldn’t see anything.”French World Cup winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was playing in his second game for LAFC.

Persons: Steve Cherundolo, ”, ” Cherundolo, Rob Gray, LAFC, Andrés Gómez, Hugo Lloris, Diego Luna, Gómez, Chico Arango, Cherundolo, Chris Gardner, Pablo Mastroeni, ’ Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Football Club, Real, Real Salt Lake, America, Major League Soccer, USA, Sports, RSL, LAFC, Getty, MLS Locations: Real Salt, Sandy , Utah

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