Wednesday 26 August 2020
nd Prix Cancelled As Formula One Adds Four Races To 2020 Calendar Chinese Grand Prix Cancelled As Formula One Adds Four Races To 2020 Calendar
Four Grand Prix races, in Turkey, Bahrain (two) and Abu Dhabi, have been added to the 2020 Formula One calendar, but the postponed Chinese GP has been cancelled, F1 organisers announced Tuesday. The addition of the four races and the elimination of the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai bring the race total to 17 for the coronavirus-affected season. "We can confirm that Turkey, Bahrain (hosting two races), and Abu Dhabi will be part of the revised season and want to express our thanks to the hard work of all our promoters and partners in making this 17-race season possible," organisers said in a statement.
Formula One returns to Turkey for the first time since 2011, with the Turkish Grand Prix to be run at Istanbul Park on November 15.
That is followed by a back-to-back double header in Bahrain, with the Bahrain Grand Prix on November 26 and the Sakhir Grand Prix on December 6.
The season-concluding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 13.
Formula One organisers added that "a number of races in the revised 2020 season will be open to a limited number of fans, including hospitality, and we are working with each promoter to finalise the details".
"While we want to see as many fans as possible return as soon as it is safe to do so, our priority remains the safety of the Formula 1 community and the communities we visit, and we review fan access on this basis.
"Due to the ongoing fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic we continue to maintain close dialogue with all promoters and local authorities to ensure we operate in the safest way possible and monitor each national situation closely - including travel restrictions and local health procedures."
Chase Carey, chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said this year had "presented Formula 1 and the world with an unprecedented challenge".
"While we are all disappointed that we have not been able to return to some of our planned races this year, we are confident our season has started well and will continue to deliver plenty of excitement with traditional, as well as new, races that will entertain all our fans."
Last month, Formula One organisers scrapped the Grand Prix races in the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Canada, but added three in Europe, handing an F1 debut to Portugal's Portimao track and a return for Germany's Nurburgring and Imola in Italy.
The sport was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the season postponed just hours before the opening practice of the traditional curtain raiser in Melbourne in March.
The season finally got under way last month with two races in Austria before moving to Hungary. All events so far have been behind closed doors.
Revised 2020 Formula One championship calendar
July 3-5: Austrian Grand Prix (Spielberg)
July 10-12: Styrian Grand Prix (Spielberg)
July 17-19: Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest)
July 31-August 2: British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
August 7-9: 70th Anniversary Grand Prix (Silverstone)
August 14-16: Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona)
August 28-30: Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps)
September 4-6: Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
September 11-13: Tuscan Grand Prix (Mugello)
September 25-27: Russian Grand Prix (Sochi)
October 9-11: Eifel Grand Prix (Neurburgring)
October 23-25: Portuguese Grand Prix (Portimao)
October 31-November 1: Emilie-Romagna Grand Prix (Imola)
November 13-15: Turkish Grand Prix (Istanbul Park)
November 27-29: Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir)
December 4-6: Sakhir Grand Prix (Sakhir)
December 11-13: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)
Promoted
Cancelled Grand Prix races: Australia, Monaco, France, Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Singapore, Japan, Brazil, United States, Mexico, Canada, China
Postponed Grand Prix race: Vietnam.
Greek Police "Waiting For Apology" From Harry Maguire, Says Lawyer
The lawyer who represented two Greek police officers in the Harry Maguire assault case on Wednesday said it was "shocking" that there has been no apology from the Manchester United captain. Maguire was handed a 21-month suspended prison sentence on Tuesday after being found guilty of assaulting a police officer, attempted bribery and other charges by a court in Greece. The England defender, who did not attend Tuesday's trial on the Greek island of Syros, quickly indicated his intention to appeal, releasing a statement suggesting he and his family and friends were the victims.
Manchester United also backed their player, who denies all the charges.
The 27-year-old --the world's most expensive defender -- was arrested last week after an incident at a nightclub in Mykonos and spent two nights in police custody before flying home.
Maguire's brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty on a range of charges and sentenced to 13 months in prison, suspended for three years.
Lawyer Ioannis Paradissis said an apology would, in Greek law, make a big difference in any appeals process but said none had been offered.
"(The police officers) told me they are still waiting for an apology and they haven't had any," Paradissis told the BBC.
"This is what I find quite shocking and quite unsporting. Fair play means when I've done something wrong I apologise or at least I say I am sorry for what happened to the other person."
Paradissis said an appeal would start the trial afresh but that in Greek law some of the accusations could be withdrawn if an apology were given and that "the outcome might be different".
England withdrawal
England manager Gareth Southgate withdrew Maguire from his squad for the Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark next month, having initially selected him on Tuesday.
According to media reports, a fight started at a nightclub over claims Maguire's sister Daisy had been injected with what the defence claimed was a suspected drug.
Paradissis said this was "irrelevant" in respect of the assault on the officers and that it was "strange" that Maguire's sister had not mentioned this when she was interviewed by police.
Asked about Maguire's claim that he was the victim, Paradissis said: "We don't have the same definition of what a victim is then, because how can you be a victim and the policemen have been assaulted, hit, that were just doing their jobs?
"They went home on the day with injuries. How can they not be a victim?"
Asked whether Maguire and his co-defendants would have known the officers were police, Paradissis said: "Of course, because that's the first thing they said. The police officers were there for other duties and they heard a brawl.
"So they heard some people fighting and went there to break up a fight. They said, 'We're police, stop fighting'. They were not in uniform but they showed their professional IDs.
Virat Kohli Announces Anushka Sharma's Pregnancy
Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Thursday took to Twitter to announce he and his actress wife Anushka Sharma are expecting their first child. Kohli and Anushka, who got married in December 2017, will be welcoming their first child in January next year. "And then, we were three! Arriving Jan 2021," Kohli tweeted. The 32-year-old Bollywood actress also posted the same tweet on her account to inform her fans about the good news.
Kohli is currently in Dubai to take part in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, where he will be leading Royal Challenges Bangalore. Kohli has never won the IPL and would want to change things this year.
Western And Southern Open: Novak Djokovic Reaches Semis, Naomi Osaka Withdraws Over Jacob Blake Shooting
World number one Novak Djokovic cruised into the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA Western and Southern Open on Wednesday while Japan's Naomi Osaka withdrew to protest the shooting of a black man by police in Wisconsin. Djokovic, who launches his bid for a fourth US Open title and 18th Grand Slam crown on Monday, needed only 62 minutes to rout Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-1.
The 33-year-old Serbian, who seeks a fourth US Open title and 18th Grand Slam crown, advanced to a Thursday semi-final against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, who upset defending champion Daniil Medvedev, last year's US Open runner-up from Russia, by 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Djokovic had no issues with a prior neck injury, testing himself well on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts in the same spectator-less Covid-19 bubble quarantine atmosphere where the US Open will be played.
"It was great. I feel very good," said Djokovic who is 21-0 this year.
"Started a little bit tight the opening couple of games of my service games. Managed to defend well.
"Ever since that first break early in the first set, I never looked back. I really played very aggressive when I have a chance. I was playing my shots. I was very pleased with my serve."
Fourth seed Osaka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, rallied to defeat Estonia's Anett Kontaveit 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in a quarter-final.
But she withdrew from her Thursday semi against Belgian 14th seed Elise Mertens, who eliminated American Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-3.
The move came in the wake of African-American Jacob Blake being shot in the back on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
- 'Sick to my stomach' -
"Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach," Osaka posted in a Twitter statement.
"Before I am an athlete, I am a black woman. And as a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis.
"I don't expect anything drastic to happen with me not playing, but if I can get a conversation started in a majority white sport I consider that a step in the right direction."
Mertens reached a Friday final against the winner between two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who beat Tunisia's Ons Jabeur 7-6 (11/9), 6-2, and Britain's Johanna Konta, who beat Greece's 13th-seeded Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-3.
The other men's semi-final will send Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who advanced down 5-6 when American Reilly Opelka retired, against Canada's Milos Raonic, who defeated Serbian Filip Krajinovic 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-5.
Djokovic won this event, typically played in Cincinnati, in 2018 after five prior finals losses and looks like he could claim a second title in three tries while warming up for the US Open and testing the improvements made to his games since the COVID-19 shutdown.
"Everything was worked on in the last six months," he said.
"Looked into what can be upgraded. I worked on every single shot. It's good that it's paying off so soon after the break. Hope to keep it going."
Bautista Agut, ranked 12th, fought back after being blasted in the first set.
"It was a fantastic comeback for me," he said. "I had to fight a lot to stay there in the second set. It was a really tough match. I'm glad to get through."
Promoted
His reward is an on-form Djokovic, who has won five of the past seven Grand Slam titles as he chases Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal -- both absent from the New York bubble -- for the all-time Slam title record.
"He's very solid. I'll try to play my best game against him," the Spaniard said. "If I can play a good level, it's going to be a good match."
Chelsea Sign Ben Chilwell From Leicester City On 5-Year Deal
Chelsea on Wednesday announced the signing of defender Ben Chilwell from Leicester on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The England left-back is Blues manager Frank Lampard's third major signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from Ajax and RB Leipzig. "I am delighted to be joining Chelsea at this very exciting time for the club," 23-year-old Chilwell said on Chelsea's website. "I'm looking forward to being a part of this young, dynamic squad led by Frank Lampard as we challenge for honours next season."
While both clubs have kept quiet on the sum paid for Chilwell, Leicester said on their website it is "one of the largest transfer fees ever received by the Foxes".
Leicester academy product Chilwell, who has 11 England caps, made his debut for the Foxes in October 2015 and made 123 appearances for the club.
"Ben leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Leicester City, and the club would like to thank him for his contribution to an exciting period for the team and its fans as they look forward to another season of European football," the Foxes said in a statement.
Chelsea sealed fourth place and a Champions League spot at the expense of Leicester on the final day of the Premier League season in July.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "We are very pleased to have completed our third addition to our exciting squad for the coming season.
"Ben brings plenty of top-level experience playing in the Premier League, Champions League and at international level, despite his young age."
CPL 2020: Dwayne Bravo Scripts History, Becomes First Bowler To Take 500 T20 Wickets
Besides Dwayne Bravo no other bowler has even crossed 400-wicket mark, with Lasith Malinga next on the list with 390 wickets.
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo scripted history on Wednesday as he became the first bowler to pick 500 wickets in the shortest format of the game. Bravo achieved this feat by dismissing Rakheem Cornwall of St. Lucia Zouks in a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 match, Trinbago Knight Riders. With this wicket, Bravo also became the first bowler to take 100 wickets in the CPL. Bravo's supremacy in the T20 format can be gauged from the fact that no other bowler has even crossed 400 wicket mark. Sri Lanka's T20I skipper Lasith Malinga is next on the list with 390 wickets. Bravo is also the fastest to reach 300, 400 and now 500-wicket mark. In terms of appearances, he sits on the second spot on the list topped by fellow Caribbean Kieron Pollard.
Bravo, who plays for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, has been their most successful bowler over the years, picking up 118 wickets so far. Bravo has won three titles each with CSK in the IPL and Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL.
CSK took to Twitter media to congratulate their star player on his historic achievement. Comparing his achievement to the "giant leap for mankind" CSK highlighted that no other bowler has even touched the 400-mark.
"A small step for Champion, a giant leap for mankind. #WhistlePodu for the only player to get to 500 T20 wickets. The fact that no one else has even made it to 400 makes it TRULY BRAVO!," CSK tweeted.
Chelsea complete £50m Chilwell signing
The 23-year-old left-back has signed a five-year contract with the Blues
Chelsea have completed the signing of Ben Chilwell from Leicester City in a deal worth £50 million ($66m), the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The left-back has signed a five-year contract with Frank Lampard's team after they reached an agreement with the Foxes this week.
"I am delighted to be joining Chelsea at this very exciting time for the club," Chilwell told the club's website.
Messi to Man City far from straightforward but Guardiola reunion is now possible
The Premier League giants have the pulling power to sign Argentina superstar after he revealed his shock decision to quit Barcelona
Manchester City have made no secret of their desire to sign Lionel Messi in the past, so when the Barcelona legend served his notice to cut ties with the club , a move to the Etihad Stadium was understandably mooted.
Signing the best player in the world is far from straightforward, however, and there is a lot that needs to happen before Messi sets foot in east Manchester.
City have always felt confident that they would be well-placed to have the pulling power to attract Barca's record goalscorer were he to ever decide to quit Camp Nou.
Tuesday 25 August 2020
PCB reprimands Saqlain Mushtaq for praising MS Dhoni, criticising BCCI in YouTube video
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reprimanded former Test spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq for praising just-retired Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a video posted on his Youtube channel.
According to details, the PCB has reminded Saqlain, who is the head of international players development at the High-Performance Centre, that he is a board employee and can't post videos on Youtube.
"The PCB was not impressed by Saqlain for over the board praise of Dhoni and his obvious interference in Indian cricket affairs when he criticized the BCCI for not giving Dhoni a proper farewell match," a well-informed source said.
In the past also, the PCB had advised national team players to avoid making comments on Indian cricket or players due to the tense relations between the two countries.
He said due to the video posted by Saqlain, the PCB has now reminded all other coaches at the High-Performance Centre and of the provincial teams to refrain from any such act.
"Many of these coaches were managing their channels on Youtube but have now been told clearly that since they are employees of the board they can't work on Youtube and secondly even while giving interviews in the media they have to first seek clear permission from the board," the source said.
He said all the coaches, including Saqlain had been warned that if any of them breaches the PCB's service rules, they could face disciplinary action.
Besides Saqlain, other former Test players like Basit Ali, Faisal Iqbal, Atiq uz Zaman, Muhammad Wasim and Abdul Razzaq have been very active on Youtube cricket channels.
Napoli president De Laurentiis deflects questions over Koulibaly's future
The 29-year-old has been tipped to join a club in the Premier League or Ligue 1, but the Serie A side continue to insist he won't be sold cheaply
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has deflected questions over the future of defender Kalidou Koulibaly, saying that they should be answered by Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG.
Koulibaly has long been linked with a move to a bigger club, with several of Europe's top sides watching the 29-year-old's performances in Italy closely.
De Laurentiis was asked again about Koulibaly's future on Tuesday and instead directed the question towards a few of the only sides he believes can afford the Senegal star.
'Messi cannot leave now' - Former Barcelona president Gaspart slams planned exit
The ex-Barca supremo addressed the bombshell transfer speculation about the club's legendary attacker
Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart insisted Lionel Messi cannot leave the embattled La Liga giants on a free transfer as he hit out at the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Messi has sensationally told Barca he wants to leave the club, who replaced Quique Setien with Ronald Koeman after they were dethroned by Real Madrid in La Liga and humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The 33-year-old's contract runs until June 2021 and is said to have a clause in his deal that allowed him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
Ajax star Blind collapses on the pitch during friendly amid fears over heart condition
The Netherlands international has suffered myocardial issues in the past and was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
Daley Blind collapsed and was taken from the field during Ajax's pre-season friendly against Hertha Berlin on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old dropped to the ground during the latter stages of the match with concerned teammates rushing to his side.
Blind was diagnosed with inflammation of the heart muscle in December 2019 after suffering dizziness during Ajax's Champions League defeat against Valencia.
AFC set to postpone U16 championship slated to be held in November in Bahrain
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are set to postpone the AFC U16 Championship that is scheduled to be held in Bahrain from November 25, Goal understands.
Most of the AFC competitions, including the Champions League and AFC Cup, that were to be hosted in a centralised venue were slated to go ahead on schedule, but the governing body might be forced to make an exception for the U16 tournament.
AFC's 2022 World Cup qualifiers had already been postponed along with the draw for the AFC Cup knockout stages.
Wade Barrett To Call This Week’s WWE NXT Broadcast
According to a report from ProWrestlingSheet.com, former WWE Superstar Wade Barrett will be returning to WWE this Wednesday night during NXT. He’ll be working on the commentary team, likely replacing Mauro Ranallo who is at home in Canada tending to a family matter.
As of this writing, there is no word on if Barrett has signed a full-time contract to return to WWE but all signs point to this being a one-shot deal.
Barrett left WWE in 2016 and worked as a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) commentary team.
ngen: IPL 2020: Mitchell McClenaghan's Funny Exchange Wi...
ngen: IPL 2020: Mitchell McClenaghan's Funny Exchange Wi...: Mitchell McClenaghan is making friends with insects and naming them. That's not as extraordinary as one might think because he, much lik...
IPL 2020: Mitchell McClenaghan's Funny Exchange With Zaheer Khan Will Leave You In Splits
Mitchell McClenaghan is making friends with insects and naming them. That's not as extraordinary as one might think because he, much like the others in the UAE for the 13th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been quarantined in his hotel room. So when an opportunity to ask questions of Zaheer Khan – his IPL team Mumbai Indians' Director of Cricket Operations – arose, McClenaghan's question was quite simple: “Hey @ImZaheer when can I come out of my room please?” Khan was quick to remind his fellow left-arm seamer the rules of the quarantine. “Looks like you have misplaced the quarantine rule book, @Mitch_Savage ... I am sending you a fresh one,” Zaheer replied.
Mumbai Indians hosted a Q&A session with Zaheer on Twitter and his understudy McClenaghan was quick to participate.
The exchange prompted fans to ask more such questions that one would have if quarantined in a room for six days.
“Which 2 players are living on either side of your Room Mitch? And do you talk to them standing in the Balcony?” asked one user.
McClenaghan made his best guess. “I can't see anyone – although @krunalpandya24 (Krunal Pandya) is 2 floors above me @surya_14kumar (Suryakumar Yadav) 4 floors, and @ImRo45 (Rohit Sharma) a few doors down. I met a fly on my balcony today - I named him Barry.”
ngen: James Anderson Becomes First Fast Bowler To Take 6...
ngen: James Anderson Becomes First Fast Bowler To Take 6...: James Anderson dismissed Pakistan captain Azhar Ali to get to 600 Test wickets, a landmark no other fast bowler had reached before. England...
James Anderson Becomes First Fast Bowler To Take 600 Test Wickets
James Anderson dismissed Pakistan captain Azhar Ali to get to 600 Test wickets, a landmark no other fast bowler had reached before.
England's James Anderson became the first fast bowler to take 600 Test wickets when he dismissed Pakistan's captain Azhar Ali on the fifth day of the third and final Test between the two teams at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Anderson had taken a five-wicket haul in Pakistan's first innings, and he returned in their second innings to pick Abid Ali and Azhar after the visitors were made to follow on. Only Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble had previously broken the 600-wicket barrier in the longest format of the game, making Anderson just the fourth player with 600 or more Test scalps.
Anderson, who made his Test debut in 2003 against Zimbabwe, had become the highest wicket-taker among seamers in 2018, when he dismissed Mohammed Shami against India at The Oval to go past Glenn McGrath's tally of 563 Test wickets.
After a disappointing start in the first Test of the series, there were talks of the veteran pacer announcing his retirement – a rumour that he was quick to rubbish.
With captain Joe Root also backing him to shine, he picked up three wickets in the second Test as Pakistan crumbled for 236 after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Rain and bad light meant the match ended in a draw with both teams playing just one innings each.
In the third Test, after Zak Crawley converted his maiden international century into a double and Jos Buttler scored his second Test ton to give England an imposing first-innings total, Anderson ripped through Pakistan's top order, claiming the first four wickets.
After a fighting knock from Azhar Ali – who found solid support in Mohammad Rizwan – kept England at bay for a while, Anderson came back remove Naseem Shah to wrap the innings up and take his 29th five-wicket haul.
ngen: 'Inter have probably tried to sign Messi' - Ex-pre...
ngen: 'Inter have probably tried to sign Messi' - Ex-pre...: The former club president thinks the Serie A side will want to sign the Argentine, even though he doubts whether it will be possible Inter h...
ngen: Man City preparing to make Messi offer
ngen: Man City preparing to make Messi offer: Barca could lose their superstar to the Premier League club Manchester City are looking into their finances ahead of a possible transfer o...
ngen: Milan open talks with Madrid for Brahim Diaz
ngen: Milan open talks with Madrid for Brahim Diaz: Milan have opened talks with Real Madrid over a possible transfer for Brahim Diaz - according to Calcio Mercato. The Blancos have ruled out...
ngen: Everton could send Kean back to Juve
ngen: Everton could send Kean back to Juve: Everton are considering loaning Moise Kean back to Juventus - as The Mirror reports. The 20-year-old has struggled to settle at Goodison P...
Juve look towards PSG's Paredes
Juventus are eyeing PSG's Leandro Paredes among several other signings this summer, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.
Paredes is free to leave PSG this summer, despite recently starting in the Champions League final.
The midfielder originally signed with PSG in 2019, joining fro Russian side Zenit.
Everton could send Kean back to Juve
Everton are considering loaning Moise Kean back to Juventus - as The Mirror reports.
The 20-year-old has struggled to settle at Goodison Park, and Carlo Ancelotti is prepared to allow him to return to Turin for the duration of the 2020-21 season.
Kean has only scored two Premier League goals in 29 outings since joining Everton from Juve for £28 million ($37m) last summer.
Milan open talks with Madrid for Brahim Diaz
Milan have opened talks with Real Madrid over a possible transfer for Brahim Diaz - according to Calcio Mercato.
The Blancos have ruled out selling the 21-year-old permanently, but are willing to send the midfielder to San Siro on loan.
Diaz has appeared in 21 games for Madrid since joining the club from Manchester City in January 2019, scoring twice.
Man Utd keeper Pereira set for loan move
Manchester United back up goalkeeper Joel Pereira is set for a loan move to Huddersfield - according to The Sun.
The 24-year-old, who spent last season in the Scottish Premier League with Hearts, has fallen further down the squad pecking order at Old Trafford following Dean Henderson's return from Sheffield United.
Pereira now looks likely to continue his development at the John Smith's stadium, with Huddersfield currently building a squad for a promotion bid in the Championship.
Man City preparing to make Messi offer
'Inter have probably tried to sign Messi' - Ex-president Moratti
The former club president thinks the Serie A side will want to sign the Argentine, even though he doubts whether it will be possible
Inter have probably already begun attempts to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona, former president Massimo Moratti says.
The Nerazzurri have been touted as one of the clubs most likely to try to sign the Argentina star if he chooses to leave Camp Nou.
Messi is said to be giving his future serious consideration after a disappointing season that ended with an 8-2 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich.
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