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☆ Pochettino hoping Chelsea can build momentum after Brighton win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 28 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said his team "fully deserved" Wednesday's 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup and hopes the result will help kickstart their stuttering Premier League campaign. Chelsea are 14th in the league after only one win from six games so far, having drawn two and lost three, and have managed just five goals in the competition. I think it's important to go through in the competition, build our trust and the momentum. Left back Ben Chilwell was forced off late in the contest, with Pochettino saying it appeared to be a hamstring injury. Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Fulham.

Persons: Mauricio Pochettino, Nicolas Jackson, I'm, Pochettino, Ben Chilwell, Hritika Sharma, Muralikumar Organizations: Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, League, Premier League, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Thomson Locations: England, Hyderabad

☆ Fitzpatrick finally feels like he belongs at the Ryder Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sep 27, 2023; Rome, ITA; Team Europe golfer Matt Fitzpatrick addresses the media in a press conference during a practice day for the Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. The Englishman lost all five matches he contested across his Ryder Cup debut at age 22 in 2016, when the United States won 17-11, and in Europe's 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits two years ago. Fitzpatrick, 29, said he is a better player after those experiences and knows how to prepare for tournaments such as the Ryder Cup after winning a major championship last year. Fitzpatrick said he was disappointed by his previous two appearances in the event but added that, in hindsight, he felt 2016 was too early for his Ryder Cup debut. The 44th Ryder Cup begins at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome on Friday.

Persons: Matt Fitzpatrick, Marco Simone Golf, Adam Cairns, Fitzpatrick, you've, you'll, Hritika Sharma, Gerry Doyle Organizations: ITA, Team, Ryder, Country Club, U.S, United States, Whistling, Thomson Locations: Rome, Europe's, Whistling Straits, Hyderabad

☆ Bright criticises lack of VAR after England lose to Netherlands
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 27 (Reuters) - England captain Millie Bright said not having VAR available for their Women's Nations League game against the Netherlands in Utrecht on Tuesday was "mind-blowing" after TV replays suggested the hosts' first goal in their 2-1 victory was offside. Substitute Renate Jansen scored a 90th-minute winner for the Dutch after Alessia Russo cancelled out Lieke Martens' first-half opener. "This is international football and we do not have VAR in a competitive international game, which is mind-blowing." Wiegman said it was "obvious" that the Dutch opener was offside and echoed Bright's calls for consistency in the use of VAR. The result left England third in their four-team Nations League group with three points from two games, a point behind leaders Belgium, who drew 1-1 with Scotland.

Persons: Millie Bright, Renate Jansen, Alessia Russo, Lieke Martens, Danielle van de Donk, Martens, Bright, Sarina Wiegman, Wiegman, I'm, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Women's Nations League, England, Women's Nations, Nations League, Belgium, Scotland, Thomson Locations: England, Netherlands, Utrecht, Hyderabad

☆ Croatian teen Vuskovic to join Tottenham in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Sept 26 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur said they have reached an agreement to sign defender Luka Vuskovic from Croatia's Hajduk Split, with the 16-year-old to join the Premier League club in 2025. Vuskovic will join Spurs on a contract running until 2030, the club said on Monday. Under FIFA rules, Vuskovic must wait until he is 18 before he can arrive in England. The centre back has played 11 times for Hajduk Split since making his senior debut in February, becoming the youngest player to feature in the Croatian top flight at 16 years and two days old. Vuskovic also has five caps for Croatia's under-17 team.

Persons: Luka Vuskovic, Vuskovic, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Tottenham Hotspur, Luka, Croatia's Hajduk Split, Premier League club, Spurs, FIFA, Hajduk Split, Thomson Locations: England, Croatian, Hyderabad

☆ England boss Wiegman relishing strange but special Netherlands return
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 26 (Reuters) - England coach Sarina Wiegman said there will be no divided loyalties for her in Utrecht on Tuesday when the Lionesses face her native Netherlands in the Women's Nations League. Wiegman played for the Dutch national team before leading them to Euro 2017 glory on home soil and a runner-up finish at the 2019 World Cup in France. The 53-year-old, who led England to victory at the Euros in 2022 and second place at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, is back in the Netherlands with England for the first time since her appointment in August 2020. "Of course we know each other really well, I know the staff - most of the staff didn't change that much - and the players ... I want the Netherlands to have the best - but we want to be first in the league."

Persons: Sarina Wiegman, Wiegman, It's, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Women's Nations, Dutch, Scotland, Nations League, Thomson Locations: England, Utrecht, Netherlands, France, Australia, New Zealand, Sunderland, Belgium, Hyderabad

☆ China to host opening two events in 2024 Diamond League
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 26 (Reuters) - The 2024 Diamond League will begin its 15-stop season with two meets in China, in Xiamen and Shanghai, in April while Brussels will stage the two-day season finale in September, organisers said on Monday. Last year's Diamond League was also scheduled to have 15 meets but the Shanghai stop was cancelled after COVID-19 restrictions caused delays in the renovation of the venue. Xiamen will host the opening event on April 20, a week before Shanghai returns to the calendar for the first time since 2019. Paris, Monaco and London will host meetings in July before the Paris Games begin later that month. Brussels will host the final for the first time since 2019 and 11th time overall when it stages the meet from Sept. 13-14.

Persons: Eugene, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Diamond League, League, Shanghai, Prefontaine, Stockholm, Olympic, Paris Games, Thomson Locations: China, Xiamen, Shanghai, Brussels, Doha, Rabat, U.S, Eugene , Oregon, Oslo, Paris, Monaco, London, Lausanne, Silesia, Rome, Zurich, Stockholm, Hyderabad

☆ Newcastle hungry for goals and success, says Howe after 8-0 win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 25 (Reuters) - Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said Sunday's 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United showed his team's motivation and mentality are spot on, though he still saw some room for improvement in their performance. Newcastle became the first team in Premier League history to have eight different scorers in one game and it was their biggest away win in the league. That settled us down and we played some really good football after that. I see really good character traits through the whole squad. Newcastle, who finished fourth last season, are eighth on nine points after six games in the current campaign, nine points behind leaders Manchester City.

Persons: Eddie Howe, Sunday's, Sean Longstaff, Alexander Isak, Howe, I'm, we've, It's, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Newcastle, AC Milan, Champions League, Premier League, Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: Newcastle, Hyderabad

☆ Sakkari beats Dolehide to win Guadalajara title
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Second seed Sakkari powered past Dolehide, who is ranked 111th in the world, for a 7-5 6-3 victory to capture her second career title, ending the week without dropping a set. Sakkari had lost six finals since winning her first title at the WTA 250 tournament in Rabat in 2019. "We've heard so many bad things - that I will never win a title, that I'm a top-five player with only winning one title," said Sakkari, who broke down in tears after her win. We've waited for more than four years for a second title." In Saturday's final, Dolehide rallied from a break down in a tight opening set to take a 5-4 lead, but Sakkari won the next three games to take the set.

Persons: Maria Sakkari, Caroline Dolehide, Henry Romero, American Caroline, Sakkari, Jessica Pegula, We've, Tom, Dolehide, Hritika Sharma, Jamie Freed Organizations: Panamerican Tennis Center, U.S, REUTERS, WTA, Thomson Locations: Guadalajara, Mexico, Greece, American, Rabat, Hyderabad

☆ Inaugural Indian MotoGP race shortened due to heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NOIDA, India, Sept 23 (Reuters) - The inaugural Indian Grand Prix race has been shortened by three laps after MotoGP riders asked for race distances to be adjusted due to hot and humid conditions during practice sessions, organisers said on Saturday. After Friday's two practice sessions, reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia said the conditions were "very demanding". "I thought Malaysia and Thailand were hot but here you feel like you're burning in some parts of the track." Ducati's Bagnaia will carry a 36-point lead over Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin in the 13th race of the year. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Francesco Bagnaia, I've, MotoGP's, Ducati's, Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin, Hritika Sharma, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Buddh, Circuit, Thomson Locations: NOIDA, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Hyderabad

☆ Dolehide stuns Kenin, books Guadalajara title clash with Sakkari
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Playing in her first career semi-final, the 25-year-old Dolehide fought back from a break down in both sets against Kenin to win the all-American clash 7-5 6-3 in an hour and 25 minutes. "I'm really proud of myself for getting through that one today, because Sonya is not an easy player to get by," Dolehide, 25, said before Saturday's final, using Kenin's nickname. World number nine Sakkari reached the Guadalajara final for the second straight year after a 6-3 6-0 win over third seed Caroline Garcia of France. Sakkari, who lost to Jessica Pegula in last year's final, has not dropped a set this week and is aiming to win her first title since the WTA 250 tournament in Rabat in 2019. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin, Henry Romero, Maria Sakkari, Dolehide, Kenin, Martina Trevisan, Sonya, Caroline Garcia of, Sakkari, Jessica Pegula, that's, couldn't, Hritika Sharma, William Mallard Organizations: Panamerican Tennis Center, Sofia, U.S, REUTERS, Rights, WTA, Guadalajara, Caroline Garcia of France, Wimbledon, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Guadalajara, Mexico, Rights GUADALAJARA, Greece, Rabat, Hyderabad

☆ Bezzecchi takes pole at inaugural Indian MotoGP
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bezzecchi clocked the best time of one minute, 43.947 seconds to pip Pramac Racing's Martin by 0.043 seconds for his first pole since the British GP in August. Bagnaia holds a 36-point lead over Martin in the overall standings, with Bezzecchi a further 29 points behind in third. Luca Marini, Bezzecchi's team mate, qualified in fourth place ahead of factory Honda duo Joan Mir and Marc Marquez. "I want to dedicate this pole to a friend of mine that unfortunately left us a couple of days ago." Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez has been ruled out of the remaining MotoGP weekend after suffering a double rib fracture in qualifying, his team said.

Persons: Marco Simoncelli, Misano, Mooney VR46, Marco Bezzecchi, Jennifer Lorenzini, VR46 Racing, Jorge Martin, Francesco Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, pip Pramac Racing's Martin, Bagnaia, Martin, Luca Marini, Bezzecchi's, Joan Mir, Marc Marquez, Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Marino, Marino Grand Prix, MotoGP, Rights, VR46, Ducati, Honda, Circuit, Thomson Locations: Marino Grand, Misano Adriatico, Italy, Rights NOIDA, India, New Delhi, Hyderabad

☆ Arsenal do not need extra motivation against Spurs, says Arteta
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 22 (Reuters) - Arsenal's Champions League group stage win this week was a confidence boost ahead of Sunday's game against rivals Tottenham Hotspur but the team does not need any extra motivation before a north London derby, manager Mikel Arteta said. Spurs are also on 13 points after four successive wins, with new coach Ange Postecoglou leading them to their best start to a top-flight season for 57 years. This game doesn't need any motivation, it's the most special game of the season," Arteta told reporters on Friday. Winger Gabriel Martinelli is still being assessed and has not been ruled out for Sunday's game, Arteta said. "He's loved by everybody, respected by everybody and he fully deserves what he's doing," Arteta said.

Persons: Mikel Arteta, Ange Postecoglou, Arteta, It's, he's, Winger Gabriel Martinelli, Martinelli, Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya, Martin Odegaard's, He's, Hritika Sharma, Toby Davis Organizations: League, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Premier League, Champions League, PSV Eindhoven, Spurs, Everton, PSV, Thomson Locations: London, Spanish, Hyderabad

☆ Namibia's Deysel apologises to Dupont for dangerous tackle
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dupont suffered the injury in the 46th minute and was forced off the field at the Stade de Marseille on Thursday after a clash of heads in a clumsy tackle. Deysel, whose initial yellow card was quickly upgraded to a red on bunker review, said the collision was accidental. "I would like to extend my best wishes to Antoine Dupont," he told reporters. In relation to Deysel's abuse, World Rugby said on Friday that they would "support Namibia in any way possible to stamp out online hate." At the time, World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said: "Rugby is a sport for everyone and we take our responsibility very seriously to make the sport as inclusive, accessible and relevant as possible.

Persons: Namibia's Johan Deysel, Peter Cziborra, Johan Deysel, Antoine Dupont, Dupont, Deysel, Fabien Galthie, Antoine, Deysel's, Alan Gilpin, Hritika Sharma, Nick Said, Mitch Phillips, Gerry Doyle, Ken Ferris Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, REUTERS, Rights, France, Rugby World, Stade de Marseille, Namibia, French Rugby Federation, Italy, Ireland, South, World Rugby, Thomson Locations: France, Namibia, Orange, Marseille, Rights MARSEILLE, South Africa, Uruguay, Hyderabad

☆ Saudi crown prince says he does not care about 'sportswashing' claims
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured) meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 7, 2023. "If sportswashing (is) going to increase my GDP by 1%, then we'll continue doing sportswashing," the crown prince told Fox News. Saudi Arabia denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws. When asked specifically about the term "sportswashing", the crown prince said: "I don't care. Saudi Arabia has been hosting a Formula One Grand Prix since 2021 and has also held boxing world title fights.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, we'll, PIF, LIV, Hritika Sharma, Michael Perry Organizations: Saudi Crown, Saudi Royal Court, REUTERS, Saudi Arabian Crown, Fox News, Public Wealth Fund, Premier League, Newcastle United, PGA, Saudi Pro League, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bandar, Saudi, Hyderabad

☆ Biles to compete in sixth world championships
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Gymnastics Championships at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - Simone Biles is set to compete in her sixth world championships this month after posting the top all-around score at a U.S. qualifying competition, USA Gymnastics said on Wednesday. Biles, a four-times Olympic champion and 19-times world gold medallist, headlines the five-woman team heading to Antwerp, Belgium, where she won the first of her five world all-around titles in 2013 at the age of 16. Biles will become the first woman to represent the U.S. at six artistic world championships, according to USA Gymnastics, after earning automatic qualification by topping the all-around standings at this week's two-day selection camp in Katy, Texas. She will be joined by Shilese Jones, Leanne Wong and Skye Blakely - all part of the team that won last year's world championships - and 17-year-old Joscelyn Roberson.

Persons: Simone Biles, Kyle Terada, Biles, Shilese Jones, Leanne Wong, Skye Blakely, Joscelyn Roberson, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: SAP Center, USA, Paris Games, Thomson Locations: San Jose , California, USA, Antwerp, Belgium, U.S, Katy , Texas, Tokyo, Hyderabad

☆ Argentina remain top of FIFA world rankings
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy alongside teammates as they celebrate winning the World Cup REUTERS/Carl Recine/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - World champions Argentina strengthened their grip at the top of the FIFA world rankings in the latest list on Thursday, with the top five remaining unchanged after the international break. Argentina, who dethroned Brazil at the summit in April, remained top after beating Ecuador and Bolivia in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers earlier this month. Second-placed France, who lost to Germany in a friendly last week, retained second place followed by Brazil (third), England (fourth) and Belgium (fifth). Portugal were the only team in the top 10 to climb a spot, moving up to eighth, while Italy dropped one place to ninth after a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier. Croatia (sixth), Netherlands (seventh) and Spain (10th) complete the top 10, while Morocco (13th), Colombia (16th), Denmark (18th) and Japan (19th) all moved up a place.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Carl Recine, Hritika Sharma, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA World, Qatar, Lusail, REUTERS, Argentina, FIFA, North, Croatia, Thomson Locations: Argentina, France, Lusail, Qatar, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Germany, England, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, North Macedonia, Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, Colombia, Denmark, Japan, Croatia, States, Mexico, Switzerland, Uruguay, Senegal, Hyderabad

☆ Bale becomes playable character in golf video game
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Golf - European Tour - BMW PGA Championship - Wentworth, Virginia Water, Britain - September 14, 2023 Former footballer Gareth Bale is seen during the first round Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 16 (Reuters) - Gareth Bale's love for golf has been well-documented and the former Real Madrid and Wales forward has swapped the pitch for the green after becoming a playable character in the PGA Tour 2K23 video game. Bale, 34, made his PGA Tour debut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February after calling time on his glittering soccer career at the start of the year. The former Wales captain, who featured on the cover of Electronic Arts' FIFA 14 video game alongside Lionel Messi, has now been added to PGA Tour 2K23, which includes a course custom-designed by him. I'm here getting scanned in PGA Tour 2K23," he said in a video shared on social media. Bale's tally of 111 caps and 41 international goals are both records for the Wales men's team.

Persons: Gareth Bale, Paul Childs, Gareth Bale's, Bale, Rory McIlroy, Lionel Messi, I'm Gareth Bale, I'm, Hritika Sharma, Kim Coghill Organizations: BMW, Wentworth, Real, PGA, Wales, Electronic Arts, FIFA, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Wales men's, Thomson Locations: Wentworth , Virginia Water, Britain, Real Madrid, Wales, Madrid, Qatar, Hyderabad

☆ Ten Hag unsure if Sancho will play for Man Utd again
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jul 30, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho (25) runs with the ball during the first half against Borussia Dortmund at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 16 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he does not know whether Jadon Sancho will play for the club again amid the forward's exile from the first-team over a disciplinary issue. Ten Hag stated at the time that Sancho had been left out because of his poor performance in training. "I don't know," Ten Hag said when asked whether Sancho will play for United again. United are 11th in the Premier League standings, three points behind sixth-placed Brighton before Saturday's game at Old Trafford.

Persons: Jadon Sancho, Lucas Peltier, Erik ten Hag, Sancho, United's, Hritika Sharma Organizations: Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Allegiant, USA, Arsenal, United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Premier League, Old, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, USA, Dutch, Brighton, Old Trafford, Hyderabad

☆ Sri Lanka's Theekshana out of Asia Cup final due to injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 16 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana will miss the Asia Cup final against India after sustaining a hamstring injury during their win over Pakistan, the country's cricket board (SLC) said on Saturday. He bowled three more overs before being helped off the field during Sri Lanka's thrilling two-wicket win on Thursday. "If we didn't have a World Cup coming up, we would have somehow tried to get him ready for tomorrow's match. Washington Sundar is expected to join the India squad as cover for Axar Patel after the all-rounder sustained an injury in Friday's six-run loss to Bangladesh, cricket website Cricbuzz reported. He is expected to re-join the Asian Games camp after the Asia Cup final, the Cricbuzz report said.

Persons: Maheesh Theekshana, Sahan Arachchige, Arjuna de Silva, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Cricbuzz, Sundar, Hritika Sharma, Kim Coghill Organizations: Asia, India, Pakistan, ESPN, Asian Games, Thomson Locations: Sri Lanka, Colombo, India, Washington, Friday's, Bangladesh, Hangzhou, Hyderabad

☆ South Korea coach Klinsmann wants fans, media to help build 'positive spirit'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 15 (Reuters) - South Korea coach Juergen Klinsmann has called on supporters and the media to help build a "positive spirit" around the team as they ramp up preparations for next year's Asian Cup in Qatar amid criticism of the side's performances since he took charge. "It's vital that everybody builds a positive spirit. The fans, the media and the team, obviously," Klinsmann told reporters at Incheon airport on Thursday. "But in the buildup to a tournament, a national team especially needs the help of the fans and the media to believe in it and to build a positive momentum." The Koreans are due to face Tunisia and Vietnam next month in friendlies as part of their preparations for the Asian Cup, a tournament Klinsmann believes they can win.

Persons: Juergen Klinsmann, Klinsmann, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Saudi, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Newcastle, Klinsmann, Korea, Europe, Seoul, Incheon, Tunisia, Vietnam, Hyderabad

☆ Brisbane International to return as Australian Open tune-up event
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Brisbane International will return to the calendar for the first time since 2020 as part of the build-up to next year's Australian Open, Tennis Australia said on Friday. It was dropped from the men's tour when the ATP Cup was introduced in 2019 and last contested as a women's event in 2020. The women's singles field has been expanded to 48 players, while the men's singles draw will feature 32. "The players love to come here, they love the atmosphere," Barty told Australian media. The Canberra International starts alongside the Brisbane event two days later, with tournaments in Adelaide and Hobart beginning on Jan. 8.

Persons: Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Ash Barty, Barty, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Brisbane International, Tennis Australia, ATP, WTA, Queensland Tennis Centre, United, Canberra International, Hobart, Thomson Locations: Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hyderabad

☆ PSG give Lee green light to join South Korea Asian Games squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 15 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain (PSG) have agreed to let midfielder Lee Kang-in join up with South Korea's Asian Games squad during the group stage, the country's football association (KFA) said on Friday. Teams are under no obligation to release players for the Asian Games as the tournament falls outside FIFA's official window. The Games, which were postponed from 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, run from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 in Hangzhou, China. The men's soccer tournament begins on Sept. 19, with South Korea kicking off their campaign against Kuwait as they bid for a third straight gold medal. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lee Kang, KFA, Lee, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Paris St Germain, PSG, Korea's Asian, Ligue, PSG's Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Games, South, Real Mallorca, Thomson Locations: Paris, Hangzhou, China, South Korea, Kuwait, Thailand, Bahrain, Hyderabad

☆ Arsenal sign Matildas' Cooney-Cross from Hammarby
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Third Place Playoff - Sweden v Australia - Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - August 19, 2023 Australia's Kyra Cooney-Cross during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 15 (Reuters) - Arsenal have signed Matildas midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross from Swedish club Hammarby, the Women's Super League (WSL) side said on Friday. The 21-year-old, who has signed a two-year deal, was a standout performer at the recent Women's World Cup, starting all seven of Australia's games as the co-hosts reached the semi-finals before finishing fourth. "I can't wait to get started and help us achieve something big together," said Cooney-Cross, who will join fellow Matildas Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord at Arsenal. Cooney-Cross joined Hammarby from Melbourne Victory in 2022 and made 30 appearances for the club, helping them win the Swedish Cup in the 2022-23 season. "Kyra is one of the best young players in world football and we are delighted to have brought her to Arsenal," Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall said.

Persons: Kyra Cooney, Amanda Perobelli, Cooney, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Cross, Kyra, Jonas Eidevall, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane, Arsenal, Hammarby, Super League, Melbourne Victory, Swedish, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, Brisbane, Australia, Swedish, Hyderabad

☆ Everton acquired by U.S. private equity firm 777 Partners
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The firm 777 Partners has a number of clubs in its portfolio, including Italian side Genoa and Belgian team Standard Liege, while they also have stakes in LaLiga club Sevilla and Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory. By January 2022, he had increased his stake to 94.1% with a 100 million pounds capital injection. Everton's most recent figures showed a fifth straight year of losses -- 44.7 million pounds for the 2021-22 season -- with their total loss over that period amounting to over 430 million pounds . Under Premier League rules, teams can make a maximum loss of 105 million pounds over three years, although special allowances were made for the COVID-19 pandemic. Everton's statement said the investment from 777 Partners would strengthen the club's balance sheet and guarantee "full funding" of the stadium.

Persons: Jason Cairnduff, Farhad Moshiri, Moshiri, Josh Wander, Bill Kenwright, Rohith Nair, Hritika Sharma, Toby Chopra, Christian Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Goodison, Partners, U.S, Genoa, Belgian, Standard Liege, Sevilla, League, Melbourne, Arsenal, Thomson Locations: Liverpool, Britain, Miami, British, Italian, Australian, Merseyside, Moore, Liverpool's Vauxhall, Bramley, Bengaluru, Hyderabad

☆ FAI did not make formal contract offer to Pauw, says chief exec
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Following its review, the FAI said it would not renew her contract, which expired at the end of last month. Pauw said on Aug. 31 that she had begun talks with the FAI over a new contract in March and that it had "committed to issuing an offer" before reconsidering their position. "At no point was a contract offer ever presented to Vera," chief executive Hill told reporters on Thursday. "Conversations did not progress to a point where a formal offer was made to Vera ... and in advance of the World Cup, we decided to pause discussions." "We believed it was not appropriate to offer a new contract at this point."

Persons: Vera Pauw, Dan Peled, Jonathan Hill, Vera Pauw's, Pauw, Vera, Hill, Houston Dash, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane Football, REUTERS, Ireland FA, FAI, Athletic, Houston, U.S ., Thomson Locations: New Zealand, of Ireland, Nigeria, Brisbane, Australia, Republic, Ireland, U.S, Hyderabad

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